The Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles (2022 Review)

Mike PowellEdited by: Mike Powell
Abby TexasReviewed by: Abby Texas

Last Update:

The Rundown

Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food
“The Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food has everything that your Goldendoodle needs to maintain muscle mass and keep him healthy. From vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to protein, Omega fatty acids, and fats that your pup will get from this dog food’s different flavors.”

Best Value for Money: Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula
“The Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula is great if your dog doesn’t have a chicken allergy. It has superfood ingredients, high Omega fatty acids, and high protein and fats that are perfect for energetic and active Goldendoodles.”

Best for Goldendoodle Puppies: Merrick Backcountry Raw Puppy Recipe
“The Merrick Backcountry Raw Puppy Recipe is perfect if you are looking for a puppy food that’s easy to digest. It also helps with strengthening the joints and proper brain and eye development.”

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Your Goldendoodle is a unique breed, and no doubt has a unique personality! As such, they also need special care, which includes feeding them the best dog food for Goldendoodles.  

Mixed breeds tend to inherit health issues from both parent breeds (in this case, Golden Retrievers and Poodles), so it’s essential to begin feeding your Goldendoodle the right dog food from the very start of their fluffy puppy lives. 
Getting their diet right can eliminate potential problems right from the beginning. Along with regular grooming, this could be the key to keeping your Goldendoodle happy and healthy!

Our Ranking
Ranked #1
Ranked #2
Ranked #3
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken and Brown Rice 30-lb
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Real Meat Recipe High Protein Dry Dog Food With Real Cage Free Chicken Protein 40Lb
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Grain Free Dry Dog Food Puppy Recipe - 20 lb. Bag
Our Grade
Our Rating 97/100
Our Rating 92/100
Our Rating 90/100
Feature 1
Added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in LifeSource Bits
One of the most affordable foods on the market
Contains DHA and joint supplements
Feature 2
Various recipes available, including healthy weight and small bite
High in protein and fats, great for active dogs
Multiple protein sources in one recipe
Premium Option
Our Ranking
Ranked #1
Thumbnail
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken and Brown Rice 30-lb
Our Grade
Our Rating 97/100
Feature 1
Added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in LifeSource Bits
Feature 2
Various recipes available, including healthy weight and small bite
Custom Button
Best Value for Money
Our Ranking
Ranked #2
Thumbnail
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Real Meat Recipe High Protein Dry Dog Food With Real Cage Free Chicken Protein 40Lb
Our Grade
Our Rating 92/100
Feature 1
One of the most affordable foods on the market
Feature 2
High in protein and fats, great for active dogs
Custom Button
Best for Goldendoodle Puppies
Our Ranking
Ranked #3
Thumbnail
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Grain Free Dry Dog Food Puppy Recipe - 20 lb. Bag
Our Grade
Our Rating 90/100
Feature 1
Contains DHA and joint supplements
Feature 2
Multiple protein sources in one recipe
Custom Button
Sources researched
15
Sources researched
Customer reviews
17,430
Customer reviews
Hours spent testing
18
Hours spent testing
Products tested
10
Products tested

Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles (2022 Review)

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Premium Option

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • Added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in LifeSource Bits 
  • Various recipes available, including healthy weight and small bite 
  • Moderate protein and fat counts, good for most Goldendoodles 
  • Added Omegas and joint supplements

CONS

  • May not be high enough in protein for very active dogs

Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food wins our top spot for the best Goldendoodle dog food. It’s a good choice for adult Goldendoodles who are fairly active, and also has options specifically for dogs who need to maintain a healthy weight, and those who prefer a small kibble size. This is particularly helpful for dogs such as Goldendoodles, who can suffer from bloat.

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Provides Everything Your Goldendoodle Needs 

With a protein count of 24%, Goldendoodles who get daily exercise should find the chicken flavor to be enough to maintain muscle mass and keep them feeling strong. The other two, lamb and fish, contain 22% protein, which may be slightly low for energetic dogs. 

A fat count is 14% across the board, which is perfectly adequate, and every flavor uses chicken fat (although this doesn’t affect the taste and won’t aggravate chicken allergies). 

Each Blue Buffalo dog food recipe also contains glucosamine and a decent level of Omega fatty acids. A good amount of fiber is present too, thanks to the brown rice. 

The variety of flavors is also a bonus. If your Goldendoodle has a sensitive stomach or is allergic to a particular protein, they can easily avoid it, while still getting all the nutrition they need.

Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula Dry Dog Food

Best Value for Money

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • One of the most affordable foods on the market 
  • High in protein and fats, great for active dogs 
  • Higher than average levels of Omega fatty acids 
  • Superfood ingredients add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

CONS

  • High fat count may be too much for less active dogs

We’ve chosen Diamond Naturals Dog Food as our best dog food for Goldendoodle parents who are on a budget and want something high-quality but with a nice price tag. 

This dog food is best for a Goldendoodle who’s quite active and gets a good amount of daily exercise. It’s a comprehensive, complete, and balanced choice.

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High-Quality, Low Price Tag 

Don’t be put off by the price of this kibble. It may be on the lower end of the price scale, but it’s packed with superfood ingredients that make it one of the best dog kibbles for all life stages. 

It’s definitely a great choice for active dogs, as it comes with a protein count of 32% and a fat count of 25%. This will be too much for inactive or slightly active dogs. If your Goldendoodle isn’t getting at least a brisk daily walk, it’s best you start introducing that! 

If your dog has a chicken allergy, this may not be great for them. Its first ingredient is chicken meal, followed by real chicken, and white rice.

Merrick Backcountry Freeze-Dried Raw Puppy Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Best for Goldendoodle Puppies

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • Contains DHA and joint supplements 
  • Multiple protein sources in one recipe 
  • Contains freeze-dried raw bites for extra amino acids 
  • High-quality, natural ingredients

CONS

  • Somewhat pricey option

We believe the Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food is one of the best foods for a Goldendoodle puppy to start off with. Puppy food should be easy to digest, and this one is, thanks to its unique mix of raw-coated kibble and raw meat bites. 

The grain-free recipe, high-quality ingredients, and dash of DHA for brain and eye development make this our choice for the best puppy food.

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Best Goldendoodle Puppy Food 

A Goldendoodle puppy would do well on this dry puppy food. Puppy food doesn’t have to be grain-free, but this one is which makes it easy on their digestive system from early on. 

The smaller kibble size is appropriate for a puppy food, but also good to get a Goldendoodle used to eating smaller food to prevent bloat later on. 

The best puppy food is high in protein and moderate in fat, which this one is, with 30% protein and 14% fat. These come from high-quality ingredients like sweet potato, real chicken, turkey meal, and salmon. 

A Goldendoodle puppy has some specific nutritional requirements. Joint supplements are important for them to grow strong, as is the right calcium/phosphorus ratio, and this puppy food gets it right. DHA is also important to help their brain cells and eyes grow properly.

Diamond Naturals Senior Dry Dog Food

Best for Goldendoodle Seniors

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • Affordable senior dog food 
  • Contains joint supplements to keep old joints strong 
  • Low in calories, great for less active seniors 
  • Added L-carnitine for energy regulation

CONS

  • Might not be suitable for senior dogs who are sensitive to chicken

When your Goldendoodle becomes an Oldendoodle, they need a dog food that caters for their nutritional needs. Their joints need extra support, their immune system could do with some help, and their digestive system needs care. 

Just like Goldendoodle puppy food, there are specific recipes out there for seniors. The Diamond Naturals Senior Dry Dog Food is our choice for senior Goldendoodle dog food.

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Senior-Specific Goldendoodle Dog Food 

This kibble is packed with good stuff, and although it’s not grain-free, it is super healthy. It’s lower in fat to accommodate an aging dog’s diminishing activity, but retains a high protein count, thanks to real chicken and chicken meal. 

Glucosamine, chondroitin, and Omegas are all great ingredients. L-carnitine is fantastic for a senior food, as it keeps their mind sharp and their eyes healthy. 

Grains like brown rice and oatmeal provide a decent amount of fiber. Superfoods such as kale, chia seeds, and blueberries give an antioxidant boost. 

The only time we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this kibble is if your senior struggles to chew dry dog food, or if they’re sensitive to chicken. Seniors who struggle to chew dry food may need a wet food instead, but it can be hard to get all the nutrients they need from a wet dog food.

Canidae PURE Grain Free, Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

Best for Sensitive Tummies

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • Variety of reduced ingredient recipes 
  • Fewer than 10 ingredients each 
  • Contains joint supplements 
  • High Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids for skin and coat health

CONS

  • Expensive food

Goldendoodle tummies are notorious for being sensitive, and they can develop allergies easily. A limited ingredient dry food like Canidae PURE Dry Dog Food could make all the difference. 


In each recipe, you’ll find fewer than 10 ingredients. High protein and fat levels make the recipes great for energetic dogs, and even picky eaters will be able to find something they like in this recipe range.

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Impressive Recipe Range 

A dry food with reduced ingredients can help your Goldendoodle avoid ingredients they’re sensitive to. Every one of the 12 recipes in this range have 10 or fewer ingredients, although you’ll need to check carefully if your dog is sensitive to chicken, as some non-chicken flavors contain poultry meal. 

Whichever flavor you choose (or your dog chooses), you’ll find healthy, wholesome ingredients like sweet potatoes, Menhaden fish meal, real meat, and meat meal. 

Avoiding ingredients your Goldendoodle is sensitive to will boost their immune system, and this high-quality dog food is loaded with antioxidant-packed ingredients. 

Be aware that this dry food is high in calories, so you’ll need to follow the instructions carefully when feeding it to your Goldendoodle. You may have to feed them less kibble per day to meet their usual calorie count.

American Journey Active Life Dry Dog Food

Best Without Glucosamine

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • Suitable for every life stage, includes DHA 
  • Fairly low calorie per cup of dry food 
  • Good levels of Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids 
  • Great protein and fat levels for the average Goldendoodle

CONS

  • If you aren’t already feeding your dog glucosamine supplements, you’ll need to buy a separate supplement

If you’re already feeding your Goldendoodle a separate joint supplement, you may not need a dog food with joint supplements added to it. American Journey Active Life Dry Dog Food is a good choice, no matter what life stage your Goldendoodle is at. 

Whether you’re looking for new food for your Goldendoodle puppy, adult, or senior, this one could be it!

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Everything A Dog Needs (Minus Glucosamine) 

We’ve chosen the salmon, brown rice, and vegetables recipe. It offers perfect protein and fat counts for the average Goldendoodle, at 25% and 15%. 

As well as healthy grains and deboned salmon, you’ll find vitamin and mineral-rich veggies and fruits like sweet potatoes, peas, blueberries, cranberries, and carrots. 

One of the best things about this dry food is that it contains DHA. This is essential in the best puppy food, so you can feed this to your little one guilt-free. It’s also superb for seniors, and adult dogs could always do with the extra supplementation. 

We recommend this as the best food for Goldendoodle families who have other dogs in various life stages. As long as you’re feeding them joint supplements if they need them, this dog food would suit them all.

ORIJEN Dry Dog Food

Best for Active Goldendoodles

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • High protein and fat for energetic dogs 
  • Good Omega 3 and 6s 
  • Suitable as a grain-free puppy food too 
  • Variety of recipes available

CONS

  • May be too high protein and fat for less active dogs

If your Goldendoodle is very energetic and gets plenty of exercise, the ORIJEN Dry Dog Food could be the best food for them. 

It’s the highest protein dog food on this list, so if you’d like to feed it to your less active dog, you may need to introduce an extra run in the park every day!

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Comprehensive Dry Food Option 

This may be an adult dry dog food, but it really contains everything a puppy or senior may need as well. 

Each recipe comes with a multitude of proteins, including ingredients like liver, kidney, and cartilage, which are chock-full of amino acids. 

It’s great for adult dogs who need a nutrient-dense diet, or even as a grain-free, high-fat puppy food. Even active seniors would benefit from this kibble. 

This dog food is classed as a biologically-appropriate food, which means the ingredients are as similar as possible to what a dog would eat in the wild. 

This raw style is very easy on a dog’s stomach, so if your Goldendoodle is one who struggles with a sensitive tummy, they may do well on this food!

Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food

Best for Weight Management

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • Reduced fat, but retain a high protein level 
  • High in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids 
  • Grain-free and wholesome 
  • Suitable for large breed or small breed Goldendoodles

CONS

  • No flavor variations

If your Goldendoodle needs to shed a few pounds, a weight management kibble is what they need. The Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is our choice, and it’s suitable whether your Goldendoodle is a large breed or small breed variety. 

It’s loaded with only the top ingredients and supplements to keep your dog healthy.

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For Weight Loss & Management 

Weight loss kibble works by lowering fat levels, which means when your dog is active, they burn more of their own fat instead of the fat they’re getting from their meal. 

Most weight management diets reduce the protein count too, but thankfully Merrick has done a good job of keeping that high. This maintains your dog’s muscles, and the dose of glucosamine keeps their joints strong as they work off their extra weight. 

It’s important that this kind of kibble is used in conjunction with an active lifestyle. Make sure to incorporate extra exercise into your dog’s day, even if it’s just a short walk in the evening before you settle in for the night. 

While you will see results if you only use the kibble, it will take longer and be less effective.

Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

Best With Grains

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • Trio of proteins for good dose of amino acids 
  • Superfood blend for vitamin and mineral boost 
  • Non-GMO ingredients 
  • Large breed adult dry food

CONS

  • Not suitable for dogs who are sensitive to chicken

While grain-free works for some dogs, others can handle some good grains. Brown rice and whole grain oatmeal are wonderful fiber sources, and the rest of the Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food is filled out with an array of superfoods that are filled with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

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Good Grains and Superfoods 

The protein and fat counts are a little lower on this kibble, at 23% and 12%. It may be higher in carbs, but they’re of superb quality and are very easy to digest, so this is a good choice for dogs who need a food that’s easy on their tummy. 

Ingredients like chia seed, dried coconut, dried kale, dried pumpkin, dried spinach, and dried blueberries pack a vitamin and mineral punch thanks to their dehydrated nature. 

Joint supplements and Omegas for healthy skin and coat are also present, making this kibble a well-rounded choice. It may say large breed, but it would work well for smaller Goldendoodles too.

Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Recipe Dry Dog Food

Skin & Coat Care

Overall Score85%
Criteria 185%
Criteria 280%
Criteria 380%
Criteria 470%
Criteria 570%

PROS

  • Good Omegas for nourishing skin and hair 
  • Added vitamin A and E 
  • DHA amino acids included 
  • Top-quality superfood ingredients

CONS

  • No glucosamine

If your Goldendoodle’s coat and skin need some extra care, the Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Recipe Dry Dog Food may be able to help. It’s specially formulated for skin and fur, and Goldendoodle’s have beautiful hair that needs taking care of.  

Make sure to add a separate joint supplement if your dog needs it, as this kibble doesn’t contain glucosamine.

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Healthy Inside and Out 

25% protein and 14% fat are more than adequate for most Goldendoodles. The addition of DHA is a good choice, as it helps keep  the brain and eyes healthy and strong. 

As well as very nice levels  of Omegas, added vitamin A and E keep the skin moisturized and supple, and the coat smooth and soft. 

Diamond Naturals’ kibble is also infused with their K9 Strain probiotics, which help their digestive system to do its thing easily and without problems.


What to Look for When Buying Your Goldendoodle’s Dry Dog Food 


All-Natural Ingredients 

Goldendoodles have a tendency to suffer from sensitive stomachs. When their food is filled with low-quality, non-nutritious ingredients, it can disagree with them and lead to digestive upset. 

It’s important to make sure your Goldendoodle dog food contains only healthy, all-natural ingredients that are easy to digest. Grains can be touch and go, so you may want to choose a grain-free dog food that has real meat and vegetables in it too. 

Although they are natural, it’s best to avoid corn, wheat, soy, and by-products. These can really mess with a dog’s digestive and immune system, so your Goldendoodle should stay away from them. 

Joint Supplements 

The best dog food for Goldendoodles should contain glucosamine and chondroitin. Regardless of whether your Goldendoodle is small, medium, or large, their joints need support, especially if they’re very active or overweight. 

Although you can use separate glucosamine supplements, it’s easiest to just choose a dog food that already includes it. Some dog foods will contain glucosamine on its own, while others will have both glucosamine and chondroitin. 

Goldendoodles should be given glucosamine from when they’re a puppy, all the way through til they’re a senior. Food for Goldendoodle puppies needs supplements to build strong joints, and seniors need them to keep their joints strong as they age. 

Omega Fatty Acids 

Goldendoodle fur can be extremely varied. They may be long and wavy like their Golden Retriever parent, or curly like their Poodle parent. Either way, that hair needs taking care of, and a good dose of Omegas in the diet will help immensely. 

Omega fatty acids nourish skin and fur, keeping them both moisturized and supple. They also help with metabolism to a degree, so it’s always a good idea to choose a dog food that has a high level of Omegas. 


Nutritional Requirements 


Protein 

Goldendoodles are high-energy dogs, so they need a good amount of protein to keep their muscles strong and supple. 

The best dog food for Goldendoodles should be in the zone of 25% to 35% protein, and that protein should be from all-natural, real meat sources (which includes meat meal). Keep  in mind that a more active Goldendoodle will do better with more protein, and a less energetic dog should have slightly less. 

Fats 

Fats have a bad reputation in the human diet world, but in the canine world, they’re the main nutrient that your Goldendoodle gets his energy from! 

It’s a concentrated form of easy-to-access energy, and also facilitates the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals. 

A Goldendoodle would do well with a moderate fat count, in the mid to high teens. Like protein, this fat must be from high-quality sources, preferably animal sources. 

Carbohydrates 

Dogs don’t need carbs as humans do. The carbohydrate content of their food should be between 20 and 25%. 

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that carbs don’t serve a purpose. Fruits and vegetables add valuable vitamins and minerals to your dog’s diet, as well as antioxidants. 

Fruits, vegetables, and grains are all good sources of fiber. Apart from the fiber, though, grains don’t offer much nutritional value. 

Supplements 

Depending on your dog’s size and lifestyle, they may need extras in their dog food. Regardless of what size your Goldendoodle is, it’s a good idea to select a food containing joint supplements. They’re prone to joint problems, so they could do with extra help. 

Goldendoodle puppies will need a dose of DHA and EPA in their puppy food. Seniors can also benefit from DHA, as it keeps the eyes and brain strong. L-carnitine is another thing to look out for, as it helps to regulate energy in senior dogs. 



Conclusion 


Your Goldendoodle deserves the best dog food that’s not only easy on their stomach, but nourishes their skin, fur, and provides all the nutrients they need. 

The best dog food for Goldendoodles really depends on your dog, but you know them best! Consider what your Goldendoodle needs and choose something that will fulfill their specific needs, especially if they struggle with food allergies or a sensitive tummy. 

Every one of the dog foods on this list is a worthwhile choice. Compare and decide, but remember, make your choices with your Goldendoodle’s health in mind! 

Mike Powell

Mike is an avid dog lover and writer. He’s based in Los Angeles, CA where he grew up in a household surrounded by pets. He’s been a dog owner all his life and he uses this extensive experience of having dogs as part of his family to share valuable, practical tips to improve other people’s dog parenting experience.