Do you own a Goldendoodle or are planning on getting one? Once you do get a Goldendoodle, it is important to research their needs when it comes to exercise, training, and nutrition.
They are known for being social, friendly, and loving to their owners, other people, and other dogs as well. They are also an active breed, which means they need the best dog food for Goldendoodles available.
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Table of Contents
The Best Dog Foods for Goldendoodles Are…
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. EUKANUBA Adult Dry Dog Food |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Nutro WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Adult Dry Dog Food |  |
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| 3. Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food |  |
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| 4. Wellness Core® Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food |  |
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| 5. Blue Buffalo Freedom Senior Chicken Grain-Free Dry Dog Food |  |
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| 6. Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recip |  |
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1. EUKANUBA Adult Dry Dog Food — Best Overall
Eukanuba is a popular dog food brand, but the quality of their dog food speaks for itself. Although they do not have breed-specific dog food for Goldendoodles, their formulas are packed with enough nutrients to state the needs of most dog breeds.
Just ensure that you are getting the right variant – adult or puppy.
Their adult dry dog food comes in flavors like Chicken or Lamb and Rice. This is ideal for Goldendoodles who have developed an allergy to chicken products.
They also have an improved fiber-rich formula with additional prebiotics that help aid in digestion. Not only that, but the formulation also helps increase nutrient absorption.
This dog food is ideal for Goldendoodles as well because they put an emphasis on improving dog coats. Apart from that, their chondroitin and glucosamine components can help with Goldendoodles that developed or are at risk for hip dysplasia.
This variant is also less expensive than their other variants, which means you spend less on a 33-pound bag than you would with a specialized diet.
The only downside is that overeating this brand can lead to obesity. Also, your dog’s waste may be smellier than it usually is when you begin him or her on this diet.
Specs
- Form: Dry Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Special Diet: Pea-free, no corn, no soy, no wheat
Pros
- Supports healthy brain function
- Provides your pet with enough strength
- Supports joint health and lean muscle development
- Rich in natural fiber and probiotics
Cons
- Contains chicken by-product meal
2. Nutro WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Adult Dry Dog Food
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Dry Dog Food uses farm-raised chickens as its main ingredient. It includes brown rice and sweet potato, which means that this type of dog food is not completely grain-free.
They use non-genetically modified ingredients, including vitamins and minerals like Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and Vitamin E.
The kibble is small enough for a Goldendoodle. This variant is ideal for other small breed dogs as well. It helps ease gastrointestinal issues for some dogs.
The simplicity of the ingredients is what makes it work as a good choice of dog food for Goldendoodles.
Although their old formulation seemed to be better, they are continuously improving their formula to suit the needs of the new breeds and mix breeds like the Goldendoodle.
Overall, it is a good choice for Goldendoodles. However, you may want to consider the choice if you want to keep your dog on a standard formula for the rest of its adult life.
However, for those who want a protein-packed variant, Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Dry Dog Food may be the brand for you.
Specs
- Form: Dry Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Special Diet: Non-GMO, no wheat, no corn, no soy
Pros
- Natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin
- Promotes healthy skin
- Made with non-GMO ingredients
- No by-products and additives
Cons
- Low protein count
3. Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food is ideal for Goldendoodles that developed grain allergies. It is a grain-free variant that is rich in protein.
It comes in a wide variety of flavors for the picky Goldendoodle. They have venison, venison and bison, salmon, lamb, wild boar, and roasted duck flavors.
They use real meat for their manufacturing process and add superfoods, fatty acids, and antioxidants that are great for your dog’s health.
The formula is also known to improve the shine and luster of your dog’s coat. Aside from that, they also develop a healthy digestive system because of the proprietary probiotics in the formulation.
While the formulation of the dog food is fine, there are some instances that a dog may experience gassiness and other gastrointestinal problems.
It is best to test this out first if your Goldendoodle responds well to it. Transition slowly and see how it goes.
Specs
- Form: Dry Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Special Diet: Grain-Free
Pros
- Ideal for Goldendoodles with food allergy
- Grain-free formula
- Loaded with veggies and fruits
- Natural ingredients with no fillers
Cons
- The kibble is a bit small
4. Wellness Core® Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Wellness Core is another grain-free option that you can give to your Goldendoodle. They have distinct flavors as well such as Turkey, Chicken, beef, Boar, Rabbit, and Duck.
They also have fish flavors like Whitefish, Salmon, Herring, and Ocean fish.
This brand is ideal for Goldendoodles that are picky with the flavors they eat or ones that have grain allergies.
They use all-natural ingredients and they do not use meat by-products as well. They are backed by the Wellness Guarantee as well.
This brand is great because it focuses on several aspects of your Goldendoodle’s health. It improves eyes, teeth, and gum health.
It aids in digestion. It boosts the immune system. It enhances energy as well. Lastly, it makes your dog’s coat shiny and soft.
Some dogs do not seem to like any of the flavors, but that is where you should make room for testing and transitional diets.
Specs
- Form: Dry Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Special Diet: Grain-Free, high-protein, gluten-free, no corn, no soy, no wheat
Pros
- Rich in protein
- Great protein sources
- Ideal for dogs with a sensitive stomach
- Ideal for fussy Goldendoodles
Cons
- Caloric content might be too much for less active dogs
5. Blue Buffalo Freedom Senior Chicken Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
If you have a senior Goldendoodle at home, we highly recommend you go for the Blue Buffalo Freedom Senior Chicken Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.
It is great dog food, and it is formulated to keep senior dogs strong, healthy, and energetic. This food is made with natural and healthy ingredients such as deboned chicken, potatoes, peas, pea starch, and chicken meal.
It does not contain any grains, and it contains potatoes as a carb substitute. This food contains natural sources of DHA, which help with the development of cognitive function.
It will also leave the skin and coat of your dog healthy and shiny, as it is rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids from sources such as fish oil, flaxseed, and chicken fat.
This food is great for Goldendoodles that are allergic to grains. The food digests easily and it contains enough antioxidants to boost the immune health of your dog.
It contains some probiotic strains that help with adequate nutrient absorption. It is rich in vitamin C, E, and other essential vitamins your dog needs.
The protein count is pretty low, at 18 percent, making a great option for senior and less active adult Goldendoodles.
The fat percentage is 10 while the crude fiber content is 7 percent. The caloric content is 380 kilocalories per cup.
Specs
- Form: Dry Food
- Life Stage: Adult, Senior
- Special Diet: Grain-Free, gluten-free, no corn, no soy, no wheat
Pros
- Controlled levels of protein and fat
- Ideal for less active Goldendoodles
- No grains no gluten
- Supports heart health
Cons
- The fiber content is high
6. Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe
Next up is the Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe. This is super-premium dog food for this dog breed.
It contains virtually all the minerals, vitamins, and nutrition that Goldendoodles need to stay and grow healthy.
It is made with top-quality ingredients, and it is free from additives such as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
The top five ingredients of this food are menhaden fish meal, peas, chicken fat, garbanzo bean, and dehydrated salmon.
The number ingredient, which is menhaden fish meal, is a great source of DHA. The DHA in this food helps with the development of your dog’s brain and eyes.
It contains many fruits and veggies, which are great sources of antioxidants. This food also contains sufficient amounts of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to keep the skin and coat of your dog healthy and shiny.
It contains prebiotics and probiotics to boost the immune system of your dog. This will help your dog fight against common health conditions.
This formula is 100 percent grain-free, and it does not contain any gluten, soy, corn, or wheat.
If your Goldendoodle has a food allergy or is allergic to grains and gluten, this is one of the best dog food for Goldendoodles to consider.
This food contains 33 percent protein, 16 percent fat, 3.8 percent crude fiber, and 390 kilocalories per cup.
Specs
- Form: Dry Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Special Diet: Grain-Free
Pros
- Free from grains and gluten
- No additives and fillers
- Supports a healthy immune system
- Great protein source.
Cons
- Some dogs may not like the smell
What Is The Best Food For Goldendoodles?
Goldendoodles, a breed that is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a poodle, is one of the more popular breeds in the world today.
It is not known when they were originally bred, but they gained fame during the 90s. They are similar to the Labradoodle, but the Golden Retriever gene is quite different in Goldendoodles.
There are also different sizes of Goldendoodles, which means that each one has a different nutritional requirement. Goldendoodles come in petite, mini, medium, and standard sizes.
Because Poodles vary in coat color as well, Goldendoodles are not always born with the Golden Retriever’s trademark golden coat.
They are quite smart because of their genes. Both the Poodle and Golden Retrievers are in the top 10 smartest dog breeds and mixing them together yields a litter that is just as smart as or maybe even smarter than their dam and sire.
Knowing all these facts, you may want to check which dog food for Goldendoodles is right for your dog.
To know which brand or type to feed your Goldendoodle, here is a list of considerations for choosing the right dog food for Goldendoodles.
Energy Levels
Each dog has a different energy level regardless of what their breed says about them. Although Goldendoodles are known to be active dogs, some may not be as energetic as you would expect.
Choosing dog food for Goldendoodles will be easier once you know how much energy they need.
Most dog food brands have a bracket of the amount of dog food you should feed your pet. They have a low to high grams per serving chart or cups per serving chart.
Size and Weight
This is pretty easy since you will be basing your Goldendoodle’s food consumption based on their weight. Just ensure that you are feeding them the right amount based on their weight.
If you are concerned about body fat, you should consult your vet to get a better outlook on how much dog food you should serve.
Health and Wellness
The Poodle and Golden Retriever are two of the healthiest breeds known to man. They rarely have allergic reactions and intolerances to food.
However, it is not impossible for them to avoid becoming allergic to a specific ingredient.
This is especially true if their immune system is not as strong as you expect. You should test out different types of dog food first so that you will know which one does not cause an allergic reaction.
Aside from allergies, Goldendoodles are at risk of a common dog bone disorder called hip dysplasia. This occurs when their hip bones become lax or are displaced, as they grow older. Some dog food focuses on helping your dog develop strong muscles and bones.
These types of dog food are packed with protein and calcium, thereby reducing the chances of hip dysplasia or improving the lifestyle of your dog if they have already developed the disorder.
Breed-Specific Needs
Poodles and Golden Retrievers are known for their coats. They have become popular show dogs because of their aesthetics and coat characteristics. Goldendoodles will develop the same type of coat or a variant of their dam and sire’s coat.
Some owners want their dog’s coats to be shiny and soft. Poodle and Golden Retriever Hair can be coarse, so some dog food for Goldendoodles may be more appropriate to provide a healthy and shiny coat.
Preference For Goldendoodles
Yes, dogs will eat anything if given the chance. However, they do have taste sometimes. When giving dog food, it is important to see if they like it first. You should buy a small amount rather than buy a huge bag that may go to waste.
When testing for your Goldendoodle’s preferred food, it is best to do it in weekly increments. This means that you need to follow transitional dog food feeding.
You feed your dog small amounts of new dog food and increase it as the week goes on. This way, your dog will not experience any gastrointestinal upsets.
Choosing The Best Dog Food For Goldendoodle Puppies
When choosing dog food for puppies, it is important to always get puppy food. Try not to feed your puppy adult food as much as possible.
Puppy food has more nutrients than adult dog food because puppies consume more food and need more vitamins and minerals for their growth spurt.
Adult dog food is designed to have fewer nutrients to avoid obesity and overnutrition. Their body is designed to excrete excess vitamins and nutrients that their body does not need.
Puppy food can also be fed to pregnant dogs and senior dogs. Still, you will need to check the label or ask your vet if your chosen dog food is ideal for puppies, pregnant dogs, or senior dogs. You can read more about large breed puppy food here.
Final Thoughts
Based on all the dog food for Goldendoodles I reviewed, I prefer EUKANUBA Adult Dry Dog Food out of all of them. It provides all the nutrients your dog needs.
Once you choose any of the dog food on the list, make sure that your Goldendoodle responds positively to it before continuing with the diet.
Because we all love our pets, it is important to get the best dog food for Goldendoodles whenever and wherever possible.
