Are you a new Golden Retriever owner who does not know which treats to feed your Golden Retriever? Or are you a veteran Golden Retriever owner who is simply looking for new ways to spice up your Golden Retriever’s diet?
Well, then you have landed on the right place because there are several dogs treats out there, and it’s really confusing to choose any one of those. Below I’ll be discussing the list of 10 best Golden Retriever treats and what makes those snacks different and better than the others.
Table of Contents
Overview Of The Best Picks
Are you in a HURRY?
Wait, and have a look at this table! I hope that this will save a lot of time. You can be assured; we only choose the Best Dog Treats for Golden Retrievers.
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You can scroll down to the next section for a detailed review of each of these dog treats with specifications.
Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Dog Treats For Golden Retrievers
As an owner of a Golden Retriever, you must evaluate the food you buy for your pet. It is your responsibility to ensure that you know whether or not the food you are feeding your Golden friend are safe or not; thus, it is essential to take into consideration things like:
Fat & Calories
If you use treats for training your Golden Retriever, it is essential to choose treats low in calories and fat. You do not want your Golden to start putting on weight or developing diabetes because of an unhealthy diet.
Allergies
Like humans, Golden Retrievers are also susceptible to allergens. It is hard to know what your dog will be allergic to, so that is going to take some trial and error. Ingredients such as chicken and beef contain the most allergens, so if your Golden Retriever is sensitive or allergic, try giving them treats that only have a single ingredient.
Avoid Filler Ingredients
Some commercial treats contain corn, soy, and wheat ingredients that you should stop feeding your dog. These are filler ingredients that won’t fill your dog for long, and even worse, they have no nutritional benefit whatsoever.
Sugar & Artificial Sweeteners
Treats with sugar or artificial sweeteners should not be fed to your Golden Retriever and should be avoided at any cost. These ingredients, such as corn syrup and Xylitol, are bad for your Golden Retriever’s health and have been known to cause diabetes, obesity, seizures, and in worst-case scenarios, death. It is essential to keep such treats away from your dog to avoid a terrible fate.
Ingredients
It is wise to choose treats that have minimal ingredients. It is recommended to avoid food ingredients that you are unable to pronounce. Some of the best treats only contain 1 ingredient, and of these, the best ingredients include omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for a healthy and shiny coat.
Meat By-Products & Meat Meal
Meat by-products and meat meals are cheaper than real meat, which is why they are used primarily by commercial dog treat manufacturers. These are unfit for humans and should thus also not be fed to your Golden Retriever because they may have adverse effects in the future.
Artificial Preservatives & Dyes
Artificial preservatives and dyes are linked to carcinogenic. Many commercial dog treats contain preservatives and dyes such as BHT and BHA to increase shelf life and overall visual appeal. These are harmful in the long run and linked to cancer, thus being banned in some European countries, Canada, and the USA.
Type Of Treat
The amount of dog treats on the market varies, and there are many choices to choose from. Famous dog treats include biscuits, freeze-dried fruits, and chewing treats, all of which can be used for different reasons. For example, soft treats such as biscuits are suitable to be used when training, whereas harder/tougher treats, are great for enabling your Golden Retriever to enjoy some alone time inside their crate.
Should You Give Your Golden Retriever A Treat?
Yes, you should give your Golden Retriever treats. Especially when you are training your Golden Retriever, treats can help motivate them and make them more goal-focused. Aside from the training advantage, treats are also a fantastic way to reward your Golden Retriever’s good deeds and encourage them to continue being good.
10 Best Dog Treats For Golden Retrievers
1. Nudges Natural Dog Treats Jerky Cuts Made with Real Chicken
- NEW TO BLUE: Nudges are now part of the Blue Buffalo family; Same great taste and healthy...
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: BLUE Nudges Jerky Cuts are made with real chicken as the first...
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These bite-sized tasty jerky cuts by Nudges are the best treat for Golden Retrievers. The Nudges jerky cuts are offered in a chicken flavor that your Golden Retriever would love.
These chewy delights are made from high-quality, natural ingredients such as vegetables and natural flavorings in the USA. They were slowly dried in the oven to concentrate all the flavor in each little snack.
Not only are the Nudges dog treats delicious, but they are pretty healthy. The natural ingredients ensure that your Golden Retriever can benefit from the nutritional density of these snacks with each bite.
2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats
- PACKED WITH REAL CHICKEN: Made with more of the delicious chicken your dog loves, BLUE...
- MADE WITH DHA: An important fatty acid found in mother’s milk, DHA helps promote...
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are in the market for chewy and moist snacks for your Golden Retriever, then the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats are what you are searching for. These snacks are made from chicken.
Your Golden Retriever would swoon over the deliciousness offered by these snacks. However, the benefits of these treats are not limited to the flavor but also extend to their nutritional value.
These snacks contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which support the health of your Golden Retriever’s skin and fur. The Blue Buffalo snacks also contain several vitamins to fortify and boost your Golden Retriever’s health.
3. Merrick Oven-Baked Natural Crunchy Dog Treats Crafted in the USA
- No.1 Ingredient Is Real Deboned Chicken
- Grain-Free Biscuits
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This crunchy biscuit snack is stock-piled with deboned chicken as the star ingredient. These dog snacks are entirely made from natural ingredients and have been recommended to reward your Golden Retriever.
Merrick Oven-Baked Natural dog treats are made of ingredients such as potatoes and carrots. These ingredients contain essential nutrients and vitamins for your Golden Retriever, such as health starch, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E. This snack does not contain filler ingredients such as soy, corn, and wheat.
4. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Mini Nibs Dog Food
- HEALTHY BEEF DOG FOOD: Real beef is worth drooling over! Satisfy your pup’s craving with...
- FUELING POWER OF RAW: Raw meat builds muscle and burns fat for vitality your dog will feel...
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Is your Golden Retriever a fan of beef? If so, then your Golden Retriever would be a massive fan of the Vital Essentials Mini Nibs. These mini nibs are made from real beef, giving your Golden Retriever a rich and healthy source of protein.
This is an ideal snack for Golden Retrievers who enjoy crunchy snacks. The Vital Essentials dog treat is made from limited ingredients, including several beef parts, vitamin E supplements, and zinc.
These junk-free snacks are made by using a freeze-drying method that seals all the flavor and healthy nutrients in each one of the mini nibs.
5. ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Dog Food
- HIGH PROTEIN, NUTRIENT DENSE: Authentic whole-prey ratios, featuring 96% free-range Lamb,...
- GRAIN-FREE, LOW CARB: Limited Ingredient (L.I.D) premium dog food without added...
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If your Golden Retriever is a carnivore, you should opt for the Ziwi Peak Air-dried dog food. These snacks were specifically manufactured to ensure that your Golden Retriever can enjoy the delightful flavor of their snacks while benefiting nutritionally.
The Ziwi Peak air-dried dog treats are suitable for Golden Retrievers of all ages. They would make the ideal treats for Golden Retriever puppies because they contain nutrients promoting growth and supporting the immune system.
6. SmartBones Twist Sticks, Treat Your Dog to a Rawhide-Free Chew
- RAWHIDE-FREE: Easy-to-digest dog chews made with wholesome ingredients.
- REAL PEANUT BUTTER: Made with peanut butter, chicken and vegetables twisted together.
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The SmartBones Twist Sticks are peanut butter flavored dog treats. These snacks are renowned for their light and delicate flavor. Not only are these snacks made out of peanut butter, but they also contain vegetables and chicken.
Unlike several dog treats that may be challenging for your Golden Retriever to digest, the SmartBones dog treats are easily digestible. These snacks promote the health of your Golden Retriever’s teeth too.
7. Zuke’s Puppy Naturals Training Dog Treats
- Zuke’s Puppy Naturals With Added Vitamins And Minerals Training Treats, Lamb Recipe....
- Real lamb is the first ingredient in these tender puppy training treats. These lamb treat...
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Zuke dog treats are a classic among dog treats. Numerous Golden Retriever owners have expressed how fond they and their Golden Retrievers are of the Zuke’s dog treats. These snacks are bite-sized, soft, and chewy.
These delightful snacks are offered in several flavors, including chicken, pork, beef, and salmon. These snacks are also gluten-free and grain-free.
8. Buddy Biscuits Oven Baked Healthy Dog Treats
- BUDDY BISCUITS: Contains ONE 16 oz. box of whole grain Buddy Biscuits. These adorable,...
- SIMPLE INGREDIENTS, SIMPLY GOOD: Made with only 5 ingredients! Baked fresh from real...
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking for some fun dog treats, then the Buddy Biscuits are the one for you. These dog treats are large gingerbread man-shaped dog treats. Their appearance is not the only appealing factor because these treats are remarkably delicious too.
However, these have high caloric contents; hence you should avoid giving your Golden Retriever too many of these snacks in a single day. Since they are large, I would suggest only giving your Golden Retriever one biscuit a day, at most.
Golden Retriever owners have swooned over this snack because of its short ingredient list. This snack contains only four ingredients. However, it is offered in several flavors, such as peanut butter, chicken, and bacon and cheese.
9. Full Moon Organic Human Grade Training Treats for Dogs
- HUMAN-GRADE: If you wouldn’t eat it, why would you feed it? From the ingredients...
- ALL NATURAL: Our kitchen-crafted Organic Chicken Training Treats are made from organic...
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Full Moon dog treats are the best dog treats for training Golden Retrievers. These snacks are bite-sized and relatively low on calories, so you do not have to be as conscious of the amount you feed your Golden Retriever.
These organic dog treats are human-grade which means that if you were so inclined, even you could eat them. The organic ingredients include sugar cane, chicken, and flax seeds.
10. True Chews Natural Dog Treats
- NEW TO BLUE: True Chews are now part of the Blue Buffalo family; Same great taste and...
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: made with delicious real chicken as the first ingredient for...
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These oven-roasted treats are filled with healthy proteins for your Golden Retriever. All the ingredients used are 100% natural, and this snack does not contain any artificial ingredients.
The True Chews snacks are delicious and chewy treats that are made from real chickens who were not grown using antibiotics. The softness of the treats means that your Golden Retriever can chew and eat it quickly and with minimal effort.
True Chews Natural Dog Treats are the best chew treats for Golden Retrievers.
Tips For Using Treats To Train A Golden Retriever
Size
The size of the snacks is essential when training Golden Retrievers. You would typically want to get a bite-sized snack. Bite-sized snacks are essentially snacks of a size that can easily fit into your mouth in one go, without you having to bite into it or cut it.
Bite-sized snacks are easier to give to your Golden Retriever when training them because they are easily accessible. It often leaves them wanting more, which ultimately makes them more obedient and willing to cooperate.
Color
When you train your Golden Retriever and require them to follow a particular path, you should consider using treats of a different color than the ground. This would make it easier for your Golden Retriever to follow the trail.
The use of different colored snacks can stimulate your Golden Retriever’s curiosity, which you can use to your advantage and get them to cooperate.
Value
The value of the snack is relative to your Golden Retriever’s preference. You should take the time to experiment and discover which snacks your Golden Retriever enjoys most.
Essentially, the more your Golden Retriever enjoys the dog treat, they are more likely to cooperate. Think about it; you would not go through the effect of changing your behavior if you did not benefit from it in any way or you were offered something that you do not like.
The same concept applies to Golden Retrievers. You should make the training worth your Golden Retriever’s while by choosing a delicious snack as an incentive.
Texture
When choosing a treat to use while training your Golden Retriever, you should choose one with a texture that your Golden Retriever can easily chew and swallow. I would recommend opting for a chewy snack.
Compared to harder and crunchy snacks that take a bit of time to chew and often may be a bit drier, chewy treats are easier for your Golden Retriever to eat in a hurry.
List Of Healthy Snacks For Golden Retrievers
If you want to give your Golden Retriever snacks, but you are not too fond of the processed snacks, then here are a few healthy alternatives:
- Apples
- Green Beans
- Carrots
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Green Peas
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Cooked Butternut
Treats To Avoid Giving Your Golden Retriever
Just because some treats are labeled as dog treats does not mean that they are necessarily safe for your Golden Retriever. You should avoid giving your Golden Retriever the following snacks or snacks with these ingredients:
- Bones
- Rawhide
- Pig’s ear
- Food coloring
- Overly processed treats with a long ingredient list
- Filler ingredients like wheat, corn, and soy
Homemade Dog Treats For Golden Retrievers
If you do not want to get processed snacks for your Golden Retriever, do not fret because you can make your Golden Retriever’s snacks at home. There are several snack molds that you can use to make your Golden Retriever’s snacks in the microwave, oven, or refrigerator.
Here are a few delicious recipes that you could make for your Golden Retriever:
- Bacon Snacks
- Apple and Cheddar biscuits
- Baked Chicken snacks
- Peanut Butter treats
- Sardine and Cheese treats
FAQ
What Dog Treats Are Best For Training Golden Retrievers Puppies?
The best treats to train your Golden Retriever puppy would typically be the Vital Essential Mini Nibs, Ziwi Peak Air-dried Treats, or the Only Natural Pet MaxMeat. All these sneaks are delightfully delicious and have been reported to work best when training Golden Retriever puppies.
Conclusion
When choosing a dog treat for your Golden Retriever, you should take your time to read the label. Often, the mainstream treats may not always be the best for your Golden Retriever.
Make sure that you educate yourself, and if you cannot pronounce or do not know any ingredients on the label, you should instead not opt for that snack. You should also watch out for filler ingredients that have no nutritional benefit for your Golden Retriever. Lastly and most importantly, ensure that you opt for a snack that your Golden Retriever truly loves.
