Best Food For Labradoodles
February 16, 2022 2022-02-21 6:04As an Amazon affiliate we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we have tested and are using on our own dogs!
Labradoodles are ideal family dogs with their friendly nature, high-energy, and playful personalities. They need to eat a good, healthy diet to power their active lives!
With so many products out there, it can be difficult to know which food to buy. To help you out, we’ve made a list of the best commercial dog foods for Doodles on the market, plus some other top picks for individual needs. Let’s take a look!
Best Food for Labradoodles
This dry food by popular pet brand Blue Buffalo comes in several tasty flavor options, including chicken with wholesome grains, salmon with wholesome grains, grain-free chicken, grain-free duck, and grain-free salmon.
Each of the formulas is nutritionally complete and balanced for adult dogs of all sizes and contains 100% natural ingredients, free from all fillers, by-products, and artificial additives. Each one also contains 30% protein and is fortified with the brand’s special blend of Life-Source Bits. The blend is expertly created by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists and provides essential, antioxidant-rich vitamins and minerals for optimal health and energy levels.
Each flavor is available to buy in three bag sizes: 4.5 lbs, 11 lbs, and 24 lbs. It’s made in the USA for ensured quality and the variety in flavors is sure to stop your dog from ever getting bored with their meals.
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Mini-reviews of our other top picks
If our favorite product isn’t quite what you’re looking for, why not try one of our other top picks?
This dry food by Wellness supports the whole-body health of your dog. The specialized formula supports the skin, coat, digestive system, vision, immune system, and oral health whilst boosting energy levels.
It is rich in high-quality protein and wholesome grains, fruits, and vegetables like rice, blueberries, spinach, and flaxseed, with extra glucosamine to support bone health, an important part of large breed health care. It is also free from meat by-products, filler ingredients, and artificial additives, and made in the USA with the finest globally-sourced ingredients for ensured quality.
Best Food for Labradoodle Puppies
This puppy food by Blue Buffalo is turkey and potato flavored and comes in 4 lb, 11 lb, and 24 lb bags, with small bites for small mouths.
It contains real turkey, peas, and pumpkin, and is fortified with LifeSource Bits for puppies; with extra nutrients and antioxidants to support a strong immune system and developing bones. It also has DHA to support cognitive development for learning and training, and the shape and texture of the kibble bits scrape off plaque from the teeth promoting good oral health.
Best Food For Senior Labradoodles
This dry food for seniors by Merrick is flavored with chicken and sweet potato. The nutritionally complete and balanced formula contains 55% protein and healthy fats, 77% of which comes from animal sources like de-boned chicken, the first listed ingredient.
It’s made up of high-quality, whole foods like blueberries and flaxseed with added omegas, glucosamine, and chondroitin for strong joints and good cognitive function in older dogs. The food comes in 4 lb, 10 lb, and 22 lb bags and is free from grains, soy, and artificial preservatives.
Best Food For Mini Labradoodles
If you have a dog, try this dry dog food by Wellness. It contains complete and balanced nutrition for smaller dogs and supports whole-body health, including that of the vision, immune system, and digestive system. It comes in 4 lb and 12 lb bags and the food’s first listed ingredient is turkey. It also contains wholesome oats, flaxseed, blueberries, and spinach and is free from by-products, fillers, and artificial preservatives.
Best Soft Food
This soft food by Purina comes in two flavors; chicken and beef. They are available to buy in twelve-packs of 3.53 oz pouches and both formulas are nutritionally complete for dogs of all sizes, with farm-raised meat and fiber-rich vegetables like peas and carrots.
It’s also free from all artificial additives and the soft, chewy texture is gentle on sensitive mouths. It’s super tasty and suitable for dogs of any kind, but it’s especially good for those with dental issues like periodontal disease.
Best Wet Food
This high-quality wet food by Blue Buffalo contains wholesome, protein-rich meaty chunks in tasty gravy, with real meat as the first listed ingredient. It comes in five different flavors; chicken, salmon, beef, duck, and chicken with beef, and is available to buy in several combinations and variety packs.
They’re free from meat by-products and artificial additives, as well as common allergens wheat, corn, and soy. Each pouch contains 3.5 ounces of wet food and they come in boxes of 12, 24, and 48 pouches.
Best Canned Food
This canned food by Blue Buffalo comes in three flavors: beef stew, chicken stew, duck stew, and salmon stew. Each is available to buy in packs of twelve 12.5 oz cans and is packed with real meat. The delicious formulas can be added to dry food or eaten by themselves for whole nutrition and contain only natural, wholesome ingredients. They’re enhanced with essential vitamins and minerals and are free from by-product meals, grains, soy, and artificial additives.
Best Whole-Grain Option
This dry food by Taste Of The Wild contains 32% protein from real, farm-raised roasted meat and ancient grains like millet, quinoa, and chia seeds, as well as superfoods like dried chicory root for complete nutrition.
It also contains a species-specific K9 Strain blend of propriety probiotics, antioxidants, and prebiotics to help support healthy digestion, a strong immune system, and overall health and wellness.
Taste Of The Wild is a family-owned company that tailors all of its products to mimic your pet’s ancestral diet. They make all of their products in the US for ensured quality control and use only the best quality ingredients.
Best Grain-Free Option
This dry food by Canidae is grain-free for dogs with grain allergies and sensitivities. It comes in 4, 10, 12, 21, and 24-pound bags and eight yummy flavors; chicken, chicken with lentils and peas, lamb with peas, bison with lentils and carrots, duck with sweet potato, lamb with goat and venison, salmon with sweet potato, and wild boar with garbanzo beans.
Each contains less than ten natural ingredients, including real meat and vegetables, and no fillers or additives. They’re also fortified with the brand’s HealthPLUS blend of essential vitamins, minerals, probiotics, antioxidants, and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for whole-body health and protection.
Best Vegan Food
If you want to feed your dog a plant-based diet, Halo’s dry vegan food is 100% plant-based and provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs of all sizes. It comes in 4 lb, 10 lb, and 21 lb bags and it’s available to buy in two different flavors; garden of vegan and ocean of vegan.
The garden flavor contains high-quality fruits and veggies like chickpeas and green peas, and the ocean flavor contains superfoods of the sea such as omega-3 rich marine algae. Both contain natural, wholesome, and sustainably sourced ingredients that are crunchy, tasty, and easy to digest, with all of the same essential nutrients and protein as meat-based dog foods.
Both contain taurine for heart health and added nutrients for immune support. The food is free from meat, dairy, wheat, corn, artificial additives, and GMOs. It’s also made in the USA with the best homegrown and globally sourced ingredients.
Best Food With Raw Ingredients
For owners who want to incorporate some raw food into their dog’s diets, try Instinct’s raw boost food. It comes in four flavors; beef, duck, chicken, and salmon, and is available to buy in fives sizes including 4 lb, 9 lb, 10 lb, 19 lb, and 21 lb bags.
The food provides complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages and sizes, by combining high-quality, high-protein, grain-free kibble with delicious freeze-dried raw beef bites. Beef from US farms is the number one listed ingredient in the product and it’s fortified with probiotics for healthy digestion. It’s also free from grains, potatoes, soy, meat by-products, and artificial preservatives and contains higher omegas and more antioxidants than other similar products on the market for good health and immunity.
Best for Sensitive Stomachs
If your dog is sensitive, try this! This dry food by Instinct has a limited ingredient formula with a single protein and vegetable source for sensitive tummies. It contains grass-fed lamb, which is easy to digest and provides all of the essential amino acids your dog needs to support their good health. It’s also free from artificial additives and grains, as well as dairy, eggs, soy, and other common allergens. The food is available to buy in 4 lb, 11 lb, and 20 lb bags.
Best Food For Allergies
If your dog suffers from allergies, try this food by Purina. The salmon and rice formula is specially made for dogs with food and skin allergies and is fortified with live probiotics and prebiotic fiber to alleviate digestive & dermal symptoms and boost your dog’s immunity.
It can support adult dogs of all breeds and comes in 5 lb, 16 lb, 30 lb, and 41 lb bags. It is also rich in Omega-6 fatty acids and free from filler ingredients. All of the brand’s products are made in the USA for ensured quality and the brand is highly regarded and trusted among dog owners worldwide.
Tastiest Food
This food by Yumwoof is super soft and chewy and suitable for dogs of all breeds and life stages. It was created by a top-rated chef from New York City and the brand claims that it is the best tasting dog food in the world.
The all-natural formula consists of real fresh chicken, eggs, organic coconut oil and glycerin, wholesome gluten-free oats, whole peas, carrots, blueberries, cranberries, pumpkin, and beef liver, as well as superfoods like seaweed and chia seeds and extra vitamins and minerals for complete nutrition.
It’s also higher in antioxidants than any other dog food on the market for protective health and free of all fillers and artificial additives. The food is slow-cooked to retain its great taste and nutritional value, and it’s produced in a USDA facility with rigorous health and safety standards.
Best For Fussy Eaters
Pet food brand The Honest Kitchen prides itself on being the world’s first brand to create human-grade dog food. It’s made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is manufactured in a human food facility.
The dry clusters provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages and sizes, including pregnant females, and the cooking process ensures that the food loses none of its taste or nutritional value. It is minimally processed with cold-pressing, slow-roasting, and dehydrating and contains no meat meals, GMOs, filler ingredients, or artificial additives.
The high-protein formula includes muscle meat and liver with low glycemic carbs, beneficial fats, and live probiotics for digestive health. It is available to buy in 1 lb, 5 lb, and 20 lb bags and comes in four delicious flavors; whole-grain beef, grain-free beef, grain-free chicken, and grain-free turkey.
Best for Active Labradoodles
Crave‘s dry dog food is great value for money. It contains 100% natural ingredients, with 36% protein, 60% animal ingredients, and 40% vegetable sources. The high-protein formula is perfect for super active pets, working dogs, and performing dogs.
The brand prides itself on making food that meets your pet’s primal needs without the use of fillers, grains, soy, dairy, or artificial additives. It comes in 4 lb, 12 lb, and 22 lb resealable pouches and is available to buy in several yummy flavors, including chicken, beef, lamb, and salmon.
Best Labradoodle Food for Weight Control
This weight-control food by Eukanuba provides complete and balanced nutrition for large breeds with 27% less fat for the promotion of a healthy weight. It contains high-quality protein from chicken, with L-carnitine and over 50% more glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to support strong, lean muscles and healthy joints in larger dogs. It also has guaranteed levels of DHA and Vitamin E to maintain cognitive function and promote skin and coat health.
Best for Behavioral Issues
This dry food by Forza10 is formulated by vets for dogs suffering from emotional and behavioral issues, such as aggression, stress, hyperactivity, and anxiety. The natural, scientifically-backed formula relaxes the mind and increases concentration while providing whole-body nutrition.
It contains soothing plant extracts like linden flower, pomegranate, valerian root, l-tryptophan, and tea extract, as well as wild-caught anchovies from Iceland that are rich in Omega fatty acids. It’s also free from corn, wheat, soy, and GMOs and comes recommended by vets. The food is manufactured in Italy and is available to buy in 18 lb bags.
Best Labradoodle Food for Joint Support
This healthy mobility food by Hill’s Science Diet comes in 30 lb bags. The chicken flavored formula uses a balanced set of anti-inflammatory minerals such as EPA from fish oil and natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to promote strong bones and joint health and relieve aches and pains in larger dogs. It is also formulated to support heart health, comes recommended by vets, and is made in the USA for ensured quality.
For Oral Health
This oral-health care dog food by Forza10 comes in 6 lb and 18 lb bags. The wholesome, clinically-proven formula contains Omega-rich anchovies, egg white, citrus pulp, lavender, and thyme to support oral health, fight bad breath and irritation, and fight plaque and tartar build-up by scraping your dog’s teeth clean as they eat.
It’s designed by vets, manufactured in Italy, and comes backed by over 30 different scientific studies. It’s also free from GMOs, wheat, soy, and corn and delivers noticeable results within weeks.
Best Prescription Food
Hill’s prescription diet line of food is designed to support the management and treatment of different health conditions. There are several types including heart health support, liver health support, and kidney health support that are available to buy on a prescription-only basis.
This multi-benefit food comes in 8.5 lb, 17.6 lb, and 27.5 lb bags and supports healthy weight, digestion, glucose levels, and urinary health. It’s specially formulated by vets and nutritionists to help manage conditions that respond to giber, weight, and glucose management. It contains an optimal blend of soluble and insoluble fiber, controlled levels of magnesium and sodium, as well as therapeutic levels of L-carnitine to help metabolize fat and maintain lean muscle. It is also the number 1 vet-recommended therapeutic food for dogs in the United States.
A buyers guide to the best food for Labradoodles
When buying food for your Labradoodle, you need to consider their needs.
Type of food
Commercial dog food typically comes in two main varieties; dry food and wet food. There are also soft foods that have a higher moisture content than regular dry food for the best of both worlds.
There and pros and cons to each type, but the main ones are the taste and fat content. Dry dog food tends to have a lower fat content than wet foods, but soft and wet foods tend to hold more taste. Dry foods are also better for maintaining good dental health, as the crunchy texture scrapes plaque and tartar from the teeth as your dog chews, but softer foods are great for dogs with teeth that are already damaged.
There are also breed-specific foods, size-specific foods, and universal foods. Breed-specific foods exist for several popular breeds of dog, but unfortunately not the Labradoodle as they’re technically a crossbreed and not yet recognized by any major kennel clubs in their own right.
Size-specific foods for large dogs are great for ensuring your Labradoodle gets the right nutrient densities. That said, many dog foods are designed to be nutritionally complete for all dogs, and these work great as well, so long as they are of good quality and high in protein for a large, active breed like the Doodle. Just make sure that you give your dog the right sized portion for their size and weight, as directed by the label on the product.
The type of food that you buy should also take any individual needs that your Labradoodle has into account, such as allergies, illness, and fussiness. Nowadays, there are tonnes of dog foods tailored to individual needs that don’t compromise on nutrition, value, or flavor.
Nutritional basics for Labradoodles
Labradoodles should eat foods that provide complete and balanced nutrition from real, natural ingredients like meats, healthy grains, fruits, and vegetables, to ensure full nourishment of the body. Many pet food brands also add antioxidants for protective health and pre and probiotics for healthy digestion.
All dogs need a daily source of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K for healthy vision and internal organs, as well as minerals like calcium and magnesium for strong bones, healthy muscles, nerves, and cellular function.
They also need healthy fats like Omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health, joint support, and cognitive function, and healthy carbohydrates like rice for energy.
(In order to achieve a beautiful Labradoodle coat, make sure to groom your pup regularly and bathe him with a high-quality shampoo for Labradoodles)
All dogs should eat high-quality sources of protein like chicken and fish for strong muscles, organ function, and healthy tissues, but due to their size and high activity level, Doodles need to eat foods with a high protein content of between 20-30%.
Age-specific nutrition
Age-specific foods are important for both puppies and senior Doodles to ensure they get the right nutrients for their development or maintenance.
Growing puppies need a little extra protein and extra fatty acids, in particular, DHA and EPA to aid the development of their bones and cognitive function. Seniors should also eat foods containing extra fatty acids to maintain joint and cognitive function, as well as ingredients like turmeric and MSM for pain relief.
What to avoid
As well as knowing what to look for in your Labradoodle’s food, you should also know what to avoid. Many low-quality pet foods contain cheap filler ingredients like wheat that bulk out the food without adding any nutritional value.
They’re also hard to digest and can upset the stomachs of sensitive dogs, and decrease the health and energy levels of less sensitive dogs over time. You should also avoid foods that contain artificial additives, colors, flavors, and preservatives, GMOs, chemicals, and synthetics like hormone-fed meat.
Other factors
Other factors that you may also want to consider include the cooking method of the food. Slow-cooked, steam-cooked, and freeze-dried foods are much more palatable and healthy, as other cooking methods can cause the food to lose its nutritional value and taste.
You may also want to consider buying food from trusted brands, foods that use ethically sourced ingredients like grass-fed meat and cage-free eggs, and foods that are sourced and manufactured in the USA or Europe for ensured quality control.
How much food should a Labradoodle eat?
The average healthy adult Labradoodle should eat between 1 – 2.5 cups of food per day, depending on their size, weight, and activity level. You should ask your vet for exact advice.
Puppies, on the other hand, should eat 1kg of food per 20kg of their body weight per day, and seniors should take in fewer calories as their activity levels decrease to avoid weight gain, which can worsen joint and heart health.
Some Labradoodle puppies will consume large amounts of food due to their high energy levels. Once they calm down around 2-3 years old, their calorie requirements might drop. Some owners experience that their dogs put on a lot of weight then. Always keep an eye on your dog’s overall condition and adjust the food amounts as needed.
How often should you feed a Labradoodle?
Ideally, an adult Labradoodle should eat two meals a day; one in the morning and one in the evening. Young pups should eat 3-4 meals per day from when they begin eating solid food up until around 6 months of age. They need to eat smaller and more frequent meals because of their rapidly-developing metabolisms; they burn through food extremely quickly and cannot handle large meals quite yet.
If you are training your Labradoodle and are using training treats, absolutely make sure to deduct that from his overall food allowance. Otherwise, you will end up with a very well-trained – but also very overweight dog.
What can you not feed a Labradoodle?
There are several things that you should not feed your Labradoodle. Many fruits and vegetables make great additions to doggie diets, but certain fruits and veggies such as avocados, onions, raisins, and grapes are actually toxic to dogs and can cause organ failure, even in small quantities.
A mouthful is okay for the occasional treat, you should also avoid giving your dog anything that is too sugary or salty (such as peanuts, chips, and cookies) on a regular basis. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol are strictly off-limits to dogs, as are chocolate and macadamia nuts, which are toxic to dogs.
You should not give your dog anything that could result in food poisoning such as raw chicken or uncooked eggs, and avoid anything that poses a choking hazard such as plums and peaches. You also have to be careful with popular favorites like peanut butter and yogurt, as many of them contain the sweetener Xylitol which is toxic to dogs. You can still give your Doodle peanut butter and yogurt, but only those without Xylitol.
Are Labradoodles fussy eaters?
In general, Labradoodles don’t tend to be fussy eaters, but every dog is different. If your Labradoodle is fussy, be sure to look for highly palatable foods with natural, tasty formulas containing real meats, fruits, and veggies, that are slow-cooked, steam-cooked, or freeze-dried to preserve the taste, Buy small bags if you can to try out different products until you find something that they like.
That said, a lot of the time, owners mistake fussiness for boredom. You should vary the flavor and texture of your dog’s food to keep it exciting. Many owners feed their dogs the same dry food every day for years, and just like humans, dogs get bored!
If your dog has suddenly become fussy towards their food, try buying a different flavor by the same brand, or a wet version of the same food. Alternatively, you could try adding some warm water to their food to make a gravy and make it more interesting.
If you recently adopted a puppy who is a fussy eater, check with your Labradoodle breeder: Maybe the pup was used to a different kind of food or different feeding times!
If you feed your dog dry food with meat, change it up! Give them chicken on the weekdays and fish on the weekends, and add in some rice or vegetables like carrots and green beans a few times a week.
Are Labradoodles allergy-prone?
Any dog can have an allergy, but some breeds are more prone to allergies than others. Unfortunately, Labradoodles are known for being a sensitive breed; common food allergies in dogs include gluten, soy, and proteins, especially those from dairy products, beef, lamb, chicken, and eggs.
Symptoms of food allergies in dogs include itchy skin, a dull, brittle coat, and stomach upsets. If you suspect your Doodle of having an allergy, talk to your vet about doing an elimination diet to find and eliminate the cause, or buy them hypoallergenic dog food to see if it makes a difference.
The bottom line
Your Doodle’s diet is important. It’s what fuels their bodies, their minds, and their lives! We want your dog to live the best life possible, powered by proper food with real, tasty, and nutritional ingredients. If you are an owner or a budding owner of a Labradoodle, we invite you to try out one of our product recommendations!
Laura
Writer and Border Collie Mom
Laura is a dog-lover with an animal-related degree and plenty of hands on experience. She is passionate about dog health & welfare and wants to arm owners with all of the essential info they need!