What Should You Feed a Goldendoodle Puppy
Welcoming a Goldendoodle puppy into your home is fun and exciting! The right toys, beds, leashes, bowls, and food are all important things to acquire when you get a new dog. When it comes to puppies, they need different nutrition than adult or senior dogs. With so many puppy foods on the market today, though, it can be hard to choose the best one. The other challenge is that Goldendoodles come in 3 sizes so a one size fits all approach to nutrition is not appropriate.
To help get your Goldendoodle pup started on the right track, we gathered a list of our favorite puppy foods with reviews for this hybrid breed. Browse this guide to help you decide on the right food for your new best friend. Let's get started!
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2022
The 10 Best Puppy Foods for Goldendoodles
1. The Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription Service — Best Overall
| Protein: | 49% |
| Fat: | 8.5% |
| Calories: | 590/Lb |
| First ingredient: | Chicken |
Feeding fresh food since puppyhood will have a super positive impact on your Goldendoodle's development and overall health. Compared to dry or wet food, fresh food is made with the best quality ingredients and is minimally processed to maintain all the nutritional benefits of the meats and vegetables used in each recipe.
One of our favorite brands is The Farmer's Dog, their chicken recipe features chicken and chicken liver as the first two ingredients. Bok choy and broccoli are great sources of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.
All of The Farmer's Dog recipes are based on high-quality proteins besides chicken, there are turkey, beef, or pork recipes available to offer your pup a healthy rotation and variety in its diet.
After signing into its subscription this amazing food is delivered right to your doorstep. Your Goldendoodle will definitively wag that tail after tasting this amazing food.
- Natural minimally processed ingredients
- Complete and balanced
- Delivered to your doorstep
- Might not be available in your area
2. Nutro Natural Choice Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Puppy Food — Best Value
| Protein: | 28% |
| Fat: | 16% |
| Calories: | 390/cup |
| First ingredient: | Chicken |
The first ingredient is chicken in Nutro Natural Choice Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Puppy Food, which adds to the high protein content. Growing puppies need protein for lean muscles and energy. Omega fatty acids are added for brain, coat, and eye health. This is the best puppy food for Goldendoodles for the money that doesn't sacrifice quality.
A blend of vitamins and minerals from ingredients like eggs, tomatoes, coconut, kale, pumpkin, and spinach gives your growing puppy the nutrition that they need to stay healthy. The calcium in this food supports strong bones and joints so your playful pup can keep moving. This tasty recipe includes no fillers or GMOs.
The formula of this food has changed recently, and some dog owners have reported that their dogs needed to be re-introduced to it slowly to get used to it. The kibble pieces are also made for large puppies, so small breeds may have trouble eating it.
- High protein
- Includes real fruit and vegetables
- Good value for the price
- Largest bag size is 13 pounds
- Large kibble size
3. Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Turkey Dry Dog Food — Premium Choice
| Protein: | 30% |
| Fat: | 17% |
| Calories: | 427/cup |
| First ingredient: | Deboned turkey |
The Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Turkey Dry Dog Food is formulated for puppies and adult dogs. Real turkey is the first ingredient and there is 30% protein in every serving. A single animal meat source is good for pets with dietary intolerances or allergies.
This recipe includes probiotics for immune and digestive health. Omega fatty acids from salmon and canola oils keep your Goldendoodle puppy's coat shiny and healthy. For the price of this food, some dog owners don't like that it doesn't come in a resealable bag. If you purchase the large bag, it's best to have an airtight place to store it so it doesn't go stale.
- Single animal protein source
- Includes probiotics
- Bag isn't resealable
- Expensive
4. Natural Balance Duck & Potato Dry Dog Food
| Protein: | 25% |
| Fat: | 12% |
| Calories: | 395/cup |
| First ingredient: | Duck |
Another great choice for Goldendoodle puppy food is Natural Balance Duck & Potato Dry Dog Food. This food is formulated for dogs of all life stages and provides growing puppies the nutrition that they need. The limited-ingredient diet is ideal for puppies with sensitive stomachs.
Natural DHA from marine sources gives puppies essential amino acids that are also found in a mother dog's milk. This ingredient supports brain and eye development. Easily digestible carbs give your puppy energy to play all day without an upset stomach.
This food is developed by veterinarians and animal nutritionists who focus on providing healthy food with a great taste. The formula has recently changed to a new one, though, and some dogs require a transition period to get used to it again.
- Ideal for all life stages
- Easy to digest for puppies with sensitive stomachs
- Developed by animal nutrition experts
- New, updated formula requiring feeding transition
5. Purina ONE SmartBlend Dry Puppy Food
| Protein: | 28% |
| Fat: | 13% |
| Calories: | 361/cup |
| First ingredient: | Chicken |
The recipe in Purina ONE SmartBlend Dry Puppy Food is crafted for large, growing puppies. Chicken is the first ingredient, making this food high in protein. This food includes DHA, which is a nutrient found in the milk of mother dogs. This supports healthy eye and brain development.
Four antioxidant sources help your puppy build a strong and healthy immune system. Natural glucosamine sources are in the recipe to support joint health. This kibble is also infused with calcium for healthy teeth and bones.
The kibble is mixed with tender meaty chicken pieces and has a flavor to entice hungry puppies. Some dog owners don't like the way that this food smells when the bag is opened, though.
- Includes DHA
- Natural sources of antioxidants and glucosamine
- Tender meaty pieces
- Food has an unpleasant smell when opened
6. Blue Buffalo Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Puppy Food
| Protein: | 27% |
| Fat: | 16% |
| Calories: | 400/cup |
| First ingredient: | Deboned chicken |
The puppy-sized kibble in Blue Buffalo Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Puppy Food promotes tartar removal, keeping your puppy's teeth clean as they eat. Calcium and phosphorus are added for teeth health and strong bones.
DHA and ARA are important fatty acids found in a mother dog's milk. These ingredients are added to this food for healthy brain and eye development as puppies grow. Omega fatty acids support coat and skin health.
A Super 7 package of antioxidants is added via smaller, darker kibble pieces called LifeSource Bits. This precise blend of nutrients is formulated for puppies' growth and keeps immune systems healthy.
- Kibble promotes tartar control
- Added DHA and ARA
- LifeSource Bits
- More expensive than most other brands on this list
7. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dry Puppy Food
| Protein: | 28% |
| Fat: | 17% |
| Calories: | 415/cup |
| First ingredient: | Water buffalo |
The unique protein sources of water buffalo, lamb, and venison give the Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dry Puppy Food a great taste that puppies love. There is poultry added to the recipe, though, so this food isn't suitable for puppies with poultry allergies.
The high protein content also includes roasted bison for strong bones and healthy muscles. Real fruits and superfoods offer vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids. In addition to healthy growth and development, your puppy will receive K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics for healthy digestion and immune systems. Peas and sweet potatoes give your growing pup the energy that they need to thrive.
No corn, wheat, or grains are added to this recipe.
- Unique protein sources
- High protein content
- Added probiotics
- Not suitable for puppies with poultry sensitivities
- High in pea content which is a controversial ingredient for heart health
8. Canidae Pure Puppy Chicken Recipe Canned Food
| Protein: | 9% |
| Fat: | 6.5% |
| Calories: | 500/can |
| First ingredient: | Chicken |
The Canidae Pure Puppy Chicken Recipe Canned Food is a limited-ingredient diet made with four key recognizable ingredients so you know what your puppy is eating. This hypoallergenic recipe contains no soy, grains, corn, or wheat. This is an ideal choice for puppies with sensitive stomachs due to the easily digestible ingredients.
The high protein content builds strong and lean muscles as your puppy grows. Each recipe includes seven to 10 key ingredients that are then combined with the vitamins and minerals that developing puppies need. Omega fatty acids are added for coat health, which is important for a Goldendoodle puppy's growing curly hair.
Some dog owners found it difficult to entirely remove the food from the can.
- Limited-ingredient diet
- Hypoallergenic recipe
- Easily digestible for puppies with sensitive stomachs
- Consistency is thick and difficult to remove from the can
- High pea content which is still under investigation with regard to heart health
9. Hill's Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Chicken Meal & Oat Dry Dog Food
| Protein: | 24% |
| Fat: | 11% |
| Calories: | 394/cup |
| First ingredient: | Chicken meal |
Hill's Science Diet Chicken Meal & Oat Dry Dog Food is perfect for your large breed puppy. It contains optimal levels of calcium to support your pup's bones as they grow. To keep their joints and muscles healthy, glucosamine and chondroitin have been added.
Every ingredient in this recipe has exceeded industry standards in purity and nutrient content. Vitamins E and C are blended with antioxidants to keep your puppy's immune system healthy. These high-quality ingredients include no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Chicken meal and oats are both easily digestible and won't upset your Goldendoodle's sensitive stomach. This food offers precise nutrition for large breed, growing puppies that will weigh over 55 pounds as adults. If you have a smaller Goldendoodle, different-sized kibble is available from this brand.
- Made with chicken and oats for easy digestion
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin
- No artificial ingredient
- Food may cause bad breath in puppies
10. Royal Canin Medium Puppy Food
| Protein: | 30% |
| Fat: | 18% |
| Calories: | 393/cup |
| First ingredient: | Chicken by-product meal |
This Royal Canin Medium Puppy Food is specially formulated for puppies that will weigh between 23 and 55 pounds as adults. This wholesome food is made to support puppy growth and development up to 1 year of age.
A blend of antioxidants and minerals supports immune and bone health. This food has easily digestible protein and prebiotics, so puppies with healthy digestive systems won't have to work hard to process the ingredients. It's also gentle on puppies with sensitive stomachs.
Since this diet is made to support dogs of a specific future weight, it provides optimal joint support as the dogs grow. Each formula from this brand is developed by veterinarians and animal nutrition experts, so you know that your dog is getting exactly what they need.
- Made for puppies that will reach 23–55 pounds as adults
- Prebiotics for easy digestion
- Developed by nutrition experts
- Contains by-products
Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Best Puppy Food for Goldendoodles
Choosing the right food for your Goldendoodle puppy is important because not all foods are made the same. For example, you need to make sure the food that you choose will support your dog's life stage. Foods made for senior dogs will not be suitable for puppies. The exception to this is when the label clearly states that the food is suitable for all life stages.
Goldendoodles come in three sizes, depending on the size of the Poodle parent. Mini Goldendoodles are 15–30 pounds as adults. Medium Goldendoodles are 30–45 pounds as adults. Standard Goldendoodles can reach 45–100 pounds when fully grown. The type of Goldendoodle that you have will determine what type of food you need.
Things to Consider When Choosing Food
Health
If your Goldendoodle puppy has health or digestive issues, it's best to consult your vet to help you choose the right food for them. That said, many of the foods on this list support healthy digestion and are gentle on sensitive stomachs.
If your pup is sensitive or prone to food allergies, choose foods with the fewest ingredients possible and a novel protein source such as duck.
Picky Eaters
Most dogs love to eat anything and everything, but some can be picky eaters. If you notice that your Goldendoodle puppy is not eating with enthusiasm, they may prefer a different flavor. Lamb, bison, fish, turkey, and chicken are used as protein sources in many dog foods, and your puppy may just want to try something different.
If your puppy is not regularly eating no matter which foods you try, talk to your vet to rule out any potential health problems that could be the cause.
Growth Rate
Goldendoodle puppies grow quickly. Since they grow and change so rapidly, high-protein food is best for them. A balanced diet filled with vitamins, minerals, healthy carbs, and protein will give your puppy the energy that they need to stay active and happy while growing.
Artificial fillers, dyes, and colors offer no nutritional value and take up space in your puppy's food that should be filled with nutrients that they need.
Ingredients That Puppies Need
Protein
This is essential for healthy development and growth. Dog foods should contain one to three main protein sources and be the first ingredients on the label. The protein content should always be higher than the fat content of the food.
Fiber
Fiber helps promote healthy digestion. In dog food, this is usually provided with fruits and vegetables. Rice and oats are also added for fiber.
Fat
Fat provides energy. Healthy sources of fat in dog food are flaxseed, canola oil, and omega fatty acids. Good skin and coat conditions and brain and eye development depend on the proper amount of fat in your dog's diet.
Vitamins and Minerals
Dog food with a balance of vitamins and minerals will keep your puppy healthy as they grow. If they get their essential nutrients, they won't need added supplements to their food. High-quality foods have a mixed blend of vitamins and minerals that will support your puppy's growth and keep them healthy.
If you notice that your puppy is having diarrhea, scratching themselves incessantly, chewing their paws, or vomiting, they may have an intolerance to something in their food. This could be an allergy or sensitivity, but switching foods may help. Try a different brand with a different protein source to see if the issue clears up.
If your puppy is still showing signs of illness without an explanation, speak to your vet about possible food allergies. They may suggest a bland diet for a while to "reset" your pup's digestive system. Then, different foods will gradually be reintroduced to try to identify what is making them sick. It's a process of elimination so you can eventually feed them food that doesn't trigger any symptoms.
- Related Reading: 11 Best Puppy Foods – Reviews & Top Picks!
Conclusion
Our best overall choice for food for Goldendoodle puppies is The Farmer's Dog fresh dog food. This food is ideal for dogs of all life stages and is minimally processed and gentle on puppies with sensitive stomachs. The nutritional value makes it ideal for promoting healthy growth in puppies. For the food with the best value, we like Nutro Natural Choice Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Puppy Food. This food is high in protein and helps puppies stay energized and active. We hope that our reviews have helped you find the best food for your Goldendoodle puppy.
Featured Image Credit: cine-nomadic, Shutterstock
Source: https://petkeen.com/best-puppy-foods-for-goldendoodles/
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