By Dr Alexander Crow.
Dr Alexander Crow is a RCVS licensed Veterinary Surgeon currently practicing at Buttercross Veterinary centre, a small animal accredited veterinary practice in Nottingham, United Kingdom.
He earned his Bachelor of veterinary medicine degree at the Royal Veterinary College London.
There are many important considerations to make when deciding what to feed your Goldendoodle and with a vast number of commercial dog foods available, the choice can seem daunting!
If you’re looking for the best diet to feed your Goldendoodle then you’ve come to the right place.
Here I will break down exactly what nutritional requirements a Goldendoodle has and perhaps more importantly what foods to avoid.
What should you feed to your Goldendoodle?
The first thing to realise is that there is no ‘one size fits all’ diet for Goldendoodles.
Each individual dog is unique and as such will have specific preferences and dietary tolerances that will suit them.
However, not all doggy diets are created equally and it’s vital that your Goldendoodle receives a nutritionally complete and balanced diet – but what exactly does this mean?
A balanced diet contains the right proportions of protein, carbohydrates and fats as well as having sufficient vitamins and minerals.
So, whether you are choosing to use a commercial dog food or planning on making your own homecooked meals for your Goldendoodle, it’s important to get the balance right.
Protein
An essential nutrient for growth, dietary protein will keep your dog strong and provide them with the energy that they need to play.
Protein can be in the form of meat or plant proteins, but since dogs are carnivores, meat protein should make up the bulk of this macronutrient.
An ideal protein content to aim for in a Goldendoodle’s diet is between 15-23% on a dry matter basis.
Carbohydrates
Although important, carbohydrates should not be a main component of your dog’s diet.
Sugary carbs can spike your dog’s blood sugar levels and too many grains may result in irritation to your Goldendoodle’s gut.
Fat
Another essential component of your Goldendoodle’s diet.
Healthy animal fats and omega-3’s are an important source of energy for your dog and will help keep their coat in optimum condition.
Most dry dog foods will contain between 9-14% fat.
Vitamins, minerals and fiber
These micronutrients are also extremely important in a balanced diet.
These can be found in vegetables and fruits so be sure that whatever diet you choose, it meets these requirements.
You should also give your dog some variation in flavours so that they don’t get bored of eating the same meal every day.
After all, we like variation in our own diet, so why shouldn’t our beloved companions deserve the same?
How much food should your Goldendoodle eat?
In general, you should follow the guidelines provided on the back of the packaging of whichever food you decide to feed your Goldendoodle.
Commercial dog food vs Homecooked meals
Homecooked meals can also be a great option, although it’s harder to work out exactly how big your dog’s portion sizes should be. I recommend checking out some of the recipes found here.
Goldendoodles, as a breed, also have a lot of variation in their adult weight and therefore their calorie requirements. So, dietary requirements must be tailored to the individual.
Here is some more great information on how much you should be feeding your dog.
How often should you feed your Goldendoodle?
Most adult Goldendoodles will do well on being fed twice daily.
This will keep them full and content throughout the day.
If your Goldendoodle is still a puppy however, you should feed them more often as they have higher energy requirements.
What foods are off-limits for Goldendoodles?
There are many foods that your Goldendoodle, or any dog should not eat, as doing so could cause them great harm.
In general, be careful when feeding your dog ‘human foods’, as many are toxic to dogs.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Chocolate
- Onion
- Garlic
- Macadamia Nuts
- Almonds
- Dairy products (in excess)
For more information on people foods your dog should avoid, see the ASPCA website.
Photo by En Vie.