Best Puppy Treats for Golden Retrievers

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a white dog

Given the numerous dog food options, you may find yourself in a state of confusion every time you head out to buy treats for your golden retriever puppy. And we understand that you would only want the best kind of reward for your little ball of fur that is so eager to learn and get trained.

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This guide on the best puppy treats for golden retrievers will help you:

  • Identify the caloric limitation of your puppy
  • Find out about the four best puppy treats for golden retrievers
  • Learn what to look for in puppy treats

How Many Treats Should You Feed Golden Retriever Puppies?

If you think dog treats are the same as dog food, you have been wrong all along. Dog treats often taste better than dog food, which is why they may compromise on the nutrient balance. In other words, they are not intended to be a complete source of nutrition.

Veterinarians recommend that no more than 10 percent of your golden retriever’s daily caloric intake should come from treats. While the percentage can vary a little depending on your puppy, anything beyond 10 percent can lead to serious health issues such as nutritional imbalance and obesity.

There are three kinds of puppy treats for golden retrievers:

  • High-Value Rewards– treats that are high in calorie content and should be reserved for very special instances
  • Low-Value Training Treats– smaller treats that have low-calorie content and can be used during training sessions
  • Biscuits – dry and hard treats that are high in calories and given on casual non-training occasions or used as snacks

The 4 Best Puppy Treats for Golden Retrievers

Not all golden retrievers are the same, which is why a dog treat that works well for one may not be the most effective for another. The following are the best puppy treats for golden retrievers that will help you decide which one is best suited for your puppy.

1. Canidae Grain-Free Pure Dry – Best for Puppies with Food Allergies

If your golden retriever puppy has a sensitive stomach or food allergies, you should consider the Canidae Grain-free dry food as treats without any second thoughts! They are made of a simple formula that includes nine essential ingredients that provide your puppy with all the nutrients it needs. These are also grain-free, which makes them safe for puppies that have various food allergies.

CANIDAE PURE Puppy Recipe, Limited Ingredient, Grain Free Premium Dry Dog Food
  • 10 INGREDIENTS or LESS: Limited ingredients crafted from 7-10 real foods in each bag of dog food, giving your good boys and girls everything they need and nothing they don’t.
  • GRAIN FREE FOR DOGS WITH SENSITIVE STOMACHS: There’s nothing questionable in a bowl of Canidae PURE. Never any wheat, corn, or soy.
  • HEALTHPLUS IN EVERY BITE: Probiotics added to every kibble after cooking to support healthy digestion, antioxidants to support a healthy immune system, and omega 6 & 3 fatty acids to support beautiful skin and coat.
  • FLAVORS & TYPES: With 6 different proteins (Salmon, Lamb, Duck, Boar, Bison Chicken), and formulations for all life stages and sizes (Puppy, Adult, Senior, Small Breed), there’s a Canidae PURE product your dog will love.
  • WE MAKE PET FOOD SIMPLE: Canidae PURE Limited Ingredient Diet dog food uses simple, whole-food recipes made right here in our Texas facility. Because pet food shouldn’t be complicated.
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Canidae puppy treats contain vitamins, probiotic, and mineral content. These ensure that your golden retriever puppy has a beautiful coat, a strong immune system, and better digestion.

Pros

  • Highly recommended by the experts
  • Dry dog treats that use moderate amounts of meat
  • Available in multiple flavors and contain six different proteins
  • Support healthy digestion and immune system
  • Free from corn, soy, and grains

Cons

  • The lamb flavor doesn’t suit all dogs
  • Is slightly more expensive than other puppy treats for golden retrievers

2. Benefit Biscuits All-Natural Dog Snacks – Best for Training Puppies

If you are looking for a puppy treat to use as a reward during regular training sessions, then the Benefit Biscuits All-Natural is the best option. Made of natural and pro-digestive ingredients, these biscuits have a very low-calorie content which makes them ideal as a staple reward for your golden retriever puppy. Although they don’t replace your puppy’s diet completely, they can sometimes be used as a supplement and help to maintain a healthy digestive and immune system.

Benefit Biscuits, All Natural Dog Treats, Certified Vegan, Non GMO, Wheat Free, Healthy Dog Biscuits, Made in USA (Blueberry (Immunity Support))
  • GIVE A TASTY REWARD + HEALTHY BENEFITS – Treat your dog with a delicious snack that tastes great and contains healthy benefits. Our mint treats contain vitamin A. B12 and C and is naturally proven to clean your pup’s breath. Our pumpkin dog treats are packed with omegas, antioxidants, and dietary fibers known to support your dog’s digestion, skin, coat, and help create a strong immune system. Our peanut butter biscuits contain natural healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin, vitamin E, and protein.
  • PREMIUM SOURCED INGREDIENTS – We never use wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavoring, by-products, or any unhealthy ingredients. All treats are proudly VEGAN CERTIFIED with NON-GMO ingredients. Our ingredients are sourced from farms around the Pacific Northwest.
  • MADE IN THE USA – Each biscuit is slow cooked and handmade right in Washington State, meeting all regulators and standards. Our innovative formulas are irresistible and easy-to-digest based on the unique nutritional healthy recipe we created. We NEVER source or manufacture anything from overseas.
  • EXPERIENCE FRESHNESS OF FLAVORS - Each product comes in a 7oz pouch with a resalable bag to look in freshness. Unlike many treats that leave a smelly residue, Benefit Biscuits smells amazing. Open the bag and smell the aroma of each wholesale hand-picked ingredient.
  • 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED – Customers say even their finicky dogs love our homemade biscuits. If for some reason your dog doesn’t like a certain flavor we will be happy to trade out for a new flavor or give you a full refund.
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Benefit Biscuits are one of the best puppy treats for golden retrievers because they are vegan certified and contain vitamins that are directly proven to clean your golden retriever’s breath. You can find these in several flavors i.e. pumpkin, mint and peanut butter. These dog snacks are available in 7oz pouches and are also sized into small-bite treats that can be a quick reward without the need to break them apart.

Pros

  • Contains ingredients that are natural and non-GMO
  • Free of any chemical or animal by-products
  • Available in a re-sealable bag
  • Packaging allows the product to stay fresh
  • Bite-sized treats
  • Supports healthy digestion
  • Has a tempting aroma

Cons

  • Not all flavors available in training size – only pumpkin-flavored treats are
  • Is expensive as compared to other puppy treats for golden retrievers

3. Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Puppy Food – Best for Large Breed Puppies

Instinct Raw Boost puppy food is extremely famous amongst large breed golden retriever puppies. Available in small and digestible bites, these are high-quality dry treats with a higher nutrient profile than other puppy treats for golden retrievers. These are one of the best puppy treats for golden retrievers also because they are made of minimally processed chicken protein and Legumes which provide fiber for a quick digestion process.

Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Grain Free Recipe with Real Chicken Natural Dry Dog Food by Nature’s Variety, 20 lb. Bag
  • GRAIN FREE PUPPY FOOD WITH FREEZE DRIED RAW CAGE FREE CHICKEN: Instinct Raw Boost dry dog food combines high protein, grain free kibble with all natural bites of freeze dried raw chicken. Cage free chicken is the #1 ingredient - for energy to grow & play
  • PUPPY DOG FOOD PLUS FREEZE DRIED RAW PIECES: Made with calcium & phosphorus for strong teeth and bones plus natural DHA for brain & eye development. Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by product meal, artificial colors or preservatives.
  • THE FIRST RAW BOOSTED LARGE BREED PUPPY KIBBLE: Raw Boost mixes natural, high protein, grain free dog food with our freeze dried raw dog food toppers in one bag. Also includes probiotics and omegas. Complete & balanced nutrition for large breed puppies.
  • POWER OF RAW INGREDIENTS: Our dog food is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
  • OUR BEST DOG FOOD FOR PUPPIES BOOSTED WITH RAW: We craft dry & wet dog food from real ingredients. Compare Instinct to Blue Buffalo, Rachel Ray, Hills Science Diet, Purina One, Taste of the Wild, Merrick, Natural Balance, Wellness, Orijen, Royal Canin.
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Instinct Raw Boost puppy treats are free of grain, wheat, soy, animal by-products, or corn. However, they may not be the best treats for allergic puppies since they also have vegetables and different meats such as fish and turkey. Yet, a majority of golden retriever puppies can still get a very high amount of nutrition from these treats.

Pros

  • Has a better nutritional profile than other puppy treats for golden retrievers
  • Contains a satisfactory level of omega fatty acids
  • Has high-quality fish and meat ingredients
  • Contains no by-products or grains
  • Helps in making teeth and bones stronger

Cons

  • Has a high carbohydrate proportion
  • Consists of Tapioca – a low-grade filler for golden retrievers
  • Not hypoallergenic

4. Wellness Natural Grain-Free Puppy Treats – Best for Teething Puppies

Wellness Natural makes the best puppy treats for golden retrievers who are going through their teething phase. These small-sized chunks are soft and chewy which makes them easy to bite and swallow. They are available in two different flavors i.e. soft lamb and salmon or crunchy chicken and carrots.

Wellness Puppy Bites Natural Grain Free Puppy Training Treats … (Variety)
  • Two bags of Puppy Bites (One - Soft Lamb & Salmon; One - Crunchy Chicken & Carrots)
  • TRAINING & REWARDING: Great for both training your puppy and rewarding your puppy.
  • ALL NATURAL: Contains only premium, all natural ingredients with no meat by-products, corn, wheat, dairy or any artificial colors and flavors.
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Wellness Natural Grain-Free puppy treats are made of only the natural ingredients and are free of any allergy inducing products. The formula also works incredibly for sensitive puppies and ensures that that the golden retriever puppies develop strong and healthy muscles as they grow. These grain-free treats have also been proven to help in maintaining a healthy immune system and stimulating brain development in golden retriever puppies.

Pros

  • Has an enticing smell
  • Consists of natural and healthy nutrients
  • It is hypoallergenic – contains no grains or ingredients that cause allergies
  • The treats are small, chewy and soft
  • Free of any artificial colors or flavors

Cons

  • The treat size might be slightly bigger for small breeds of golden retrievers
  • Should not be over-fed

What to Look for in Golden Retriever Puppy Treats?

Golden retrievers are very sensitive in their puppy phase which is why you must be extra careful when choosing a treat for them. Here is a list of a few things that you must consider to make the best choice.

  • Are there any artificially added sweeteners such as sugars or corn syrup? These are responsible for major health issues such as obesity in golden retrievers.
  • Does the puppy treat contain preservatives or artificial dyes? These have been proven to have carcinogenic content– which means there is a great health risk associated with it.
  • What is the texture of puppy treat chunks? Will your puppy like it? For instance, soft treats are better instead of hard ones for teething puppies.
  • What is the size of the treat chunk? A ‘treat’ won’t work well if it’s too easy to swallow of too big to bite.
  • Are there any filler ingredients? These add little or no nutritional value. Your dog may enjoy them at first, but these are extremely unhealthy in the long term.

Our Final Thoughts

We hope that this guide assists you in finding the best puppy treats for golden retrievers. If you are still not sure, have your puppy taste our recommended puppy treats and see which one it likes the best!

About The Author

lindsay my golden retriever author
I love animals and have a beautiful Golden Retriever of my own. She's my baby and I definitely spoil her. She deserves it! With My-Golden, I want to bring my knowledge and expertise of the breed to you and your new dog.
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