Top 10 Best Dog Foods for Poodles

Iams ProActive Health Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food – Best Value

This food also contains grains, including corn and sorghum. It has a slightly higher calorie count, making it appropriate for Toy or Miniature Poodles. While dogs seem to love it, it might be too rich for some pets to digest. It comes in both 7 and 15-pound sized bags. All that being said, we think this is the best dog foods for poodles for the money available this year.

Royal Canin Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food – Best Overall

The Royal Canin Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food scores a lot of points because it focuses on the breed. We appreciate this approach because it addresses the issues that plague some dogs with the ability to tweak the formula. It’s an ideal situation for researchers because it eliminates many things that can affect the results of their work.

The ingredient list includes taurine, an amino acid suspected as a possible deficiency that can cause serious health conditions for some pets. Chicken is the primary protein. It also contains grains, which we’ll discuss later, which is a good thing. It has a decent amount of fat and omega-3 fatty acids to keep your Poodle’s coat looking its best. It comes in 2.5 and 10-pound sized bags.

All in all, we think this is the best dog food for Poodles in 2021, and it’s definitely the best dog food for Standard Poodles out there.

Royal Canin Poodle Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best for Poodle Puppies

Some consumers may think that the lack of whole meat as the first ingredient is a problem. As we’ll discuss later, that’s not necessarily the case. The essential thing to remember is that small dogs like the Toy or Miniature Poodle need energy-dense food. This product covers that base well, albeit at a cost.

Hill’s Science Diet

Hill’s Science dry food is designed to meet the specific needs of mature animals. This formula is easily digested thanks to a synergistic blend of ingredients that help maintain energy and activity levels.

The delicious taste and smell of this food will leave your dog feeling full and happy.  This diet contains all the required minerals for heart and kidney health. Omega-6 and vitamin E are added to support skin and fur, and there is a high proportion of high-quality protein for maintenance of lean muscles.

Royal Canin Toy & Miniature Poodle Food

For pet owners who prefer wet food, the Royal Canin Toy & Miniature Poodle Adult Loaf in Sauce Canned Dog Food is an excellent choice that delivers a tasty meal in a convenient size. The pate formula is easy to portion if you’re feeding your Poodle more than once a day. We liked its consistency, which ensures every bite is packed with nutrients.

Interestingly, this poodle food contains pork, which we don’t see as often as beef or chicken. The glaring downside with this product is that it’s expensive, especially if you follow the manufacturer’s feeding instructions. We think the best use for this dog food is as a mixer with dry food, instead of a complete diet, but it is still one of the best dog foods for Toy Poodles and best dog foods for Miniature Poodles you can buy.

Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Dry Dog Food

The Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Dry Dog Food uses a mix of turkey, chicken, and salmon as its protein base. We liked the fact that it includes brown rice in the mix. That provides extra bulk and can make it more digestible for Poodles with sensitive stomachs. There is also Lactobacillus bacteria, which also helps.

The ingredient list also contains other items that aren’t necessarily of high nutritional value but serve more to sell the product. The calorie count is also a bit high, making monitoring your pet’s weight imperative. It comes in a 4 or 12-pound bag.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dry Dog Food has a chicken and fish-based fat source that provides omega-3 fatty acids to keep your Poodle’s coat looking its best. The product has less fat than we’ve seen in comparable foods, but it is still within the dietary recommendations. The ingredient list contains a lot of marketing, with items like blueberries and turmeric.

This food contains a decent amount of brown rice, which supports digestive health. It is also in a kibble form that helps keep your Poodle’s teeth clean. The big red flag for us is that it contains garlic, which is toxic to dogs. Granted, it’s probably in such low qualities that it’s harmless, but why have it in there, anyway?  It comes in a 6 or 15-pound bag.

Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is one of many specialty products that try to make a case for grain-free diets for canines. The debate about whether dogs are true omnivores or carnivores still rages. However, this option isn’t necessarily the best choice for Poodles or any breed. While the food contains pumpkin to make digestion easier, it has ingredients that are less so, such as garbanzo beans.

While there is no dietary minimum for taurine, this food has less than we’ve seen in comparable products. On a positive note, the recipe sounds appealing, even for us. Consumers looking for a food with an easy-to-read ingredient list will appreciate this item. It comes in a 4 or 12-pound bag.

Purina Bella Natural Bites Small Breed Dry Dog Food

The food is value-priced because it doesn’t contain whole meat. Instead, it has other protein sources like soybean to ensure that it’s complete. While it includes grains, there is no added taurine for heart health. It comes in 3 or 12-pound bags.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Food For Your Poodle

The essential thing to understand about dog food for any pooch is that they are not all the same. Sure, there are various flavors and formulas, but it goes much deeper than that. Let’s start with the breed. Poodles are relatively healthy when it comes to health conditions that may affect which food you choose.

Diseases like diabetes or allergies may influence which product you give your pooch. In these cases, you can get a prescription diet to feed your Poodle. Your dog’s dietary needs will likely change during his lifetime, just as it does in people. The primary considerations for choosing the right one:

• Life stage
• Breed size
• Nutritional value
• Wet or dry

You may notice that ingredients aren’t on this list of criteria. That’s because they often provide the least important information and may end up confusing pet owners. We’ll discuss the facts in detail later in this section. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the fact that dogs and cats have different dietary needs. You should only feed your pet the food meant for the species.

Wet Food Vs Dry Food

• Most poodle owners may have realized that their little fur buddies prefer wet food to dry food. Additionally, wet dog food is generally more expensive, though the flavor and texture are certainly more appealing to a hungry pup. Just be mindful that wet dog food, though high in moisture, is also often higher calories meaning you will need to carefully monitor your dog’s food intake to ensure they don’t gain any excess weight.
• Dry food is the most recommended for poodle owners. This is because dry food helps to protect the mouth and gum of poodles. Dry kibble is also often more budget-friendly and more easily processed through the digestive system, as the high moisture content (and sometimes fat content) of wet food is more likely to cause stomach upset.

Poodle Diet And Nutrition

• Carbohydrates: Ideally you’ll want a dog food that uses as natural a source of carbohydrates as possible seeing as carbs take up to around 50% of the overall recipe. Carbs can be made up of grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruit with each ingredient providing the appropriate sugar to fuel your dog’s lifestyle. More active dogs may require additional carbs, but always be sure that the carbs you are using are predominantly from a natural source.
• Protein: The importance of protein in a dog’s diet cannot be overstated. Protein should form around 18-29% of your poodle’s food. The majority of protein should come from a meat source, however, there are also multiple additional carbohydrate ingredients that provide protein. This is because protein aids with muscle growth, development, and recovery whilst also supporting their hearts. Protein also helps poodle puppies to grow properly and remain healthy whilst going through the rapid growth phase.
• Antioxidants and probiotics: Antioxidants greatly support your dog’s liver function and immune system. Probiotics on the other hand ensure that your poodle maintains a healthy digestive system by boosting the production of good bacteria and reducing bad bacteria in the gut. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains in particular encourage optimal absorption of vitamins and minerals from your poodle’s food. They also serve to reduce stomach upsets and diarrhea in dogs.
• Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids: Fatty acids are very important as they help to protect and nurture your poodle’s skin and coat. They keep the skin and coat healthy and shiny by nourishing the skin and helping your dog to produce natural oils that in turn condition the coat and reduce itching, hot spots, and hair loss.

Food To Avoid Feeding Your Poodle

To be safe, a simple rule of thumb to follow is this. Do not feed your poodle with any food that is not mentioned in any of the ingredients in the dog foods we have reviewed in this article. To be more specific, there are some foods you should never feed to your poodle. These include:

• Chocolate: As sweet as they are to humans, chocolate is poisonous to poodles. They contain methylxanthines that can lead to vomiting, restlessness, and high temperatures in poodles.
• Raisins and grapes: Humans love grapes and raisins. But you should never feed them to your poodle. They are very toxic to dogs, and even a single grape can lead to grape toxicity which can cause kidney failure or even death after a few days.
• Macadamia nuts: Although other dog breeds may have systems that can somewhat tolerate macadamia seeds, do not feed them to poodles. They are poisonous to poodles. They can cause up to two days of unrest, tremors, vomiting, and weakness in poodles.
• Xylitol and alcohol: You may be wondering what xylitol is. It is an ingredient that is more common around you than you might think. It is used in a lot of food colors and gum. Xylitol and alcohol are very dangerous to poodles.
• Coffee: Caffeine is something no animal should be given as it can cause raised blood pressure, heart palpitations, or even heart attacks in severe cases. The fatal nature of caffeine consumption makes it one of the worst possible things to let your dog get hold of. If you think your dog might have consumed caffeine, contact your vet immediately.
• Garlic, onions, chives: Do not feed them to your poodle under any circumstances as they contain N-propyl disulfide which breaks down red blood cells and causes severe anemia in dogs which can lead to additional health problems.

Common Health Problems In Poodles – How Diet Can Help Them

A well-balanced diet is one sure way of keeping your poodle safe and healthy. A proper poodle diet can also help to tackle some health problems in poodles.

Standard Poodles

• All poodles are prone to bloating, hip dysplasia, collapsed trachea, and thyroid issues. A healthy and well-balanced diet is always recommended to maintain good health and can even be used to support proper medical treatment. However, in many cases, a good diet cannot single-handedly prevent some of these health conditions from forming, though in some cases it can massively reduce the possibility.
• Bloating is often caused by an incorrect diet to which your dog is reacting badly. This is more likely caused by an allergen such as wheat, soy, corn, or a particular protein. You may need the help of your veterinarian and a dietitian to figure out exactly what the problem is, only then will you be able to properly adjust their diet to compensate and reduce the likelihood of bloat occurring.
• Hip dysplasia and a collapsed trachea are both physiological conditions that are often hereditary. But if you’re wanting to help reduce the chances of these conditions set in early, then a balanced diet that is designed to maintain a healthy weight will certainly go a long way. This means being especially careful not to overfeed your poodle and trying to aim for food with low-fat content. Additionally, a high-protein diet and routine exercise can help strengthen the muscles around the hips.
• Thyroid issues are usually treated via regular checks and medication, though a carefully regimented low-calorie diet might be implemented to help speed the process along in the case of an underactive thyroid causing unwanted weight gain. The same can be said of a high-calorie diet for an overactive thyroid which can cause excessive weight loss.

Toy and Miniature Poodles

• Miniature and toy poodles are prone to bladder stones, some skin tumors, and cataracts. Skin tumors are somewhat unavoidable, however, if you are careful to feed your dog a balanced diet including the appropriate amount of omega fatty acids it can help to improve the quality of your dog’s skin and reduce skin complications.
• In terms of bladder stones and cataracts, you should ensure that your dog is getting plenty of antioxidants in its diet. These are particularly helpful for reducing the possibility of bladder stones, but they can also improve overall eye health and hopefully prolong your dog’s eyesight before the onset of cataracts, or even prevent it from forming altogether if you’re lucky.

Ingredients To Look For In A Dog Food For Poodles

No matter how old your poodle is or how much it weighs, there are some important ingredients we would recommend you look for when shopping for poodle dog food. Partially to ensure the food you’re thinking of purchasing provides ample nutrition, but also to allow you to spot any potentially problematic ingredients.

Chicken, Turkey, and Other Poultry Ingredients

These are excellent sources of protein that also provide a rich supply of natural fiber for better digestion. However, some dogs can form allergies to poultry over time, which can lead to an upset stomach. Furthermore, poultry by-products are sometimes used as fillers but don’t provide as much nutritional value as the rest of the birds.

Fish, Herring, and Other Types of Fish Protein

Fish can certainly provide a good amount of protein, especially when multiple fish are being used in a recipe. However, they’re not as dense in protein as other animal proteins such as beef, pork, and chicken. That being said, fish is a rich source of omega fatty acids which are essential to caring for your dog’s skin and coat – especially if they frequently experience problems such as hot spots and itching.

Grains

Grains have the capability to provide a fantastic natural source of carbohydrates, which can help to boost your dog’s energy levels and keep them fueled for the day. However, grain allergies are some of the most common food allergies in dogs and so many people do opt for grain-free recipes to avoid this problem.

Sweet Potatoes, Fruits, and Vegetables

These ingredients should ideally form around 10% of your dog’s diet. They provide carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help to boost your dog’s health including bolstering their immune system, encouraging better digestive health, and ensuring they are able to properly absorb and process the nutrients from their food. However, too many and they will simply act as filler ingredients as there is only so much your dog absorb can make use of. Potatoe in particular has a tendency to be over-used in order to fill out a formula.

Are there any special dietary requirements for toy poodles?

Toy poodles are prone to skin conditions. Make sure your toy poodle gets enough omega-3 fatty acids from foods like salmon and enough omega6 fatty acids from grains to provide them with the building blocks of the hormones that reduce inflammation.

Are there any special dietary requirements for miniature poodles?

Miniature and toy poodles need the same range of nutrients as larger poodles, but they can’t consume as many calories. It’s especially important to give miniature and toy poodles only high-quality dog foods.

Can I feed eggs to my poodle? What about eggshells?

Up to one raw or boiled egg per day is OK as part of your poodle’s diet. Finely ground eggshells are a good source of calcium. Serve no more than 5 grams (about a teaspoon) a day.

Are there any special dietary requirements of larger, standard poodles?

You can feed standard poodles a variety of dog food, leftovers in place of their regular dog food, and an occasional treat. They are not as prone to obesity as the toy and miniature poodles are.

Do you recommend frozen raw foods for poodles?

Refrigerate raw foods to keep them fresh and odor-free. Remember that frozen meat mixes for dogs tend to become excessively bloody when they thaw.

What about a raw foods diet for my poodle?

• Like other dogs, most poodles thrive on a diet of raw muscle meat, liver, tripe, and secretory organs (like sweetbreads and pancreas). It also helps to offer your dog small amounts of raw plant foods, like diced apples and carrots. You shouldn’t feed your dog uncooked beans, lentils, or grains.
• Some poodle owners prefer this diet, so they know what their dogs are eating. It’s easier to start puppies on raw food diets than switch them to one later in life.

Should I put my poodle on a low-fat diet?

No! Dogs have higher dietary requirements for fat than their humans do and do not develop coronary artery disease due to eating too much cholesterol.

Final Thoughts

• To conclude, we think that Royal Canin Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for Poodles and the best dog food for Standard Poodles. It provides a full slate of nutrients in a palatable form that your pup is sure to enjoy. Our best value pick, the Iams ProActive Health Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food, packs a lot of quality into an affordable package and is a great choice for pet owners on a budget.
• Our research taught us a valuable lesson. These products vary considerably. Therefore, it’s worth your time and effort to learn the facts to make the right choice for your canine companion.
• A proper diet, after all, is the foundation of good health. It will support your dog’s development and ensure that he has the nutrients he needs. For a pet owner, it’s the single most important thing you can do to give your pet an excellent quality of life. It’s one part of pet care on which you should never skimp.