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This is our review of the best puppy food for Goldendoodles in 2023.
Goldendoodles are hybrid dogs, they come from Golden Retrievers and Poodles, and for sure they inherited the best of both.
Goldendoodles puppies are the best companion, they are very friendly and very sweet, if you have one you’ll know what I am talking about.
However, they are prone to many health issues, the most common one is a form of crippling that occurs when the Goldendoodle puppy eats too much calcium.
Your puppy relies on you for nutrition, so you want to make sure that he gets the right nutrition that will help him grow properly. So, you might ask what is the best puppy food for Goldendoodles.
As a vet, I frequently get asked this question, that’s why I put up a list of 7 dog food that I believe are the best puppy food for Goldendoodles.
My personal pick and the one I always recommend is Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy Dog Food, however, your puppy’s condition and nutritional needs might be different, that’s why I included other brands.
Let’s get into it.
Our Top Picks for The Best Puppy Food for Goldendoodles
- Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy Dog Food (Best Puppy Food for Goldendoodles Overall)
- Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food (Best Premium Puppy Food for Goldendoodles)
- ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food (Best High Protein Puppy Food for Goldendoodles)
- Purina Pro Plan High Protein Wet Puppy Food (Best Wet Food for Goldendoodle Puppies)
- Hill’s Science Diet Dry Puppy Food (Best Puppy Food for Vision and Brain Development)
- VICTOR Super Premium Dog Food (Best Puppy Food for Goldendoodles With Skin Allergies)
- Go! Solutions Carnivore Puppy Dog Food (Best for Healthy Digestive System)
The Best Puppy Food for Goldendoodles Reviewed
Before we dive in, I want to tell you that all the dog food I included in this list meets the standard AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines for growing puppies.
Also, we recommend you consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your Goldendoodle puppy’s diet.
1. Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy Dog Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Barley, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Oats
- Nutrient Content: 26% Protein, 14% Fat, 4% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: Non-GMO, Molasses-Free, Natural, Pea-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, High-Protein
Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy Dog Food is the best puppy food for Goldendoodles, it features 26% crude protein from chicken as the main ingredient, which provides your little puppy with the essential protein and amino acids he needs to develop lean and strong muscles.
Also, the chicken and chicken meal are great sources of glucosamine and chondroitin that promote healthy hips and joints.
This formula includes an exclusive mix of superfoods including kale and blueberries which contains lots of vitamins and minerals to provide your little pup with a balanced and complete diet, it also helps her develop and maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin.
Also, Nutro only uses ingredients that come from trusted farmers, and its formula is completely free of corn, wheat artificial colors, and other fillers so rest assured that your puppy will get high-quality nutrition.
2. Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Fat, Brewers Rice, Corn, Wheat
- Nutrient Content: 30% Protein, 18% Fat, 3.6% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: With Grain
If you want premium nutrition for your fluffy puppy, then I’d recommend Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food. It is specially designed to meet the nutrition needs of your puppy which will help him grow properly.
Featuring 30% crude protein and 18% fat content, this formula features the right balance of nutrients that will help your little pal develop lean and strong muscles, and provide her with the energy she needs to keep up with her activity levels.
This formula features a blend of antioxidants and vitamins that supports your puppy’s developing immune system while at the same time providing her with a complete and balanced diet.
Also, the added probiotics along with the specialized mineral blend promote healthy digestion and support strong teeth, bones, and healthy joints.
3. ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver
- Nutrient Content: 38% Protein, 16% Fat, 4% Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Type of Product: Grain-Free, High-Protein, Gluten Free, Natural, Raw, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
Standard Goldendoodles are considered large breeds, which means that your puppy has a lot of growing to do, and for that, they need a diet that’s high in protein and fat.
ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food features 38% crude protein from 5 animal protein sources, this provides a great and strong source of high-quality protein that will help your puppy develop lean and strong muscles, it’s also a great source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are very important for a complete and balanced diet.
It also features 16% fat content that will help your little pup with the energy he needs to play, jump, and discover the world around him.
This formula includes parts, organs, and bones from the whole animal which provide your dog with nutrition that’s complete, balanced, a rich in vitamins and minerals which will help her thrive.
The flounder is a natural source of omega fatty acids that promote healthy skin and shiny coat, while the poultry is a strong source of glucosamine that supports healthy hips and joints.
The added prebiotics and probiotics support your pup’s developing digestive system, while the probiotics help him develop a strong immune system.
4. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Wet Puppy Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Beef, Liver, Meat By-Products, Chicken, Water
- Nutrient Content: 10% Protein, 7.5% Fat, 1.5% Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Type of Product: High-Protein, Weight Control
For a picky Goldendoodle puppy, I highly recommend this wet food from Purina Pro Plan.
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Wet Puppy Food features real beef as the very first ingredient, this provides your furry pal with the essential protein she needs to develop lean and strong muscles.
This formula includes DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that supports eye and brain development and promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat.
It also includes an exclusive blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help support your puppy’s immune system and help him develop his basic defense mechanisms.
And, it’s completely free of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives so rest assured that your little pal will get safe and clean nutrition.
5. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Puppy Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Corn
- Nutrient Content: 25% Protein, 15% Fat, 3% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: High-Protein, With Grain
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Puppy Food is another great option for Goldendoodle puppies, featuring 25% crude protein and 15% fat content, this formula is rich in protein and fats to help your little puppy develop lean and strong muscles while providing him with the energy he needs to grow properly.
What I like about this formula is the fact that it features small kibbles that are fortified with a blend of antioxidants and vitamin E and C which are very convenient for Goldendoodles puppies for chewing, and also help empower their developing immune system.
This formula also features fish oil which is a natural source of DHA that aids in eye and brain development, and supports skin and coat health.
Plus, it’s made in the USA from natural sources so that your dog gets high-quality nutrition.
6. VICTOR Super Premium Dog Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Beef Meal, Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Millet, Chicken Fat, Blood Meal Conventionally Dried
- Nutrient Content: 26% Protein, 18% Fat, 3.8% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: High-Protein, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Pea-Free, With Grain
If your Goldendoodle puppy is having skin allergies, then VICTOR Super Premium Dog Food is the right choice for her.
It features a nutrient-rich formula that is fortified with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids to support your dog’s skin health and provide her with a complete and balanced diet.
It also features 26% crude protein from beef meal to help your puppy develop lean and strong muscles, along with the essential fats and fatty acids to provide him with the energy he needs to grow properly and maintain healthy skin and coat.
The grain sorghum and whole grain millet are great sources of fiber and antioxidants that support your little pup’s developing digestive system.
7. Go! Solutions Carnivore Puppy Dog Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, De-Boned Chicken, De-Boned Turkey
- Nutrient Content: 38% Protein, 18% Fat, 3% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Natural, Sensitive Digestion, Limited Ingredient Diet
Goldendoodles are prone to digestion problems, that’s why they need a diet that supports their developing digestive system and helps fight back against this health issue.
Go! Solutions Carnivore Puppy Dog Food is a great option to help strengthen your furry pal’s digestive health, it includes several digestive enzymes, high-quality probiotics, and prebiotics to promote healthy digestion and strengthen the good gut bacteria in your puppy’s stomach.
Featuring 38% of crude protein from chicken meal as the first ingredient, this recipe is high in protein that helps your pup develop and maintain strong muscles.
The chicken meal is a great source of glucosamine that promotes healthy hips and joints, while the salmon meal provides your puppy with omega-3 fatty acids that support healthy skin and coat.
Te added DHA and EPA fatty acids aid in vision and brain development which will help your dog grow properly.
How to Buy The Best Puppy Food for Goldendoodles
Choosing dog food for your Goldendoodle puppy is different than choosing dog food for adult Goldendoodles, that’s why I will share with you what you need to consider before you pick a dog food for your little pup.
Goldendoodle Puppies Nutritional Needs
Goldendoodle puppies have specific nutritional requirements to support their growing bodies.
Protein
Goldendoodles require a diet that’s high in protein to support their growing bodies. I always recommend that you pick a formula that features animal protein as the main ingredient as it includes all the vitamins and amino acids that Goldendoodle puppies need.
When it comes to the portion, always look for a formula with at least 22% crude protein, this will nourish your little puppy with all the protein he needs to develop lean and strong muscles.
Fats
Fats are the main source of energy for dogs, and every dog food for puppies should have considerable amounts of it.
Contrary to other dogs, Goldendoodles can burn more fat when they are active, so there is no harm in feeding your fluffy friend more fat.
Generally speaking, the best puppy food for Goldendoodles should contain 10% to 20% of fat content.
Also, Goldendoodles have thick coats that need constant care, that’s why you should always look for dog foods that include omega fatty acids, it’s the key component that helps dogs maintain shiny and healthy coats.
Carbohydrates
Goldendoodles need carbohydrates, but not in the amounts we find in most dog food.
Carbs provide immediate energy for most dogs, and every dog needs them in some form or another. Not all of them are healthy and good for Goldendoodles, that’s why I highly recommend that you look for a dog food that includes a source of easily digestible carbs, they are the best carbs a dog can get. Whole grains, potato, sweet potato, and millet are some of the best sources for that.
Vitamins and Minerals
For a complete and balanced diet, Goldendoodles need vitamins and minerals. For instance, they need calcium and phosphorus to support their developing bones and teeth.
They also need prebiotics and probiotics along with antioxidants to support both the digestive and immune systems.
Taurine is another great nutrient that aids in heart health, and glucosamine supports healthy hips and joints.
When shopping for dog food for your little pup, always keep these nutrients in the back of your mind.
What to Consider When You Buy The Best Puppy Food for Goldendoodles
There are some key factors that you need to keep in mind before you pick dog food for your little puppy.
The Overal Size and Weight
Since Goldendoodles are hybrid dogs, they don’t have a fixed breed size because it mainly depends on the parents. Generally speaking, standard Goldendoodles are considered a large breed, however, it’s not unlikely that you find a medium one.
That’s why I highly recommend that you consider your puppy’s overall size and weight and serve him dog food accordingly.
Wet or Dry Dog Food?
Let’s get one thing clear, wet and dry dog food have the same nutritional value for your puppy. However, there are some minor differences.
For instance, wet food is tastier and more appealing for dogs to eat. But, it’s expensive and you should keep up with your pup’s appetite, if you are on a budget I wouldn’t recommend it.
On the other hand, dry food is more affordable and can be good for the long term, and most dogs seem to like it, and because it’s dry, you should keep your puppy hydrated to avoid any health issues.
I always advise my clients to mix these two foods together, that way you’ll provide your little puppy with a nutritious meal that contains the best of both foods.
Our Verdict
Goldendoodles are hybrid dogs, that’s why they need a diet that meets their specific needs.
Most puppies thrive on a high protein and moderate fat diet, and from all the foods I reviewed, I found that Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy Dog Food is the best puppy food for Goldendoodles overall.
Your puppy’s condition, needs, or health situation might be different, so make your choice based on his needs and what you think is best for her.
And before you make any changes in your little puppy’s diet, please consult your vet.
