🦴 Updated on July 16th, 2023
The Goldendoodle is a charming blend of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. The teddy-bear-like breed is high on demand, thanks to limited shedding and a friendly and active nature.
However, like any other dog breed, the Goldendoodle also requires a healthy diet and nutrition. It’s paramount you only feed your furry friend only the best dog food for Goldendoodles.
The Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles Reviewed
Given the array of dog food products in the market, how do you even identify the best? We did the heavy lifting and identified the ten best foods for Goldendoodles, alongside a detailed guide on what to look out for when shopping.
We found the IAMS Adult dry dog food the best overall option for Goldendoodle since it contains easy-to-chew, bite-sized pieces and a rich selection of proteins, carbs, healthy fats, and even antioxidants.
Read on for the complete list.
IAMS MiniChunks
IAMS is a respected brand in the pet food industry. After looking at their adult mini-chunks, it’s easy to understand why.
First, as the name implies, the formula comes in bite-sized pieces making it even more palatable, especially for miniature doodles that may have difficulty chewing on larger pieces.
The IAMS dog food is infused with flaxseed, an excellent source of proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids that help promote a healthier, shinier coat.
The formula boasts a superb nutritional profile with high-quality, farm-raised chicken meat as the primary source of animal proteins.
It also includes other premium sourced animal proteins such as dried egg protein, famous for its exceptional biological value. Chicken meal byproduct, which contains about 300% more proteins than chicken, adds to the dog food.
The IAMS adult mini-chunks dog food formula has a great carb profile thanks to ingredients like corn and sorghum.
With this IAMS dog food, your pup will also get minerals and vitamins essential to joint health, strong muscles, a healthy coat, and a lasting immune system. Each bite has calcium, zinc, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B12.
Also present is L-Carnitine, a water-soluble vitamin compound known to regulate a dog’s metabolism, and niacin, an organic compound proven to promote canine weight loss. As a result, this formula delivers excellent nutritional value while ensuring Fido doesn’t become overweight.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness
Blue Buffalo is among the leading dog food brands in the market. The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken recipe, one of their most popular products, contains about 34% proteins and is ideal for Goldendoodles of all sizes and ages.
This formula is packed with real chicken to entice and satisfy Fido’s love for meat while providing the crucial animal proteins they need to develop lean muscles and a stronger immune system. It also contains peas, which are a rich source of complex carbs and dietary fiber.
The formula boasts glucosamine and chondroitin to improve joint health and overall mobility. It's an all-natural dog food product with no byproducts whatsoever.
The fiber content is further enhanced by ingredients like tomato pomace and chicory root. The latter fuels healthy digestive tract bacteria, consequently improving digestion and overall gut health.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken recipe also features small, dark, LifeSource Bits that blend vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Each bit contains Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, calcium, and manganese, improving your Goldendoodle’s overall wellbeing.
Worried your Pooch might become overweight? Don’t fret because the Blue Wilderness chicken recipe includes L-Carnitine, a vitamin-like compound only found in animal-based proteins. It helps reduce weight in heavier pups.
Purina O.N.E.
This Purina One Smartblend formula will have your Goldendoodle eat up everything in its bowl and even zoom around after meals, thanks to the real lamb meat it contains. Besides being tasty, lamb also provides the proteins your Doodle needs for muscle development and excellent health.
This Smartblend has numerous beneficial ingredients that promote good health in your Goldendoodle.
As with most Purina products, the Smartblend features shredded morsels so your pup can enjoy the almost-meaty texture despite it being a dry dog food product.
For example, this kibble is a superb source of glucosamine, which promotes stronger joints and even helps with aging in senior dogs. The presence of soybean meal further strengthens your pup’s muscles.
The formula also contains rice flour, an excellent source of gluten-free carbs that your dog needs for energy. Rice flour is also rich in dietary fiber. When combined with whole-grain wheat (another source of fiber), it promotes better digestion in dogs.
The kibble includes whole-grain corn, a popular source of vitamins, minerals, and even plant-based proteins – all nutrients that your Goldendoodle requires for overall wellbeing.
The Purina Pro Smartblend also features minerals like calcium to promote strong teeth and joints. The Riboflavin vitamin helps to enhance the metabolism of carbs and amino acids.
Furthermore, this food boasts a unique blend of antioxidants, Vitamins E & A, and minerals such as zinc. The combination improves your Doodle’s immune system and promotes a healthy, shiny coat you’ll love.
Natural Balance
If you hate exposing your pup to unnecessary ingredients, this Natural Balance L.I.D dry formula is a must-have. It has limited, but quality ingredients meaning your dog will still get the nutrients they need without being exposed to any potentially dangerous substances.
Instead of the standard animal proteins you’re used to, this formula contains venison as the primary source of animal proteins. Venison is not just a high-quality source of protein.
Natural Balance contains sweet potatoes, a source of complex carbs, dietary fiber, and beta carotene, which are all essential to your pup's wellbeing.
It has less saturated fats, meaning it delivers the nutrients needed to promote lean muscles and strong joints without causing weight issues.
It’s also ideal for Goldendoodles with sensitive tummies and allergic reactions to regular whole meats.
The unique taste of menhaden fish oil further enhances the flavor while giving your puppy the E.P.A. and D.H.A. fatty acids it needs.
These fatty acids improve heart and joint health and even neurological and cognitive functions in dogs.
The Natural Balance L.I.D formula also contains healthy fats like canola oil and flaxseed and a rich selection of vitamins and minerals that improve overall wellness in Goldendoodles. It is also grain-free making it perfect for Goldendoodles with a hypersensitive tummy.
Hill’s Science Diet
This Hill Science product packs a formula specific to large dog breeds, making it one of the best foods for standard-sized Goldendoodles. It has real chicken as the first and primary ingredient.
Your pup will be immediately drawn to the flavor, so the transition to the new food shouldn’t be hard.
Don't worry about digestive issues since this product contains fiber-rich ingredients like peas, brewers' rice, and dried beet pulp.
Chicken is also a rich source of animal proteins to encourage lean muscle growth and a stronger immunity in large dog breeds. Plus, the kibble boasts multiple whole grain ingredients such as sorghum, corn, and barley. It’s rich in carbs and will deliver the energy your Doodle needs to stay active.
The Hill’s Side Diet Adult large dog food also supports cardiovascular and joint health, thanks to ingredients like Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
Furthermore, the blend will keep the dog’s fur and coat healthy and shiny thanks to the high omega-6-fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin content. This product contains ingredients that help maintain your Doodle’s optimal metabolism, so you don’t have to worry about weight issues.
Other notable ingredients include:
- Chicken fat: a rich source of linoleic acid and omega 6-fatty acids
- Taurine: promotes heart health
- Beta-Carotene: a powerful antioxidant and provitamin for dogs
Purina Pro
Kibble is great, but it can get monotonous fast, especially if you’ve been feeding it to your Doodle for a long time. This Purina Pro Food product lets you break the monotony and make mealtimes exciting again, thanks to the nicely shredded food pieces instead of regular kibble.
It also boasts a dry-to-tender texture your dog will immediately fancy, making it easier to transition to the new food pack.
The Purina Pro plan adult dog food contains a quality selection of minerals, including calcium, zinc, manganese, and ferrous sulfate, geared towards better joint and coat health.
On top of that, the Purina Pro Adult dog food also boasts an excellent nutrient profile. It contains real chicken as the principal source of proteins, and poultry-by-product, dried egg product, fish meal, and preserved beef fat for additional proteins. Plant-based proteins include soybean and corn gluten meal.
The Purina Pro features a good selection of carbs, including rice, whole grain wheat, and whole-grain corn, which provide the much-needed energy for Goldendoodles to stay healthy and active.
What’s more, it has a string of omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and linoleic acid, which support the beautiful, healthy coat typical of Goldendoodles.
Prebiotic fiber has also been included in the ingredient list to boost intestinal flora health.
VICTOR
Whether you’re in the market for the best puppy food for Goldendoodles and the best option for adult dogs, the Victor Classic Professional Formula dry dog food will be a great fit.
It’s an all-stage dog food product that comes in a 40lb bag, making it great for Doodles with a large appetite.
The Victor classic professional formula stands out from the rest thanks to its specially formulated VPRO Blend, made up of expert-developed prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins, and mineral complexes.
This Victor dog food is rich in proteins, including beef and chicken meal. Beef meal is a meat concentrate with 300% more proteins than regular fresh beef, and the locally sourced chicken meal is high in proteins and omega-6-fatty acids that boost your puppy’s fur and coat health.
The VPRO Blend helps promote a strong immune response, metabolic function, and healthy digestive systems.
This product makes the best dog food for Goldendoodle for lactating or highly active doodles since it contains multiple sources of carbs, including whole-grain sorghum and millet.
It is entirely gluten-free, and your dog should have an easy time digesting it since it contains tomato pomace, powdered cellulose, and chicory roots, all ingredients known to promote good gut health and easy digestion.
Suppose your Doodle is prone to weight issues. Then you’ll be glad to know the Victor Classic Professional formula also contains L-Carnitine, an ingredient helpful in maintaining your dog’s metabolism as well as burning fats.
Wellness CORE
Wellness is one of the leading dog food brands in the market, and their Core line features quality-sourced products with different ingredients.
Your Goldendoodle will surely love this particular Wellness Core dog food since it contains real deboned turkey and chicken meals, as well as chicken fat.
The Wellness Core is rich in healthy fats such as ground flaxseed, one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and salmon oil, a rich source of E.P.A. and D.H.A. omega-3 fatty acids. This formula is specifically for adult dogs.
The Wellness Core deboned turkey dog food is generally rich in proteins your Goldendoodle needs for strong lean muscles and an immune boost.
It also contains fiber-rich ingredients such as peas and tomato pomace, meaning your Goldendoodle should have no problem digesting it. What’s more, it also has chicory root, a rich source of inulin which is known to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria, conversely aiding with seamless digestion.
The Wellness Core grain-free original is fortified with supplements like glucosamine, which promotes joint health. Goldendoodles are prone to hip dysplasia and other joint problems, so this dog food is one of the best for them. Besides peas, it also has other carb-packed wholesome grains such as lentils.
American Journey
If your Goldendoodle goes ham on anything fish, they will undoubtedly love the American Journey Salmon & sweet potato dog food from the first bite.
The fatty acids ensure proper brain and eye development in puppies and improve cognitive function in adult and senior Goldendoodles.
This formula contains real deboned salmon, adding an excellent flavor. Plus, salmon is a rich source of D.H.A. and other omega-3 fatty acids that promote a healthy and shiny coat.
If you prefer formulas rich in proteins, this is one of the best dog foods for Goldendoodles. It has about 32% crude proteins. Besides salmon, it contains chicken fat, chicken meal, and turkey meal, plus plant-based proteins such as pea and chickpeas.
You also need not worry about digestive issues. The American Journey Salmon & Sweet potato dog food packs a good range of fiber-rich ingredients such as peas, beet pulp, and chickpeas.
The second ingredient in this product is sweet potato, which enhances the flavor and is an excellent source of gluten-free complex carbs, beta carotene, and dietary fiber, further improving digestion.
Like most products on our list of T.L.C. dog food for Goldendoodles, it is a grain-free product making it an even better fit if your pooch experiences Goldendoodle food allergies.
Taste of the Wild
If you need a high-protein Goldendoodle food product, but your pup is allergic to regular proteins, this Taste of the Wild product is just what you need.
Designed by a brand that emphasizes a primitive canine diet, this pack contains buffalo as its primary source of animal protein, followed by lamb meal and chicken fat.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie has a nice blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which provide the nutrients a Goldendoodle needs for a healthy, shiny coat.
It has about 28% proteins in total to support muscle and joint development and boost the immunity of young Doodles.
The carbs and 18% fat content deliver the energy your Doodle puppy needs to jump around as it grows.
Multiple fruit ingredients such as raspberries and blueberries provide the range of vitamins and antioxidants your pup needs to stay healthy while bumping up the overall flavor of this product.
Additionally, this dog food has specially formulated K9 probiotic strains, which provide up to 80 million live, active cultures per pound to improve digestion and overall gut health.
These probiotics are further strengthened by prebiotics from the chicory root, ensuring optimum digestive health for your canine.
The infused salmon oil enhances the flavor and is a rich source of D.H.A. That means Taste of the Wild is also one of the best diets for lactating Goldendoodles.
How to Buy the Best Dog Food for Your Goldendoodle
Different dog breeds have various dietary requirements, and the Goldendoodle is no exception. Here’s what to consider when shopping for the best dog food for a Goldendoodle.
Ingredients
The best food for Goldendoodle should contain quality-sourced ingredients. Also, since they are an active and high-energy dog breed, a Goldendoodle’s diet should be rich in the following ingredients.
Proteins
Proteins boost the immune of Goldendoodles and promote muscle development, tissue repair, and a healthy coat. They are an essential ingredient in the best food for Goldendoodles, especially growing puppies.
As a rule of the thumb, the best dog food for Goldendoodles should contain proteins from at least two animal sources and a single vegetable protein source. Animal-based proteins are easier on your Doodle’s stomach and have a higher biological value than those from vegetable sources.
Also note that animal-based proteins in Goldendoodle foods are not always the same. Some contain meat byproducts such as hooves and beaks, while others come from whole meats.
To buy the best food for Goldendoodle, go for whole meat products since they typically have a higher nutritional value than the latter.
Healthy Fats and Carbs
The best food for Goldendoodles should also be rich in healthy fats. They provide the energy your Doodle needs to stay healthily active and strong between meals. Healthy fats are also rich in amino acids essential to a Doodle’s healthy coat.
Canola, flaxseed, salmon, and chicken oils are a few examples of healthy fats you should look for while shopping for the best Goldendoodle dog food.
Also, ensure the dog food you buy also contains low-glycemic carbs as they also impact energy levels and help maintain proper blood sugar levels for your Doodle.
Fiber
Even though Goldendoodles have fewer health problems than some dog breeds, they struggle with bloat, a potentially life-threatening issue for dogs. To prevent bloat and other Goldendoodle digestive problems, ensure your Goldendoodle diet is rich in fiber.
It promotes nutrient absorption, eases digestion, and even prevents your Goldendoodle from becoming overweight by fostering a feeling of fullness between meals.
Other ingredients to look for in the best food for Goldendoodles include:
- Minerals and vitamins
- Antioxidants
- Omegas
- D.H.A.
Ingredients to Avoid include:
- Grapes, raisins, or prunes
- Large amounts of dairy
- Chocolate and candy
- Xylitol
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Processed sugar
Size and Age of Your Goldendoodle
Consider the size of your pup to buy the best Goldendoodle food as this adorable breed can be either miniature-sized (15-30 pounds), medium-sized (30-45 pounds), or standard-sized (45-100 pounds) depending on the individual dog parents, especially the Poodle.
Age matters as well since puppies, adults, and senior doodles have different dietary needs. For instance, although a 10-week old Goldendoodle Puppy is ready to be weaned, it still has a sensitive tummy.
The best food for Goldendoodle puppies at this stage is wet dog food to soften the transition from its mother’s milk to other foods.
However, older Doodle puppies between three and six months should have fully transitioned to dry food and consume about 22% and 8% fat to grow into strong, healthy Goldendoodle adult dogs.
For an adult Goldendoodle, get food products with about 18% proteins for muscle maintenance, tissue repair, and an immune boost. They should also be rich in healthy oils such as salmon and flaxseed oil for energy and promote better brain function and a healthy coat.
A senior Goldendoodle (7-8 years) is less active and should consume dog food with fewer proteins and fat but is fiber-rich to ease digestion.
Since old and miniature-sized doodles are also prone to hip dysplasia, their diet should also be rich in minerals like calcium and supplements such as glucosamine to promote stronger bones and joints.
Type of Food
Some dog parents often prefer wet food for Goldendoodles because it’s more similar to raw meat than dry dog food and has water content.
However, Goldendoodles – especially miniature-sized or senior ones – are prone to dental issues like canine periodontal disease.
As such, kibble is a better choice since it contains all the nutrients your pup needs and crunches against the dog’s teeth, keeping plaque and tartar at bay.
How to Ensure a Smooth Transition to the Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles
It’s essential for dog parents to gradually switch between the best foods for Goldendoodle since no one product can meet all of a dog’s nutritional needs over a long period.
However, if your Goldendoodle has a liking to a particular product, abruptly changing may lead to decreased appetite and even cause gastrointestinal upsets.
To ensure a smooth transition to the best dog food for Goldendoodle puppy, adult or senior, mix a portion of your dog’s old food with the new for about 5-7 days before completely switching to the new one.
Gradually increase the portion of the new food while decreasing the other, and always ensure it’s thoroughly mixed, so your pup eats everything. Consider adding a digestive supplement to prevent Goldendoodle digestive problems, especially if yours has a sensitive stomach.
Are you wondering when to switch from puppy food to dog food for Goldendoodles? Well, this designer breed is usually ready for weaning at ten weeks, and by three months, they should have wholly transitioned to dry dog food.
Why Isn’t My Goldendoodle Eating?
Although research shows that small dogs are picky eaters, Goldendoodles are generally not picky eaters. However, your Doodle can sometimes refuse to eat anything you offer because:
- You’re feeding it too often: try to limit feeding to two meals a day, especially if you have an adult Goldendoodle
- The food is low quality: only buy the best dog food for a Goldendoodle and ensure you check the ingredient list to confirm they’re all-natural and premium-sourced. Prioritize products with whole meat instead of byproducts
- It’s bored of the same food: switch between the best food for Goldendoodles at least twice a month
- Underlying medical conditions: if none of the above applies, have a vet check out your Doodle as it might be refusing to eat due to underlying medical conditions.
Conclusion
Goldendoodles are adorable, but they’re also prone to bloat. Proper nutrition is the key to ensuring your Doodle stays healthy and strong.
IAMS Adult dry dog food delivers great nutritional value thanks to its rich animal and plant-based protein profile as well as carbs, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also chunk sized meaning it’s more palatable and easier for a Doodle to munch on.
But our list includes other great recommendations for the best dog foods for Goldendoodles. Hopefully, you’ll find the perfect fit for your dog, whether you need Goldendoodle puppy food or adult dog food.
The IAMS dog food is infused with flaxseed, an excellent source of proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids that help promote a healthier, shinier coat.
