Worried that your Labradoodle is not eating enough or eating the right dry food? Read on to find out the best dog food for Labradoodles!
The Labradoodle is a loyal and friendly dog with the adorableness and curly coat of Poodles combined with Labradors’ intelligence and strength.
Labradoodles are pretty high on energy and are loved for their good spirit. With that said, they do need the right nutrition and the right dry food to stay healthy and happy.
There are many options you can choose from when it comes to the best dog food for Labradoodles. However, to ensure that your pooch remains healthy every possible way, you must feed your pooch only the best foods out there.
So, let’s take a look at some of the best dog foods for Labradoodles!
5 Best Dog Food for Labradoodles
5 Best Dog Food for Labradoodles Reviews
Royal Canin Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food
- NERF TOUGH Nerf quality materials make our Bash Barbell toy perfect for fetch and for teaching your dog new tricks
- HEALTHY TEETH The unique barbell design and ridged texture makes it easy for your dog to massage gums and help keep teeth clean and tartar free
- MADE TO LAST Lightweight, durable, and weather & water resistant
- FOR MEDIUM AND LARGE BREEDS At 7 inches long, this Bash Barbell is ideal for medium and large breeds
- SAFETY FIRST Designed with you dog’s safety in mind, each of our dog toys are tested to ensure endless hours of family fun
Labradoodles need the right diet to maintain their signature lustrous curly coat and muscle tone, and royal canine delivers on these fronts. This dry food contains Omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, from fish oil and borage oil that will keep your dog’s coat as woolly, soft, and healthy as possible. It also actively promotes healthy hair growth.
Furthermore, it contains adapted protein content and l-carnitine, which helps maintain healthy lean muscle mass. The small size and easily chew able nature of this kibble are precisely designed for a Poodle’s jaw and muzzle. This makes it uber-easy for your pet to pick up and chew this food.
Plus, this kibble formula is also fortified with calcium chelators and other nutrients to help reduce the dental tartar formation of your furry friend. This will ensure that your labradoodle maintains good oral health. Moreover, the smell of this dog food is irresistible, which means that even the pickiest eaters love to devour this kibble.
The dry food is designed for dogs over 10 months of age. It has an exclusive blend of antioxidants that support healthy aging and eases your dog’s experience as it reaches maturity. Overall, this kibble is a good option for your labradoodle.
American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- FUN FOR PETS AND PET PARENTS: This 7.5 inch Glow in the Dark ball satisfies your dog’s natural chasing instincts. Pet parents can kick, throw or punt this fetch toy, allowing for hours of interactive fun for your pet. Recharge the glow by simply exposing to bright light
- FLOATS IN WATER: Canvas, rubber and foam construction of this Chuckit fetch toy allows engaging playtime on land or water while being gentle on your pet’s teeth and gums
- EASY PICK-UP: Featuring deep ridges, dogs can easily grab the Chuckit durable dog toy for quick retrieval. And pet parents can just kick it, without having to worry about pet slobber
- HIGH-VISIBILITY COLORS: High contrasting glow in the dark colors allow your pet to easily spot this bright dog ball in tall grass or large open fields during outdoor play. No batteries required
- DURABLE DESIGN: Hold up to rough and tumble dogs, the Chuckit Kick Fetch features a tough, durable outer layer of canvas and rubber with a soft foam core
This kibble formula by American journey is hands down one of the best dry dog foods. It has a balanced recipe that provides complete nutritional value to dogs in all stages of life. The formula is also this AAFCO approved.
The primary ingredient is real salmon meat, which contains beneficial amino acids that will help your Labradoodle maintain healthy and lean muscles. Plus, salmon has an exceptional flavor and is also highly digestible. Even the second ingredient in this dry food is meat-based; it consists of a turkey and chicken meal, which will provide additional protein to your dog.
Perhaps, the best bit about this kibble is that it is grain-free; it has no wheat, corn, soy, or any derivatives. This makes it an exceptional-quality food for all dogs, particularly dogs with food sensitivities that might get triggered by grain.
This formula also includes peas that are a great source of protein and fiber for your pooch. Furthermore, it has sweet potatoes in it, which contain an abundant amount of beta–carotene and vitamin A. These are great at maintaining optimal vision.
The inclusion of real vegetables and fruits offers a lot of antioxidants and fibers, which will ensure proper digestion and shield your canine’s body. Overall, this dog food is ideal for any dog, especially those with skin conditions and allergies and dogs that are accustomed to a raw and natural diet.
True Acre Foods Chicken & Vegetable Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- MEET THE SQUEAKY CHEW BALL: Featuring a fun squeaky sound and enticing all-natural Peanut Butter scent, this is the dog ball your pup’s been waiting for! The interactive dog ball is designed to float and it’s made easy to clean, which makes it great for play at the pool, pond, lake or beach. The Medium size is ideal for dogs up to 50lbs
- ENCAPSISCENT TECHNOLOGY: A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000x more powerful than a human’s. Dogs experience the world through scent, so we make interactive dog toys with the all-natural scents they love. Every Playology dog toy is embedded with an all-natural scent at the microscopic level. The fresh bursts of scent that are released with each chew will keep your pup engaged 7x longer than unscented toys.
- EASY TO CLEAN: Dirt and sand trapped on the surface of a toy can grind down your pup’s teeth, that’s why we make all our rubber dog toys easy to clean. With our Encapsiscent Technology, the all-natural scent is embedded throughout the material of each toy, so no need to worry about washing away the scent your pup loves. Just rinse with warm water to clean and pat dry.
- FOUNDED BY DOG LOVERS: When we developed Playology, we looked at the science behind what made dogs enjoy their toys. We reviewed the safety standards used to protect human children and designed our dog toys utilizing those standards. Each Playology toy is tested to meet ASTM guidelines for safety and the CPSIA standards for leads, phthalates, and other toxins deemed hazardous. Everyone at Playology remains committed to designing and developing the best, safest and healthiest toys we possibly can
- HAPPINESS GUARANTEE: At Playology, we’re more than just toys; we’re about making tails wag and ending the toy graveyard blues. So, if you encounter any issues or if your furry friend isn’t overjoyed with our products for any reason, we’re here to save the day. Your dog’s happiness is our guarantee!
If you are on a budget, then this dog kibble by True Acre Foods is a good option for your Labradoodle. The main ingredient in the formula is USA-raised chicken, and it acts as the main protein source for your pooch. This will help your dog maintain lean muscles.
Even though the fat and protein levels in this dog food are relatively lower than the other dog foods on our list, all the protein in the food comes from an animal source. The chicken in the kibble is complemented with a variety of farm-grown vegetables, including carrots, beets, and peas.
This dry food also has natural fibers that support gentle digestion, which makes it the ideal kibble for a dog with a weak stomach. Additionally, it is a grain-free formula, which further makes it the right fit for a pup with a weak stomach that can’t digest grain. It is also free of additives and preservatives.
This kibble is enriched with omega-3 and 6, which will help promote your Labradoodle’s flawless coat. These omegas will also ensure that your pooch’s skin remains healthy. Plus, the formula contains antioxidants that support a strong immune system. Overall, this dry food is a budget-friendly and well-balanced meal for your dog.
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
- PLUSH SQUEAKY DOG TOY THAT WIGGLES, VIBRATES, & BARKS – Entice your dog to run, chase, play, and exercise. This interactive dog toy encourages fun stimulation for dogs of all ages. Fun dog toys for small dogs, dog toys for medium dogs, and large dog toys.
- REDUCE ANXIETY AND BOREDOM – With funny sounds and erratic movements, these funny dog toys & plush dog toy will capture your puppy or adult dog’s interest and keep them engaged with its interactive dog toy movements. The wobble and wiggle will keep them busy and is a great alternative to dog puzzle toys and classic dog enrichment toys.
- TIPS TO ACTIVATE: Pull out tab and give hard shake. If toy does not turn on, feel around for ON/OFF switch located underneath cover, hold button for 2 seconds, and give hard shake. The ball will activate, vibrating and making noise for approximately 10 seconds. Once this stops, the ball will reactive when rolled, thown, or played with. When playtime is over, simply press button down to turn dog ball off and preserve battery life. PLEASE SEE VIDEOS FOR HELP.
- BATTERY OPERATED PROLONGED PLAY – To change batteries, remove the plastic ball from plush toy cover. Use tab to open the giggle dog toy ball. Remove the battery compartment and insert 3 AAA batteries. This interactive dog toy has an automatic stop feature after a period without use to extend battery life. (Batteries are included with the Hyper Pet Doggie Tail)
- NEW COVERS AVAILABLE – Additional Hyper Doggie Tail covers are available for your pet. Hyper Pet is a Cosmic Pet Brand. Color of Doggie Tail Plush May Vary. Please always supervise your pet while in use.
This is the only kibble on our list with a mix of grain-free kibble and bites of freeze-dried raw chicken that has been minimally processed. The raw bites of chicken will keep your dog in touch with its natural diet and promote healthy eating. The kibble itself is high in animal protein and is grain-free.
Even though it is a bit on the pricier side, it does contain 37% protein and 20.5% fat. This will ensure that your Labradoodle has healthy muscles and bone fiber, which will increase your dog’s strength. The dry food has high-quality organic ingredients, including cage-free chicken.
The grin-free kernels are meant to aid the digestion of your pup due to the added probiotics. This dog food is the ideal fit for underweight dogs because of its high-calorie content. It also makes it a solid option for super-active Labradoodles who will easily burn all those calories.
Instinct, raw, and dry food are also free of all harmful additives, artificial colors, and by-product meals. What’s more, this kibble has high levels of omegas and antioxidants, which will improve your dog’s digestive health. They will also promote a healthy coat and skin and improve your pooch’s overall immune health.
Wellness Complete Health Adult Chicken Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Interactive Dog Toy: The Blinky Babble Ball is motion activated, flashes and makes sounds; A great self amusement toy for all dogs and ideal for pets that are blind or have poor vision; Small size for dogs under 12 pounds
- Keep Them Busy: As your pet breathes on it or walks past it, the bright light starts blinking and playful banter ensues, demanding playtime by enticing your dog; Each ball makes 18 different sounds
- Healthy Chew Outlet: The Babble Ball helps dogs satisfy their natural instinct to chew and helps reduce anxiety and prevent boredom by encouraging them to actively play; when your dog is done playing, it will turn itself off
- Strong And Durable: Made with high impact ABS construction, the Babble Ball can stand up to aggressive chewers, from your tiny teacup to your goliath Great Dane; A long lasting toy to keep your dog active
- Just For Pets: Petmate makes a variety of pet products for dogs, cats, birds, and other furry friends; Check out our brands such as Aspen Pet, Arm & Hammer, Booda, Chuckit, and more
Wellness dry food offers complete nutritional value to your pet. It has steady amounts of protein, fat, and carbohydrates that are ideal in dry dog food. The primary ingredient in this kibble is chicken, which offers the required animal-based protein and essential omega-6 fatty acids to your dog.
The second ingredient in this dry food is chicken meal, which is a highly condensed protein source for your pooch. Another ingredient in the kibble is oatmeal, which is rich in vitamin B, dietary fiber, and various minerals. The dry food also contains ground barley, a nutritious carbohydrate source, and is naturally rich in minerals and dietary fiber.
What’s more, this dry food has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for your Labradoodle. These fatty acids will help your dog maintain its healthy skin and lustrous coat. This kibble has enough nutrients to ensure steady bone development and healthy muscle growth.
It also has carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, tomatoes, and ground flax seed. Combining these ingredients will provide your Labradoodle with rich omega-3, fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins.
Is There Anything Special About the Labradoodle Diet?
Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind when choosing a food for your Labradoodle:
- Joint Problems: As they mature, Labradoodles are likely to face joint issues. They are particularly likely to develop elbow and hip dysplasia. This is why you must give them kibble that is rich in animal protein to promote muscle growth and bone usage.
- Allergies: Food allergies are pretty common in young Labradoodles that are under 2 years of age. Make sure to monitor your dog to ensure that it doesn’t have an allergy to the food you introduce to them.
- Bloat: To avoid your pooch’s tummy from bloating, split your Labradoodle’s food into 2 or 3 manageable meals a day instead of 1 large meal.
- Overfeeding: Avoid overfeeding your Labradoodle as it can cause your dog to grow too rapidly and result in joint and bone problems.
- Eye Diseases: Both labs and poodles are prone to inherited eye diseases, making a Labradoodle no exception. So, feed your labradoodle kibble that is rich in antioxidants and vitamins to promote healthy eyes.
- Avoid Supplemental Calcium:Don’t give your Labradoodle supplemental calcium as it can exacerbate hip dysplasia.
How Much and How Often Should You Feed Labradoodles?
As with all dogs, your Labradoodle’s meal size and frequency will depend on their age, weight, individual metabolism, and activity level. With that said, here’s how much food you should feed your labradoodle, depending on its age and weight:
1) Puppies
Labradoodle puppies that weigh around 30 pounds between 4 to 12 months of age need about 900 to 1,000 calories per day. Divide the food you give to your pup in 4 small meals throughout the day.
As your pooch grows, reduce the number of meals to 3. After your dog crosses the 1-year mark, feed it 2 meals per day. Take a look at the feeding recommendations on the food pouch to figure out how much you should feed your Labradoodle according to its weight.
2) Adults
Adult Labradoodles that weigh 45-50 pounds require around 1,200 to 1,300 calories daily. This roughly translates into at least 3 cups of dog food divided over two meals.
Make sure to monitor your dog’s food intake and increase or reduce it according to your dog’s weight. For senior dogs that are older than 11 years old, cut down the portions of the food if they are less active than before.
What Type of Food is Good or Bad for Labradoodles?
You can give both dry and wet food to your labradoodle. Let’s review the pros and cons of each:
A. Dry Food
Pros and cons of dry food:
Pros:
- Great for oral health as it reduces tartar and plaque build-up
- Lasts longer than wet food
- Doesn’t require refrigeration
- More affordable than wet food
Cons:
- Can be too hard to chew for older dogs
- Doesn’t smell as appetizing to dogs as wet food
- Doesn’t provide enough moisture
B. Wet Food
Pros and cons of wet food:
Pros:
- Amazing source of moisture
- Intense smell and flavor
- Soft and chewy, which makes it ideal for senior dogs as well
Cons:
- Short shelf life
- More expensive than dry food
- Not so good for dental hygiene as it sticks to the teeth and builds tartar and plaque
C. Combination Food
If your dog is a picky eater and isn’t too keen to eat its kibble, you can pour some wet food to make it more appetizing for your pooch. It’s also ideal when you want your dog to gain some weight.
However, if your labradoodle easily gets an upset stomach, then avoid mixing the two and try to serve them separately.
What Ingredients to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Labradoodles?
Here are the ingredients that you need to look for in your Labradoodle’s food:
Labradoodles need meat protein for healthy muscles, tissues, fur, and skin. So, make sure to buy dog food for your pup that has meat such as chicken, lamb, or turkey or fish such as salmon listed as its primary ingredients. High-quality dog food will have at least two to three sources of meat protein in large quantities.
Labradoodles need fats that will bolster their immune system and help keep them energized. Look for named fats such as chicken fat rather than the generic animal fat in the ingredients. Chicken and turkey meals are good sources of animal fat. Fish oil, such as salmon oil, is rich in omega fatty acids that promote your Labradoodle’s healthy skin and coat.
Your labradoodle will need some carbohydrates to promote healthy digestion. Dietary fiber such as oats, barley, chicory, and beet pulp can aid your pup’s digestion. So, look for foods with small amounts of carbohydrates so that your dog gets their fill of necessary protein for optimal health.
What Ingredients to Avoid When Buying Dog Food for Labradoodles?
When it comes to ingredients that you should avoid, corn and soy lead the list. Even though they are rich in protein, some dogs have a hard time digesting them. Furthermore, they are not a natural part of your dog’s diet.
Other ingredients to avoid include artificial flavors, colors, preservatives such as BHA and BHT, and sweeteners that will harm your furry friend. Animal by-products such as hooves, snouts, bones, ears, etc., also provide zero nutritional value to your dogs, so it’s best to avoid them.
Furthermore, if your pup doesn’t like a food or it is not suiting them, then they will let you know right away with clear signs. They will:
- Stop eating
- Won’t look forward to mealtime
- Sniff their food and not eat it
- Will suffer from an upset stomach.
Alternatively, if your pooch likes their food, they will most likely:
- Gobble down their food quickly
Are Labradoodles Fussy or Picky-Eaters?
Labradoodles are not fussy eaters at all; in fact, they are tremendously curious when it comes to food, and will typically eat just about anything! If your Labradoodle pup is not eating, then there might be a few reasons for it:
Labradoodles won’t eat food if their stomach is upset, and they are in pain and discomfort. Your dog might poop out or vomit the bad stuff that they ate and then resume eating. Additionally, a dental problem such as infected gums, rotten teeth, etc., can prevent your pup from eating.
A Labradoodle will also stop eating if it’s in pain due to a serious illness such as liver disease, infections, or kidney failure. If your dog continues to avoid eating, take it to the vet right away.
If you recently moved homes, then your Labradoodle might feel stressed, which will affect its hunger. Your dog might skip a meal or two. Give your pooch the time, attention, and love it needs to feel safe and secure again so that it can start eating again.
If you recently brought your Labradoodle into your home and already have a dog, make sure to feed them in separate areas until they accept each other. Feeding them in the same area might lead them to act territorially and scare each other off eating.
Vaccination often subsides a dog’s appetite for a few hours afterward. Your Labradoodle might be tired and not eat anything for the next few hours. However, if it doesn’t eat anything after a day, make sure to contact your vet.
At times, Labradoodles won’t eat their food because they are tired of having the same thing daily. So, make sure to change things up a little and offer your pup some delicious and healthy kibble.
Just make sure to start slow so that you don’t upset your dog’s stomach. Try different kibbles and wet food till you land on the ones that your Labradoodle approves of!
Choosing the Best Dog Food for Labradoodles
Peruse the kinds as mentioned earlier of best dog food for Labradoodles and find the kibble that your pooch loves to gobble down. Make sure to read the ingredients on the kibble package and choose dry food full of natural and high-quality ingredients that are well-suited for your dog.
Also, feed your Labradoodle according to its feeding requirements. After all, knowing how often, how much, what, and what not to feed your Labradoodle can help you keep your dog healthy and active for years to come!
References
- Mary. “10 Best (Highest Quality) Dog Foods for Labradoodles in 2020.” Dog Food Guide, 4 May 2020, dogfood.guide/labradoodle/.
- “Instinct® Raw Boost® Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken.” Instinct® Raw Boost® Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken | Instinct Pet Food, www.instinctpetfood.com/dogs/raw-boost/instinct-raw-boost-grain-free-recipe-real-chicken.
- Hill, Angie HillAngie, and Angie Hill. “American Journey Dog Food Review – Top Recipes for 2020.” Woof Dog, 5 Feb. 2020, woofdog.org/american-journey-dog-food-dry.
- Rosenfeld, Shannon, et al. “American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.” Fidos Dog Food Reviews, 28 June 2017, www.fidosreviews.com/reviews/dry-dog-food/american-journey-dry-dog-food/american-journey-salmon-sweet-potato-recipe-grain-free-dry-dog-food/.
- “Royal Canin Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food.” Buy Royal Canin Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food Online | Low Prices, Free Shipping, www.petcircle.com.au/product/royal-canin-poodle-adult-dry-dog-food.
- Thomas. “Why Is My Labradoodle Not Eating – What Can I Do?” Labradoodle Home, 3 Apr. 2020, labradoodlehome.com/why-is-my-labradoodle-not-eating-what-can-i-do/.
- Petful Veterinary Team. “Labradoodle Health Issues: ‘Designer’ Dog, Same Old Potential Problems.” Petful, 4 Feb. 2019, www.petful.com/pet-health/labradoodle-health-issues-designer-dog/.
- Cooper, Carlotta. “8 Best Foods to Feed an Adult and Puppy Labradoodle with Feeding Guide.” Pawster, Pawster, 29 Jan. 2020, pawster.com/best-labradoodle-foods/.
