5 Best Canned Wet Foods for Golden Retrievers (Our Top Picks)

Whether it’s easier for your dog to eat canned wet food due to health conditions or they are picky eaters, looking for the best canned wet food for golden retrievers can be a challenge since there are so many options out there, and you don’t know which will be the best one for your dog. 

We did all the hard work for you and found the 5 best wet dog foods according to your dog’s different needs to help them stay happy and healthy. 

Quick Picks 

Best Canned Wet Foods for Golden Retrievers

1.    Best Overall: Purina ONE High Protein Wet Dog Food True Instinct Tender Cuts

This is the healthiest wet dog food as it contains real chicken and duck with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients and 100% nutrition for dogs. It’s free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and poultry by-products. Each ingredient added to it has a purpose. 

It comes in a savory dog food gravy and a high-quality protein formula with vitamins E, B1, A, B12, D3, B9, and more helps your golden retriever stay active and healthy. You can use it as a topper or serve as the main course. 

(If you’re looking for other Purina dog food options, check out our review – 6 Best Purina Dog Foods for Golden Retrievers) 

Main Features

👍 First Five Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Wheat Gluten, Soy Flour, Pork Lungs

👍 Age Range: Adult

👍 Type: Grain-inclusive

Pros

✅ Available in a variety of flavors  

✅ Smells like “human” stew

✅ Easy-to-open cans 

Cons

❌ Some cans may come in dented

2.    Most Affordable: PEDIGREE CHOICE CUTS IN GRAVY Adult Canned Soft Wet Dog Food Variety Pack

If you’re on the hunt for the best affordable wet dog food, this is it! This variety pack contains 6 flavors in beef and 6 in country stew with an economical price tag. Both flavors contain real chicken and beef and beneficial vitamins and minerals for 100% complete and balanced nutrition. 

This formula is free of artificial flavor, added sugar, and high fructose corn syrup. Your golden retriever should surely enjoy morsels of real beef in a delicious gravy sauce for exciting mealtimes.

Main Features

👍 First Five Ingredients: Sufficient Water for Processing, Chicken, Meat By-Products, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten

👍 Age Range: Adult

👍 Type: Grain-inclusive

Pros

✅ Made in facilities committed to zero waste to landfill

✅ Great for picky eaters

✅ Easy pull-top cans

Cons

❌ Some pet parents wish for the smell to slightly improve

3.    Best Wet Food for Senior Dogs: Evanger’s Heritage Classics Senior & Weight Management for Dogs 

This wet food offers a complete balanced diet for senior, less active, and even overweight dogs. It is packed with high-quality ingredients along with its own natural juices and added chelated trace minerals and vitamins to support your dog’s well-being. 

Chicken, chicken broth, and brown rice are the first three ingredients. It is free of preservatives, artificial colors, salt, fillers, corn, by-products, and soy to offer just the best to your golden retriever. 

Recommended Reading: 13 Best Senior Dog Foods for Golden Retrievers

Main Features

👍 First Five Ingredients: Chicken, Water Sufficient for Processing, Brown Rice, Guar Gum, Dried Kelp

👍 Age Range: Senior

👍 Type: Loaf

Pros

✅ Smells fresh

✅ Easy to spread over kibble

✅ Made in USA

✅ BPA-free and recyclable steel cans

Cons

❌ No other flavor options 

4.    Best Food Topper: Blue Buffalo Delectables Grain Free Natural Wet Dog Food Topper Variety Pack

Whether you’re looking for the best food topper or the best wet dog food to mix with dry food, this might become your dog’s new favorite. It comes in as a variety pack and contains 6 (3 oz) pouches of beef and chicken each. 

It contains meaty morsels of real beef or chicken in a savory broth with nutritious, garden vegetables. It’s enhanced with added vitamins and minerals and contains real beef or chicken as the first ingredient. 

It’s free of chicken/poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives to provide only the best quality food to your golden retriever. 

Main Features

👍 First Five Ingredients: Chicken/Beef, Chicken/Beef Broth, Water, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product

👍 Age Range: All life stages

👍 Type: Grain-free

Pros

✅ Ideal for dogs with grain allergies/sensitivities as it’s grain-free

✅ The single-serve pouches are easy to open and store

✅ Ideal for picky eaters

Cons

❌ It may be a little expensive for some

5.    Best for Puppies: ORIJEN Puppy Poultry & Fish Pate Recipe Wet Dog Food

The best food for golden retriever puppy could be this! It is high in moisture to keep your puppy well-hydrated, and the high-quality pate of poultry (chicken and turkey) and fish (mackerel) helps your puppy grow strong and thrive. 

Its first 5 ingredients are from quality animal sources. It even contains whole prey ingredients such as organs and bones to provide essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to your golden retriever puppy. 

(We’ve also reviewed golden retriever puppy foods in detail here – 7 Best Puppy Foods for Golden Retrievers)

Main Features

👍 First Five Ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, chicken heart, mackerel, chicken bone broth

👍 Age Range: Puppy

👍 Type: Wet Food

Pros

✅ Contains 95% premium animal ingredients and 5% veggies and fruits

✅ Ideal for puppies with grain sensitives/allergies as it’s grain-free

✅ Easy-to-digest wet food formula 

✅ Has just the right consistency and a smell of “real” food

✅ Great for picky eaters

Cons

❌ Maybe a bit too pricey for some

How to Choose the Best Canned Wet Foods for Golden Retrievers?

Picking the best canned wet food for your golden retriever may seem like a challenge, as you can find so many options. We will discuss a few important factors below to help you choose the right one for your dog. 

Factor #1: Read the Ingredients List 

It’s generally recommended to have a high-quality source of meat as the first ingredient to give your dog the necessary proteins. 

Reading the ingredients list will help you identify if there are any potentially harmful ingredients or any that your golden retriever is sensitive/allergic to. 

If you’re not sure about the ingredients and want the best for your canine companion, you must consult your vet for professional recommendation. 

Factor #2: AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement

Ensure the wet food you’re picking for your dog contains a nutritional adequacy statement by AAFCO on the label, which usually states that the dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO.

It also states for which life stage (puppy, adult, or senior) and breed it is suitable. So, for golden retrievers, it should state large breed. This will ensure your dog is getting all the required nutrients for their health. 

Factor #3: Taste & Texture 

The most common textures of canned wet foods are pate, chunks in gravy, or shreds in gravy. You can also find different tastes, from beef and poultry to fish. 

In order to make sure your golden retriever actually eats their food and enjoys their mealtime, you might have to go through some trials and errors. 

Some food brands offer small cans or pouches, which you can try and see whether your dog likes it or not. Of course, you can use wet food as a whole meal, food topper, or mix it with dry food. 

Factor #4: Convenience 

Another deal breaker for many pet parents, which is often overlooked, is the convenience of usage. Generally, two packaging options are available – stand-up pouches or cans. 

Stand-up pouches tend to be more convenient as they are portable and take up less space for storage. You can also easily pour food for your dog from pouches without making a mess. 

Although most wet food cans feature pull tabs, which make it easier to serve food for your dog, it can still not be a convenient option as compared to pouches for some pet parents.  

Frequently Asked Questions

1.    Is canned wet food better for dogs?

Canned wet food can benefit dogs, especially those needing more hydration or with dental issues, as it’s easier to chew and contains more moisture. However, it’s generally more expensive and less calorie-dense than dry food, and individual dog needs should be considered.

2.    What food do golden retrievers love?

Golden retrievers often enjoy a variety of foods including lean meats, rice, vegetables, and certain fruits. They are known for their love of eating, so it’s important to monitor their diet to prevent obesity. Always avoid toxic foods like chocolate, grapes, and onions.

3.    Is it OK to give a dog wet food everyday?

Feeding dogs wet food daily is generally okay, as long as it’s nutritionally balanced and appropriate for the dog’s age, size, and health needs. However, wet food can contribute to dental issues, so it’s important to maintain good dental hygiene practices.

4.    What are the disadvantages of wet dog food?

Wet dog food can be more expensive than dry food, may contribute to dental problems due to its soft texture, has a shorter shelf life once opened, and is less energy-dense, potentially requiring larger portions for the same caloric intake compared to dry food.

Conclusion

When finding the best canned wet foods for golden retrievers, read the ingredients list, spot the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the packaging, find the right taste & texture, and ensure the packaging is convenient. Moreover, consulting with your vet is a must to not compromise on their health. 

If your dog has skin allergies, you should find the right food with ingredients to deal with (or prevent) allergies. Check out our detailed review here – 8 Best Dog Foods for Golden Retrievers with Skin Allergies.