Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles are the fluffy yellow blend of two favorite breeds: Golden Retrievers and Poodles. They come in different sizes and shades, just like Poodles and goldens, but they always bring together the best of the breeds. Their hybrid nature means they are prone to some breed-specific health issues like hip dysplasia, for which Golden Retrievers are infamous. Thankfully, some high-quality nutrition can help address these issues. The best dog food for Goldendoodles will also keep their lovely fur silky and shiny. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Goldendoodle foods so you can find the diet that’s perfect for your pup.

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Why Nutrition Matters for Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles are a hybrid of two high-energy breeds. They are extremely athletic and always ready for an adventure. Poodles and Golden Retrievers are known for being intelligent, loyal, and extremely playful. Put them together, and you get a beautiful breed who’s up for anything!

But some genetic health conditions come with this delightful combo. Poodles are prone to skin issues like hot spots, yeast infections, and allergies. Golden Retrievers commonly suffer from hip dysplasia, and both can have extra sensitive stomachs. While there’s little you can do about your dog’s genetics, solid nutrition, and quality food go a long way to helping them feel their best.

Foods with glucosamine and chondroitin help maintain joint mobility, while omega fatty acids support skin and coat health. Ensuring your dog’s diet is full of essential vitamins, minerals, and beneficial nutrients will help keep them healthy, active, and comfortable.

What to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles

To make sure their diet meets all their specialized needs, here are some things to look for when choosing your Goldendoodle’s food:

• High-Quality Animal Protein: Goldendoodles are a hybrid of two famously athletic breeds, and as such, they need a high-protein diet to stay healthy. To cater to their natural instincts and inclinations, choose dog food that’s packed with animal protein, such as chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish. 
• Omega Fatty Acids: They are found in fish, chia, and flaxseed, and they shouldn’t be skipped. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are about more than heart health. They help keep your dog’s skin, brain, eyes, and joints fueled and functioning. Omegas will also help give them that happy, shiny coat!
• Joint Support: Because they’re part Golden Retriever, it’s no surprise that Goldendoodles can suffer from hip dysplasia. Genetics plays a key role in this, but mindful owners can mitigate the damage with quality nutrition and care. Glucosamine and chondroitin help build and maintain cartilage tissue in the joints. Choose a food that includes these ingredients to help your dog’s joints stay strong.
• Digestible Carbohydrates: While protein is the most important part of the meal, carbs aren’t far behind. They are a great source of energy and fiber, but they aren’t all easy on the tummy. Look for brown rice, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin to support easy digestion and reduce bloating. 
• Limited Ingredient or Hypoallergenic Formulas: Doodles can have sensitive stomachs. If your dog has allergies or doesn’t tolerate certain foods well, a limited-ingredient diet might be the way to go. These contain fewer additives, fillers, and unnecessary ingredients, so your dog can get the good stuff without the extra irritants.
• Kibble Size: Kibble bits should be easy to chew, but offer a satisfying level of stimulation. Puppies and mini Goldendoodles will do best with smaller kibble pieces, while larger dogs enjoy a little more bulk.

The Best Dog Foods for Goldendoodles

Now that we know what nutrients are needed to make great dog food, let’s look at some of our favorites!

Our Picks

1. Farmina N&D Tropical Selection Salmon

This superfood kibble might just be the best dry dog food for Goldendoodles. Not only is it protein-rich and full of key vitamins and minerals, but it also has the crucial compounds your dog needs to maintain good joint, skin, digestive, and heart health. It includes multiple sources of omega fatty acids along with glucosamine and chondroitin. 

Highlights

90% of the protein in this recipe comes from animal sources. It’s also GMO-free and formulated to have a low glycemic index.

Things to Consider

Because this Farmina kibble is more energy-dense than your standard dry food, you’ll likely have to reduce your dog’s normal serving size. The kibble size is also designed for medium and large dogs, so the miniature doodles probably have to sit this one out.

2. Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula

Goldendoodles are known for their beautiful coat, and we all know beauty comes from the inside. This nutrient-rich kibble has real salmon as the first ingredient for a healthy dose of omega fatty acids. It also includes probiotics to keep your dog’s stomach working in all the right ways. A good serving of fruits and veggies means your dog will also get some heart-healthy antioxidants when they enjoy a bowl.

Highlights

Diamond Naturals is a family-owned company that makes all their food in the USA. 

Things to Consider

Glucosamine and chondroitin aren’t listed on this Diamond Nutrition label, so you may need to add a supplement.

3. BLUE Basics Skin & Stomach Care Salmon & Potato Recipe

When it comes to hypoallergenic food for Goldendoodles, Blue Buffalo steals the show. This kibble is packed with all the nutrients your dog needs and formulated to give their stomachs and skin the extra TLC they need. It has all our favorites: omega fatty acids, glucosamine, calcium, vitamin C and E, plus healthy carbs with fiber to support digestion. 

Highlights

This Blue Buffalo food is formulated with allergies and sensitive stomachs in mind, so it’s chicken-free and features easily digestible carbs.

Things to Consider

The kibble bits are on the smaller side, so they may not be ideal for larger dogs.  

4. Orijen Large Breed Adult

This high-protein premium dog food is perfect for active doodles who need an extra nutritional boost. It’s packed with quality animal protein and ingredients that support skin, joint, and coat health, such as omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. It even has probiotics to support digestion.

Highlights

Orijen guarantees that the first five ingredients are fresh or raw before they go into the mix, so you can feel good about feeding your dog high-quality animal products.

Things to Consider

The first two ingredients in this Orijen food are chicken products, so it’s not a good choice for dogs with poultry allergies.

5. Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Salmon, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin

If you want to give your Goldendoodle some quality kibble without breaking the bank, this grain-free dog food is for you! It has the omega-rich protein and easy-to-digest carbs that your dog needs, plus essential vitamins and antioxidants. 

Highlights

This recipe doesn’t contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Things to Consider

While it has a lot of important vitamins, this Nature’s Recipe food is missing glucosamine and chondroitin. If you pick this kibble, consider supplementing it with an alternative source of these nutrients to support your dog’s joint health.

How We Chose the Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles

To narrow down our list of the best Goldendoodle food, we considered a few important things:

• Reviews: In our mission to bring you only the best, we waded through the reviews, good and bad, to find out what experts and customers had to say about this food. 
• Quality ingredients: That’s what food is all about, after all. We looked for lists of ingredients with high-quality protein and nutrient-rich vegetables right at the top. 
• Whole-body health: While we may not always be able to check every box, we want to check as many as we can, as often as we can! We looked for Goldendoodle food with the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong.
• Specific dietary needs: Some dogs seem like they could eat anything, but there are plenty who have a little more delicate disposition. We made sure to include foods for dogs with special dietary needs, sensitivities, and allergies.  

Our Take on Food for Goldendoodles

While we’ve collected some quality recommendations, it’s always important to talk to your veterinarian about any dietary concerns or changes. To help your dog adjust to their new food, slowly introduce it into their regular meals over a 7-10 day timespan. This will help avoid digestive distress and discomfort. 

Goldendoodles are a lively hybrid of two wonderful dog breeds. They aren’t always picky when it comes to food, but they really thrive with a little extra care and attention. By picking the best food for your Goldendoodle, you can set them up for a healthy, happy life.

Featured image via Mia Anderson on Unsplash