If you're a proud owner of a Goldendoodle, you know that this lovable mixed breed, a cross between Golden Retrievers and Poodles, deserves the best overall food option for their unique nutritional needs.
Whether you have a goldendoodle puppy, adult, or senior, finding the RIGHT DIET is essential to their overall health and wellbeing.
Goldendoodles require a nutrient-dense diet that supports their active lifestyle and helps maintain their curly coat in top condition.
When it comes to selecting the right dog food for this breed, it's important to consider their size, age and any specific health concerns they may have.
A high-quality diet formulated for mixed breeds such as Goldendoodles will provide the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients to support their overall health.
In this article, we'll explore our top choices for goldendoodles at every stage of life, so you can make an informed decision about what to feed and what to look for a dog food.
Made with 100% human-grade ingredients and expertly balanced for complete nutrition.
Protein-rich turkey is boosted with superfoods such as blueberries and kale to offer your Goodle a nutritious meal that is packed with essential nutrients in every bite.
For an extra boost of vitamins and minerals, they've added in some vitamin-rich spinach to give your pup the nutrition they need to thrive.
This recipe is perfect for dogs of all shapes and sizes, providing them with the protein they need to maintain strong muscles, the fiber to aid in digestion, and the essential nutrients to support a healthy immune system.
Ollie’s meal plans are tailored to each dog’s unique needs. Plus, with Ollie's convenient delivery service, you can ensure your pup always has a fresh and tasty meal ready to go.
This is a wholesome and protein-rich meal designed to delight your dog’s taste buds while providing balanced nutrition.
Made with 100% natural, high-quality fresh beef, chicken and turkey as its primary ingredients, this recipe ensures that your furry friend enjoys the robust flavors and essential amino acids they need for strong muscles and overall vitality.
Enhanced with farm-grown vegetables and nutrient-rich grains, it delivers a complete and balanced diet tailored to support energy levels, healthy digestion, and a shiny coat.
Free from artificial preservatives, fillers, and by-products, this gently cooked, refrigerated dog food locks in freshness and flavor for a meal your dog will love.
Ideal for pet parents seeking a fresh, natural option, this recipe is perfect for dogs of all breeds and life stages. Serve it as a standalone meal or mix it with your dog's favorite kibble for added variety.
This is a premium raw dog food crafted to deliver optimal nutrition and irresistible flavor for your canine companion.
Formulated by a Ph.D. nutritionist with a deep understanding of canine dietary needs, this patty is designed to provide a perfectly balanced, biologically appropriate diet.
Made with high-quality, grass-fed beef as the primary ingredient, it is completely free of antibiotics, hormones, and fillers, ensuring your dog receives the cleanest and most natural protein source available.
This recipe is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to support healthy bones, strong muscles, and overall vitality, making it an excellent choice for dogs of all life stages.
As the most popular product in the We Feed Raw lineup, it’s a testament to its exceptional quality and customer satisfaction. Conveniently portioned and easy to serve, this beef patty is the ideal choice for pet parents who want to nourish their dog with a diet that mirrors what nature intended.
Pros
Highly palatable
Naturally hydrating
Packed with nutrients
Nutritionist formulated + Vet approved
Sourced from USDA, human-grade meats
Cons
A bit expensive
4. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Garbanzo Beans
Always choose the best food for a goldendoodle puppy. This premium dog food is part of our top pick and is specially crafted to meet the unique nutritional needs of a growing pup, making it the perfect choice for pet owners who want only the best for their furry friends.
With a focus on natural, high-quality ingredients, this formula is packed with real roasted meat and a blend of protein sources, ensuring that your puppy gets the energy and nutrients they need to thrive.
Breed dog owners, particularly those with active breeds like goldendoodles, may face challenges in finding the best food for their puppies.
Luckily, this offers a solution. It not only supports healthy growth and development but also contains essential vitamins and minerals to promote overall well-being. Plus, with its delicious roasted venison and bison flavor, your puppy will love mealtime.
Pros
Grain-free formula
Packed with protein
Formula is specifically designed for the puppyhood stage
Cons
This formula is neither organic or free of any genetically-modified ingredients (GMOs)
Stella & Chewy is one of the dog food brands by Chewy, and it’s a premium line known for placing emphasis on a meat-first dog food diet. This particular recipe is meat-packed to ensure that your dog is getting as much protein as possible.
It uses a whole-prey approach to crafting the dog food, which means that your pup gets not just muscle meat but organs and cartilage as well. This approach brings in much more nutrients since organs and cartilage are filled with vitamins and minerals.
The grain-free dog food is meant for adult dogs. It uses shredded chicken and lamb as its protein sources. Pumpkin delivers the fiber to ensure a healthy digestion, while sunflower oil and flaxseed oil supply the much-needed omega fatty acids.
Lastly, if your are a bit adventurous and wants to experiment on your dog's food, the brand also offer a raw dog food line made from the finest food ingredients.
Pros
Grain-free formula
Packed with multiple protein
No fillers, peas, and artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
Cons
On the expensive side
6. Chicken Soup for the Soul Mature Chicken, Turkey & Duck Recipe
Senior dogs are picky due to many factors. If your dog seems to lose interest on his food, look for food that contains new types of meat for more flavor.
This is a dog food option meant for the mature pup. Since mature dogs are often not as energetic as they were during their peak years, they need lots of protein to support lean muscles and provide them with energy.
This Goldendoodle dog food recipe uses real chicken as the main protein source but it is also supported with turkey, chicken liver, ocean white fish, salmon, and duck for a truly meaty and satisfying meal.
It’s not grain-free. Rather, it uses whole grain brown rice and oatmeal to provide your pup with easy-to-digest carbohydrates and fiber for his digestion. It’s a nutritious dog food that does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Pros
Packed with multiple proteins
Contains no byproduct meals, fillers, or anything artificial
Holistic nutrition that blends meat, grains, fruits, and veggies
This dry dog food offers all the nutrients that your little goldendoodle buddy needs. Small dogs have faster metabolism than big ones and this recipe supplies them all the fuel for their daily activities.
Real deboned lamb is the main protein source in this dog food, followed by chicken meal to add further protein support. The carbohydrates come from rice and rice bran, while the chicken fat supplies additional energy and the fatty acids that strengthen your dog’s immune system, skin, and coat.
Nutro makes its dog food recipes purposeful and clean. This one is no different with its non-GMO ingredients to make sure your pup only gets the best and healthiest. All ingredients are also recognizable and sourced from trusted farmers.
This kibble offers a wholesome and nutrient-rich dining experience for your canine companion.
Inspired by a whole-prey diet, this recipe features a blend of sustainably sourced chicken, duck and turkey, delivering a natural balance of protein, fats, and essential nutrients.
Crafted in the pristine landscapes of New Zealand, known for its high-quality ingredients and ethical farming practices, this grain-free formula ensures your dog enjoys a clean, nutrient-dense meal free from artificial additives, fillers, and common allergens like wheat, corn and soy.
Packed with vitamins and minerals from fresh fruits and vegetables, it supports strong muscles, healthy digestion, and a vibrant coat.
Ideal for dogs with a taste for variety and a need for energy-packed nutrition, this thoughtfully crafted recipe mirrors the natural diet your dog would thrive on in the wild.
This food offers a convenient and nutrient-packed way to provide your dog with the benefits of a raw diet.
Made with responsibly sourced pork as the primary ingredient, this freeze-dried formula is designed to deliver high-quality protein and essential nutrients in their most natural and bioavailable form.
Enhanced with organic fruits and vegetables such as kale, carrots and blueberries, it provides a balanced blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to support your dog’s overall health, immune function and vitality.
Free from grains, gluten and artificial additives, this recipe is ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or those requiring a biologically appropriate diet.
The freeze-dried format makes preparation simple and mess-free—just scoop, rehydrate and serve. Crafted to mirror the ancestral diet of dogs, it offers a wholesome and delicious way to nourish your pet naturally while supporting their lifelong health.
Pros
Made in USA
Crafted using crate-free pork
With USDA organic veggies and fruits
Reduces stool volume
High digestibility and nutrient absorption
Cons
Picky eaters are not a fan
10. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas
Wellness’ large breed dry dog food with chicken and brown rice offers complete nutrition for large breed dogs.
It includes mixed tocopherols that are meant to protect against the development of eye disease and it also includes Yucca Shidigera extract to help lessen the usually overpowering smell of stools expelled by large dogs.
The recipe omits needless fillers but includes the perfect amounts of calcium, phosphorous, and additional minerals to support strong bones. The moderate fat content and optimized protein levels ensure lean muscle mass that keeps extra fat off your big fur buddy.
Pros
Zero GMO ingredients
Rich in Omegas and antioxidants
Filled with glucosamine and taurine
Specifically made for large dogs
With natural fiber, pre and probiotics
Cons
Noticeable recipe change
Goldendoodle Special Dietary and Nutritional Considerations
Do goldendoodles have special considerations? Well, like any other dog, they need the following nutritional considerations:
1. Protein
Goldendoodles, like any other dog, have a primary meal requirement: protein! Puppies up to adults are highly active so they need dog foods that use high-quality proteins to keep them happy. The first ingredient in their dog foods should always be meat.
Your Goldendoodle can get his protein from several different sources, including whole meats like buffalo, beef, and fish. He can also get some of his protein from plants that can be easier on his tummy during the digestive process.
It is important to choose a dog food crafted for his specific life stage so they can get all the required nutrients they need. And if your pup has food sensitivities, you can work around that by choosing dog foods with novel proteins instead.
2. Fat
Fat will not make your Goldendoodle fat, but what it will do is deliver consistent energy for all his puppy activities, like those wrestling matches with your shoes, the wobbly walks around the block, and the forever-fun playtime with his human companion—you!
Fat is a standard aspect of your pup’s nutritional requirements and any high-quality dog food will deliver the amount your little buddy needs for his best health.
Lastly, fat is also where those omega fatty acids that are responsible for your dog’s healthy skin and coat comes from. You can find fat in the form of chicken fat, salmon oil, or fish oil, to name a few.
3. Fiber
Fiber is an excellent helper for two reasons: your pup gets loaded with tons of energy, and it encourages a healthy digestive tract. This makes it a win for both your pup and you—no pet parent likes to see their fur buddy suffering with a tummy ache or having trouble with passing his food.
Fiber as a daily part of your pup’s diet will keep his digestion working adequately and keep you worry-free. The fiber comes from carbohydrate sources such as grains (whole-grain brown rice, for example) or if it’s a grain-free food you’re feeding your pup, it may come from potatoes or peas.
4. Carbohydrates
Carbs are also a general part of your pup’s dietary requirements and will help to keep stability in his blood sugar levels, but be careful!
Although carbohydrates are a great source for quick energy, too many carbs will cause a sudden increase in your pup’s blood sugar, so keep it to a minimum. If your dog food is high-quality and specifically formulated for either the puppy or adult life stages, you should be all set so long as you abide by the feeding instructions.
5. Fatty Acids
These essential fatty acids are vital for healthy skin and a beautiful, shiny coat. A dog’s health can be witnessed via his appearance – weight, eyes, and coat.
Any pet lover will want to see his pup thriving and looking his best and omega fatty acids deliver the nutrition required to have your Goldendoodle ready for the doggy runway.
Omega fatty acids also keep inflammation down, support the brain development of your goldendoodle puppies, and boost the immune system of your adult goldendoodles.
6. Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants
You will find that high-quality dog foods will always add supplementary vitamins and minerals to support your canine’s health.
Minerals are a foundational aspect of proper organ and tissue growth and will assist throughout the duration of your Goldendoodle’s life span. Antioxidants will fight free radicals and promote long-lasting health as well.
7. Moisture
Your friendly Goldendoodle likely loves lapping up some water after long walks on a warm afternoon so keep his water bowl full to encourage sufficient consumption of water. However, if he doesn’t, the moisture in his dog food should help some.
Your dog needs to stay hydrated because water assists with moving all the nutrients in his food down into his cells and the rest of his body. Every single body function is dependent on his level of hydration.
Wet dog food typically contains around 72-82% moisture. If your dog is not very fond of drinking water, canned dog food would be your best option.
Extra Tips When Selecting Puppy or Adult Dog Food For Your Goldendoodle
While goldendoodles will usually have excellent health when bred responsibly, there are certain health problems that they may possibly inherit from their poodle or golden retriever ancestors.
Reputable breeders will ensure that the puppies they breed will have no hereditary issues. However, other breeders may not have this compunction. And the health problems will become more obvious as the dog gets older if you happen to get a puppy from a not-so respectable breeder.
Diseases Goldendoodles Are Prone To and How to Address Them With Food
Hip Dysplasia
Poodles and golden retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia as well as eye disorders. This may show up in your goldendoodle if you are not careful where you get your pup. If this happens, the best dog food for goldendoodles are those that can provide extra support for their joints as well as their eyes so that they can live a long and full life despite their condition.
Another thing that adult Goldendoodles are susceptible to are food allergies. Make sure to select foods that do not contain artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
Dogs do not need these. Try as much as possible to stick to good quality dog food because these do not contain fillers, common allergens, and other unnecessary ingredients.
For some goldendoodle pups, a grain-free diet works best, although many also thrive on grain-inclusive meals. It really depends on each individual dog.
Bloat
Lastly, the large breed Goldendoodles are prone to bloat. Just like their golden retriever ancestors, many Goldendoodles tend to eat too fast and too much. While this can’t be helped by the food you select, there are slow-feeding products you can use to minimize the risk for your pup.
The various puppy life stages are exciting times. Your puppy is growing at a fast pace, and each of his developmental phases brings about new wonder at the progress your dog is making. We’ve listed down all the different puppy life stages leading up to adulthood and what to expect and do for each one.
6 Weeks Old
When Goodle puppies reach six weeks of age, they are still babies who require their mother’s support for nutrition. During this stage, all you need to do is make sure your pup is feeding freely from his mama, because she produces all of the good stuff your puppy needs to thrive.
10 Weeks Old
At ten weeks of age, they are ready to be weaned off their mom’s milk. At this point, you can start to introduce some yummy puppy food into your pet’s daily feedings.
Since you will be transitioning from a liquid diet to a diet filled with solid foods, you can soften this change by using wet canned food as his transitional food.
This will make it less shocking to your little buddy’s sensitive tummy, allowing him to get acquainted with the new type of food in a more comfortable way. (It will also keep his stools healthier and that means less of a mess to clean up after!)
12 Weeks Old
Twelve week-old pups are ready to start the shift from wet food to dry dog kibbles!
If you had a successful weaning process, you can use the same, gentle method of introduction to make sure your pup’s digestive system adjusts to the new type of puppy food. Since dry dog food contains less water, be sure to leave water out for your pup as he will need to keep hydrated.
3 Months Old
At three months, your Goodle pup should be just about done with the transition from wet food to dry dog food. This is a good time to keep a keen eye on labels to be sure you are feeding your puppy the best recipes for his particular life stage.
Look for “puppy food formula” on the packaging to bring home dry dog food that is packed with the nutrition his growing body needs. Foods for adult dogs are crafted differently and don’t support the extra calories required by your growing puppy.
5 Months Old
At five months, your puppy should be sticking to his dry dog food, although you can still give him canned food from time to time. Some pet owners like to feed their dogs canned food exclusively, and that’s not a bad thing.
At this age, you will have to feed him less often, bringing feeding times to two meals per day. Do not leave food out for him to munch on, this will lead to overeating and weight gain!
1 Year Old
At this stage, your little pup is now an adult and will need to convert from puppy food into adult dog food. You’ll notice he may even leave some food in the bowl, and if that happens, you can lessen the number of kibbles you provide at mealtime.
Our Goldendoodle Feeding Guide
1. Puppy Life Stage
It is difficult to identify just how much your puppy will weigh during puppyhood because goldendoodles have different sizes (toy, small, medium, and large). It’s a still-developing breed so there is no set standard for minimum or maximum size.
If you have a small Goldendoodle, you can expect him to weigh somewhere between 4 lbs. to 9 lbs. A medium-sized puppy will weigh a little more, between 8 lbs. to 10 lbs., and a large puppy will come in weighing over 11 lbs.
Puppies should be fed three to four times per day, using feeding instructions provided by the food manufacturer.
2. Adult Life Stage
In the adult stage, your Goldendoodle may weigh anywhere between 15 to 30 lbs. if he’s small, 30 – 45 lbs. if he’s medium-sized, and 45-90 lbs. for large breed puppies.
Since this designer breed is crossbred, the exact weight of your Goldendoodle may vary. Feeding instructions will also vary, depending on his weight, so abide by the instructions set forth on the labels of the food you choose and be sure to feed about twice a day.
The average dog needs about 30 calories per pound of weight, but smaller dog breeds tend to have fast metabolism and may need more than their large breed counterparts.
So long as he is visiting his vet regularly and you are receiving a clean bill of health, you are doing right by your pup!
3. Senior Life Stage
With the senior stage comes some muscle loss and a slowed metabolism, so you will want to change up his diet to foods that have a higher protein level and fewer calories.
Looking for the best dry or wet food that is crafted specifically for senior dogs would be your best bet during this phase. Senior dogs need food that address common issues such as mobility, decreased appetite, lower energy, and so on.
Senior dogs should maintain their adult weight, give or take a few lbs., but any sudden increase or decrease in their weight is likely signaling an issue and should be brought to the attention of your trusted vet.
Conclusion
The Goldendoodle, designed willfully by humans, is a lovable, smart pup that will live to play, comfort, and adore you throughout his life. With the right nutrient support throughout his life, you will have a fantastic pup that not only looks gorgeous but feels excellent and in top health.
The right food for your dog will be different from that of a large Goldendoodle puppy, so be mindful of the food you are selecting. The food you choose can encourage optimal health at each stage of your furry best friend’s life.
Having taken the time to read through the nutritional requirements of your Goldendoodle, you are better equipped when reading dog food labels. So, how do you go about in finding the best doog food? The choices out there for different kinds of dog food seem like they are endless and can feel overwhelming at times. So we hope this guide will help you choose the best and healthiest option, a food that is specially formulated for their unique needs.
The best food for your Goldendoodle is only a few clicks away – and you can trust us when we say your pup will be thanking you with cuddles and kisses the rest of his days!
Should a Goldendoodles eat dry or canned food?
This is entirely based on preference, both your pup’s and yours. Wet, canned food will be the more expensive option but it is great for pups who refuse to eat dry food options. It is also sometimes preferred because it has a higher water content and can assist with keeping your pup hydrated if he is not great with drinking from his water bowl. Dry dog food, so long as it is high-quality, contains a balanced meal that includes protein, fat, carbs, fiber, and supplemental additives like vitamins and minerals.
Should my Goldendoodles eat a grain free diet?
For the most part, yes. Dogs’ ancestors are wolves and wolves did not eat any grains, which means dogs’ digestive systems are not built to process this ingredient. It can cause stomach discomfort or dreaded backup which makes for a sad pup and a worried pet parent. Check your preferred product’s labels – most high-quality options will proudly declare they are grain-free on the front of the packaging, making it easy to choose the option that omits this ingredient.
Is a Goldendoodle considered a Large breed?
It can be, however, Goldendoodles range in their sizes. They can be small, medium-sized, or large, all dependent upon how they were bred. They are considered “designer” breeds because both of their parents are purebreds, just different breeds from one another.
How often should I feed my Goldendoodle puppy?
A Goldendoodle puppy requires more feeding times than an adult Goldendoodle, so until he reaches about six months of age, you will want to provide him with three to four mealtimes per day. After six months, you can reduce the number of mealtimes to two per day. If you are incorporating treats into his diet, be sure to complement his existing diet and not supplement it. This means you will need to reduce the number of kibbles provided to make room for the feeding of treats. Be sure you are meeting and not exceeding his caloric requirements to avoid excessive weight gain and consequent damage to his developing joints.
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 4.5 / 5. Vote count: 2
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
As you found this post useful...
Follow us on social media!
We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!
Noreen possesses a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree from Informatics International College. While this credential might not elucidate her passion for pets, it does demonstrate her technical expertise and diverse character.
Comments are closed.