What to Feed Your Doodle: A Guide

What to feed doodle breeds is one of the most common questions we hear from owners—and for good reason. Indeed, your pup’s diet directly affects their coat health, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. As professional groomers who see hundreds of doodles every month, we’ve noticed clear connections between what dogs eat and how their coats look and feel.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about doodle nutrition. Specifically, you’ll learn about the main feeding options, how diet affects coat health, and what professional groomers recommend.

What to Feed Doodle Breeds: Your Main Options

First, let’s look at the three main approaches to feeding your doodle. Generally, pet owners choose from raw feeding, fresh food, or commercial kibble—each with its own benefits.

Raw Feeding (BARF Diet)

Raw feeding has become increasingly popular among doodle owners. Essentially, this approach involves feeding uncooked meat, bones, organs, and vegetables. Proponents claim it mimics what dogs would eat in the wild.

Benefits:

• Typically results in shinier coats
• Often leads to smaller, firmer stools
• Generally appeals to picky eaters
• Usually contains no artificial preservatives

Considerations:

• Requires careful meal planning
• Needs proper food handling and storage
• Generally costs more than kibble
• Should be supervised by a vet or pet nutritionist

Additionally, raw feeding requires commitment. If you’re considering this option, consult with your veterinarian first to ensure your doodle gets balanced nutrition.

Fresh Food Diets

Fresh food sits between raw and kibble. Basically, these are cooked meals made from whole ingredients—either homemade or delivered by subscription services.

Benefits:

• Gently cooked for safety
• Usually made from human-grade ingredients
• Often customised to your dog’s needs
• Generally easier than raw feeding

Considerations:

• Typically more expensive than kibble
• Requires refrigeration
• May have shorter shelf life
• Should still meet AAFCO nutritional standards

Importantly, subscription fresh food services have made this option more accessible. However, always check that any service meets Australian pet food standards.

Commercial Kibble

Kibble remains the most popular choice for doodle owners. Consequently, the market offers everything from budget options to premium formulas.

Benefits:

• Convenient and shelf-stable
• Generally affordable
• Easy to measure portions
• Often fortified with vitamins and minerals

Considerations:

• Quality varies dramatically between brands
• Some contain fillers and artificial ingredients
• May not suit dogs with sensitivities
• Premium options can be expensive

Notably, not all kibble is created equal. We recommend looking for brands that list real meat as the first ingredient and avoid excessive fillers like corn and wheat.

How Diet Affects Your Doodle’s Coat

As groomers, we often can tell what a dog eats just by touching their coat. Specifically, diet shows up in coat texture, shine, and skin health.

Signs of Good Nutrition

First, a well-fed doodle typically shows these coat characteristics:

• Soft, silky texture
• Natural shine without being greasy
• Minimal shedding
• Healthy skin without flakiness
• Less matting tendency

Furthermore, dogs eating a balanced diet often have better energy levels and clearer eyes.

Signs of Nutritional Gaps

Conversely, nutritional deficiencies often show up in the coat:

• Dry, brittle fur
• Dull, lacklustre appearance
• Excessive shedding
• Flaky or irritated skin
• Increased matting

If you’re noticing these signs in your doodle, diet might be the culprit. Of course, always rule out medical issues with your vet first.

Key Nutrients for Healthy Doodle Coats

Certain nutrients are particularly important for doodle coat health. Additionally, understanding these can help you choose the right food.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

These essential fats are crucial for coat health. Specifically, they help maintain the skin barrier and promote shine.

Good sources:

• Fish oil (salmon, sardines)
• Flaxseed oil
• Fish-based dog foods
• Eggs

Ideally, your doodle’s diet should include a balance of both omega-3 and omega-6. Too much of one can cause issues.

Protein

Fur is primarily made of protein (keratin). Therefore, adequate protein intake is essential for healthy coat growth.

Good sources:

• Chicken, beef, lamb
• Fish (particularly salmon)
• Eggs
• Organ meats

Generally, doodles thrive on foods with 25-30% protein content from quality animal sources.

Vitamins and Minerals

Several vitamins support coat health. Particularly, these include:

• Vitamin A (skin cell production)
• Vitamin E (antioxidant protection)
• Biotin (coat growth)
• Zinc (skin healing)

Fortunately, most quality commercial foods include these in appropriate amounts.

What to Feed Doodle Puppies vs Adults

Nutritional needs change as your doodle grows. Consequently, you’ll need to adjust their diet over time.

Puppy Nutrition (Up to 12-18 Months)

Puppies need more calories and nutrients for growth. Specifically, puppy food should contain:

• Higher protein levels (28-32%)
• More fat for energy
• Calcium and phosphorus for bone development
• DHA for brain development

Importantly, large breed doodles (like standard Labradoodles) may need food formulated for large breed puppies to support proper bone growth.

Adult Nutrition (1-7 Years)

Once fully grown, doodles can transition to adult food. Generally, this means:

• Moderate protein (25-30%)
• Balanced fat content
• Appropriate calories for their activity level
• Joint support ingredients become valuable

Remember to transition gradually over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset.

Senior Nutrition (7+ Years)

Older doodles benefit from adjusted nutrition. Typically, senior formulas offer:

• Slightly lower calories
• Joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin
• Higher fibre for digestion
• Antioxidants for cognitive health

Additionally, some senior doodles benefit from more frequent, smaller meals.

Common Doodle Food Sensitivities

Doodles, particularly those with Poodle genetics, can be prone to food sensitivities. Therefore, it’s worth knowing the common triggers.

Common Allergens

The most frequent food allergens in dogs include:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Dairy
• Wheat
• Corn
• Soy
• Eggs

Interestingly, the proteins dogs have eaten most often are typically the ones they become sensitive to.

Signs of Food Sensitivity

Watch for these symptoms:

• Itchy skin, especially ears and paws
• Digestive issues (gas, loose stools)
• Ear infections
• Hot spots
• Excessive licking

If you suspect a food sensitivity, work with your vet on an elimination diet. Essentially, this involves feeding a novel protein for 8-12 weeks to identify triggers.

What to Feed Doodle: Portion Guidelines

Even the best food won’t help if you’re feeding too much or too little. Consequently, portion control matters.

General Guidelines

Typically, adult doodles need:

• Miniature doodles (5-10kg): 3/4 to 1 cup daily
• Medium doodles (10-20kg): 1 to 2 cups daily
• Standard doodles (20-30kg): 2 to 3 cups daily
• Large doodles (30kg+): 3 to 4 cups daily

However, these are starting points. Activity level, metabolism, and the specific food’s calorie density all affect needs.

How to Tell if Portions Are Right

Regularly assess your doodle’s body condition:

• You should feel ribs easily but not see them
• There should be a visible waist when viewed from above
• The tummy should tuck up when viewed from the side

Adjust portions based on body condition, not just weight.

Treats and What to Feed Doodle as Extras

Treats are part of most doodle diets. Importantly, they should complement, not replace, balanced nutrition.

Healthy Treat Options

Consider these nutritious treats:

• Carrot sticks
• Apple slices (no seeds)
• Blueberries
• Plain cooked chicken
• Commercial treats with limited ingredients

Furthermore, some treats can support coat health specifically. Look for options containing fish oil or salmon.

The 10% Rule

Generally, treats should make up no more than 10% of your doodle’s daily calories. Otherwise, you risk nutritional imbalances and weight gain.

Professional Groomer Tips for Diet and Coat

We see the results of different diets every day. Accordingly, here’s what we’ve observed:

What We Recommend

Based on our experience:

• Quality matters more than price tag
• Consistency helps (frequent food changes can cause issues)
• Adding fish oil often improves coat quality quickly
• Hydration is as important as food choice

Additionally, we’ve noticed that dogs on fresh or raw diets often have less doggy odour between grooms.

When to Consider a Diet Change

Consider reviewing your doodle’s diet if:

• Coat quality has declined despite good grooming
• Skin issues persist without medical cause
• Energy levels seem low
• Digestive issues are ongoing

Always make changes gradually and consult your vet for persistent issues.

Final Thoughts on What to Feed Doodle

In conclusion, what to feed doodle breeds matters enormously for their coat health and overall wellbeing. Ultimately, the best diet is one that suits your individual dog, fits your lifestyle, and provides balanced nutrition.

As groomers, we’re always happy to chat about what we’ve observed with different diets. Of course, your veterinarian should be your primary guide for nutritional decisions.

According to RSPCA pet care guidelines, dogs should receive a complete and balanced diet appropriate for their life stage. Similarly, the Australian Veterinary Association recommends consulting with a vet when making significant dietary changes.

Have questions about your doodle’s diet or how it might be affecting their coat? We’re always happy to chat at your next grooming appointment.