11 Best (Highest Quality) Dog Foods for Goldendoodles in 2024

Part Golden Retriever, part Poodle, it’s hard to resist a Goldendoodle! When you combine these two breeds, the result is a dog that’s smart, affectionate, active, and cute as a button. Plus, some Goldendoodles can be a good choice if you have problems with dog allergies. But, what should you feed your hybrid dog? Does he need a special diet? Do Goldendoodles require a grain-free diet or can they eat a food with grains? Should you feed a canned food or a dry dog food? Near fear – we can tell you which are the best foods for Goldendoodles.

Goldendoodles can have a greater size range than most dogs. That’s because the Poodle parent or grandparent can be a Toy, Miniature, or Standard Poodle. Goldendoodles can range from medium to large dogs as adults. Most Goldendoodles can eat a dog food that is made for medium-sized dogs but if your Doodle is a big dog, he might need to eat a food for a large breed dog. If your Goldendoodle puppy is large or you expect him to grow to be a large dog, it would be a good idea to feed a large breed puppy food to encourage slow growth. This will also help with joint and bone health later in life. Ultimately, the food you choose for your dog or puppy will depend on your dog’s age, his health, and your own beliefs about dog food, as well as your budget.

Goldendoodles are sweet, gentle dogs but they are active. Golden Retrievers are very active dogs; and even Poodles were originally a sporting breed that excelled at water retrieving. You can expect your Goldendoodle to enjoy playing and romping. Your dog will really love doing any fun activities with you such as agility or water sports. This dog is also great at retrieving things so he will definitely enjoy a game of fetch! All of that energy will need a good dog food to keep your dog active. Let’s look at what you need to know about your dog’s nutritional requirements.

Key Nutritional Needs of a Goldendoodle’s Diet

Regardless of size, your Goldendoodle needs some key nutritional elements in his diet:

1. Good protein is essential to maintain your Goldendoodle’s health. Meat protein is easier for your dog to digest.
2. Animal fat is good for your dog. It provides a source of energy and it adds flavor to his food. Essential fatty acids (EFA) are important for your dog’s skin and coat.
3. Carbohydrates provide energy for your dog. While some people claim that dogs don’t “need” carbohydrates, they provide fiber and prebiotics to the diet.
4. Fiber is important for your dog’s gastrointestinal system. It helps your dog’s system function smoothly.
5. Dogs need the right vitamins and minerals in their diet – and in the right amounts. Some vitamins and minerals may come from the food ingredients in a dog food but most companies also add vitamins and minerals to the food to make up for any nutrients that are lost from heat during cooking.
6. All dogs need to have easy access to water. This is true unless your veterinarian recommends that you withhold water from your dog. You can also keep water away from your puppy overnight if you are house training him.

6 Special Considerations for Goldendoodles

1. Goldendoodles can have problems with hip dysplasia. Many larger dogs can have some joint problems. Even though Goldendoodles are a hybrid dog, if the parents have hip dysplasia in their families, your Goldendoodle could have an increased risk for this problem, especially if your Goldendoodle is a larger dog. Feeding a large breed dog food with joint supplements helps some dogs, as does keeping your dog slim.
2. Some adult Goldendoodles do well on a diet for medium breed dogs. Goldendoodles come in a variety of sizes, depending on the size of the Poodle in your dog’s background. If your Goldendoodle has a Toy or Miniature Poodle as a parent, you are more likely to have a Goldendoodle that is medium-sized. In that case, your dog could do well eating a dog food made for medium-sized dogs.
3. Large Goldendoodles may need a large breed dog food. If your Goldendoodle has a Standard Poodle as a parent, you are more likely to have a larger dog. Standard Poodles are the largest of the Poodles. Some Goldendoodles can be very large indeed! If that’s the case, your Goldendoodle could do well eating a dog food made for large breed dogs. These foods usually have slightly fewer calories and less fat to help your dog stay slim. This is better for a large dog’s joints and bones.
4. Large Goldendoodle puppies may need a large breed puppy food. If you have a Goldendoodle puppy that you expect to grow into a large dog, it’s recommended that you feed him a large breed puppy food. These foods have precise amounts and ratios of calcium and phosphorus that are important for a large puppy’s growing bones. They also have slightly fewer calories to encourage slower growth. Rapid growth in large breed puppies can be harmful and lead to bone and joint problems later in life such as hip dysplasia.
5. Some Goldendoodles can be prone to food allergies. Although some people like Goldendoodles because they can have coats that don’t shed much, some dogs can still have their own allergies. It is possible for a Goldendoodle to have a food allergy or food sensitivity. If you think that your Goldendoodle has a food sensitivity or allergy, check with your veterinarian and get a diagnosis so you will know which ingredients your dog needs to avoid.
6. Although Goldendoodles are hybrids and people expect them to be free of health problems, they can inherit some of the health issues found in their parent breeds – especially if their parents have the same problems. Hip dysplasia and certain eye diseases, for example, tend to be common in both Golden Retrievers and in Poodles. If you are thinking of getting a Goldendoodle, be sure to talk to the breeder and ask about the health testing they have had done for their dogs.

Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles

	Ollie Human-Grade Fresh Chicken w/ Carrots Dog Food Human-grade, fresh dog food Delivered conveniently to your doorstep Price: Varies	CHECK PRICE
	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	CHECK PRICE
	Merrick Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Deboned salmon is the first ingredient, along with real fruits and veggies Grain-free recipe with no gluten ingredients, and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Price:  $2.95/lb	CHECK PRICE
	Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken, Carrot & Pea Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food Real chicken is the 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	CHECK PRICE
	Wellness Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food Deboned chicken, oatmeal and salmon with added DHA for healthy brain and eye development Flaxseed nourishes the coat and keeps skin clean Price:  $1.89/lb	CHECK PRICE
	American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Grain-free dog food that’s also free of corn, wheat and soy to help food sensitive pets avoid fillers that might upset their stomach. Fruits and vegetables like blueberries, carrots and dried kelp provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants for immune system support, and phytonutrients. Price:  $1.66/lb	CHECK PRICE
	Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food A grain-free recipe with limited carbohydrates and no artificial flavors or colors. High-quality nutrition aids in good overall health. Price:  $2.69/lb	CHECK PRICE
	Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Provides complete and balanced nutrition for large breed puppies up to 15 months old with an expected adult weight over 55 lbs. Supports muscle growth and bone health with high-quality animal protein, calcium and phosphorous Price:  $1.36/lb	CHECK PRICE
	Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food Specially formulated to meet the needs of large breed dogs with high-quality protein, including real chicken as the first ingredient Natural prebiotic fiber, sourced from wheat bran, helps promote optimal digestive health Price:  $1.89/lb	CHECK PRICE
	Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Grain-free recipe made with real buffalo as the first ingredient Natural recipe with added vitamins and powerful antioxidants from real fruits and vegetables support overall health Price:  $1.74/lb	CHECK PRICE
	VICTOR Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food Composed of 88% meat protein with premium-quality beef, chicken and pork meals. Ideal for sporting pups and those with high physical demands. Price:  $1.21/lb	CHECK PRICE

Ollie Fresh Chicken w/ Carrots Human-Grade Dog Food

Key Features:

• Fresh food
• Easy to customize meals for your dog
• Uses real, whole food ingredients
• Delivered right to your door

If you haven’t tried fresh food for your Goldendoodle before, he’s in for a treat. Ollie is one of the leaders in the fresh food category. With four recipes to choose from (or choose all of them!), you can personalize your dog’s meal plan based on his age, breed, activity level, allergies, and his ideal weight. His portions will be just right.

Ollie uses human-grade ingredients that includes high quality meat, fruits and veggies, and superfoods. Plus, there are no fillers. The results are obvious in your dog’s health.

Recipes available include beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb, all crafted by veterinarians. You can feed your dog an entire diet of Ollie meals; or, you can integrate Ollie into your dog’s regular diet.

Pros:

• Discount! Get 50% OFF your first box of Ollie!
• Customize your dog’s meals
• Human-grade ingredients
• Delivered to your door fresh
• No fillers

Cons:

• Be careful if your dog has any health issues. Make sure you ask the fresh food company for the nutrient analysis for their foods. This is true of any kind of food you feed to dogs with certain  health issues that need to watch their vitamin and mineral intake.

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

Key Features:

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

Overall Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles – Formulated especially for large dogs, Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food contains guaranteed levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint health. The right amount of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals help big dogs maintain strong bones. This formula has slightly less fat and fewer calories to help keep your large Goldendoodle slim and trim – another way to reduce stress on bones and joints.

Deboned chicken and chicken meal are the first ingredients, providing good sources of meat protein. Contains no meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives. And, the food contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It does include guaranteed levels of probiotics to support healthy digestion.

Available in 15-lb and 30-lb bags.

Pros:

• Save 30% on New Autoship Only valid on New Autoship orders for Wellness items. Must select Autoship at checkout for offer to automatically apply. Limit 5 per customer. Can be combined with First Autoship offer.

• Good sources of animal protein from chicken and chicken meal
• Contains guaranteed levels of probiotics
• Contains chondroitin and glucosamine for hip and joint support
• No corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives
• Made especially for large dogs

Cons:

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

Merrick Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• Dry kibble
• Adult maintenance dog food
• Grain-free

Proudly made in Texas in Merrick’s own facilities, Merrick Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food is not only a good food for Goldendoodles, but it can be a good choice if your dog has problems eating poultry or some other common animal proteins. Deboned salmon and salmon meal area the first ingredients and the food also uses whitefish meal and whitefish as sources of animal protein. It is poultry-free.

This formula also includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 for healthy skin and coat. It is grain-free and gluten-free with no corn, wheat, or soy.

Available in 4-lb, 10-lb, 12-lb, and 25-lb bags.

Pros:

• Deboned salmon is the first ingredient
• Grain-free formula with no glutens, corn, wheat, or soy
• Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for good skin and coat
• Features glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy hips and joints

Cons:

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

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 – Most people are familiar with Nutro’s kibbles but we really like Nutro’s line of Heart Stews. Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken, Carrot & Pea Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is 100 percent free of grains, GMOs, chicken by-product meal, corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. What it does have is real chicken as the first ingredient. It also has chicken liver, which dogs love. And it uses chicken broth and pork broth – both tasty to dogs. Add some vegetables, vitamins, and minerals and we think your Goldendoodle will enjoy this canned food.

This is an adult canned food so it’s suitable for all adult Goldendoodles. For most Goldendoodles it’s probably too expensive to feed a diet that is only made up of canned dog food. However, you can certainly mix some wet food in with their kibble. Or, add a little canned food as a topper. If you have a Goldendoodle that is smaller, you can certainly feed a diet that is made up completely of wet food.

Sold in 12.5 ounce cans in cases of 12.

Pros:

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

Cons:

• Not suitable for puppies

Wellness Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food – Special!

Key Features:

• Dry kibble
• Puppy formula
• Smaller kibble for puppies
• No corn, wheat, or soy

The Best Food for Puppies – With deboned chicken and chicken meal as the first ingredients, Wellness Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food also has salmon meal to provide your Goldendoodle puppy with plenty of good animal protein. DHA from natural sources in the formula is good for your puppy’s brain and eye development. Guaranteed levels of calcium and phosphorus support your puppy’s bone and muscle development. Prebiotics, probiotics, and chicory root support your puppy’s digestion. And, guaranteed levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids keep your puppy’s skin and coat healthy.

This Wellness Complete Health formula also has a smaller kibble size that makes it easier for puppies to chew.

Available in 5-lb, 15-lb, and 30-lb bags.

Pros:

• Save 30% on New Autoship Only valid on New Autoship orders for Wellness items. Must select Autoship at checkout for offer to automatically apply. Limit 5 per customer. Can be combined with First Autoship offer.
• Contains no meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Includes DHA for good brain and eye development
• Contains guaranteed levels of calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• Small kibble size is easier for puppies to chew
• All life stage food suitable for all puppies, including large puppies

Cons:

• Not suitable for puppies that are sensitive to chicken

6 More Top Rated Dog Food For Goldendoodles

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

American Journey is the house brand for Chewy.com. It’s very similar to some popular brands, and even made by the same manufacturers, but since it doesn’t have a big label name, it costs less.

If you’re looking for a good grain-free food for your adult Goldendoodle, American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dog Food would be a good choice. This formula features real deboned salmon as the first ingredient, along with chicken meal and turkey meal. That’s a lot of meat protein. The food also has menhaden fish meal for more fish protein.

This recipe has no corn, wheat, or soy. It has salmon oil and includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. The formula also includes DHA for brain and eye development in growing puppies.

Available in 4-lb, 15.5-lb, and 30-lb bags.

Pros:

• Very reasonably priced
• All life stage formula so it’s suitable for adults and puppies, including large dogs
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• Includes DHA and omega fatty acids

Cons:

• High protein percentage but some of the protein comes from peas and chickpeas

Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Formula Grain-Free 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 Goldendoodle has a food sensitivity or food allergy, you might considering feeding a limited ingredient diet. LID diets typically have one animal protein source and one kind of carbohydrate source. Natural Balance is well-known for producing limited ingredient diets. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has venison (deer meat) as a single source of meat protein. Sweet potatoes are the basic carbohydrates. This is a grain-free formula with no corn, wheat, or soy. It has no artificial colors or flavors. All together, this food can be a good choice for a dog with food sensitivities or allergies, especially since venison is not a common meat protein.

If the ingredients in this food are a problem for your Goldendoodle, you can look at some of Natural Balance’s other foods:

Available in 4.5-lb, 13-lb, and 26-lb bags.

Pros:

• Single animal protein (venison)
• Limited carbohydrates
• Grain-free with no artificial colors or flavors
• No corn, wheat, or soy

Cons:

• This is an adult maintenance food so do not feed it to puppies
• Like many limited ingredient diets, this food has low protein and fat percentages

Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• Dry kibble
• Puppy formula
• Formulated especially for large puppies

Eukanuba is one of the companies that has veterinary nutritionists on staff to formulate their foods. They also spend a lot of money on canine nutritional research. For these reasons, they produce some very good dog foods, even if the ingredients look very basic. We really like Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food. If you have a Goldendoodle that is destined to be a large dog as an adult, this would be a good puppy food for him.

This Eukanuba formula has optimal levels of calcium and phosphorus for large puppies. It also has DHA for good brain and eye development in puppies. Natural fiber and prebiotics provide gentle digestive help for your puppy. It also supplies the protein, fat, and carbohydrates that your growing Goldendoodle needs.

Available in 6-lb and 30-lb bags.

Pros:

• Specifically formulated for large puppies
• DHA for brain and eye development
• Natural fiber and prebiotics for gentle digestion
• Chicken is the first ingredient
• Reasonably priced

Cons:

• Some people won’t like the ingredients but the food is formulated by veterinary nutritionists and Eukanuba has been making very good puppy foods for decades

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

Key Features:

• Dry kibble
• Adult maintenance formula
• Formulated for large breed dogs
• Formulated for senior dogs

Pro Plan is Purina’s top of the line brand and Bright Mind was created from proprietary research about senior dogs (ages 7+). Along with enhanced botanical oils, Pro Plan uses medium chain triglycerides (studied in the treatment of Alzheimer’s in humans) in this food to help older dogs regain some of their youth.

Along with helping older dogs act younger, Bright Mind Adult 7+ has chicken as the first ingredient. Natural prebiotic fiber from wheat bran promotes digestive health. EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid, and glucosamine, support joint health and mobility. And vitamin A and linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) help your older dog’s skin and coat be healthy and shiny.

This recipe is formulated for large senior dogs but Bright Mind also comes in other formulas.

Available in a 30-lb bag.

Pros:

• Reasonably priced
• Chicken is the first ingredient
• Made for large senior dogs
• Glucosamine for joint support
• Special oils for canine cognitive dysfunction (senility)

Cons:

• This is an adult maintenance dog food so it is not intended for puppies
• Some people won’t like the ingredients

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

If you are interested in a good grain-free, high-protein dog food for your adult Goldendoodle, Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a very popular choice. With real buffalo as the first ingredient, this food also has lamb meal and chicken meal to provide lots of meat protein. It also has fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and beautiful. Antioxidants support your Goldendoodle’s immune system. TOTW also adds a proprietary strain of probiotics to aid your dog’s digestion.

As with other TOTW formulas, this recipe is grain-free and gluten-free. It contains no corn or wheat; and it has no fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

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

Pros:

• Real buffalo is the first ingredient
• This formula is grain-free and gluten-free with no corn or wheat
• Contains no fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Contains fatty acids, antioxidants, and probiotics to keep your dog healthy
• Reasonably priced

Cons:

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

VICTOR Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• Dry kibble
• Pea-Free
• No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy
• High in protein
• All Life Stages

Looking for a food for your Goldendoodle that is pea-free? One food to consider is Victor Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food. This food is high in protein and fat. In fact, it’s a 30/20 all life stage formula so you can feed it to performance dogs, pregnant mothers, and growing puppies – all dogs that use lots of energy and need extra calories.

Beef is the first ingredient but other meat proteins in the food include pork meal, chicken meal, and menhaden fish meal. The protein in this food really comes from animal sources. Some 88 percent of the protein comes from meat, in fact. Carbs include grain sorghum and whole grain millet. And no peas. No corn, wheat, or soy, either.

Available in 5-lb, 15-lb, 40-lb, and 50-lb bags.

Pros:

• Pea-free
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• High in meat protein
• All life stages
• Very reasonably priced

Cons:

• This food does have a lot of calories so it’s best for dogs that are active

Our 2024 Goldendoodle Feeding Guide

Goldendoodle Puppies – Goldendoodle puppies are smart and lovable. You can expect your puppy to be athletic and playful. Golden Retrievers are a very active dogs and Poodles are not exactly couch potatoes. Your puppy will probably be very intelligent and eager to please so some basic obedience training is a good idea – especially for a puppy with all that energy.

Most Goldendoodles will grow to be medium to large size adult dogs. If your puppy is going to be a large dog, we suggest that you feed a large breed puppy food. These foods encourage slower growth which is preferred for larger dogs. Slower growth can help prevent joint and bone problems such as hip dysplasia in adult dogs.

If you bring your puppy home between 8 and 12 weeks, he will probably need about four meals per day. Between the age of three months (12 weeks) and six months he will need about three meals per day. Between six months and 10 months you can start to feed him two meals per day. Adult dogs will eat two meals per day.

When your Goldendoodle puppy is between 10 and 12 months of age you can start to change his food to an adult dog food. If your Goldendoodle is a medium size dog at this time you can feed him a good quality dog food for medium-sized dogs. If your dog is headed toward becoming a large breed adult dog, choose an adult dog food for large breeds. You might want to consider foods that are formulated for Golden Retrievers or Poodles, though there are also other good choices.

When it comes to how much to feed your puppy, growth charts are helpful for predicting how much your puppy will weigh as he grows (Goldendoodles.com Community, 2012). Your dog might weigh a little less or a little more. You can expect a female puppy to weigh a little less than a male puppy. For Goldendoodles, you can expect the following weights (give or take a little):

• At 3 Months: 11 pounds
• At 6 Months: 28 pounds
• At 12 Months: 38 pounds

This is for a medium-sized Goldendoodle puppy. Remember that there is a wide size range for Goldendoodles so some dogs will stay small (15-30 pounds) and some dogs can grow up to 100 pounds as adults, depending on the parents.

• 0-3 Months: 4 Meals Daily Totaling 702 Calories
• 3-6 Months: 3-4 Meals Daily Totaling 943 Calories
• At 12 Months: 2 meals Daily Totaling 1068 Calories

Goldendoodles puppies have most of their growth in the first four months of life. This is normal for all puppies. At this time their brain is growing rapidly and they are learning quickly. After the first few months their growth rate begins to slow. Your puppy will still need lots of calories and nutrients as his bones and muscles grow but the rate will gradually slow until he’s eating an adult portion between 10 and 12 months of age.

Goldendoodle Adults – Adult dogs don’t need as many calories as puppies. By the time your puppy is about 12 months old, he will usually be almost finished with his growth unless he’s especially large. (Very large dogs can continue to grow until they are 18 months or more. They grow more slowly than small dogs.) At this time you can begin to think of changing to puppy to an adult dog food. An adult dog food is a little different than a puppy food. It has slightly different nutrients and it’s not as rich in calories. (Purina, 2019).

The adult dog food you choose for your Goldendoodle is up to you. Adult dogs can eat an adult maintenance food or a food for all life stages. Your dog can eat a food that’s grain-free or one that includes grain. Both kibble and canned food are suitable though if you have a bigger dog, a kibble is easier on the pocketbook. Very large dogs can do well with foods for large breed adults because these foods usually feature supplements that support hips and joints. Otherwise, look for a food that your dog likes and that you like – and that suits your budget.

Goldendoodle Seniors – There are no AAFCO guidelines for senior dog foods at this time. Many companies have senior dog foods that double as weight control foods. They tend to be lower in fat and calories; and they can be lower in protein than their regular dog foods. These foods would be suitable for older dogs that are a little overweight but they are not recommended if you have a senior dog that has lost weight.

If you would like to change your older dog’s food, you can look for a food that has protein and other ingredients that are easy to digest. As dogs get older they can begin to have problems digesting foods and metabolizing nutrients. Easy-to-digest foods can help with these issues. Also, more protein, not less, is recommended for senior dogs unless they have a confirmed kidney or urinary tract problem.

FAQs

Should a Goldendoodle eat dry or canned food?

Your Goldendoodle can eat either canned food or dry dog food. If you have a small Goldendoodle then cost probably won’t be a concern. However, if you have a large Goldendoodle, kibble will be better for your budget since it costs much less per ounce than canned food. If you feed kibble and you still want your dog to enjoy some tasty wet food, try mixing a little canned food into your dog’s meals or use the food as a topper.

Should my Goldendoodle eat a grain free diet?

As long as your Goldendoodle doesn’t have a food allergy or food sensitivity, there is no particular reason for him to eat a grain-free diet. There is no scientific evidence supporting the idea that grain-free diets are healthier for your dog than diets that include grain. In fact, dogs have evolved to have several enzymes that wolves don’t have just so they can digest carbohydrates (LA Times, 2013, Nature, 2013). Of course, if your dog has a food allergy or sensitivity, you should steer clear of the grain or other ingredient that bothers your dog.

Do Goldendoodles have sensitive stomachs?

Goldendoodles are not especially known for having a sensitive stomach but some individuals can have stomach issues. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, talk to your veterinarian about possible causes so serious issues can be ruled out. If nothing serious can be identified, you can look for dog foods that are formulated for dogs with sensitive digestion.

Why does my Goldendoodle fart so much?

Any dog can fart. We didn’t find anything online that indicated Goldendoodles were especially bad about farting. If your Goldendoodle farts a lot it could be related to sensitive digestion. Sometimes dogs are sensitive to foods that contain a lot of fiber; or a lot of peas and legumes. If your dog’s gas smells really bad, it might be something more serious such as irritable bowel disease so talk to your veterinarian.

Is a Goldendoodle considered a small breed?

It depends. Goldendoodles range from small dogs to very large dogs, depending on the parents. Golden Retrievers are large dogs, generally standing about 24 inches tall and weighing up to 75 pounds (AKC, 2019). Your Goldendoodle will have one big parent or grandparent. However, the Poodle part of the family can be a Toy, Miniature, or Standard Poodle. That means the size range is up to 70 pounds for the Standard Poodle (AKC, 2019); and as small as 4-6 pounds for the Toy Poodle (AKC, 2019). The smallest Goldendoodles are usually between 10-15 pounds. However, it’s much more common to see medium and large Goldendoodles.

Goldendoodle Dog Food – RECAP

Goldendoodles make excellent pets. They are sweet, intelligent dogs and usually want to please you. They also love to play and they can excel at any kind of activity you want to do with them. Most of them remain healthy and, thanks to their Poodle heritage, they can live very long lives.

Take care of your dog’s hips and joints and your dog should have few problems as he gets older. We hope the food suggestions offered here will help you and your Goldendoodle.