Best Dog Food For Goldendoodles
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More
Goldendoodles is more than just a funny word. It is, in fact, one of the most amazing dog breeds that exist. Goldendoodles are a mix of Golden Retrievers and Poodles and were bred to be used as a seeing eye dog.
This is because Goldendoodles are very easy to train and usually are in a good mood and high spirits. However, they can prove to be fairly high maintenance. They require daily exercise, and many of them shed excessively. The genetics of this adorable breed aren’t very clear, as there are many variations in the breeds of Goldendoodles.
At A Glance: Best Best Dog Food For Goldendoodles
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below, where we have highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Dog Food For Goldendoodles
OVERALL BEST
1. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food |
BEST FOR ALLERGIES
2. Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food |
BEST WEIGHT LOSS
3. Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food |
BEST FOR SENIOR DOGS
4. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food |
BEST FOR PUPPIES
5. Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food |
Protein
34% Min |
Protein
21% Min |
Protein
24% Min |
Protein
32% Min |
Protein
26% Min |
Fat
16% Min |
Fat
12% Min |
Fat
9% Min |
Fat
18% Min |
Fat
14% Min |
Fiber
4% Max |
Fiber
4% Max |
Fiber
13% Max |
Fiber
4% Max |
Fiber
3% Max |
Calories
431 calories per cup |
Calories
382 kcal/cup |
Calories
291 calories per cup |
Calories
370 kcal/cup |
Calories
379 kcal/cup |
Our Criteria
In choosing the best dog foods for Irish Wolfhounds, we are looking for the following:
- Foods that are AAFCO-approved, preferably with food trials.
- Dog food brands that have good quality control.
- Nutrition is more important than ingredients that sound appealing to humans.
- Companies that employ staff of veterinary nutritionists to develop their formulas.
- Companies that invest in nutritional research and testing.
Special Dietary Needs Of Goldendoodles
All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs for protein, fat, and nutrients. What you may not realize, however, is that dogs of different sizes have different needs when it comes to the ratio of those nutrients.
Larger dogs also need more calories than smaller dogs, but fewer per pound of body weight.
Here are some of the top things to look for when buying dog food for your Goldendoodle dog:
- High-Quality Protein. Protein is the most important nutrient for any dog, but large-breed dogs need to maintain lean muscle mass. Look for premium animal sources for protein.
- Moderate Fat. Fat provides your dog with a concentrated source of energy as well as essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, but you want to keep the content moderate to avoid feeding your dog so many calories that he becomes obese.
- Joint Support. Large-breed dogs have a higher risk of bone and joint problems than smaller breeds, so look for a recipe that contains joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Digestibility. Many large-breed dogs have sensitive stomachs, so you want to make sure that the recipe you choose is made with digestible ingredients and free from low-quality fillers and artificial additives that could upset your stomach.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best dog food for large breeds. Here’s what you need to know:
How Do You Choose the Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles?
The best place to start when looking for the best dog food for large breeds is a high-quality diet formulated for large-breed dogs. This will help ensure that your dog gets the protein it needs to build healthy muscle without so much fat that it becomes overweight or obese.
When it comes to protein and fat, your dog will be able to digest animal-based ingredients better than plant-based ingredients.
Meat, poultry, and fish are excellent sources of protein for dogs, and healthy fats include things like chicken fat and salmon oil. Your dog can digest certain carbohydrates as well, like whole grains, starchy vegetables, beans, and legumes, but protein should be the star of its diet.
In addition to protein, fat, and digestible carbohydrates, your large-breed dog can benefit from certain supplements.
Probiotics, for example, help to ensure smooth and regular digestion, while chelated minerals provide a biologically valuable source of key nutrients. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also important for large-breed dogs to support their bone and joint health.
Keep reading to see our top 5 recommendations for the best dog food for Goldendoodles.
Best Rated Dog Food For Goldendoodles Reviewed
Buying the wrong dog food can mean a sick dog, an unhappy dog, or even a malnourished dog. Therefore, instead of risking that, you can consider the products that we have listed to ensure your dog’s health and safety.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 34% Min
- Fat: 16% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 431 calories per cup
- High quantity of meat protein in this dog food
- Healthy dose of Omega 3
- Rich with vitamins and minerals
- Found to be appetizing by most dogs
- Countless customers found that the dog food expired too quick
In addition, this dog food features flaxseeds for a healthy dose of Omega 3 and chicken liver in order to ensure that your dog gets Vitamins A, D and almost all of the B Vitamins. Finally, this food features a blend of countless nutrients through super foods such as kale, broccoli or spinach.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 21% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 382 kcal/cup
- Rich in mineral and fatty acids
- Free from artificial ingredients
- Most customers reported that this food cleared up allergies and made their dogs stronger and healthier
- Many dog owners felt that the sodium levels weren’t low enough
This product contains Omega 6, ensuring a healthy skin and a healthy coat for your dog. Finally, this dog food comes with hundred percent customer satisfaction guarantee with a money back guarantee, allowing you the assurance that you are always receiving the best possible product.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 9% Min
- Fiber: 13% Max
- Calories: 291 calories per cup
- Supports healthy digestion
- Recommended by veterinarians
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Some dogs don’t like the taste of this dog food
So it allows your dog to lose weight at a healthy and normal pace while keeping their muscles lean and strong. In addition, the prebiotic fibers that are found in this meal ensure easy digestion and optimal absorption of multiple nutrients. Finally, according to surveys, this food is the number one product recommended by veterinarians.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 32% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 370 kcal/cup
- Single source of protein and carbohydrate
- Palatable for most dogs
- Rich with Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids
- Few dog owners felt that their dogs couldn’t digest this food
Moreover, this dog food features a strain of K9 probiotics that is designed specifically for dogs and ensures optimal digestive system and immune system health. Finally, an optimal mix of antioxidants ensures the health of your dog in every possible way.
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 26% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Calories: 379 kcal/cup
- Formulated to support growth and development in large breed puppies
- Features farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes
- No GMO ingredients or artificial additives
- Not a grain-free recipe, some puppies may be sensitive
- Contains some plant proteins (pea protein)
It features farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes in a nutritionally complete recipe for puppies.
How Much Should You Feed Your Goldendoodle?
How much you should be feeding your Goldendoodle depends on how old and big your dog is. Just like in humans, the bigger the dog, the more calories he probably needs.
Goldendoodles come in a variety of sizes, so the best way to feed them is based on their age and size. Small Goldendoodles should eat wet or canned food, while medium and large Goldendoodles should eat good quality kibble. It is important to feed your Goldendoodle the correct amount of food to ensure their health.
- Puppy: Goldendoodle puppies grow up very quickly and thus require a lot of calories. That is to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients to keep them healthy. Generally, puppies will require somewhere between 900 and 1000 calories per day, split up into three or four small meals.
- Adult: Goldendoodles are generally medium- to large-sized dogs. These dogs should be eating about 1200 to 1300 calories a day. The exact amount has to be calculated according to the dog’s exact weight and exercise habits.
- Senior: Senior dogs generally need fewer calories than adult dogs because they are probably getting less exercise. It’s important to remember to adjust your dog’s calorie intake as it grows older. That is to ensure that the dog doesn’t gain an excessive amount of weight.
Goldendoodle Health Issues
As with any living thing, even Goldendoodles have their fair share of health concerns; however, thankfully, nothing too drastic. So with some attention to details and lots of love, these concerns can be dealt with and even avoided.
- Patellar luxation: This is when the knee joint slips out of place. It causes pain and discomfort to your dog and that can keep them from walking.
- Ear Infections: The floppy ears may seem cute, but they also come with a few risks. These types of ears tend to capture moisture easily and can often result in painful ear infections for your dog.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia: Although occurring in different parts of the body, these two conditions are very similar. This occurs when the bones in your dog’s body don’t conjoin correctly, resulting in pain and even mobility issues for your pet.
- PRA: This is a condition that affects your dog’s eye and can cause loss of sight and even blindness over time.
- Von Willebrand’s Disease: This is a disease that causes issues with blood clotting, and while that may sound scary, it is curable with correct treatment and surgery only in severe cases.
- Bloat: This is when air gets trapped in your dog’s chest and keeps them from breathing. This condition is common, extremely dangerous, and requires immediate medical care.
- Hypothyroidism: This is a condition found in the thyroid gland that has symptoms such as epilepsy, obesity, skin conditions, and more. Read more on the best dog food for Hypothyroidism here.
Always remember to contact a trained veterinarian with any health issues your dog may have. Also, keep in mind that a healthy diet can, and most likely will, result in a healthy dog.
Final Thoughts
Goldendoodles are a highly sought-after breed for a reason. They are not only incredibly cute, but their unique blend of genes makes them friendly and energetic, making them the perfect family pet. However, because of their complex DNA and high energy levels, they require a special diet. Goldendoodles need food that is high in animal protein, which will keep them healthy and happy.