Best Dog Food For Labradoodle puppies

Top 10 Best Dog Food For Labradoodle puppies

Looking for the right dog food for your Labradoodle? We compare our favorite Labradoodle dog foods for each life stage, including puppies, adults & seniors!

Looking for the best dog food for your Labradoodle? You aren’t alone! The Labradoodle is one of our favorite doodle crossbreeds, and these pups live to love us. So what better way to return the love in the form of finding the best Labradoodle dog food for your pup. So, whether you are about to begin your Labradoodle journey with a brand new puppy. Or your resident Labradoodle needs a change in diet, here we have the top dog foods for Labradoodles.

Because the Labradoodle is a mixed breed, many owners find themselves wondering what kind of food is best. This Labradoodle nutrition guide will answer all of your questions about what nutrients your pup needs at each life stage. And with that, we have worked out which products are the top dog food options for each of those life stages.

The Labradoodle comes in three different sizes thanks to his Poodle parent. Here we are going to walk you through the best foods for the standard sized Labradoodle. A standard sized Labradoodle will measure between 17 and 22 inches tall and weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. It’s important to remember that the miniature Labradoodle has different nutritional needs, so this guide is not for them. So, no more doodling around, let’s get straight to it.

Labradoodle Puppy Nutrient Needs

During his puppy stage, the most crucial thing that you can do for your Labradoodle pup is to feed him a puppy dry dog food. High-quality puppy dog food includes everything that he needs to develop as he should. He also needs vitamins and minerals to support his developing immune system.

The standard-sized Labradoodle falls into the large breed group, so it’s vital that his kibble is specially designed for large puppies. These dog foods have the optimum calcium and phosphorus ratio, which will control his rapid bone growth. By controlling his bone growth, you can decrease the chances of him developing bone diseases, of which both of his parents suffer from.

The Labradoodle’s low-shedding coat needs plenty of omega fatty acids to stay nourished and healthy. Omega fats have a variety of other benefits, too, including keeping his joints supple. High-quality puppy kibbles will contain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (ARA), as these are key for his development. So much so that they are found in mothers’ milk. Ingredients such as salmon oil, chicken fat, egg, and flaxseed are great ingredients to look out for.

Under his gorgeous teddy bear coat, he has thick and powerful muscles, and he needs high-quality meat protein for growth and energy. The MSD Veterinary Manual recommends that all puppies should eat a protein content of at least 22%. But being an energetic dog who has lots of puppy growing to do, we’d recommend a higher protein content of at least 26%.

Adult Labradoodle Nutrient Needs

  • Between the ages of 12 and 18 months, the Labradoodle should be slowly transitioned from a puppy dog food to an adult one. Again, you should look to feed him a dry dog food that is specifically designed for large breed adults. Large breed kibbes will continue with the controlled calcium levels. As well as providing a higher level of glucosamine to keep his joints supple.
  • The MSD Veterinary Manual recommends that adult dogs need a protein content of at least 18%. But as the Labradoodle is a large pooch with big dog energy, we’d go a little higher again and feed him a protein content of at least 23%. His protein should be high-quality, named meat sources.
  • Continue to feed him a high-quality dog food that focuses on a well-balanced diet. A balanced diet includes protein, carbohydrates, fiber, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Thankfully, high-quality dog foods will ensure that he gets all the nutrition he needs. And they are usually easy to digest, which is important considering the Labradoodle is known to have a sensitive stomach.
  • If he inherits the appetite of his Labrador parent, this pup might pile on the pounds too quickly. If he does, be sure to switch him to a weight management kibble. We have 2 healthy diet recommendations at the end of this guide.

Senior Labradoodle Nutrient Needs

  • As the Labradoodle nears the age of 7 years old, it’s time to think about switching him to a senior dog food. Older Labradoodles don’t need as much energy when they reach their golden years, and these dry foods provide less energy and fats. This is also because his slowing digestive system will not be able to digest fats as well as it once did.
  • Senior pooches need more assistance with their digestive system. So they have more fiber, probiotic ingredients, and live cultures to promote friendly gut bacteria. Dog food with higher fiber will also keep him feeling fuller for longer, meaning he’ll need fewer snacks between meals. Feeding him healthy snacks such as zucchini and bell peppers can help here too.
  • Keeping the extra weight off his weakening joints is essential, so you need to keep an eye on his intake. He will need extra glucosamine and chondroitin to support his joints, and these ingredients are also great for brain function as he begins to slow down. Meat meals and fish oils are a great source of glucosamine.
  • Lastly, extra vitamins and minerals are crucial to keeping his aging immune system as healthy as it can be. Again, all life stage food is not appropriate for the aging needs of the senior Labradoodle.

The 10 Best Dog Foods for Labradoodles

Tuffy’s Pet Food Dog Food – Best Value

TuffyS Pet Food

Tuffy’S Pet Food 29002 Nutrisource Dog Food is nutrient-packed dry dog food made with high-quality chicken and peas. Tuffy’s Nutrisource Dog Food doesn’t contain any questionable ingredients like chicken by-products or fillers. With no grains or potatoes, this is an ideal brand for dogs with allergies. While this brand may be highly nutritious, some dogs don’t like the taste and will refuse to eat it. Also, the recipe may be too rich for dogs with sensitive stomachs, so it may not be the right choice for your pet. Otherwise, Tuffy’s Pet Food 29002 Nutrisource Dog Food is the best dog food for Labradoodles for the money.

Cons
  • Picky eaters may not like this brand
  • May be too rich for sensitive stomachs
Pros
  • Great for dogs with allergies
  • Chicken is 1st ingredient
  • No by-products or filler ingredients
  • Better value compared to other brands

Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food – Best Overall

Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo Wilderness 80056 is a popular dry dog food with all-natural ingredients and health benefits for your dog. It’s made with a high-protein salmon and chicken blend, with no fillers like corn, soy or wheat. Blue Buffalo is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals in tiny “bites” for immune and digestive system support. Blue Buffalo recipe doesn’t contain any by-products or preservatives, eliminating the unnecessary ingredients from your dog’s diet. The only problem is that some dogs may not like the taste or may spit out the supplement bites. Otherwise, we find that Blue Buffalo Wilderness 800056 Dry Dog Food to be the best overall dog food for your Labradoodle.

Cons
  • Some dogs do not like the taste
Pros
  • Supplement “bites” rich in vitamins
  • No by-products or preservatives
  • High-protein blend
  • Contains salmon rich in Omegas 3&6

Taste of The Wild Dry Dog Food

Taste of The Wild

Taste of The Wild 2106_30_THP Dry Dog Food is a a great high-quality dog food made with real bison and venison meat. This top of the line recipe includes salmon oil for multiple health benefits for your dog, including immune and skin health. Taste of the Wild doesn’t have fillers like corn and soy, and there aren’t any questionable preservatives, either. The kibble is also on the smaller side, so it’s easier for small dogs and puppies to chew. Taste of the Wild is a great brand, but it’s expensive compared to other premium-quality dog food. It’s also got a slightly lower protein content. If you can afford the investment and are looking for high-quality dog food, Taste of the Wild is a good option for your Labradoodle.

Cons
  • Protein is lower than other brands
  • On the expensive side
Pros
  • No preservatives or fillers
  • Smaller kibble easier to chew
  • Real bison & venison meat
  • Contains salmon oil for fatty acids

Ollie Fresh Dog Food Chicken with Carrots – Premium Choice

Ollie Chicken Dish With Carrots Fresh Dog Food

Ollie is a delivery service that brings fresh, pre-portioned, freshly cooked dog food directly to your door. The food is packed in dry ice and should be stored in your freezer before being thawed and served to your dog.

Ollie’s recipes are all made using real meat as the first ingredient, followed by organ meat. This packs the recipes full of protein and real meat flavor, perfect for active Labradoodles that need to maintain their high energy levels. The recipes are designed by veterinarians and loaded with veggies.

The Ollie Fresh Chicken With Carrots recipe is one example of the many nutritious recipes from this company. Chicken, chicken gizzard, carrots, chicken liver, peas, and spinach are combined with vitamins and minerals to give your dog a tasty, balanced meal without anything artificial included.

Ollie will even include a container that you can store the frozen food in while it thaws in your fridge. If you have any leftover food in the package, it can be stored in the airtight container until your dog’s next meal.

The chicken recipe is Ollie’s only grain-inclusive recipe. If you want to try any of the other recipes, check with your vet before making the switch, to make sure a grain-free diet is right for your Labradoodle. The FDA is currently investigating the link between dilated cardiomyopathy and grain-free diets.

Cons
  • Takes up space in the freezer
  • You need to remember to thaw the food
  • Expensive option for long-term feeding
Pros
  • Delivered to your door for convenience
  • Airtight container included
  • Real meat is the first ingredient
  • Packed with veggies, vitamins, and minerals

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Grain-Free Duck & Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients Duck, duck meal, potatoes, sweet potatoes
Protein Content 24%
Fat Content 10%
Calories 370 kcal/cup

If your Labradoodle has a sensitive stomach or suffers from food allergies, we highly recommend Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Duck & Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food. While it isn’t classified as hypoallergenic, its short ingredients list makes it less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. In addition, this food is packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to improve the health of your dog’s skin and coat.

Unfortunately, Natural Balance doesn’t have high protein and fat levels like most other dog foods. However, if your Labradoodle isn’t tolerating other foods, this brand is worth a try.

Cons
  • More expensive than some other brands
  • Low protein and fat levels
Pros
  • Limited-ingredient formula is good for allergies
  • High levels of omega fatty acids
  • Single protein source

Instinct Raw Boost Dry Dog Food

Instinct

Instinct 769949608967 Raw Boost Dry Dog Food is a kibble dog food with freeze-dried bits as a raw protein boost. This dog food also features probiotics to support your dog’s digestive system. However, there are a few issues with Instinct Dog Food that outweigh the benefits. The first thing we noticed is a significant lack of raw freeze-dried chicken bits, which is disappointing considering how expensive this brand is compared to others. Another problem is the inconsistent quality that this recipe has faced with multiple recipe changes in the past few years. It’s also higher in calories than most dog food, so weight management can become a problem in the future. For higher quality and a better value, we recommend trying Blue Buffalo Wilderness first.

Cons
  • Expensive compared to other brands
  • Higher in calories than other brands
  • Very small portion of raw chicken bits
  • Inconsistent quality
Pros
  • Made with cage-free chicken
  • Probiotics for digestive system support

Purina Pro Dry Puppy Food – For Puppies

Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan 38100142894 Dry Puppy Food is a chicken and rice recipe for puppies under a year old. This brand has chicken as the first ingredient, but it’s also made with chicken byproducts and average-quality ingredients. Still, dogs tend to like Purina foods, which can be good if your dog is extra picky. The problem is that Purina Pro Plan also contains fillers like corn, wheat and soy, which can be problematic if your puppy has allergies and skin conditions. This dog food brand may also be too heavy for dogs with digestive issues, so it’s best to pass it if your puppy can’t stomach things easily. If you’re looking for high-quality puppy food and dog food, we recommend trying other brands like Blue Buffalo and Tuffy’s instead.

Cons
  • Too rich for some dogs
  • For puppies only
  • Made with chicken byproducts
  • Contains corn, wheat and soy
Pros
  • Chicken is 1st ingredient
  • Dogs tend to like this brand

Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Puppy Dry Dog Food — Best for Puppies

Farmina Farmina N&D Medium & Maxi Puppy Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients Chicken, dehydrated chicken, whole spelt, whole oats
Protein Content 35%
Fat Content 20%
Calories 440 kcal/cup

Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Medium & Maxi Puppy Dry Dog Food is guaranteed to be steroid free and growth hormone free because organic ingredients are used in the recipes. While this puppy food includes grain, the amount is quite low. Unless your dog has a specific allergy to grain or gluten, this isn’t anything to worry about. In addition, the grains that are included in Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain are exactly what the name suggests: ancestral grains like spelt and oats. 90% of the protein content of this food comes from animal sources, and there are no peas or legumes.

Despite being a puppy food, this dog food is reasonable for most adult Labradoodles. So, you may not have to switch foods as your puppy grows, making your life a bit easier.

Cons
  • Grain may make it unsuitable for some dogs
Pros
  • High levels of animal protein
  • Safe for all ages
  • Low in grain
  • No peas or legumes

Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe Dry Dog Food

Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe dog food
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, peas, chicken fat
Protein Content 37%
Fat Content 20%
Calories 518 kcal/cup

Instinct Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a freeze-dried raw food option that has a ton of quality, well-sourced meat protein for your Labradoodle. This food includes probiotics, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants to give your dog a healthy immune system and digestion. Dogs that are fussy about their kibble will likely enjoy the freeze-dried raw coating that makes it extra tasty.

Unfortunately, this is one of the most expensive foods on this list. It is also high in calories, so you’ll need to keep an eye on portion sizes to avoid causing weight gain in your dog. This may work to your advantage cost-wise, though, as you won’t need to feed as much of this food as some other brands.

Cons
  • Expensive
  • High in calories
Pros
  • Meat is the first ingredient
  • Grain free
  • Preservative free
  • Improves immune and digestive health
  • High in animal protein

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Dry Dog Food — Vet’s Choice

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Deboned Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, barley
Protein Content 26%
Fat Content 12%
Calories 340 kcal/cup

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Dry Dog Food is made specifically to meet the needs of large, active dogs. This dry food has high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health, which is important as large dogs age. This food is lower in fat and calories than many other brands, so it can promote a lean body stature in your Labradoodle. There are also probiotics included in the recipe to promote healthy digestion.

This food is designed specifically to meet the needs of adult dogs. If you are feeding a puppy or a senior dog, you will need to switch to Wellness Large Breed Puppy recipe.

Cons
  • Not for all life stages
Pros
  • Made specifically for large dogs
  • Contains probiotics
  • Supports bone and joint health
  • Low in fat and calories to maintain a healthy weight

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Dog Foods for Your  Labradoodle

About Labradoodles

  • Labradoodles are a designer dog breed resulting in a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. Although the first Labradoodles were large-sized dogs, generations of Labradoodles have made different sizes available.
  • Labradoodles are highly intelligent and require lots of daily exercise. They excel in areas like agility, service, and obedience competitions. Labradoodles are not a recognized breed by the American Kennel Club, but they’re one of the most popular designer breeds available today.
  • Labradoodles also require grooming and clipping to keep their coats from matting and snarling. They will need diets with skin and coat support to keep them in tiptop shape. It’s also important to bring your Labradoodle for a professional trimming to promote healthy hair growth.

Important Things to Consider

There are important factors to consider when buying dog food for your Labradoodle that will influence your decision. Here are some things to consider:

Labradoodle’s Activity Level

To put it simply, a Labradoodle agility champion will have different diet requirements than a family Labradoodle. Your dog’s exercise level will determine what kind and how much to feed, which can change drastically between each dog.

Protein Sources

Protein allergies can cause skin irritation and itching, as well as other serious side effects. When looking for dog food, make sure it contains a protein source your dog can have. If you’re not sure if your dog is allergic, ask your vet to run an allergy test.

Cost

Cost is always something to keep in mind. While premium dog food brands may have all-natural ingredients, there are value-priced brands that still maintain high levels of quality. Before going out and buying the expensive stuff, think about the long-term cost of the food.

Dietary Restrictions

  • Dietary restrictions are imperative to maintain if your dog can’t have certain ingredients or supplements, whether it causes an allergic reaction or a flareup of a medical condition. Check each dog food carefully to know exactly what you’re feeding your dog.
  • When you’re buying your Doodle’s dog food, look for high-quality ingredients with no fillers and preservatives. Check the labels to make sure all essential daily nutrients are there for a complete and balanced diet. Lastly, double-check with your veterinarian before starting a new dog food.

Final Thoughts

After carefully reviewing each product, we found Blue Buffalo Wilderness 800056 Dry Dog Food to be the best overall Labradoodle dog food. It’s high in protein and rich in vitamins that support a healthy coat. Tuffy’S Pet Food 29002 Nutrisource Dog Food is our choice for the best value, with a high-quality, affordable blend of natural ingredients. It also has a flavor that most dogs enjoy. If you are looking to try one of the healthiest options, Ollie Fresh Dog Food Subscription is our premium choice. They only use all natural, whole ingredients, with real meat as the first and is conveniently shipped to your door on a schedule of your choosing.

Hopefully, we have made it easier to navigate through the market of dog foods that would be best for your Labradoodle. We looked for the best quality and brands available with your dog’s best interests in mind. If you’re still unsure what to buy, ask your vet or dog groomer for a recommendation.

Edward Hollon is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Edward has been writing for petdii for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Edward has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Edward knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.