Edited by: Mike Powell
Reviewed by: Abby TexasLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food
“Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food is great for small Labradoodle. It is rich in protein, fat, and LifeSource Bits that provides extra supplement for your dog.”
Best Raw Food: Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties
“Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties come in 11 great flavors that your dog will love. Each flavor is packed with organic ingredients making this an extremely healthy option for your pup.”
Best Limited Ingredient: CANIDAE PURE Premium Dog Food
“CANIDAE PURE Premium Dog Food is great if you have Labradoodle with a sensitive tummy. It has a variety of flavors all made with ingredients that are safe for dogs with certain allergies.”
As their unusual and rather cute name suggests, these curly-haired pooches are a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle.
It’s hard to tell just how big your Doodle will grow because Poodles can be anywhere from tiny to quite large!
They’re amazing family dogs, supposedly hypoallergenic, and make superb therapy dogs. But they do tend to suffer from allergies, so choosing the best dog food for Labradoodle puppies and adults is important for them to stay healthy.
Here are our choices!
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- 10 Best Dog Food For Labradoodle in 2022
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
- CANIDAE PURE Real, Limited Ingredient, Grain Free Premium Dry Dog Food
- American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food for Adults
- Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Merrick Puppy Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- VICTOR Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
- Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
10 Best Dog Food For Labradoodle in 2022
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Best Overall: Packed with Immune-boosting Ingredients
PROS
- Created for small breed adults
- Has added LifeSource Bits
- Three flavors help avoid allergens
- Antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies
CONS
- Only available in 6lb or 15lb bag
- Lower in protein than most
Some Labradoodle breeds are going to end up being on the smaller side, coming from a tiny poodle parent. If you have a small breed Labradoodle, you’ll want to find them a small-breed specific food. The Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food is our best dog food for Labradoodles who are of the small variety.
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Packed with Vitamins & Minerals
Small-breed dog food is created with the perfect ratios for the little guys and girls to grow and live optimally. This dog food is fairly high in both protein and fat, which is great for the little ones. Despite not having big joints, they still need supplements, which this food does contain.
The real selling point of this dog food is the LifeSource Bits. These are cold-formed little nuggets of vitamins and minerals that are a whole extra supplement. They bring a whole extra dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and boost your dog’s immune system.
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
Best Raw Food
PROS
- 11 flavors available
- Puppy-specific recipes available
- Organic ingredients
- Very high in protein and fat
CONS
- Not suitable for inactive or less active dogs
- Somewhat pricey
If you want to feed your dog raw but don’t have the time to prepare food every day, Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties have you covered. They’re as raw as you get, packed with amino acids and healthy nutrients, and minimally processed.
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Raw Nutrition At Its Best
Every one of the 11 flavors is absolutely loaded with protein and fat. Your dog will need to be active enough to work that fat off!
The ingredients are organic and hardly processed, making this an extremely healthy option. Your dog may be a little gassy on this food, but their poop will be healthier than it’s ever been.
They don’t contain glucosamine, though, so you’ll need to buy some of that separately.
PROS
- Fewer than 10 ingredients in each
- A wide variety of flavors
- Suitable for all breed sizes
- Probiotics added after cooking
CONS
- Pricey, but to be expected for limited ingredient dog foods
Labradoodles unfortunately tend to suffer with food allergies, which can leave them with a rather sensitive stomach. Feed your dog a limited ingredient dry dog foods to combat allergy problems!
If you know which ingredients your dog is allergic to, it’s very easy to avoid them with this range of recipes. With 7 varieties (plus one for puppies, one for seniors, and one for weight management), your dog will never get bored with eating CANIDAE PURE Real Dog Food.
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Great for Sensitive Stomachs
Each recipe has fewer than 10 ingredients. They’re all listed right on the front of the bag so you can see at a glance which would be suitable for your dog and which wouldn’t.
Different recipes differ quite a bit in nutritional values, but that only serves to make it even better suited to just about any dog.
Those who may be fussy about taste will also appreciate a bit of a change from time to time!
American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Premium Option
PROS
- Contains dried kelp, which is helpful to prevent or treat hypothyroidism
- Contains DHA, so it would be suitable for Labradoodle puppy as well as adult
- Grain-free dog food
- Contains joint supplements
CONS
- Non-chicken flavors contain hidden chicken meal, so may not be suitable for some dogs with poultry allergies
This high-quality, versatile, suitable-for-all dog food wins our top spot. There are various flavors, but we’re focusing on the American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Dog Food as it’s packed with healthy fats and oils to keep those Labradoodle curls bouncy, while being high in great protein.
It’s actually a great food for Labradoodles of all ages, as well as small and large breeds. No matter what kind of Doodle you have, this dog food should go down well, in terms of both taste and benefit!
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Great Nutritional & Health Values
You’ll find DHA, which is a fatty acid that promotes healthy eye and brain development. This is super helpful for dogs like Doodles who suffer from eye problems and brain troubles like epilepsy. It should reduce the chances of having these problems.
There’s also a decent helping of joint supplements to keep dogs’ and puppies’ joints strong and healthy. Aside from DHA, the general Omega fatty acid count is pretty good for your dog’s skin and coat.
It also gets a thumbs-up for the Labradoodle-friendly calorie count – at 390 per cup, you can feed your Labradoodle enough to keep them full but not add too many calories. Sweet potato is a slow-burning ingredient, giving sustained energy.
Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best For Large Labradoodles
PROS
- A variety of flavors makes it easy to avoid ingredients that cause allergies
- High in protein and fat
- High levels of joint supplements
- Omega levels are quite good
CONS
- Some “non-chicken” flavors contain chicken meal – be careful
- Some dogs may be sensitive to potatoes
If your Labradoodle is on the larger end of the scale, you’ll need to feed your dog something to cater to their stature and energy level. The Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food, although stating it’s for all breeds, is perfect for large breed adults.
It’s not suitable for large breed puppies, though – for them, you’ll need a large breed puppy-specific dog food. But if you’re looking for something for your large Doodle adult, this dry dog food will meet all their nutritional requirements.
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Healthy Nutrition & Variety
The ingredients in this dog food are of the highest quality. Each flavor starts with an animal protein as the first ingredient, followed by slow-burning carbohydrates like potato and sweet potatoes.
Protein counts range from 32% to 38%, with fat counts between 12% and 17%. There’s something for every dog, regardless of activity level.
Every flavor features higher than average Omega fatty acid numbers, as well as a good dose of joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin.
The only thing to be aware of is the fact that some “non-chicken” flavors do contain chicken meal. If your pooch is sensitive to poultry, check the label carefully before assuming a food is chicken-free.
Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food for Adults
Best Value For Money
PROS
- Perfect protein and fat content for the average Labradoodle
- Quite affordable but still high-quality
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
- Contains superfood fruits and vegetables
CONS
- No flavor variation
Labradoodle parents looking for a more affordable dog food, this is for you. Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food is a premium-quality dog food at an extremely great price.
You’ll be paying less than a dollar per pound of this pet food, and it will be well worth it. Choose the beef or lamb flavors if your dog is allergic to chicken (although it’s important to note that the lamb and chicken flavors don’t contain joint supplements).
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Near-Perfect Nutrition
If your pooch can tolerate all protein sources, you can choose what suits your dog based on the nutritional values on the food label.
The beef flavor is the most well-rounded of them, with 25% protein and 15% fat. This is just about perfect for the average Labradoodle. With decent Omegas and joint supplements, there’ll be nothing more your dog really needs.
Chicken flavor is a little higher in protein and fat (26% and 16%) but doesn’t contain glucosamine. Lamb comes in a 23% protein and 14% fat, also without joint support.
Whatever your dog’s needs, there should be a flavor here to suit him or her. Remember, if your dog’s food doesn’t contain joint support, it’s easy to buy supplements separately. This isn’t a grain-free dog food, but contains brown rice and oatmeal – the healthy stuff.
Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best For Very Active Labradoodles
PROS
- Kibble and raw mix – the perfect transition dog food
- Very high in fats and proteins to power active dogs
- Contains high levels of live probiotics
- Antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetable ingredients
CONS
- No glucosamine
- Many “non-chicken” flavors contain chicken meal
If your Labradoodle dog needs plenty of fuel for his active lifestyle, the Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food will do the trick. It’s a mix of kibble and raw bits, so he’ll get the crunch of pellets mixed with the raw taste and texture of freeze-dried meat.
It would also be the perfect food to use if you’re planning on transitioning your dog over to an entirely raw diet. Remember, you need to do it in stages to get your dog’s tummy used to it!
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Kibble & Raw for Energy
Choose from beef, chicken, duck, and salmon, all of which are high-protein and have a fat count that would suit dogs who expend plenty of energy.
Merrick Puppy Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best Food For Labradoodle Puppy
PROS
- Comes in chicken and beef flavor to avoid allergens
- Perfect calcium/phosphorus ratio
- Fairly high in Omegas
- Contains DHA to help eyes develop
CONS
- Slightly on the pricey side
Labradoodle puppies can be difficult to feed. They may be small and fluffy now, but basically, unless you know who their parents are, you’re not necessarily sure if they’ll become a large breed or a small breed!
The Merrick Puppy Grain Free Dry Dog Food is a pretty all-round puppy option that we consider superfood for the babies.
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Large or Small Breed Puppy Nutrition
You won’t need to worry if you’re feeding your pup right for its size when they’re eating this dog food. First and foremost, the calcium/phosphorus ratio is perfect for puppies, so their little bones can grow strong and at the right pace.
It ticks all the puppy boxes. Two different flavors allow your little one to avoid potential problem proteins, although they both contain potatoes. They’re both high in both protein and fat, building muscle and giving your puppy plenty of energy.
You’ll also find all the necessary supplemental things in this food: high Omegas, glucosamine and chondroitin, vitamins and minerals, and the all-important DHA.
VICTOR Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
Best For Labradoodle Seniors
PROS
- Fairly well-priced
- Good protein level, lower fat level
- Contains DHA, great for eyes
- Also contains L-carnitine for energy management
CONS
- No real meat, only meat meal
As dogs age, they tend to slow down. No more zoomies, no more attempting wild leaps over objects. They settle down and become less active. At this stage of their lives, it’s worth switching them over to a senior-specific food so they don’t pile on extra pounds.
VICTOR Senior Dry Dog Food is our best dog food for Labradoodles who are aging. It’s healthy, nutritious, and should keep them fit as a fluffy fiddle.
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Meets Seniors’ Nutritional Needs
This dog food has a lowered fat count (11.5%), but keeps a high protein count which is vital for maintaining muscle mass.
You’ll find the necessary joint supplements to keep them agile, but there are two impressive additions. DHA is a great supplement for seniors, especially those breeds (like the Labradoodle) who suffer from eye problems.
L-carnitine is superb for energy and metabolism regulation. Seniors whose metabolic rates are changing would definitely benefit from this supplement.
Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food
Best For Weight Management
PROS
- High in protein but lower in fat
- Good levels of joint supplements
- Fairly high in Omega fatty acids
- Slow-burning carbohydrates
CONS
- Only available in one flavor, and it contains chicken
Labradoodles can get chunky quite quickly if left to their own devices. If your dog needs a bit of slimming down, a weight management food could be a great idea.
Keep in mind that although the Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food is incredibly healthy, it’s a short-term solution. The fat count is too low to maintain an active, healthy dog’s energy levels. You should switch back to regular dog food once your Labradoodle is at their desired weight!
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Helping Chunky Dogs Slim Down
Dogs don’t know how many calories they’re eating. It’s up to us to keep them at a healthy weight! The best way to slim down your dog is to feed them a diet that contains less fat than they burn every day.
Of course you can’t tell exactly how much your dog burns, but a dog food lower in fat than others (usually in single digits) will definitely help.
This pet food has 8% fat, but maintains a great protein count, at 32%. It also contains all your dieting dog will need to support them on their weight loss journey, including joint supplements and Omegas to keep that curly Labradoodle mop beautiful.
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria #1: Animal Protein
Dogs need protein, and animal protein is the best kind. Plant protein isn’t bad, but it doesn’t contain all the amino acids your dog will get from animal proteins.
The best dog food Labradoodle breeds can eat should have a high-quality animal protein should be the first ingredient. If your dog has a sensitive tummy, there should be only one protein source. If not, multiple sources in one dog food is totally fine.
We’ve chosen dog food that contains premium quality animal proteins as their first ingredient. Some have only one, others have many, but they’re all of the very best quality.
Criteria #2: Omega Fatty Acids
Labradoodle dog breeds have beautiful curly coats! Fur like that needs to be kept lush and well-nourished, otherwise, it not only looks dull and lifeless, but it also becomes dry, brittle, and itchy.
Omega fatty acids are wonderful for nourishing the skin and coat. They’re essential for dogs who have flowing or curly fur, to keep it healthy.
We’ve made sure every dog food we’ve chosen has mid to high levels of Omegas to keep your dog’s skin and coat moisturized and shiny.
Criteria #3: Joint Supplements
Whether your Labradoodle is small, medium, or large, they’re susceptible to joint problems. Knee and hip dysplasia is the equivalent to dislocations, so they’re painful and debilitating conditions that need to be prevented as much as possible.
We’ve made an effort to choose dog foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin. In some cases, when a dog food is really great quality but it’s just missing joint supplements, we’ve mentioned it.
The great thing is that you can buy supplements separately and feed them to your dog with a treat or in their food.
Criteria #4: Kibble Size
Larger Labraoodle breeds can potentially suffer from bloat, which is when air gets into the digestive tract and nasty and sometimes irreversible problems.
One of the main causes of bloat is eating dog food too fast! If the kibble size is inappropriate for larger dogs, they can end up almost swallowing them whole, which increases the chances of air getting in there too, by mistake.
We’ve evaluated the foods we’ve chosen and made sure their kibble size is appropriate for a Labradoodle, depending on their size.
Criteria #5: Affordability
The affordability of a dog food is always a factor for us. We understand that not all pet parents will be able to afford the top of the range dog foods consistently.
The awesome news is that you don’t have to buy a pricey food to know your dog is getting a great, nutritious dog food.
Every option on this list is of the highest quality. We don’t recommend any dog food that we don’t believe is healthy.
We have a Best Value for Money option that we believe is every bit as healthy and nutritious as the more expensive choices.
Questions & Answers
What are the nutritional needs of Labradoodles?
Your Labradoodle’s nutritional needs will depend largely on his or her size. Because Poodles come in tiny or huge and everything in between, it could be very hard to tell how big your Labradoodle will grow until they actually stop growing.
As a puppy, feed your Labradoodle according to his size or weight. AAFCO recommends a minimum of 22% protein and 8% fat for puppies, but for Labradoodle puppies that are quite active, we recommend anything up to 30% protein and a fat count in the teens.
For an adult Labradoodle, the minimum required is 18% protein and 5% fat, but that’s only likely to be enough for an inactive dog. We recommend, like puppies, up to 30% protein and a fat count in the low to mid-teens.
It’s important to note that if your Labradoodle is small, you should choose a small-breed dog food. If they’re on the larger side, a large-breed dog food would work best.
Whatever their size, their dog food should contain joint supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin), high levels of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (to keep those curls beautiful), and a good dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
What should I look for in the best dog food for Labradoodle puppies and adults?
When choosing a dog food for your Labradoodle puppy or adult, you should look for:
- A high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
- Animal fat from good sources
- Fruits and vegetables (like sweet potato or squash)
- Joint strengthening supplements
- Omega fatty acids
- DHA and EPA (for puppies)
- Chelated minerals
What you don’t want to see in the best dog food for a Labradoodle is any sign of:
- Artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Meat by-products
- Vaguely named ingredients (like “animal meat”)
- Grains containing gluten (corn, wheat, and soy)
What health problems do Labradoodles suffer from?
Crossbreeds unfortunately get the worst of both worlds when it comes to health problems as they are commonly susceptible to issues from both of their parent dog breeds. Some of the most often seen health conditions in Labradoodle breeds include:
Allergies
Labradoodle breeds tend to struggle with allergies. These could be food allergies or contact allergies. For a supposedly non-allergenic dog breed, they sure do suffer from allergies themselves!
If their tummy is easily upset, they may have an allergy to the food they’re eating. If they have dry, red patches of skin, it could be a contact allergy.
Each is treated separately, one by changing their dog food and two, by removing the source of the skin allergy and treating it topically with a prescribed lotion.
Choosing the best dog foods for Labradoodles can help reduce (or even eliminate) both problems. The quality of the dog food and mix of ingredients will have an effect on your dog’s tummy, while the Omega fatty acid content will go a long way towards nourishing and moisturizing their skin.
Joint Problems
Whether they’re large or little, Labradoodles are prone to knee and hip dysplasia. In order to keep their joints tough and minimize the chance of injury, it’s important that the dog food they’re eating contains joint-strengthening supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin.
Eye Problems
Both parent dog breeds are prone to weak eyes. Common conditions include progressive retinal atrophy, and cataracts. It’s helpful to feed them a dog food containing DHA to remedy this a little.
Bloat
Bloat can be a silent and deadly killer. This is more likely to affect the bigger Labradoodle breeds out there. What happens is that the dog ends up taking air into their digestive tract, which then causes them to, quite literally, bloat.
It’s an extremely dangerous condition. If your dog displays symptoms like a bloated abdomen, signs of stomach pain, strange restlessness, or extreme salivation, get them to a vet immediately. Surgery is the only option.
You can reduce the chances of this happening by feeding your dog appropriately sized dog food that they need to chew well before swallowing.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is an inherited condition that causes seizures in Labradoodle dogs. It’s important to be aware that seizures aren’t always extremely noticeable. Grand mal seizures are those in which your dog thrashes around and they’re quite easy to notice.
But petit mal seizures can look a bit like your dog has just zoned out for a bit. If you notice either of these, it’s a good idea to visit your dog’s vet.
Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid function is something that many a Labradoodle suffers from. It can cause weight gain, hair loss, and general lethargy. It also needs a vet’s visit, as your dog may need medication to combat it.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease is a malfunction of the dog’s adrenal glands. It can result in a loss of appetite, lethargy, fur loss, and diarrhea. This is another condition that needs to be seen to by your dog’s vet.
Obesity
A Labradoodle loves to eat! This is kind of cute but it can result in them packing on the pounds. Firstly, it’s advisable to never leave a constant supply of dog food out for these guys and girls! Not only will they eat themselves into a dog food coma, but they’ll also cost you three times as much.
This type of dog can become obese quite quickly if they eat too much food and don’t get enough exercise. Make sure you’re feeding your Labradoodle the right amount, and it’s balanced with daily dog exercise.
Can I feed my Labradoodle puppy adult food?
It’s never a good idea to feed a Labradoodle puppy adult dog food, no matter what size they are.
There’s a simple reason for this. Adult dog food and puppy food are formulated with different levels of calcium and phosphorus. These two are essential for bone health.
In adult dog foods, the calcium/phosphorus ratio keeps bones strong and able to withstand the daily doggy grind. An adult dog food will have a ratio of about 1:1.
But when it comes to puppies, their bones are still growing. We can’t feed them the same amount we would an adult. The calcium/phosphorus ratio in puppy food needs to be enough to support bones that are growing, while keeping growth at a moderate pace.
If bones grow too fast, they become brittle. If they grow too slowly, they develop weaknesses. Can you see why getting this right is so important?
A puppy food needs a calcium/phosphorus ratio of 1.2:1 to 1.4:1. That may sound like hardly a big difference, but it can be the one thing that makes your Labradoodle puppy grow up strong.
Is it okay to feed my Labradoodle raw food?
Sure it is! Raw dog food has plenty of benefits, and raw meat is high in amino acids and Omegas. Just be sure the food is healthy and decontaminate the preparation area and utensils between meals.
The biggest benefit of raw dog food is that it’s minimally processed. That means it’s still super packed with nutrition, and contains no dodgy chemical preservatives.
Make sure to include both meat and fruits and veggies in your Labradoodle’s dog food. It will most likely be necessary to supplement with glucosamine, as you won’t find it naturally in a raw food diet.
If you’re feeding a puppy raw food, you’ll need to balance with DHA too. It’s a good idea to start a puppy on a raw/kibble mix, and transition him over once he’s close to being fully grown.
