Best Dog Foods For Poodles
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The Poodle is one of the most easily recognizable dog breeds out there. With his curly coat and his bright and bubbly personality, these dogs make wonderful pets. What’s more, there are three different sizes to choose from, so you can pick the Poodle that best suits your family!
Because there are three different sizes of Poodle, each type has its own unique feeding requirements.
Keep reading to learn more about the nutritional needs of Poodles and how to meet them.
You’ll also receive recommendations for the best dog food for Poodles of all three types.
At A Glance Best Dog Food For Poodles To Buy:
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Dog Foods For Poodles
OVERALL BEST  1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR STANDARD POODLES  2. Nom Nom Porkalicious Potluck Recipe | BEST FOR MINIATURE POODLES  3. Ollie Dog Food Chicken Goodness Recipe | BEST FOR TOY POODLES  4. Wellness Toy Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Peas Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST AFFORDABLE  5. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food |
Protein 28% Min | Protein 33% Min | Protein 36% Min | Protein 30% Min | Protein 27% Min |
Fat 17% Min | Fat 16.5% Min | Fat 18% Min | Fat 17% Min | Fat 14% Min |
Fiber 5.0% Max | Fiber 3% Max | Fiber 7.0% Max | Fiber 3.5% Max | Fiber 3.5% Max |
Calories 370 kcal/cup | Calories 1,372 kcal/kg | Calories 1,298 kcal/cup | Calories 502 kcal/cup | Calories 377 kcal/cup |
Special Considerations for Feeding Poodles
The Poodle breed is broken down into three varieties by size – the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle, and the Toy Poodle.
- Standard Poodles are the largest, standing more than 15 inches tall and weighing 40 to 55 pounds.
- Toy Poodles are the smallest size, standing under 10 inches tall and weighing 5 to 10 pounds.
- Miniature Poodles are in between, standing 10 to 15 inches tall and weighing over 10 pounds but under 15 pounds.
What Do You Look For When Shopping For The Best Dog Food For Poodles?
Here are some considerations you should keep in mind:
- Nutritional Balance. All Poodles require a diet rich in lean proteins and healthy fats with digestible carbohydrates to provide dietary fiber.
- Caloric Intake. The three different Poodle varieties have different calories needs – the smaller types need more calories per pound of bodyweight than the Standard Poodle due to their fast metabolisms.
- Quality Ingredients. The quality of your dog’s food has a direct impact on his health and wellness, so choose a product made with whole food ingredients that doesn’t contain artificial additives.
- Easy to Digest. Though Poodles are no more prone to food allergies than any other breed, they can develop sensitivities – choose a product made with digestible ingredients and probiotic supplements.
Keeping these things in mind, you’re ready to start shopping for the best dog food for Poodles. Keep reading to see our top 5 recommendations:
Best Dog Rated Foods For Poodles Reviewed
Choosing the right food for your Poodle is very important – it will have a significant impact on his health and longevity. Be sure to pick a dog food that is formulated for dogs of your Poodle’s size, whichever of the three varieties he happens to be.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 28% Min
- Fat: 17% Min
- Fiber: 5.0% Max
- Calories: 370 kcal/cup
- Made with premium roasted meats
- Grain-free carbohydrates
- Rich in healthy fats
- Beneficial supplements for digestion and nutrition
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
- First source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)
It contains no grains or artificial additives and is packed with healthy nutrients and beneficial supplements like probiotics, prebiotics, and chelated minerals.
Nom Nom Porkalicious Potluck Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 33% Min
- Fat: 16.5% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Calories: 1,372 kcal/kg
- Wholesome, natural ingredients prepared fresh
- Pre-portioned for dog’s caloric requirements
- Supplemented for balanced nutrition
- More expensive than other options
This is fresh food made with wholesome, natural ingredients in protein- and moisture-rich recipes designed to deliver premium quality nutrition.
Because it is a fresh food product, it is also high in moisture to support your dog’s hydration and digestion. It also retains more of its original nutritional integrity because it hasn’t been cooked at high temperatures.
Poodles are no more prone to food allergies than other breeds, so any of Nom Nom’s four dog food recipes could be a good fit.
We like the higher fat and calorie content of the Porkalicious Potluck for miniature and toy Poodles who have fast metabolisms or the leaner, lower calorie Chicken Chow-Wow or Tasty Turkey Fare for Standard Poodles.
Ollie Dog Food Chicken Goodness Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 36% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 7.0% Max
- Calories: 1,298 kcal/cup
- Made with human-grade, all-natural ingredients
- Portioned according to Poodle’s calorie needs
- Cooked at low temperatures to preserve quality
- Maybe too high in fiber for some Poodles
- Expensive compared to dry food options
Ollie is fresh dog food made with wholesome, human-grade ingredients and delivered right to your door.
Plus, it is cooked at low temperatures to preserve the nutritional value.
Ollie offers four different recipes, any of which could be a good fit for your Poodle.
We like the leaner Chicken Goodness and Healthy Turkey Feast options for Standard Poodles and the higher fat and calorie content of the Hearty Beef Eats and Tasty Lamb Fare for toy and miniature Poodles.
Wellness Toy Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Peas Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 30% Min
- Fat: 17% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Calories: 502 kcal/cup
- Deboned chicken as main ingredient
- Formulated for toy breeds, smaller kibble size
- No fillers or artificial additives
- A bit expensive
- Not grain-free
Not only does it contain deboned chicken as the first ingredient, but it contains digestible carbohydrates like brown rice and peas.
This formula comes in a smaller kibble size and contains only premium natural ingredients – no fillers or artificial additives.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 27% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Calories: 377 kcal/cup
- Affordable price
- Suitable for all breed sizes and life stages
- Grain-free carbohydrates
- High-quality animal proteins
- Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
- Not size-specific
Understanding The Nutritional Needs Of Poodles
Your Poodle needs a high-quality dog food that provides a blend of lean proteins, healthy fats, and digestible carbohydrates as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
Adult dogs need a minimum of 18% crude protein and 5% crude fat in their diet with no more than 5% dietary fiber.
Fiber is important for healthy digestion, but too much of it could have the opposite effect.
You should also know that your dog’s nutritional requirements may vary slightly depending which variety you have.
Toy and Miniature Poodles have very fast metabolisms, so they may need anywhere from 40 to 55 calories per pound of body weight each day while a Standard Poodle may only need 35 to 45 calories per pound.
Choose a formula designed for breeds of your dog’s size and really focus on quality ingredients and balanced nutrition.
Are There Any Special Dietary Requirements?
All three Poodle varieties have the same basic nutritional needs, but there are some specifics to consider for the different sizes. Here is a quick overview:
- Toy Poodles – This type of Poodle has a very fast metabolism, so they need a calorie-dense formula that comes in small, bite-sized kibbles. Choose dry food over wet food because toy breeds are prone to dental problems and dry food will keep his teeth cleaner.
- Miniature Poodles – These Poodles are very active, so they require a calorie-dense diet made with high-quality, digestible ingredients. They can also benefit from dry food to keep their teeth clean and healthy fats for skin and coat quality.
- Standard Poodles – Puppies need to have their growth controlled to avoid musculoskeletal issues in adulthood, so choose a large-breed formula. In adulthood, focus on protein to maintain lean muscle mass and consider supplements for joint support.
In general, you should also be mindful of food allergies and sensitivities. Poodles are prone to skin problems which can be triggered by food allergies and many dogs of this breed have sensitive stomachs and digestive systems.
How Much Should You Feed Your Poodle?
The amount of food you offer your Poodle on a daily basis depends on several factors.
First and foremost, you have to consider the calorie content of whatever recipe you choose – some formulas are very high in calories, so you may need to limit the amount you feed.
This being said, here are some general recommendations for how much to feed your Poodle:
- Puppies should be fed 40 to 55 calories per pound of bodyweight to fuel their growth and development – they also need 22% protein and 8% fat in their diet. Click here For more information on the best puppy dog food
- Adult dogs should be fed size-specific formulas made with quality ingredients – feed Standard Poodles twice a day and the smaller varieties 2 to 3 times a day.
- Reduce your senior Poodle’s caloric intake to account for his slowed metabolism but make sure his food is still rich in lean protein.
Generally speaking, the best thing to do is choose a high-quality dog food formulated for dogs of your Poodle’s size and then follow the feeding recommendations on the package according to his body weight and his age.
Are There Any Food Allergies Or Related Health Issues?
Poodles are no more or less prone to food allergies than other breeds, but it is still something you should keep an eye out for. Some of the most common signs of food allergies in dogs are skin-related. This can be confusing because Poodles are also prone to skin problems like sebaceous adenitis.
If your Poodle develops chronic skin problems or recurrent ear infections, take him to the vet to discuss the possibility of food allergies. Even if your Poodle doesn’t develop a food allergy, he could still be sensitive to certain ingredients.
Low-quality fillers and certain grains like corn, wheat, and soy are the most likely to cause problems but artificial additives can affect your dog’s digestion as well.
Consider feeding your Poodle a Limited Ingredient Diet (LID) made with novel protein and carbohydrate sources to reduce the risk of triggering food allergies and sensitivities.
Final Thoughts
The Poodle is a wonderful breed that comes in three different sizes, each with its own unique temperament and personality.
To ensure that your Poodle enjoys a long and healthy life, take the time to learn about his unique nutritional needs and then choose the best dog food for Poodles to meet those needs.
