Recommended Products For Your Golden Retriever
Welcome, fellow golden lovers!
As a proud golden retriever parent, I know firsthand how much we want the absolute best for our furry companions. Whether it’s the food they eat, the toys they play with, or the grooming tools that make bath time (a little) easier, the right products can make a world of difference.
This list isn’t just random picks — these are items I’ve used personally with Cosmo and Luna, and now with Nala during her visit. They’ve been battle-tested in real life, from muddy paws to backyard zoomies. I’ve also added a few favorites recommended by other golden parents in our community.
Note: Some links may earn us a small commission from Amazon — at no extra cost to you. That helps support our future content and the app we’re building for golden lovers like you. Thanks for your support!
🦮 High-Quality Dog Food
Feeding your golden retriever a high-quality dog food is one of the most important ways to support their long-term health and happiness. It should include a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals—tailored to their age, activity level, and health needs.
Look for formulas with real meat (like chicken, lamb, or fish) as the first ingredient, and steer clear of foods loaded with fillers, artificial preservatives, or by-products. A quality diet promotes a shiny coat, strong immune system, and healthy digestion.
As always, check with your vet to find what works best for your pup.
After trying what feels like every kibble brand on the planet, here are the ones our goldens keep coming back to—and why.
- 🐾 Fromm – Great for picky eaters, and we noticed shinier coats after a few weeks.
Fromm Puppy food has been used to feed our puppies – Surf and Turf. Adults have been fed Fromm Duck A La Veg which were excellent for their coats.
- 🐾 Canidea All life Stages – Our go-to for keeping everyone on the same food—no need to juggle different bags. We have happily fed our goldens with Multi- Protein Chicken, Turkey and Lamb Meals Formula
- 🐾 Purina Pro Plan – Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dog Food Salmon and Rice Formula. Helped with Cosmo’s early digestion issues. It’s pricey but reliable when in stock.
🦴 Ready to level up treat time? Next up: Our favorite Golden-approved chews & snacks
Treats – Perfect as a reward for good behavior, training new commands, or simply showing affection. We lean toward single-ingredient treats with limited fillers to keep our Goldens healthy and focused.
Here are our tried-and-true favorites:
- 🐾 Stewart Freeze Dried Dog Treats (Beef Liver) – Our go-to “high value” treat. We save these for moments when we really need them to listen—like recall training or new tricks. Dogs go nuts for these. Use sparingly!
- 🐾 Zuke’s Mini Naturals – Great for training sessions. They’re small, soft, and come in flavors like chicken or peanut butter. Low calorie, so you can give multiple in a row.
🦮Grooming Products
Regular grooming is important for the health and hygiene of your golden retriever, and using the right grooming products can make the process more effective and enjoyable. Depending on your dog’s coat type, you may need a variety of grooming tools, such as a brush, comb, nail clippers, and shampoo. Using the right grooming products can help keep your golden retriever’s coat shiny, healthy, and free from mats and tangles, as well as prevent issues such as ear infections and dental problems.
- 🐾 Stripper Tool – Mars Coat King De-Matting Undercoat Grooming Rake Stripper Tool (20-Blade) to achieve a professional looking groom. Great for getting out tangles and mats!
- 🐾 Thinning Shears – 42-46 tooth thinners leave the least mark when trimming
- 🐾 Rake – Actually works better than a comb. Takes out the undercoat before it goes all over the house ! We use a PSI 808 rake but it looks like that model is no longer available.
A similar tool with great reviews is the FURminator Grooming Rake, though we haven’t personally tested it.
- 🐾 Slicker brush – Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs does a good job
- 🐾Dremel – Reccomend to start trimming nails with a Dremel when they are puppies. For keeping nails properly trimmed we use a Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Cordless Pet Dog Nail Grooming & Grinding Tool. It appears this product is now replaced with the Dremel 7350-PET 4V Pet & Dog Nail Grinder. While we haven’t personally used the Dremel 7350-PET 4V Pet & Dog Nail Grinder, it appears to be a solid replacement with good feedback.
- 🐾 Shampoo/Conditioner – #1 All Systems Super Cleaning is extra-gentle and is a low sudsing formula. Completely rinses out leaving no residue.
- 🐾 Detangling conditioner – Chris Christensen Ice on Ice Detangling Dog Conditioner is a leave-in and detangling conditioner whch helps to smooth out tangles and knots in the hair, making it easier to comb or brush through. Dont drop any on the floor as it can make it super slippery.
🦮Crates
When choosing a crate for your golden retriever, it is important to ensure that it is the appropriate size for your dog, with enough room for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Crates can be used for training purposes, such as housebreaking or teaching your dog to be comfortable with confinement, as well as for transportation, such as during car rides or airline travel.
It is important to choose a crate that is durable, secure, and well-ventilated, with a comfortable bed or mat for your dog to rest on. A crate can be a valuable tool for your golden retriever’s safety, comfort, and training needs.
- 🐾MIDWEST Life Stages Double Door Fold & Carry Crates :
- Smaller size (36 x 24 x 27): Great for travel — fits in most SUVs or vans.
Larger size (42 x 28 x 31): Best for home use — more room to stretch, especially for males.
🦮Ailments
Ailments are conditions or diseases that affect the health and well-being of dogs. They can range from mild to severe and can affect different parts of the body, such as the skin, digestive system, respiratory system, and joints.
- 🐾Nose care – Nasal hyperkeratosis is a skin condition that causes the nose to become dry, thick, and crusty. We have successfully used Natural Dog Company Snout Soother Dog Nose Balm.
- Ear Infections– Goldens are very susceptible to ear infections. We use TrizULTRA + Keto Flush for Dogs to keep their ears healthy.
- 🐾Anxiety – The Thundershirt for dogs is a revolutionary solution designed to help calm and alleviate anxiety in our beloved furry friends. With its innovative, wrap-around design, the Thundershirt applies gentle, constant pressure to your dog’s body, creating a soothing and reassuring effect. Stressful events such as the Fourth of July fireworks can be very scary for dogs. The Thundershirt is a great aid in helping them keep calm.
🦮Pet Hair remover
Using a pet hair remover regularly can help keep your home and clothing free from pet hair, which can improve the overall cleanliness and reduce allergens in the air.
- 🐾ChomChom Pet Hair Remover does the trick easily getting hair off your couch (and other surfaces).
- 🐾neabot P1 Pro Pet Grooming Kit – Using a pet hair remover regularly helps keep your home cleaner and reduces airborne allergens. It also makes cuddling your golden a little less…furry.
🦮Chew toys/bones
- 🐾Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy for Aggressive Chewers (Large) –
One of our dogs’ all-time favorites for tough chewers.
🦮Bedding
- 🐾Kuranda Chewproof Bed – Silver Aluminum – 44″ x 27″ – Cordura – Forest –
Ours is over 6 years old and still looks like new — built to last!
🦮Recommended books
- 🐾Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Behaved Dog – Fantastic for first-time puppy parents; positive and easy to follow.
- 🐾The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition) – A classic by the Monks of New Skete, with timeless advice on structure, trust, and routine.
🦮Miscellaneous
🐾Poop bags – Amazon Basics Unscented Standard Dog Poop Bags – Simple, reliable, and budget-friendly — gets the job done every time.
🐾Car seat cover – iBuddy Dog Seat Cover for Trucks with Mesh Window – Still going strong after 3 years — protects the seats and lets them ride in style.
🐾Flee and Tick prevention – Shield your furry friend from pesky fleas and ticks with an effective and reliable flea and tick treatment. We love K9 Advantix II XL
🐾Potty training – Nature’s Miracle Dog Stain and Odor Remover – A must-have during training — works great for stains and odors.
🐾Portable dog bowl – Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Portable Dog Dish, 48 oz – Lightweight and easy to pack — perfect for walks, hikes, or road trips.
We will update the “Recommended Products For Your Golden Retriever” frequently, so check back often.
Check out our Golden Retriever Blog for frequently updated posts on everything from health, fitness and Golden Retriever Ownership