12 Best (Highest Quality) Dog Foods for Poodles in 2024

If you have a Poodle, he’s probably the smartest dog at the dog park. He might be the instigator, too, coming up with clever ideas that invariably get his less intelligent doggy friends in trouble. Poodles are masterminds and sometimes they like having a little fun at the expense of other pets. They are easy to train and they can be showoffs – they love to be the center of attention. Woe be unto you if your Poodle is bored or doesn’t get enough attention!


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A bored Poodle can easily turn your home into a disaster area. So, what do you feed this smarty pants?

Since Poodles come in three different sizes (Toy, Miniature, and Standard), you can choose a food based on your dog’s size. Otherwise, the best dog foods for Poodles will largely depend on your own preferences about grain-free dog foods, kibble vs. canned, and your budget.

Best Dog Food for Poodles

Toy Poodles are very small. They are no more than 10 inches tall and weigh between 4 and 6 pounds. Miniature Poodles stand between 10 and 15 inches tall and weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. The Standard Poodle stands over 15 inches tall. Males can weigh between 60-70 pounds; females can weigh between 40-50 pounds. Some countries also recognize a Medium Poodle that stands 14–18 inches tall. It is between the Standard and Miniature Poodle in size. As you can see, there is an enormous size difference in the Poodle varieties. That’s why we suggest that you take this into account when selecting the best dog food for your Poodle, both as an adult and as a growing puppy.

Poodles can be wonderful companions but they are active, energetic dogs. All varieties need plenty of exercise, especially Standard Poodles. This is a breed that began as a water retriever and some people still hunt with them today. The dog food you choose will have to supply the energy that your Poodle needs and meet his nutritional requirements. Let’s see what your Poodle needs in his diet.

Key Nutritional Needs of a Poodle’s Diet

Regardless of size, all Poodles need some key nutrients in their diet:

  1. All dogs and puppies need good protein. All dogs need protein in their diet for muscle development. Meat protein is easier for your dog to digest than plant protein. Adult dogs need a minimum of 18 percent protein for maintenance; growing puppies need a minimum of 22 percent protein., by dry matter basis. (AAFCO Nutrient Requirements for Dogs, 2016)
  2. Dogs and puppies require animal fat in their diet. Fat is a necessary part of a dog’s diet. Animal fat provides energy for your Poodle. It also supplies essential fatty acids that your dog needs. And, it adds flavor to your dog’s food. Adult dogs need at least 5 percent fat in their diet. Growing puppies need at least 8 percent fat, according to dry matter basis.
  3. Dogs needs carbohydrates in their diet. While carbohydrates are often derided, they are much more than “filler” ingredients. If they are carefully chosen, they can provide healthy prebiotics and dietary fiber to your dog’s diet to support good digestion.
  4. Fiber is important to your dog’s digestion. The right amount and the right kind of fiber are important to your dog’s diet. They help keep his gastrointestinal system operating smoothly.
  5. Vitamins and minerals, in the correct amounts and ratios, are important to your dog’s diet. Most dog food companies add vitamins and minerals to their food after cooking to make up for any nutrients lost during the cooking process.
  6. Water is essential to your dog. Your dog needs to have access to fresh, clean water at all times. The exceptions would be if your dog is sick and your vet tells you to keep water away from him; or if you are house training your puppy overnight.

6 Special Considerations for Poodles

  1. Poodles can have hip dysplasia. Like other large dogs, Standard Poodles (the largest of the Poodle varieties) can sometimes have problems with hip dysplasia. Even the smaller Poodles can experience arthritis as they get older. Keeping your Poodle slim throughout his life can help avoid the worst of these problems since extra weight makes bone and joint problems worse. For Standard Poodles we suggest that you feed a large breed dog food, especially if your dog is very large. These foods usually contain the supplements glucosamine and chondroitin for joint and mobility support. They also have slightly fewer calories to help keep your dog from gaining too much weight.
  2. Feed large Poodle puppies a puppy food for large breed puppies. Since Standard Poodle puppies are usually destined to be on the large size as adults, we suggest feeding them a puppy food made for large breed puppies. These foods have precise levels of calcium and phosphorus which are recommended for large puppies. They also have the right calories and nutrients for big puppies to encourage slower growth. Slower growth is better for big puppies because fast growth can lead to bone and joint problems as adult dogs. A puppy food for large breed puppies should state that it is made for puppies that will weigh over 70 pounds as an adult.
  3. Toy and Miniature Poodles should eat a food for small breed dogs. If you have a Toy or Miniature Poodle, we recommend a food for Toy or small breed dogs. There are many good foods available. Toy and small dogs typically burn more calories per pound than bigger dogs and these foods should have more calories per ounce to supply the energy your little dog needs.
  4. Toy and Miniature Poodle puppies should eat a puppy food for small breed dogs. If you have a Toy or Miniature Poodle puppy, we recommend a puppy food that is made for Toy or small breed dogs. These puppies grow very quickly and they need a puppy food that has plenty of calories for their early growth and energy needs. These foods should state that they are made for puppies that will weigh under 70 pounds as an adult dog.
  5. Some Poodles can experience bloat. Bloat or gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) occurs in many larger dogs with deep chests. Standard Poodles are one of the breeds that can be prone to bloat (Whole-Dog Journal, 2019). Bloat can be a deadly condition if your dog doesn’t get immediate veterinary care. While big dogs are more likely to get bloat, it can occur in small dogs, too. The causes of bloat are not exactly known but feeding your dog just one meal per day is thought to be one possible cause in dogs that are susceptible, so feeding multiple meals is advised. Dog food ingredients may also play a role. Dog foods that have a fat source in the first four ingredients may be a problem. On the other hand, foods that contain a rendered meat meal that includes bone in the first four ingredients appear to lower the risk of bloating. Adding canned dog food to your dog’s diet also appears to lower the risk of bloating. Do not use raised feed bowls.
  6. Some Poodles can have skin problems. Some Poodles can have skin problems due to a condition called sebaceous adenitis. This is a hereditary skin disease. It should not be confused with other skin problems such as allergies. Like other dogs, some Poodles can have skin problems due to allergies. If your Poodle is showing skin problems, take him to a veterinarian so you can get a diagnosis. Don’t assume that the problem is food-related.

Our 2023 Picks : Best Poodle Dog Foods

Farmer's Dog Food
The Farmer’s Dog Customized Human-Grade Dog Food
  • Fresh food delivered monthly
  • Pre-portioned according to dog’s needs
  • Price: Varies
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Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  • Mixed tocopherols guard against eye disease
  • Moderate fat content and optimal protein levels keep additional weight off
  • Price: $2.06/lb
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Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Protein-packed food to satisfy your dog’s natural instincts and mimic what he would eat in nature
  • 90% of protein from 11 animal sources, including fresh, raw and dried chicken, turkey, saltwater fish and duck
  • Price:  $3.86/lb
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Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken, Carrot & Pea Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
  • Real chicken is the very first ingredient, followed by other natural ingredients, vitamins and minerals to help adult dogs stay healthy and strong.
  • Premium wet food contains no chicken by-product meal, corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
  • Price:  $0.18/oz
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Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
  • Great source of DHA for healthy brain development
  • Flaxseed nourishes the coat and keeps skin clean
  • Price:  $2.06/lb
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The Farmer’s Dog Customized Human-Grade Dog Food

Farmers Dog Food

The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food is a great option if you are interested in feeding your Poodle a diet consisting of fresh, whole foods with the convenience of home-delivery on a schedule you create yourself.

When it comes to high-quality dog food, nothing is better than fresh. Fresh dog food made with wholesome, natural ingredients is the foundation of a healthy diet for any dog – not just a dog with diabetes. The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh food delivery service that sends pre-portioned packages of fresh dog food right to your door on a monthly basis.

You simply fill out a profile online using your dog’s basic information and then choose from several protein-rich, low-carbohydrate recipes. All of The Farmer’s Dog recipes are loaded with animal ingredients and come in a wide range of nutrient ratios and calorie concentrations so you can choose the right one for your Poodle.

You can rest easily knowing that every recipe is packed with premium protein and digestible grain-free carbohydrates with essential nutrients added for nutritional balance. Plus, your dog will love the natural flavor.

  • Pros: Fresh food delivered monthly, pre-portioned according to dog’s needs, rich in protein, low in carbohydrates, grain-free and low-glycemic, complete and nutritionally balanced
  • Cons: Expensive to feed as a staple diet, limited number of recipes

If you are looking for a high-quality but convenient option for your Poodle, The Farmer’s Dog might be exactly what you are looking for.

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Dry kibble
  • Adult maintenance formula
  • Made especially for large dogs
  • No corn, wheat, or soy

Overall Best Dog Food for Poodles – For Standard Poodles, we like Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food. This is an adult maintenance formula with no corn, wheat, or soy. It contains guaranteed levels of chondroitin and glucosamine for joint and hip support – important for larger dogs that can have problems with hip dysplasia. This large breed recipe has slightly less fat and fewer calories than the regular Complete Health formula to help your Standard Poodle stay slim. Less weight puts less stress on a dog’s bones and joints.

The first ingredients in this food are deboned chicken and chicken meal. Four sources of protein help your dog build lean muscle. This formula has no meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives. It does contain guaranteed levels of probiotics to help your dog’s digestion.

Wellness Complete Health also comes in formulas for small breeds so you could feed this food to Toy and Miniature Poodles.

Available in 15-lb and 30-lb bags.

Pros:

  • Features four sources of protein, including chicken as the first ingredient
  • Optimal protein levels and moderate fat content help keep your dog at an ideal weight
  • Promotes healthy joints with chondroitin and glucosamine
  • No corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives
  • Made for large dogs

Cons:

  • This is an adult maintenance formula so it should not be fed to puppies

Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Grain-free
  • High protein
  • Adult maintenance formula
  • No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, Pea-Free

Suitable for all adult dogs, Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food is a high protein dog food. It features 90 percent of its protein from 11 different animal sources, including fresh, raw dried chicken, turkey, saltwater fish, and duck. This formula includes nutrient-rich organs and cartilage so it’s closer to what your dog would eat in nature. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids nourish your dog’s skin and coat. This formula contains no grains, peas, or potatoes.

Available in 4-lb, 10-lb, and 22-lb bags.

Pros:

  • Special – Save 25% at checkout Automatically applied at checkout. Must add 1 or more qualifying items to cart. Limit of 2 per customer.
  • High protein formula with 90 percent protein from 11 different animal sources
  • Contains nutrient-rich organs and cartilage, along with vitamins and minerals so it’s a complete and balanced diet
  • Omega-3 and 6 support your dog’s skin and coat
  • No grains, peas, or potatoes
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • No chicken/poultry by-product meals and no artificial flavors or preservatives

Cons:

  • Contains fava beans, chickpeas, and lentils but they are low in the ingredient list

Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken, Carrot & Pea Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Canned/wet food
  • Adult maintenance dog food
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • GMO-free, grain-free

The Best Canned Food – Looking for the best canned food for your Poodle? Giving your dog some canned food has been recommended as one way to possibly help prevent bloat in dogs that might be prone to it. Since Standard Poodles are one of the breeds that can be susceptible to bloat, you might consider adding some canned food to your dog’s diet. Toy and Miniature Poodles will also appreciate canned dog food.

We particularly like Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken, Carrot & Pea Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food. This canned food is a stew. It contains no grains, GMOs, chicken by-product meal, corn,  soy, wheat, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Real chicken is the first ingredient and chicken liver is the fourth ingredient, right after the broths. The recipe uses both chicken broth and pork broth, which dogs should find very tasty. Other ingredients are vegetables, vitamins and minerals. Suitable for all adult dogs.

Sold in 12.5 ounce cans in cases of 12.

Pros:

  • Chicken is the first ingredient
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • Contains no grains or GMOs; no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
  • No chicken by-product meal
  • Good for all adult dogs

Cons:

  • Not suitable for puppies

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Made especially for large breed puppies
  • Contains DHA for good brain and eye development
  • Precise calcium and phosphorus levels support good bone development
  • No corn, no wheat, no soy

The Best Food for Puppies – Not all Standard Poodle puppies will grow to be 70 pounds as adults but some will. If you have a Standard Poodle puppy that seems destined to be a large dog (over 50 pounds), we do recommend that you feed a large breed puppy food while your puppy is growing. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown  Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food is made especially for puppies that will grow to be large adult dogs. The calories and nutrients in this food are just right for the slower growth that’s important for big puppies.

This formula also contains DHA from real salmon meal to help your puppy’s vision and brain develop. Meat protein comes from deboned chicken and chicken meal. These are the first ingredients in the food. Healthy carbohydrates come from ground brown rice, oatmeal, barley, and oats to supply energy, aid digestion, and avoid blood sugar spikes.

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Recipe Dry Dog Food is available in a 30-lb bag.

Pros:

  • Contains good sources of meat protein with deboned chicken as the first ingredient
  • Probiotics help with good digestion
  • Provides DHA from salmon for good brain and vision development
  • Formulated for large breed puppies
  • No meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives

Cons:

  • Peas are the third ingredient in the ingredient list

6 More Top Rated Dog Food For Poodles

American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Dry Kibble
  • All life stage formula
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • Grain-free, gluten-free

Made just for Chewy.com, American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food contains no grain, corn, wheat, soy, and it’s gluten-free.

This formulas has real deboned salmon as the first ingredient. For even more protein, it includes chicken meal and turkey meal, along with menhaden fish meal. Salmon oil provides omega-3 fatty acid and helps keept your dog’s skin and coat healthy. It’s also a source of DHA to support your puppy’s  brain and eye development.

American journey has the same ingredients as many more expensive dog foods but it’s quite affordable.

Available in 4-lb, 12-lb, and 24-lb bags.

Pros:

  • Affordably priced
  • This is an life stage formula so it’s suitable for adults and puppies, including large breed puppies and dogs
  • Contains no corn, wheat, or soy
  • Includes DHA to support a puppy’s brain and eye development
  • Omega-3 fatty acid from salmon keeps your dog’s skin and coat looking good

Cons:

  • This food has a high protein percentage but some of the protein comes from peas and chickpeas; peas are the fourth ingredient and chickpeas are the sixth ingredient

Instinct by Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Diet Small Breed Grain-Free Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food

Instinct by Nature's Variety Limited Ingredient Diet Small Breed Grain-Free Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Dry kibble
  • Single animal protein source
  • Limited carbohydrate sources
  • Adult maintenance formula

The Best Food with Limited Ingredients – If your Poodle needs a limited ingredient diet but you don’t want to feed a food that is low in protein, we like Instinct by Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Diet Small Breed Grain-Free Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food. Made for small breed dogs with food sensitivities, this food is made using one animal protein source (different turkey parts), one vegetable (peas), and tapioca as a carbohydrate. It also contains pumpkin seeds near the end of the ingredient list which are a source of carbs, fat, protein, and dietary fiber, as well as minerals.

This is the only limited-ingredient kibble that includes raw-coated kibble.

Many food-sensitive dogs should be able to eat this turkey formula but if your Poodle can’t, Instinct by Nature’s Variety also makes several other limited ingredient diet formulas using other meat proteins. Also available in formulas that are not for small dogs.

Available in 3.5-lb, 10-lb, 14.5-lb and 35-lb bags.

Pros:

  • Single source of animal protein (various forms of turkey)
  • High in protein
  • Single vegetable (peas)
  • Uses tapioca as a carbohydrate
  • Grain-free with no corn, wheat, or soy; gluten-free
  • No dairy, eggs, beef, chicken, fish, sweet potatoes, potatoes, or chickpeas
  • No artificial colors or preservatives

Cons:

  • This is an adult maintenance food – not suitable for puppies

Royal Canin Poodle Puppy Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Poodle Puppy Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Dry kibble
  • Puppy formula
  • Designed especially for Poodle puppies

Royal Canin is one of the few brands that formulates dog foods especially for certain dog breeds. As a company, they have veterinary nutritionists on staff and they invest considerable resources into researching canine nutrition. That’s why we like Royal Canin Poodle Puppy Dry Dog Food. This formula is designed especially for purebred Poodle puppies from 8 weeks to 10 months old.

This formula is enriched with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to support the Poodle’s continuous hair growth, especially during the puppy months. It also contains prebiotics and an exclusive complex of antioxidants to help your puppy’s digestive health and immune system. The kibble is designed to be easy for your puppy to pick up and chew.

Royal Canin has a complete line of foods made for Poodles.

Available in 3.5-lb, 10-lb, 17-lb, and 31-lb bags.

Pros:

  • Specifically formulated for Poodle puppies from 8 weeks to 10 months old
  • Contains DHA for brain and eye development
  • Enriched with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a Poodle’s hair growth
  • Supports digestive health and maintains balanced intestinal flora
  • Includes prebiotics and an exclusive complex of antioxidants to support a puppy’s immune system

Cons:

  • You will hate the ingredients but the food is formulated by veterinary nutritionists and puppies thrive on it

Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Dry Kibble
  • Adult Maintenance/Senior
  • Formulated for small dogs

As dogs get older they can begin to change, both physically and mentally. Many Poodles are exceptionally long-lived but even Poodles can eventually start to experience some changes. One of the senior foods we like is Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food. This food has been formulated for dogs as they start to get older. Not only is it helpful for physical aging but it contains medium-chain triglycerides which have proven beneficial for a dog’s cognitive function.

This formula contains chicken as the first ingredient. It also has bite-sized kibble so it’s easy for older dogs to chew and digest. Specific botanical oils promote alertness and mental sharpness in older dogs within 30 days, according to the company. Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids support healthy skin and a beautiful coat; and omega-3 fatty acid and glucosamine support your dog’s joint health and mobility. Calcium and other minerals maintain strong teeth and bones in dogs that are getting older. And, unlike many foods for senior dogs, this food does not skimp on calories so if your older dog has lost a little weight, this food is recommended.

Purina Pro Plan makes several different Bright Mind recipes including foods for large dogs and an original formula. The company also makes a prescription diet based on the same principles if your dog needs more help. You can talk to your veterinarian.

Available in 5-lb and 16-lb bags.

Pros:

  • Botanical oils and medium-chain triglycerides help keep your dog alert and mentally sharp
  • Real chicken is the first ingredient
  • Bite-sized kibble makes it easier for your older dog to chew and digest the food
  • Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acid support healthy skin and a beautiful coat
  • Omega-3 and glucosamine support your dog’s joints and mobility
  • Moderate calories so your older dog won’t feel starved
  • Formulated for small dogs

Cons:

  • Some people won’t like the ingredients but the improvement is real if your dog is experiencing canine cognitive dysfunction

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Dry Kibble
  • Adult Maintenance formula
  • No corn or wheat
  • Grain-free, gluten-free

Taste of the Wild is always a popular food. TOTW High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is one of the company’s most popular recipes, offering your Poodle lots of protein. Real buffalo is the first ingredient but the food also contains lamb meal and chicken meal. Fatty acids support your dog’s skin and coat health; and antioxidants keep your dog’s immune system strong. TOTW also has a proprietary strain of probiotics to aid your dog’s digestion.

As with other Taste of the Wild formulas, High  Prairie is grain-free and gluten-free. Plus, it contains no fillers and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. And it has no corn or wheat.

Available in 5-lb, 14-lb, and 28-lb bags.

Pros:

  • The first ingredient is real buffalo
  • No corn or wheat
  • Grain-free and gluten-free
  • Contains no fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
  • Includes fatty acids, antioxidants, and probiotics to support your dog’s health
  • Reasonably priced

Cons:

  • This is an adult maintenance formula so you should not feed it to puppies

American Natural Premium Triple Protein Recipe with Ancestral Grains Legume-Free Premium Dry Dog Food

American Natural Premium Triple Protein Recipe with Ancestral Grains Legume-Free Premium Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Dry kibble
  • Pea-Free
  • No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy
  • Flax-Free
  • All Life Stages

Looking for a good dog food that’s pea-free? We’ve got a very good food for you. American Natural Premium Triple Protein Recipe with Ancestral Grains Legume-Free Premium Dry Dog Food is made with non-GMO ancestral grains but it contains NO peas, no legumes, no potatoes, no flax, and no corn, wheat, or soy. Deboned chicken is the first ingredient and it contains turkey and pork to make sure your Poodle gets plenty of protein. Added prebiotics and probiotics support your dog’s immune health.

Omega-3 fatty acids from menhaden fish oil keep your dog’s skin and coat health.

Available in 4-lb, 12-lb, and 33-lb bags.

Pros:

  • Contains no legumes, peas, potatoes, flax, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • Omega-3 fatty acids from menhaden fish oil keeps your dog’s skin and coat healthy
  • Added prebiotics and probiotics support your dog’s immune system
  • Uses non-GMO ancestral grains
  • All life stages

Cons:

  •  Contains “natural flavor” (so do some of the other foods on our list); some people question the actual ingredients used to make “natural flavor” since they can vary

Our 2023 Poodle Feeding Guide

Standard Poodle Closeup

Poodle Puppies – Smart, easy to train, and energetic, Poodle puppies are exceptional. If you have a Poodle puppy, congratulations! Most people know that they are very smart but not everyone is prepared for their energy, especially as puppies. We recommend that you waste no time working on some basic obedience lessons and house manners. Your puppy will also needs lots of supervised play time so he won’t be tempted to get into trouble!

Some (not all) Standard Poodle puppies can be destined to grow to be around 70 pounds as adults. If you have a Standard Poodle puppy and he is headed in that direction, we recommend that you feed him a food for large breed puppies. If he has medium-sized parents and he’s not going to be that big, you can feed him a food for regular/medium-sized puppies.

If you have a Toy or Miniature Poodle puppy, we suggest that you feed him a food formulated for Toy or small breed puppies. These puppies burn up more calories per pound than bigger puppies and they need more calories. However, since they are small, they can’t just eat more food. Their food has to be calorie-dense, meaning that each little bite should be packed with more calories.

Between two and three months you can expect to feed your puppy (regardless of variety) about four meals per day. Between three months and six months, you can change to feeding about three meals per day. After six months you can gradually switch to feeding your puppy two meals per day. Two meals per day are usually recommended for adult dogs. This is especially important for a larger dog like a Standard Poodle which can be prone to bloating – multiple small meals are thought to help prevent bloat. Smaller dogs also do well eating at least two meals per day.

Most Poodle puppies can start to eat an adult dog food between 10 and 12 months old.

It’s up to you what kind of food you feed your Poodle as an adult. Kibble is more convenient for most people and it usually costs less per ounce than canned food. If you have a Toy or Miniature Poodle, a canned food could be fed as a regular diet without breaking the bank. It can become much more expensive to feed a Standard Poodle a diet that is completely made up of canned food, however. You could add some canned food to your Standard Poodle’s kibble as a topper or mixer.

In terms of what to expect as your puppy grows, that will depend on which variety of Poodle you have. (We had problems finding good growth charts for Poodles that focused on weight instead of height. But we did find this one which we will use for our estimates.) If you have a male Standard Poodle puppy (let’s call him Rufus), his weights at various ages might look like this:

  • At 3 Months: 30 pounds
  • At 6 Months: 66 pounds
  • At 12 Months: 72 pounds

The calories he needs on a daily basis would look like this:

  • 3 Months: 4 Meals Daily Totaling 1490 Calories
  • 6 Months: 3-4 Meals Daily Totaling 1795 Calories
  • 12 Months: 2 meals Daily Totaling 1724 Calories

Rufus is a very large Standard Poodle. Not all Standard Poodles will grow to be this large. Obviously, Toy and Miniature Poodles will be much smaller and their calorie intake will be less.

Like other puppies, Poodles grow rapidly in the first several months of life. Their body and their brain are growing exponentially. But this growth will start to slow. Toy and Miniature Poodles will mature faster than Standards. They will usually look like adult dogs well before they are a year old. A Standard Poodle can take up to two years to be fully mature.

Poodle Adults – Your adult Poodle doesn’t need as many calories as he did when he was a puppy. Toy and Miniature Poodles can usually start eating an adult food by the time they are about 10 months old. You can usually change your Standard Poodle to an adult food by the time he’s about 12 months old. He may not be fully mature but he should be able to eat an adult diet at that time. (Purina, 2019).

Poodle Seniors – AAFCO doesn’t have specific guidelines for senior dogs at this time. Some companies make foods that double as senior foods and weight control dog foods. If your older dog is a little paunchy, one of these foods could be suitable since it might help your dog lose a little weight.  However, if your older dog is maintaining a good weight or if he’s lost a little weight, we would recommend looking for a senior dog food that has more calories.

There is no requirement that you must feed your older dog a senior dog food, especially if he is still doing well eating his regular dog food. We suggest that as your dog gets older you start having a senior dog check-up at the vet’s office. These check-ups can include bloodwork and let your veterinarian catch small problems before they become big problems.

If you’re looking for a good senior dog food, protein is important. All of the ingredients should be easy to digest. Many older dogs start to have problems metabolizing and using nutrients as they get older. Unless your dog has a definite kidney or urinary tract problem, there is no reason to avoid meat protein for your older dog.

Funny Toy Poodle

FAQs

Should a Poodle eat dry or canned food?

Poodles can eat both dry and canned dog food. Adding canned food to a Standard Poodle’s diet might be one way to help prevent bloat. Toy and Miniature Poodles will certainly enjoy canned food. But kibble is always a practical choice.

Should my Poodle eat a grain-free diet?

Poodles can eat either grain-free or grain-inclusive dog foods. There are no current scientific studies that support the idea that grain-free dog foods are better for your dog than grain-inclusive foods. Dogs, unlike wolves, have developed several enzymes that let them digest starches. (LA Times, 2013, Nature, 2013) Of course, if your dog has a food sensitivity or food allergy to a grain, it would be wise to avoid that ingredient.

Do Poodles have sensitive stomachs?

We didn’t find anything to suggest that Poodles have more sensitive digestion than other dogs. Of course, some individuals can be sensitive to some foods or ingredients. It’s possible that your dog could have a bad reaction to something he eats. If you think your dog is sick or has a food allergy/sensitivity, please see your veterinarian.

Why does my Poodle fart so much?

All dogs fart, some more than others. Sometimes it’s due to the food they eat or an upset stomach. In some cases dogs have gas because of a change in food. Foods that contain a lot of peas, lentils, and legumes, or other fiber, can also cause dogs to have gas. If the gas smells very bad, it could be something more serious, so see your veterinarian.

Is a Poodle considered a small breed?

Toy and Miniature Poodles are considered to be small varieties of the Poodle. The Standard Poodle is a large variety of the same breed.

Poodle Dog Food – RECAP

Poodles make wonderful pets. They were the number one breed in the United States from 1960 until 1982. Even today Poodles are ranked as the seventh most popular breed in the U.S. All of the varieties of Poodle are popular around the world. Clever, easy to train, non-shedding, and fun-loving, there’s a lot to love about the Poodle, of all sizes!

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