9 Best (Healthiest) Dog Foods for a Labradoodle Puppy in 2023
Vet-Checked • Pet-Tested • Owner-Approved
Are you looking for the best dog food for a Labradoodle puppy? What do you get when you breed a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle? Why a Labradoodle of course! No, seriously, Labradoodles are a mixed dog breed that first came to prominence in Australia in 1988. With so many dog breeds around already, why…
In This Article...
- What Is The Best Dog Food For Labradoodle Puppy?
- Determine Which Type of Puppy Food to Feed Your Labradoodle Puppy
- How to transition from one puppy food to another
- 5 Special Dietary and Nutritional Considerations of Labradoodle Puppies
- Labradoodle Puppy Feeding Chart
- Our 2023 Picks : Best Labradoodle Puppy Foods
- Ollie Fresh Chicken w/ Carrots Human-Grade Puppy Food
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Tylee’s Human Grade Beef Recipe Frozen
- Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Puppy Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables Canned Dog Food
- Natural Balance L.I.D Limited Ingredient Diets Puppy Formula Potato & Duck Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- 4 More Top Rated Puppy Foods for Labradoodles
- Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Wellness Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Our 2023 Labradoodle Puppy Feeding Guide
- Serving Suggestions for a Labradoodle Puppy
- Ideal Weight for a Labradoodle Puppy
- How much food should I feed a Labradoodle puppy?
- What is the best type of food for a Labradoodle puppy?
- When should I stop feeding my Labradoodle puppy food?
- How many times a day should I feed my Labradoodle puppy?
- Can you give me a sample time table to follow?
- What else do I need to know about feeding Labradoodle puppies?
- How can I fatten up my Ladradoodle puppy?
- What are the most common illnesses that Labradoodle puppies have?
- How much will my Labradoodle weigh in adulthood?
- Conclusion
Are you looking for the best dog food for a Labradoodle puppy?
What do you get when you breed a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle? Why a Labradoodle of course! No, seriously, Labradoodles are a mixed dog breed that first came to prominence in Australia in 1988.
With so many dog breeds around already, why did someone feel the need to create a new crossbreed? Studies show that as many as 10-20% of people are allergic to dogs and cats. Dog lovers who desired to own Labradors and Poodles but couldn’t because of dog allergies needed a solution. Hence Labradoodles were engineered to be hypoallergenic dogs – dogs that didn’t trigger their owner’s allergic side but still afforded them the joy of their presence.
Today, Labradoodles work as guide, therapy, and assistance dogs around the world. Thanks to their friendly nature, gentleness and trainability inherited from the Labrador retriever they make excellent family companions.
Labradoodle puppies are intelligent (inherited from their poodle parentage), enjoy playing in water, are great companions and are good with children and adults alike.
Because these dogs aren’t a pure breed in themselves, they tend to vary where characteristics of coat color and thickness are concerned. The coat may appear like its wooly or fleecy. Sometimes the fleece coats are straight and at times they are wavy. There is no standard size for Labradoodles either. They come in all sizes depending on their parents, particularly the poodle. Because of this, it’s not usual to see the words ‘toy, miniature, and standard’ in the name of the Labradoodle.
What Is The Best Dog Food For Labradoodle Puppy?
- Ollie Fresh Chicken w/ Carrots Human-Grade Puppy Food – The Healthiest!
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Tylee’s Human Grade Beef Recipe Frozen
- Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Puppy Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables Canned Dog Food
- Natural Balance L.I.D Limited Ingredient Diets Puppy Formula Potato & Duck Formula
- Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Wellness Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Determine Which Type of Puppy Food to Feed Your Labradoodle Puppy
The dog food market has continued to grow and expand and now we have food options that were traditionally not around.
If you got your dog from a breeder or shelter it’s key that you ask them what the puppy likes if the puppy is relatively grown. If the puppy is a few days old then you’ll have the joy of discovering by yourself what your puppy really enjoys!
- Dry – Dry puppy foods are manufactured to contain the balanced nutritional needs required by growing puppies. The ingredients used to make the kibble will vary with every brand. Major ingredients in dry food include protein sources such as beef, fish, chicken; grains, cereals, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Dry food is purported to be easier to store, helps reduce dental plaque, is healthier for puppy gums, doesn’t spoil easily, and is cost-effective.
- Wet (Canned) – Wet (canned) dog food is ideal for young pups because it’s more palatable. As you wean the pup off of milk, the first food you should feed your pup is a good canned brand. Two major differences between wet food and dry food are the quantity of ingredients used and the food texture. Higher amounts of protein are found in wet food compared to dry food. Canned food also has an easier texture to digest. The wet food that’s ideal for your Labradoodle pup will depend on the puppy’s age, dietary needs and or allergies. Your vet can best recommend which brand of canned puppy food is preferable.
- Raw – Raw food diets are not recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for puppies. Raw food diets pose a health risk to families with young children. When feeding raw food to Labradoodles great care needs to be taken when preparing and handling the food. If you wish to feed your Labradoodle a raw diet, find a vet who can guide you on the proper handling and feeding of such food to eliminate any potential health problems. Raw diets are also more expensive when compared to other alternative puppy food options.
- Freeze-Dried – Don’t wish to feed your puppy overly processed dog foods? Freeze-dried puppy food may be the option you’re looking for. Freeze-dried diets contain food that’s raw or lightly processed. The food is then frozen and sealed in a dehydrated format. When it’s time to feed your Labradoodle pup, all you need to do is add a little water to the formula/defrost and voilà! Freeze-dried foods are encouraged by certain advocates because they do not contain preservatives. Another bonus is that vitamins and enzymes aren’t destroyed in the manufacturing process. Therefore, the finished product is nutrient-rich in natural elements and contains fewer supplements.
- Human-Grade – Human-grade dog foods are those whose finished product is required by law to be edible for human beings. Human-grade puppy food undergoes an even tougher check by the FDA and USDA to ensure that it meets all the dietary and nutritional requirements needed by your pets. Because of these rigorous standards that need to be met, human-grade puppy food is often quite expensive.
How to transition from one puppy food to another
It may be necessary to change your Labradoodle puppy’s diet requirement for one or more reasons. Perhaps the meal you were feeding the puppy is not agreeable with the puppy? Or perhaps you wish to try out a new brand, or the veterinarian has suggested a different option. Whatever the reason, there is going to be a transition and the transition can either be smooth or terrible depending on how you approach the matter. Avoid messy situations where your pup may develop diarrhea by using the following steps as you transition.
- Day 1: Feed the puppy the old brand meal
- Day 2: Mix your puppy’s food in the following proportions 75% old meal, 25% new brand – (Bonus tip: Add a scoop of yogurt and probiotic supplements to reduce stomach upset over new formula)
- Day 3: Mix the old and new formula in a ratio of 50/50
- Day 4: Reduce the old meal to 25% and up the new brand to 75%
- Day 5: No more of the old brand. Feed puppy 100% new brand meal
If your puppy continues to have diarrhea, stop the new food and let them rest for 12 hours food-free. Prepare some white rice and boil some chicken. Feed your pup this boiled meal for a few days and then slowly re-introduce the new meal.
5 Special Dietary and Nutritional Considerations of Labradoodle Puppies
Growing Labradoodle pups deserve a holistic well-balanced diet for growth and development. Meals should be healthy and made with puppies in mind. Avoid cheap dog foods that contain sugars, fillers, and other by-products that are detrimental to the health of a growing puppy.
You want to choose wholesome meals that are made from real food which provides your puppy with all the nutrients needed to build muscle, develop bones, and provide much-needed energy to get through the day-to-day activities. And speaking of nutrients, here are five special dietary and nutritional considerations of Labradoodle puppies.
- Protein – Recommendations coming from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) about the amount of quality protein needed by your Labradoodle puppy dictate that at least 22.5% of the protein must be dry matter. Protein is certainly one of the most important nutrients required in a dog’s diet as it helps build muscle and promote healthy growth. It must be pointed out however, that Labradoodles grow quite rapidly in their first 12 months of life. And because they are prone to joint conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia, you don’t want to overfeed your pup.
- Carbohydrates – Carbs make up 30-70% of the food content in dry dog food. You’ll mostly find them in the form of plants and grains. Their main purpose is to provide energy for your growing puppy. They also provide structure and texture in dog foods enabling the food to have a stable shelf life. In addition, carbs provide good fibers needed for efficient colon and intestine function. Dogs don’t necessarily need carbs if they get the right amounts of proteins and fats to meet their energy requirements.
- Fats – In order to stay healthy, Labradoodle puppies require a diet that is 10-15% fat, not more. There are a lot of hidden fats in treats. Avoid giving your puppy table scraps regularly as this is where many calories are hidden. Ensure that your puppy is also getting sufficient exercise to maintain a trim and lean healthy figure. Fats provide energy, are needed for normal cell, nerve, and muscle development. They are needed for the fabrication of hormones as well as helping to reduce inflammation. Fats in dog foods typically come from plant oils (flaxseed, canola oils, etc.), fish oils (herring, salmon, etc.), and animal fat from pigs and poultry.
- Vitamins and Minerals – Most commercially processed puppy dog food will provide your Labradoodle pup with their daily vitamin and mineral requirements. Vitamins and minerals are both needed by the puppy’s body but in minute quantities. Supplements are often not necessary unless prescribed by your dog’s vet. According to the FDA, too many vitamins such as calcium can be harmful to the normal skeletal development of puppies. Minerals help in nerve and muscle function, transportation of oxygen around the body, and hormone production.
- Water – Did you know that puppies drink more water than adult dogs? Yes and Labradoodle puppies are no exception. These energetic fellas need an ounce of water per pound of their body weight each day to stay sufficiently hydrated. It’s especially important to keep an eye on your pup’s daily water intake after weaning. Dry food often has very low water content. Wet foods have at least 75% water content, but regardless you should still provide clean potable water at each meal. Water is critical as it aids in a range of metabolic processes from digestion, to breathing, to blow flow. Water also facilitates and regulates puppy body temperature.
Labradoodle Puppy Feeding Chart
If you are a first time dog owner, particularly of this crossbreed you might feel a bit over-your-head especially where feeding is concerned. Not to worry, however, because we have put together this handy feeding chart to get you started off on the right food.
LABRADOODLE PUPPY AGE | FEEDING GUIDELINES |
6 Week Old Labradoodle Puppy | Labradoodle puppy should be nursing from its mother. By week 8 and 9, your puppy will be half its adult size |
10 Week Old Labradoodle Puppy | Introduce wet food when your puppy is around the 8-week mark. This calorie calculator will help you ensure that your puppy is eating its recommended daily calorie. |
12 Week Old Labradoodle Puppy | At the 12-weeks your Labradoodle puppy has a digestive system that can handle dry food. Follow our food transition guide above to help you move from wet to dry food. |
3 Month Old Labradoodle Puppy | Your pup should be happy with a kibble diet at this age. Dog foods labeled “all growth stages” or “for all ages” should be avoided as their dietary requirements do not meet the daily calorie intake required by Labradoodle puppies. |
5 Month Old Labradoodle Puppy | At this age your puppy will have reached half of its adult weight. The puppy will still continue to grow until it hits the 7-month mark at which growth may begin to slow down. |
1 Year Old Labradoodle Puppy | Around this age, your puppy will have achieved its full height. The dog may continue to put on a little weight but not as much as in puppyhood for the next six months. Your dog can enjoy two meals a day now and should not eat more. |
We’ve scoured high and low to find the best dog food for a Labradoodle puppy. Here are the dog foods that made our final rigorous cut.
Our 2023 Picks : Best Labradoodle Puppy Foods
Ollie Fresh Chicken w/ Carrots Human-Grade Dog Food Customized meal plan for your labradoodle Delivered to your door step Price: Varies | CHECK PRICE |
Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Grain-free Made in the USA Price: $1.78/lb | CHECK PRICE |
American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Nutrient-rich formula designed for puppies Promotes healthy dog growth and development Check For Buy One Get One Free Price: $1.66/lb | CHECK PRICE |
Tylee’s Human Grade Beef Recipe Frozen Preservative-free, artificial coloring-free Made in the USA Price: $4.99/lb | CHECK PRICE |
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Puppy Chicken Dinner With Garden Vegetables Nutrient-rich and easy-to-digest Wholesome formula Price: $2.16/Can | CHECK PRICE |
Natural Balance L.I.D Limited Ingredient Diets Potato & Duck Formula Ideal for puppies that have food allergies and sensitivities Limited ingredients but nutrient-rich meals Price: $2.48/lb | CHECK PRICE |
Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large Breed Formula DHA-rich fish oils, and complex carbohydrates Easily digestible formula Price: $1.41/lb | CHECK PRICE |
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat No corn, wheat, soy or chicken by-product meals Price: $1.56/lb | CHECK PRICE |
Wellness Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Oatmeal & Salmon Taurine supports a healthy heart Specially formulated for puppies during the first year of life Price: $1.76/lb | CHECK PRICE |
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Specifically formulated to support healthy digestion Proudly made in Merrick’s Texas facility Price: $2.39/lb | CHECK PRICE |
Ollie Fresh Chicken w/ Carrots Human-Grade Puppy Food
Some key features of Ollie include:
- Precise portions based on breed, age, and size
- Human-grade wet food, delivered to your door
- Chicken, turkey, lamb, and beef recipes
Ollie is our favorite Labradoodle puppy food when it comes to human-grade mail-order diets, but from a functional perspective, it’s nearly identical to some of the other fresh dog foods. Ollie does offer slightly different recipes at a slightly lower price than the former. We do like that Ollie offers sensitive stomach and weight loss options, too.
However, Ollie is slightly harder to portion out than comparable brands – instead of squeezable packets, Ollie sends trays that you portion out with a special scoop. While this might be more precise, it tends to be messier, too.
Pros:
- Precise portion sizing
- Several diet options
- More affordable than other fresh dog foods
Cons:
- Messy
- Approved for large breeds, but doesn’t offer a large-breed formula
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Key Features:
- First ingredient is real buffalo. Extra protein sources include bison, venison, and beef
- Grain-free diet for puppy owners worried about pups with sensitive stomachs
- Features real food such as peas, sweet potatoes, and dried chicory root
Overall Best Dog Food for Labradoodle Puppies – Taste Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula is undoubtedly one of the leading puppy foods on the market because it boasts a real-food diet featuring proteins sources such as buffalo, bison, venison, and beef, as well as real fruits and vegetables for that wholesome, great-tasting flavor.
Perfect for growing puppies with food allergies and stomach sensitivities as it is a grain-free, filler-free, preservative-free formula. Made right here in the United States this product has undergone strict testing to ensure that it is safe for young pups.
Pros:
- Manufactured specifically for puppies.
- Boasts a nutrient-rich formula with proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals in required quantities.
- Local product made here in the USA
Cons:
- Not all puppies favor the taste of buffalo-meat
American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
Key Features:
- Features wholesome fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, dried kelp, and carrots
- Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids sourced from salmon oil and flaxseed
- Recipe is wheat, corn, and soy-free making it a great option for puppies with food sensitivities
Most Inexpensive (Cheap) – Looking for an affordable dry dog food made from real protein sources and contains real fruits and vegetables? Look no further than the American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Puppy Dog Food. Made from real, deboned lamb, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and dried kelp.
Encourage muscle growth, brain and eye development with this holistic meal formula. This formula can be offered as a special diet because it is grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free, and soy-free.
Pros:
- Nutrient-rich formula designed for puppies
- Promotes healthy dog growth and development
- Recipe is nutritious and features real-food
Cons:
- Available as dry food only
Tylee’s Human Grade Beef Recipe Frozen
Key Features:
- Puppy meal made of real, whole foods such as fruits and vegetables
- Human-grade frozen whole food
- Beef, sweet potatoes, broccoli, flaxseed and sunflower oils provide protein, vitamins, and much-needed fats
Best Human Grade Lab Puppy Food – Let your Labradoodle puppy enjoy a wholesome meal made of delicious frozen meat, fruits and vegetables. This Tylee’s Beef Recipe Human-Grade Dog Food is suitable for growing puppies. Simply defrost and serve your pup. This formula is grain-free, contains no corn, wheat, soy, or peas.
Vegetables included are sweet potatoes, zucchini, broccoli, and spinach. Fruits featured include mangoes. Fats will be derived from the flaxseed and sunflower oils infused in this formula. This product is proudly made in the USA.
Pros:
- Preservative-free, artificial coloring-free, by-product free making it an ideal meal for puppies
- This human-grade meal meets the USDA pet food regulations
- Easy-to-serve meals that simply require defrosting
- Can be used as a topper to breakup food monotony
Cons:
- Available solely at Chewy.com
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Puppy Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables Canned Dog Food
Key Features:
- Wet food in canned format with a pate texture
- Made from natural products such as barley, brown rice, cranberries, and blueberries
- Main protein source is deboned chicken
Best Canned Puppy Food for Labradoodles – The BLUE Homestyle Recipe Puppy Canned Dog Food combines deboned chicken with whole grains such as brown rice and barley to provide your Labradooble pup with all the good nutrients it needs to grow muscle and develop cognitively.
This product does not contain any corn, wheat, or soy which is good for puppies with sensitive immune systems. This Homestyle Puppy Dog Food can be introduced to young pups that are being weaned off mother’s milk.
Pros:
- Can be introduced to pups that have just been weaned off milk
- Nutrient-rich and easy-to-digest
- Wholesome formula that has that much-loved homestyle flavor
Cons:
- Has a limited shelf life once opened
Natural Balance L.I.D Limited Ingredient Diets Puppy Formula Potato & Duck Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Key Features:
- Grain-free dog food with limited ingredients to reduce chances of puppy developing allergies
- Kibble-size is suitable for puppy jaws
- Well-balanced diet featuring protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals
Best Limited Ingredient Foods for Labradoodle Puppies – The Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets are designed with puppies in mind. Kibble size is appropriate for puppy jaws. Protein comes from a single source, duck meat which significantly reduces the chances of your puppy developing food allergies.
Fats are provided by flaxseed oils. This diet contains no corn, no wheat, and no soy and is pea-free. The limited ingredients used in the dog food make this a favorable option if you don’t wish to expose your puppy to foods rich in artificial flavoring, coloring, and preservatives.
Pros:
- Ideal for puppies that have food allergies and sensitivities
- Limited ingredients but nutrient-rich meals
- Food contains no preservatives, colorings, artificial additives
Cons:
- Some puppies don’t thrive on L.I.D. diets and may require more cups to feel full.
4 More Top Rated Puppy Foods for Labradoodles
Because there are so many great puppy foods on the market, we decided to give you four extra options to consider.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
Purina’s Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food boasts lean chicken, DHA-rich fish oils, and complex carbohydrates to give your Labradooble puppy all it needs for developing strong muscles, good vision, and living a full life. Prebiotic ensures that your puppy’s digestive system is kept in tip-top shape.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
This Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is made of real chicken, fruits and veggies. It also has LifeSource Bits added to it as well as antioxidants to make it the perfect meal for growing pups that encourages health and well-being. This special diet complete with puppy-sized kibble particles is corn-free, wheat-free, and soy-free.
Wellness Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
Growing Labradoodle puppies have unique dietary requirements for growth and development. The Wellness Complete Health Puppy Formula is designed with these needs in mind. This is why it boasts nutritious deboned chicken, oatmeal, and salmon as its first ingredients. Flaxseed oil provides the much-needed fatty acids. Yucca Schidigera extract aids in reducing the strong stool odor. Vitamins such as taurine promote heart health. The fact that this formula is also corn-free, wheat-free, and soy-free makes it an all-around winner.
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
The Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food has real chicken, real veggies – sweet potatoes and peas, as its base. The nutritious and wholesome formula is great for Labradoodle puppies in need of natural nutrients to grow. It’s an ideal formula for puppies as well because it contains no corn, no wheat, no soy, and is gluten-free.
Our 2023 Labradoodle Puppy Feeding Guide
Labradoodle puppies are full of life and require a regular feeding schedule in order to stay healthy and grow as they should. We speak a lot about the importance of establishing a regular feeding timetable for your puppy as it instills discipline, encourages house training, and good potty training behavior.
Getting your pup to eat at set times is good as it helps train them to eat at regular intervals as well as get into the habit of using the bathroom after eating. Here is a feeding guide that you can use for your Labradoodle puppy.
Serving Suggestions for a Labradoodle Puppy
AGE (Months) | FOOD (Cups) | MEALS PER DAY |
2-4 | ½ – 1 | 4 |
4-6 | ½ – 1 | 3 |
6-8 | 1 – 1 ¾ | 2-3 |
8+ | 2 – 2 ½ | 2 |
It is always a good idea to keep a growth chart to monitor the puppy’s weight and to see if he is growing and putting on weight as he should with the progressing months.
Ideal Weight for a Labradoodle Puppy
AGE (Months) | Puppy Weight (lbs.)* |
1 Week | 1.00 |
4 Weeks | 3.90 |
8 Weeks | 7.80 |
14 Weeks | 15.60 |
20 Weeks (5 Months) | 25.30 |
27 Weeks (6 Months) | 30.00 |
35 Weeks (8 Months) | 30.90 |
You may be wondering why it is that your puppy will gradually begin to eat less as they get bigger. This happens because the bigger the puppy gets, the slower their metabolism becomes. This means your growing pup has fleshed out and put on weight and hence no longer needs as much food as before. The calorific need will also reduce as the puppy enters adulthood. Use this Canine Calculator to help you determine the right amounts for your Labradoodle to be eating based on their current age.
How much food should I feed a Labradoodle puppy?
Labradoodle puppies like any growing young dog require a well-balanced diet for good growth and development. Labradoodle puppies need four square meals a day between two and four months of age. Between four and six months their meals can be reduced to three a day. Once the puppies are eight months old, they only require two meals every day. From four months to 12 months, their calorie intake should be between 900 and 1000 calories per day.
What is the best type of food for a Labradoodle puppy?
The ‘best’ food for a Labradoodle puppy will depend on your own puppy. There are different food options available: wet (canned), dry (kibble), raw, human-grade, and freeze-dried. No two puppies are the same; therefore what is best for one Labradoodle puppy may not be good for another. We encourage giving each of the different types of foods available a try and seeing which food is most agreeable for your own Labradaoodle.
When should I stop feeding my Labradoodle puppy food?
Ideally you need to be present at every feeding for the first few weeks of your Labradoodle puppy’s life to feed them. Your presence will encourage them to eat, will allow you to monitor what they like and don’t like, and will promote good eating habits. Once your puppy has established a good feeding routine (at around 6-months), your presence is no longer required full-time. You can serve their meals and leave them to it. As the puppy is growing their meal requirements will also decrease from 4 meals per day to 2 meals per day.
How many times a day should I feed my Labradoodle puppy?
Labradoodle puppies that are 6-months and under should be fed on a routine schedule three times every day. Puppies older than 6-months can be fed two times a day. It is important that you are present while the puppy is eating and that you set out meals at regular times. This routine and feeding schedule will train your pup to eat at set times as well as go to the bathroom around a set time. This facilitates housetraining and makes it easier on you. Your presence will encourage the pup to eat as well as help you to determine what kind of food your puppy likes or doesn’t like.
Can you give me a sample time table to follow?
Sure. Remember that each meal must be measured and served at a precise time. The first meal can be given around 7AM. Next is lunch at noon, and then the last meal of the day around 6PM. The last meal shouldn’t be too late because you want the puppy to have sufficient time to properly digest his food and use the bathroom a last time before going to bed. This is a good schedule you can tailor to suit your own lifestyle. We recommend following this guide until your Labradoodle puppy reaches 14 to 18 weeks. Why this age? Because by the time your puppy is 18 weeks you can reduce his meals to two per day.
What else do I need to know about feeding Labradoodle puppies?
In order to avoid the puppy throwing up, let the puppy rest for at least an hour and a half after eating to properly digest. Inform your children not to disturb the puppy until the little champ has had time to rest and use the bathroom.
How can I fatten up my Ladradoodle puppy?
Labradoodles are a crossbreed between dogs that are subject to dysplasia. For this reason we do not encourage overfeeding your Labradoodle puppy. Only increase portion servings based on the recommendation of your vet if the dog is either underweight for their age or is sick and requires a specific diet.
What are the most common illnesses that Labradoodle puppies have?
Labradoodles are prone to inheriting diseases that their parents may have. The most common problems that may develop in young Labradoodles include congenital eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy. If young pups do not get their recommended nutritional requirements, particularly vitamins they stand a higher risk of suffering from cataracts. Labradoodle puppies are also susceptible to suffer dysplasia of the elbow and hip. Because these puppies grow rapidly you must be aware of the possibility of dysplasia setting in. Labradoodle puppies have floppy ears which can sometimes hide infections especially if the dog’s ears don’t dry properly after playing in water. Dry the puppy’s ears with a clean towel if you let the pup enjoy some fun in water.
How much will my Labradoodle weigh in adulthood?
Finding the exact information for Labradoodles is a bit cumbersome as they’re still quite a fairly recent crossbreed with little information written about them. In fact, they are not recognized as a breed by any North American kennel association, not even the AKC. To determine how big your puppy will likely be as an adult dog use the relevant formula below:
For toy breeds: estimated adult weight = puppy weight at week 6 x 4
For medium breeds: estimated adult weight = puppy weight at week 14 x 2.5
For large breeds: estimated adult weight = puppy weight at week 16 x 2
Conclusion
The best way to ensure a healthy dog is to understand the feeding requirements of the dog. Labradoodle puppies are some of the most jovial companions you can ever have. However, a poor diet can lead to health complications which can be avoided with a carefully planned diet. We hope our guide has been helpful.