Best Dog Food For Labradoodle: Nutritious, Healthy Choices! (2024)

Being a mix of two brilliant breeds, Labrador and Poodle, Labradoodles make the best companions.

As they are a mix of two breeds, choosing the right food can be difficult and stressful.

There are many brands you can choose from that create good quality, nutritious food.

To help you with your decision, we have chosen five of the best foods for Labradoodle. We have done all of the research so you do not have to!

In this article, we will be taking a closer look at these foods and deciding which one is the best out of the five.

We have included a useful buyer’s guide for you to find out all of the information you need before purchasing dog food.

In addition to this, we have added a frequently-asked-questions section at the end of the article. We hope we can help you find the pawfect food for your Labradoodle!

We have more than 40 articles dedicated to Labradoodles full of helpful advice, answers to questions, and useful information. Access them all here.

These are some of our favorites!

In A Hurry?

Out top choice of Labradoodle dog food is:

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food.

We have chosen this food because it contains high-quality ingredients that will benefit your Labradoodle.

It uses high-quality proteins and is a grain-free food. This means that it is even suitable for dogs with grain sensitivities.

It is available in puppy food as well as adult food, so transitioning your dog is an easy task.

It contains LifeSource Bits that include vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will benefit your dog’s health.

Blue Buffalo uses minimal ingredients and comes in three different bag sizes. Although it is not the cheapest dog food available, it is certainly worth the price.

If you’re a new Labradoodle owner, you likely have a lot of questions and concerns, not just about food but issues such as training and overall health too.

With two Labradoodles of my own, I’ve been in your shoes.

To help you avoid the same trial-and-error approach I went through before figuring things out, I put together the most comprehensive book on the breed out there.

The Owner’s Guide To The Perfect Labradoodle has everything you need to understand your Doodle on a deeper level and help him become the dog he was meant to be.

Everything’s covered – puppy proofing, training, grooming, necessary supplies, health issues, generations, coat types, and so much more.

It’s the only Labradoodle book you’ll need – the one you’ll turn to again and again.

Review of The Best Dog Food For Labradoodle

#1 Food For Labradoodle: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo dog food is a great choice for your Labradoodle. It comes in puppy food so the transition to adult food is seamless.

This food is highly rated and comes in three different flavors – chicken, fish, and lamb.

The food is reasonably priced but is not the cheapest on the market. It comes in the following bag sizes: 6, 15, and 30 pounds. It contains high-quality protein.

The chicken flavor contains real deboned chicken as the main ingredient.

The other ingredients are minimal and great for your dog. Blue Buffalo uses sweet potato and brown rice as the carbohydrates.

The food has added omega-3 and fatty acids. It does not contain any animal by-products, wheat, or preservatives.

It is an all-natural dog food that contains LifeSource Bits, which were created by Blue Buffalo.

These contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your dog needs. This has been approved by holistic veterinarians.

The puppy food is available to purchase here.

Likes:

• High-quality single protein source.
• Contains LifeSource Bits.
• No animal by-products or preservatives.

Dislikes:

• Not the cheapest dog food available.

Other Great Food Options for Labradoodle

Runner-Up: Taste of the Wild Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison High Protein Real Meat Recipes Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild is a great food for Labradoodles that is high in protein. It contains 32% protein overall.

It comes in both roasted bison and venison flavors. The food that we have selected is not grain free, but there is a grain-free and puppy option too.

The food is reasonably priced considering how high quality the ingredients are. It can be purchased in the following sizes: 5, 14, and 28 pounds.

All of the ingredients are taken from sustainable sources. The food contains no fillers, colors, or preservatives.

Taste of the Wild is a high-quality food that can be fed to puppies and adult dogs. It contains ancient grains that are rich in proteins, such as chia seeds.

The food is highly digestible and contains proprietary prebiotics that are great for a dog’s digestive tract.

Likes:

• 32% protein overall.
• Sustainably sourced ingredients.
• Contains proprietary prebiotics.

Dislikes:

• The recipe is not grain free but there is a grain-free option available.

Wellness Natural Pet Food Complete Health Natural Dry Dog Food  

Wellness is an all-natural and healthy dog food. It contains deboned chicken and oatmeal. It comes in the following protein flavors: chicken, white fish, and lamb.

It is a more expensive dog food but this reflects the quality. It can be purchased in the following sizes: 5, 15, and 30 pounds.

It contains vitamins and minerals to help improve your dog’s immune system.

Wellness combines spinach, blueberries, and flaxseed to help promote a shiny coat, good digestion, and antioxidant properties.

It does not contain any animal by-products, fillers, or additives.

It is worth noting that Wellness contains wheat, which could potentially disagree with your dog. However, it uses only high-quality protein and is made in the US.

Likes:

• No animal by-products or additives.
• Contains high-quality protein.
• Promotes good digestion.

Dislikes:

• Contains wheat, which can potentially disagree with your dog.

Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food Original Turkey & Chicken

Wellness Core is created by the same brand as the dog food above, but it is a different type of dog food. It is grain-free but can be purchased with grain in its recipe too.

This food comes in four different size options which is the most included in this article. These include: 4, 12, 24, and 26 pounds.

It is a natural and nutritious food for your dog. It contains deboned turkey as its main ingredient and a limited amount of other ingredients.

This is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

It is made in the USA and promotes your dog’s overall health. It helps to improve your dog’s skin and coat. In addition to this, Wellness core has high protein levels.

It is one of the more expensive foods included in this list but is reasonably priced considering the high-quality ingredients.

Likes:

• Comes in four different bag sizes.
• Contains a limited amount of ingredients.
• Contains high protein levels.

Dislikes:

• It is a more expensive food.

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Puppy, Large Breed 

We have chosen to include one science-based food in this article. Science food contains additives that will benefit your dog’s health.

The Hill’s Science Diet is created specifically for large-breed puppies.

It uses an optimal level of calcium to help with bone growth and protection. It also uses minerals to promote strong teeth and bones.

This is one of the more expensive foods that we have included in this article as it is a well-known brand. Hill’s Science Diet is available in the following sizes: 15 and 30 pounds.

It contains high-quality protein and DHA, which helps to promote good eyesight and brain development.

It is made with natural ingredients in the USA. It is the number one food recommended by vets but does contain wheat, which is worth noting.

If you would like to purchase the adult version of this food, you can do so here.

Likes:

• Number one brand recommended by vets.
• Contains added calcium.
• Contains DHA.

Dislikes:

• Contains wheat, which may disagree with some dogs.

Buyer’s Guide

Here is a buyer’s guide containing everything you need to know before purchasing food for your Labradoodle.

Cost

Dog food comes in a wide range of prices and what may suit someone else’s budget, may not suit your own.

Given this, it is important to choose the best food within your budget.

Just because food is expensive does not necessarily mean that it is the best quality food.

Sometimes, dog food is overpriced when you look at the ingredients list and what it contains.

If you are shopping on more of a budget, it is worth looking into buying food in bulk.

Although bulk buying is more expensive in one transaction, it will work out less expensive in the long run.

In addition to this, some dog foods that are at a higher price work out to be less expensive overall.

This is because better quality food does not have as many additives as cheaper food.

Given this, it will fill up your dog for a longer period, and you will not have to feed as much of the food.

It is a bit like eating a good quality meal compared to fast food which leaves you hungry again after an hour or two.

Brand

The brand of dog food you purchase is essential in some ways. We would always recommend choosing a brand that is well known and trusted.

The ingredients are more likely to be suitable for your dog and the quality assurance will be better.

However, it is worth keeping in mind that with some brands of dog food you are paying for the name of the brand rather than the overall quality of the food.

Variation in Labradoodle Size

Unlike pedigree dogs, Labradoodles can vary quite significantly in size. The size they reach in maturity will vary depending on the size of the parents.

If a Miniature Poodle was bred instead of a Standard Poodle, your Labradoodle is unlikely to be classed as a large breed.

Typically Labradoodles tend to fall into the medium to large breed categories.

This is except for very small Labradoodles which may potentially be classed as a small breed.

As there are many variations in the size of Labradoodles, it is important to weigh your dog regularly to ensure that the food you are feeding is suitable.

This is particularly important if you are feeding size-specific food. It is not as necessary if you are feeding a standard adult food.

If there is a change to your dog’s weight, you will need to adjust or change your dog’s food gradually to account for this.

Head over to our article “Labradoodle Sizes and Weights” for a better understanding of the different Labradoodles sizes and the breeding process that creates them.

You’ll find a handy size chart there as well so that you can see how your Doodle measures up.

Ingredients

When looking at dog food, the ingredients list is important to study. Ideally, you will want to choose a dog food with the least amount of ingredients.

This will help to ensure that nothing is being added to the food that could potentially disagree with your dog.

You should be able to have a good understanding of what all of the ingredients included are.

If there are ingredients that you have not heard of, they are likely unwanted additives and fillers that are not potentially great for your dog.

There are a few things in particular that you should look out for in good food for Labradoodles, which we have listed below:

Protein

The amount of protein that is in dog food is essential. If there is a low amount of protein, we would not recommend giving this food to your dog.

Amino acid that is found in proteins is needed in a dog’s diet. Given this, there should always be a good quality source of protein in the food that you choose.

Labradoodles do tend to have quite a lot of energy. This is why they need to be on a protein-rich diet.

Probiotics

Probiotics are important in dog food. They will help with your dog’s overall digestion.

They are particularly good if your dog suffers from a sensitive stomach.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

These are great for your dog’s skin and coat.

They will help to keep the skin shiny and your dog’s skin from becoming irritated.

Fats

Healthy fats that are included in dog food will help to give your Labradoodle its much needed energy.

Carbohydrates

When you are looking at dog food, the type of carbohydrate that is included is essential.

If the food is packed with wheat or corn it may not be the best option for your Labradoodle. These ingredients are known to disagree with many dog’s digestive systems.

Some better quality carbohydrates include sweet potato and rice. Although many people believe that carbohydrates are bad for a dog, this is not the case.

Good quality carbohydrates are an essential part of your dog’s diet and will help to introduce fiber.

Quality of the Food

As we have already touched upon, the quality of the Labradoodle food is essential. The better the ingredients are, the better the food will be for your dog overall.

You will want to ensure that the ingredients are being sourced responsibly and the meat is of good quality.

Admittedly, many dog food labels can be quite confusing, and some are borderline misleading.

Our Ultimate Guide to the Best Dog Food and Treats will help you sort out all of the labeling terminology and learn to avoid questionable or potentially harmful ingredients.

Dog Sensitivities

If your dog has specific sensitivities it is best to avoid foods with a lot of ingredients and any artificial additives. These can upset your Labradoodle’s stomach further.

If your dog is prone to digestive issues or intolerances, it is best to avoid the ingredients that cause the sensitivities completely.

In addition to this, a grain-free diet may be the best option. Grain-free foods tend to have fewer ingredients and are more suited to a sensitive stomach.

Many brands offer sensitive-specific food too.

If you have tried grain-free food and your dog is still reacting we would recommend a trip to the vets.

This will help to get to the root of the problem. Your dog may need to be placed on a prescribed diet.

Wet Vs. Dry Food

Wet versus dry dog food is something that is highly debated among dog owners.

While they both have their pros and cons, we would recommend feeding your Labradoodle dry food.

Dry food is better for your dog’s teeth and oral health. It will help to remove plaque and tartar, but it shouldn’t be considered a substitute for routine brushing.

(Yes, you should be brushing your dog’s teeth regularly with dog-safe products like those included in this dental care pack.)

Dry food will not leave a coating on your dog’s teeth, and it can be left sitting out for longer periods.

Wet food can only be left out for a few hours before it needs to be thrown away.

It is not ideal if you are planning to leave food out for your dog during the day when you are not at home.

Wet food does not clean your teeth in the same way that dry dog food does, and it can cause a build-up of plaque and tartar.

However, it will keep your dog hydrated if it does not drink a lot of water.

If your dog is not a fussy eater, you can give them wet food as a treat, but we would recommend dry food as their main diet.

All of the foods we have included in this article are dried.

Joint Problems

As Labradoodles are typically a larger breed of dog, they are more susceptible to joint problems and hip dysplasia as they age.

Given this, if you can purchase food that includes joint supplements that will help the mobility, this is great.

Typically large breed dog foods will have ingredients specifically for joint mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Should I Feed My Labradoodle?

How much you feed your labradoodle will depend on a few different things.

The age and the weight of your dog should be taken into consideration, especially when they are puppies.

The majority of dog food will state on the back of the packaging roughly how much you should feed your dog.

You typically find the weight your dog is, and there will be an average amount of food you need to feed your dog.

However, exercise levels do need to be taken into consideration too. The more active your dog is, the more food it will need.

Puppies should be fed three to four times a day and adults twice a day.

How Long Should A Labradoodle Eat Puppy Food?

As Labradoodles are larger dogs, they should be on puppy food for a longer period. This is because they reach maturity slower than a small breed.

Ideally, a Labradoodle should be kept on puppy food for around 16 months before you transition them on to adult food.

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 19:50 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API