The zippy Goldendoodle, as a breed that is no stranger to family playtime, is a non-stop fuzzball of hyperactivity. No doubt this is a result of the “Golden Retriever” section of the dog’s genome. The bundles of fun, as well as the doodle’s trademark coat, need high-quality fuel though. We explore the various meal options available to one of our favorite designer pooches.
Goldendoodles eat a wide variety of household food items, commercial dog foods, and treats. They have stricter dietary requirements than most dogs and need food that is rich in animal protein, essential fats, vitamins, and whole carbohydrates. Foods that trigger allergies in a particular dog should be avoided.
One of the secrets behind the doodle’s rich and shiny coat of fur, as well as its seemingly boundless energy levels, is its diet. The bad news is that this particular breed is prone to a whole host of bad reactions and health problems if the wrong food is administered. The good news is that we have provided a list of various commercial dog foods as well as a home-cooked meal recipe. We have also included a fun list of treats that will leave that fuzzy face beaming from ear to ear.
Best food for a Goldendoodle
Below are some popular commercial dog food choices that will definitely whet the doodle’s appetite while, at the same time, cater to its somewhat strict dietary requirements. Please note that this list only features dog foods for adult and senior Goldendoodles. Puppies should be allowed to nurse from their mothers for as long as possible, while experts or veterinarians are consulted on effective weaning. It is also worth remembering that the doodle is not a pure breed, therefore attempts to find a commercial food option that is 100% specific to them are futile.
Victor Super Premium Dog Food
Did somebody say salmon and menhaden fish? Then it is probably Victor, a premium dog food company operating out of the city of Mount Pleasant, in northeast Texas, USA. The brand occupies a nice little niche in the gourmet dog food market and its products are not always the easiest to obtain because their demand is pretty high. A great flavor, for Goldendoodles especially, is “Yukon River Canine with Salmon & Sweet Potato”, which is usually available in a 30lb bag. In addition to the aforementioned fish, the recipe features nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits that have low glycaemic indexes.
A full 8-ounce (227 grams) cup of the kibble contains 398 kilocalories, and adult doodles around the 50-60lb (22-27kg) weight range will need about 3-4 cups a day. All of the protein in the food is 100% obtained from animal sources, not plants.
The main ingredients include real river salmon, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes, canola oil, and peas. Sounds good enough for PEOPLE to eat, really. The top nutrients in the food are omega fatty acids, minerals, amino acids, vitamins, probiotics, and prebiotics.
Additional nutritional information includes the crude protein ratio, which has a minimum of 33% per serving. Crude fat has a 15% ratio per serving. Moisture and fiber have ratios of 9% and 3.8% respectively.
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food
This rich, flavourful, and innovative kibble will have your doodle jumping up and down with delight each time you reach for its feeding bowl. With a formula based on real salmon and oceanic fish, we are not surprised.
Made by American pet food giant Diamond from Meta, Missouri, this brand continues the company’s 50-year tradition of innovation and guaranteed quality. They have created their own strain of probiotics, known simply as the “K9 Strain”, that ensures that the dog digests all of the necessary nutrients it ingests. Raving reviewers have also hailed the brand’s antioxidants for the role they play in optimizing the Goldendoodle’s bodily functions and minimizing trips to the vet.
Your doodle will definitely enjoy the naval journey which features real salmon, real ocean fishmeal, potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes. “Pacific Stream” will boost your dog’s overall health, energy, bodily functions, and coat shine thanks to its incredible arsenal of essential nutrients. These include probiotics, prebiotics, minerals, and omega fatty acids.
Each 8-ounce serving cup contains 360 kilocalories. Crude protein stands at 25%, while crude fat is at 15%. Moisture is 10% and fiber is 3%.
You can check out Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food on Amazon.
Orijen Premium Quality Meat Dry Dog Food
As far as “premium” goes Orijen is, at the very least, the Mercedes-Benz of dog food brands. One of the leading lights in parent company Champion Petfoods’ portfolio, this beef-heavy brand delivers serious protein and amino acids to your Goldendoodle’s system, leading to strong muscles and a gloriously shiny coat.
The “Regional Red” recipe features beef, lamb, goat, pork, mackerel, and herring. A little boar is also added into the mix to help Sparky add a little hair to his (metaphorical) chest, and reclaim some of his lost wolfhood. “Nourish as nature intended” is a rather apt tagline. Although I seriously doubt that nature ever intended for Goldendoodles, Orijen bridges the evolution gap with their 21st-century recipe, adding antioxidant-rich vegetables, fruits, and lentils to balance out the carnivore party.
The official main ingredient list includes real beef, boar meat, lamb, goat, and lamb liver. Expect your dog to benefit from prebiotics, probiotics, amino acids, omega fatty acids, and glucosamine.
Each serving cup contains a ridiculous 883 kcal, with the crude protein ratio at a minimum of 38%. Crude fat is at 18%, while moisture and fiber are at 12% and 4% respectively.
Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Tewksbury, Massachusetts is home to one of the more doodle-friendly food brands. Much like Blue Buffalo, Wellness caters to dogs that do not do well when they consume refined cereal grains. The brand is completely free of cereal filler and potentially toxic meat by-products.
The classic turkey-and-chicken combo is the recommended pick, as it has a unique set of fatty acids, amino acids, antioxidants, and more. The dog’s brain and body will perform spectacularly during any activity thanks to the blend of animal proteins, essential fats, and whole carbohydrates.
Each serving cup of Wellness Core contains 421 kilocalories, a neat little power boost for your little troublemaker. Crude protein is at 34% and crude fat is at 16%. Moisture and fiber stand at 10% and 4% respectively.
The main ingredients include real turkey meat, turkey and chicken meals, peas, and potatoes. The main nutrients include glucosamine, chondroitin, minerals, and omega fatty acids.
Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Another grain-free entry. This time from Amarillo, Texas’ Merrick Pet Care, Inc. This product has been hailed for how it improves muscle mass and bone density in doodles.
The “Real Buffalo and Sweet Potato” formula is an excellent choice for all Goldendoodle owners. Scrumptious kibbles packed with rich, organic, and meaty flavors will also boost your dog’s bodily functions. The high fiber content, for instance, works wonders on the dog’s digestive system, as does the lack of gluten.
Key nutrients include omega fatty acids, prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins, and chondroitin. The main ingredients are de-boned buffalo meat, chicken and turkey meal, potatoes, and salmon meal.
An 8-ounce cup will contain about 364 kcal. Crude protein is at 38% while crude fat is at 16%. Moisture and fiber are at 11% and 3.5% respectively.
You can check out Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food on Amazon.
Nutro Natural Senior Dry Dog Food
An excellent pick for elderly dogs. “Wholesome Essentials” by Nutro is a special recipe for your Goldendoodle’s golden years. We all know that old dogs are not as active and vibrant as they used to be, and so does Nutro. To prevent elderly dogs from gaining weight “Essentials” features reduced calories and proteins per serving. Ingredients like whole brown rice help with the digestion process and other nutrients help relieve any pain from arthritis.
The main nutrients in this product are Chondroitin, glucosamine, omega fatty acids, and minerals. These are obtained from ingredients such as chicken meat, whole brown rice, split peas, and brewer’s rice.
There are 310 kilocalories in a serving cup of “Essentials”. Crude fat is at 12% while crude protein is at 23%.
Blue Buffalo Natural Senior Wet Dog Food
The ideal product for pooches who have almost completely lost their bite. Elderly dogs can get to a point where chewing kibble is no longer possible. To combat this, Blue Buffalo has a special wet food that will raise the dog’s appetite and nutrition levels. The “Grilled Turkey and Chicken” flavor will certainly take your doodle down sweet memory lane while rebuilding and restrengthening his or her muscles. This is still a high-calorie product and is ideal for the elderly, but active dogs. Giving this food to lazy, sleep-all-day dogs will result in unimaginable weight gain.
Each 12.5-ounce can have up to 437 kcal. Crude protein is at 8% while crude fat sits at 6%. Moisture and fiber are sat at 78% and 1.5% respectively.
The main ingredients in “Natural Senior” include turkey meat, chicken broth, real chicken meat, liver, and potatoes. These, and others, provide your elderly dog with vital minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and linoleic acid.
You can check out Blue Buffalo Natural Senior Wet Dog Food on Amazon.
Fromm Gold Nutritionals Dog Food
Fromm Family, much like Victor, specializes in gourmet dog foods. Straight from its factory in Mequon, Wisconsin, Fromm Family presents “Gold Nutritionals”, a nutrient-packed super dog food recipe featuring real chicken, oat groats, pearled barley, and duck meal.
Your doodle will thank you for providing such fine dining, and the dog’s radiant fur will speak for itself. Muscle tone, digestion, and hormones are just some of the other areas that will benefit from these fantastic kibbles.
Every 8-ounce serving has about 418 kilocalories and a minimum crude fat ratio of 16%. The minimum crude protein ratio stands at 25%. Moisture and fiber stand at 10% and 5.5% respectively.
“Gold Naturals” has an impressive list of nutritional content, including amino acids, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and probiotics.
Blue Buffalo Grain Free Dog Food
Blue Buffalo, based in Wilton, Connecticut is one of the best producers of pet foods in the world. Their expertise in cereal grain-free dog food is heaven-sent for Goldendoodles that may be allergic or sensitive to grains.
A precisely engineered formula featuring real chicken mixed with whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and lentils ensures that your doodle gets every nutrient he or she needs to continue terrorizing the neighbor’s cat. The formula also makes use of probiotics, which facilitate faster absorption of the abundant nutrients.
Each cup of the adult “Chicken, Potatoes and Peas” recipe contains 373 kilocalories, a 24% crude protein ratio, and a 14% crude fat ratio. Moisture and fiber stand at 10% and 6% respectively.
The main ingredients are chicken, peas, potatoes, tapioca starch, and chicken meal. The company claims that no artificial preservatives are included. Nutritional benefits include omega fatty acids, amino acids, glucosamine, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins.
This brand is widely considered to be the best commercial option available for Goldendoodles because of its non-use of cereal grains and artificial preservatives, its well-balanced nutritional content, as well as its mass availability.
You can check out Blue Buffalo Grain Free Dog Food on Amazon.
How much does the food differ from what other dogs need?
Most healthy domestic dogs will eat pretty much the same thing. All dogs need their daily calorie intake that, when combined with exercise, will enable them to maintain healthy body weight. Vitamins and essential fats are crucial to a dog’s immune system, and protein is necessary for muscle mass and strength. Fiber helps with the digestive tract in all mammals, not just dogs.
Goldendoodles, though, have a few necessary needs that other breeds may or may not have. As crossbreeds, doodles are doubly prone to any potential defects that affect Poodles or Golden Retrievers. Common defects, especially from the Poodle side, include skin allergies, sensitive stomachs, diabetes, cereal grain intolerance, and hip dysplasia. The above dog food list features the most ideal options for this breed. Most of these feature significant amino acids, for example, because they are good for the dog’s fur. The doodle’s hair is an iconic trait and a reason why most people get one in the first place. The way the coat shines can make or break an attempt for “Best in Show”.
A home-cooked meal for Goldendoodles
Sometimes, due to illness or even the cost of commercial dog food, some owners can opt to prepare their precious pet’s meals on their own. Preparing meals for dogs at home requires an understanding of the breed’s general nutritional requirements as well as knowledge of what your particular dog’s allergies and problem foods are.
That is why we have come up with this short recipe for a home-cooked meal that will be delicious, and nutritious, for your fuzzy friend.
The dish is brown rice with ground turkey, a straightforward recipe that can be made in batches and stored in a freezer ahead of mealtimes.
You will need:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- 1 ½ cups of brown rice.
- 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) of ground turkey.
- 2 shredded carrots
- 1 shredded zucchini
- ½ cup of frozen or canned peas
- 3 cups of chopped spinach
Now for the directions. You will need a large saucepan to prepare the rice and a stockpot to prepare the turkey mix. First, pour 3 cups of water into the saucepan and cook the rice as the label instructs, then move on to the stockpot. Next pour and heat the olive oil in the stockpot. Medium heat is advised. Next, add the turkey and cook until it is brown. This ought to take around 4 minutes. The ground turkey should break down into crumb-like chunks during this process. When satisfied that the turkey is cooked, add in the zucchini, peas, carrots, and spinach and mix for about 4 minutes as well. When the spinach wilts, switch off the stove and allow the food to cool before either serving it to the dog or storing it in the freezer for a later feeding time.
This is a good meal for a Goldendoodle, although minor adjustments would have to be made to the recipe to accommodate dogs of varying sizes. This recipe covers five basic nutrient groups: protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, and essential fatty acids. The nutrient ratio is 25% grains, 25% vegetables, and 50% protein.
Treats for Goldendoodles
This breed tends to be highly trained as they often frequent high-stakes dog shows and accompany high-profile dignitaries and celebrities all over the world. As far as behavior goes, the doodle’s intelligence, obedience, and, if all fails, fluffiness ensure that owners keep the treats raining.
When it comes to training treats, in particular, it is important that they are soft and small. This will allow the dog to quickly eat it so training can resume. Soft treats also cater to the underdeveloped teeth of puppies as well as to the aged, or non-existent, teeth of old doodles. Low-calorie treats are also recommended, as activities like repetitive training will see the dog consume a lot of treats and potentially get an upset stomach. High-calorie treats also run the risk of ruining the dog’s main mealtime appetite. Experts advise against multi-nutrient treats and suggest more-protein focused snacks.
Some of the best training treats for Goldendoodles include Charlee Bear dog treats, Fruitables Skinny Minis, Whole Life pet antioxidant dog treats, Stewart freeze-dried treats, and Zuke’s natural training treats.
You can also make the doodle treats at home. One such example is the easy peanut butter yogurt dog treat. This is a thumb-sized mixture of melted peanut butter and yogurt which is then frozen. Ice cube trays can be used to make batches of the treat, which is a dream on a hot summer day. Do not be surprised if you find yourself popping one too.
References
DIY Homemade Dog Food. (2015) Damn Delicious. Retrieved on 25/10/2020 from https://damndelicious.net/2015/04/27/diy-homemade-dog-food/.
Gilpin, J. (2020). The Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles (Review) in 2020. My Pet Needs That. Retrieved on 25/10/2020 from https://www.mypetneedsthat.com/best-dog-food-for-goldendoodles/.
