What is the Best Food for Poodles?

Almost any person on the planet knows about poodles. How can we not? They are ultimately cute, fluffy and playful. The coziest ball of fur!

Although many people think that the poodles are high-strung and can have bad temper, but it is totally not true. Loyal and loving, these amazing dogs demand love and care but can give so much in return!

Tender and naive, these creatures are easy to take care of if you know exactly what to do. And, of course, the basics of keeping your pup in shape is the best dog food for poodles.

Best Food Brands for Poodles of 2018

• ROYAL CANIN Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food – Learn more
• Hill’s Science Diet Adult Advanced Fitness Dry Dog Food – Learn more
• Nutro WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Adult Dry Dog Food – Learn more
• Orijen Original Dry Dog Food – Learn more
• Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food – Learn more
• EUKANUBA Senior Dry Dog Food – Learn more

Types Of Poodle Dog Food: Which One Is The Best?

Before diving into all the kinds of poodle food, we need to sort out the basic information about this beautiful breed and their nutrition needs.

There are three basic sizes they can come in: Standard, Miniature and Toy.

All of them have almost identical breed features and the only difference that remains is the size and mass. However, of course, it still plays a significant role in amount of calories each kind of poodles must receive each day.

What really differs poodles from many other home dog breeds is that they are great swimmers and first-class sportsmen. Extremely active and playful, they need high-nutritious feeding to keep them energized and healthy.

Speaking of health. These dogs are known to be allergic breed, so you need to be twice careful with the food that gets into your poodles mouth. Strictly eliminate all the artificial components in food or anything that your pup might be personally allergic to.

So, let’s see what you can choose for your pet to it nowadays.

Best dry food for poodles

Poodle dry food is a standard dog food that we see everywhere. It is specifically developed to be efficient and healthy source of nutrition for your pet. Best dried dog food for poodles not only provide them with all needed elements and calories, it plays a great role in caring about the pets teeth with its formula as well.

One of the best poodle dry food that comes to mind immediately is the Orijen Original Dry Dog Food with the real meat in it and useful supplements.

Another first-class dry dog food for poodles that is definitely worth to mention is the Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Dry Dog Food which comes in perfect small bites comfortable for such tiny dogs and contain real meat along with essential antioxidants.

When picking this type of food beware of personal needs and health issues of your dog. Does your poodle have problems with grains? Choose the best grain free dog food for poodles like, e.g. Wellness Core® Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food. And so on.

Best wet food for poodles

Frankly speaking, the same thing but with a bit of moisture. There are cases when the best wet dog food for poodles contains more protein and fat in comparison to the similar dry ones. It smells tastier for dogs and helps to receive needed amount of daily amount of liquid.

Diving a bit into debates concerning the question which one to prefer – wet or dry food, we must say that there is no decisive answer to that. Both are simply good. Choose what’s more comfortable for you or which one your pet likes the most. Maybe, a little mix of both? All in all, your main task is to keep your pup happy and healthy.

Food To Feed Poodles Depending On Their Age

Growing up, your beloved pet will need not only the different amount of daily ration but improvements in balance of macronutrients as well. Not to mention various supplements to keep them healthy in every stage of aging.

Let’s say, if you are lucky owner of a puppy poodle who haven’t reached the 3-month age yet, it is better to provide him with “free food” all the time. Best puppy poodle food would be the Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food.

When the puppy ages over 3 months, you’ll have to build up a feeding regime which is feeding your pet at least thrice a day with a high-quality product, e.g. Wellness Core® Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Puppy Formula. It is the best baby poodle food due to the perfect balance of all the elements they need in a small age.

One of the best dog food for older poodles on the market is definitely the ROYAL CANIN BREED HEALTH NUTRITION Poodle Adult Food. As for the adult dog feeding, Standard poodles commonly have one meal a day while Toy or Miniature ones might need at least two feedings. As you can see, it depends on the size, but don’t forget to observe and take to account personal likings of your pup.

As for the senior dogs, they start to need larger amounts of antioxidants and additional energy boost that can be provided with one of the best dog food for senior poodles – EUKANUBA Senior Dry Dog Food or other with similar formula.

How much food to give to your dog?

Another important question that bothers any poodle owner is how much food to give to your dog? The best thing you could do here is to take advice from your veterinarian depending on the personal needs of your pet or follow the instructions of the significant poodle food brand you’ve decided to use.

Or you could count the calories, which is an alternative and well-known way to determine the amount of food we are having.

To know the basics, the puppies commonly require larger amount of calories daily – approximately 400-550, while the Adult dogs decrease that amount to 350-400 a day.

As for the Standard poodles, they need almost twice amount of calories as said (approximately 1200 calories) daily.

Amount of calories must include all the food and treats you feed to your dog during the day and take into account how active your doggy is.

ROYAL CANIN BREED HEALTH NUTRITION Best Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food

One of the most popular and highly recommended poodle food and not without a reason. First thing you check before purchasing any do food – does it have natural ingredient only? This on does. Along with much needed ratio of fats, carbs and protein.

It has a nice mix of meat and protein boosts like corn and wheat.

Considered to be on the optimum scale food for Toy and Miniature breeds due to the components and comfortable shape of the food itself. A bit smaller food particles are squared and easy to chew with small chaps.

You can start using the Adult formula as soon as your pet hits 10 month age. Additional content of various vitamins, biotin and other supplements help in early cerebral development and helps keeping joints healthy and coat shiny.

Basically, this is a perfectly balanced everyday meal for healthy adult poodle who doesn’t suffer from allergies or other health issues. Has a great positive influence on condition of poodles’ coat and keeps the pet able to take part in all games and activities he wants.

Pros:

• Small food particles are easy to chew and digest
• Perfectly balanced for healthy adult poodle
• Great meat and protein ratio
• Formula created specifically for poodles

Cons:

• Corn in the mix can be allergenic for some poodles, check your dog beforehand

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Advanced Fitness Dry Dog Food – Best For Small Poodles!

Main ingredient here is a soft natural chicken meat which results in a lower amount of protein while providing high above average ratio of carbs. What does it mean? It means, that this dog food fits the needs of a very active dog. If yours is sporty and jumpy – go for it. It was developed for active adult small dogs in age 1-8 years old.

The real chicken meat here is a big plus, though some customers point out that their pets didn’t like the taste of the food. But we all know it is a matter of personal tastes and you can always make food for your poodle taste and smell better by adding 1-2 spoons of wet dog food.

What helps to keep your pet healthy is the absolute lack of artificial colorants or flavors here. Add here vitamins, omega-6 fatty acids and get food that’ll improve the immune system of your home friend and boost it with energy.

The bites are small and round, size of a pea, so it will be easy to digest them no matter what size is your poodle.

In the end we must notice that this formula has less meat in comparison to, e.g. Royal Canin one, but it still has a good corn and other veggie ratio.

Pros:

• Made for active playful poodles
• Only natural ingredients
• Keeps dog in healthy weight
• High content of carbs

Cons:

• Less meat

Nutro WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Best Adult Dry Dog Food

In case, if your poodle is allergic to corn or you seek for something with decent amount of meat in it, we suggest you to check out this poodle mix.

It is considered the best food for large poodles due to its amazing influence and ability to support strong muscles. Full of protein, Nutro contains decent ratio of fat and carbs as well. Along with vitamins and antioxidants which, as we know, help to keep the immune system in a good state.

This food comes easy on the dogs stomach thanks to natural meat. Small kibbles are great for teeth and have comfortable shape for digesting.

Another visual benefit of this food in particular as it is affordable and the high-nutritious, so with a few cups for an adult poodle a day you’ll have to spare some cash while providing your dog with natural and healthy food.

This is not a big name famous brand, this why the company tries to lure customers with low price and high-quality ingredients – the best combination we can name!

Please, take a notice, that the meat in the pack is not the lamb solely. It has a big percentage of chicken meat mixed in.

Pros:

• High-nutritious
• Affordable
• Perfect balance of price and quality
• Great for keeping muscles strong and toned

Cons:

• Contains grain oatmeal – check if your poodle isn’t allergic to that

Orijen Original Dry Dog Food – Best Dog Food Poodle Mix!

This one is truly first-class food mix that will serve your poodle with all macronutrients in a tasty form. It is also a grain free food which is the only option to have if your dogs stomach reacts bad to the grain.

The food is prepared with usage of freeze-drying technologies in order to keep all the healthy microelements and fresh taste.

As for the ratio of proteins and carbs in the food, it has bigger amount of proteins and less than average amount of carbs. What does it mean? Basically, it is a great option if your poodle is a bit lazy, likes to sleep and not as active. It can also be great for older dogs with less daily activity.

What you must know about the Orijen is that it doesn’t use any salt in its formula. It is also a yeast free.

As for the price, it bites a bit, but it’s worth every dollar. And in the end, the most important thing is the health and happiness of your home buddy!

Pros:

• Grain free
• Salt and yeast free
• Has great effect on skin and coat
• Good for lazy or senior dogs

Cons:

• Pricy

Wellness Core Natural Grain Best Free Dry Dog Food

Wellness Core company has a whole line of grain free food with different formulas for various ages, breeds and with various main ingredients.

Formula made for small breed specifically has a base made from turkey and chicken meat. Secret ingredient here is a salmon oil which adds omega fatty acids and makes sure that the skin and coat of your poodle will glow with health. Antioxidants, probiotics and botanicals come to the healthy mix as well to keep joints and hips in great shape for a long time.

Perfect for active energized small poodles as it contains a very high percentage of protein (36%!).

It is also said by some veterinarians that the grain-free food can work well for senior dogs as it helps to prevent arthritis.

The food contains all the veggies that are good for your doggy – potatoes, carrots, peas, carrot and many others.

Healthy feeding will keep your poodle from overweight and help to maintain perfect shape for playing and having fun.

Please, keep the bought dog food in right conditions, far from moisture to protect it from mold.

Pros:

• Gluten-free
• Good for joints, hip support and soft coat
• Very high protein ratio

Cons:

• Few upset stomachs cases

EUKANUBA – Best Senior Dry Dog Food

If your poodle has already reached age of 7 years or older, it is time to seek for formula specifically developed for older dogs. The reason here is because with aging process, dogs require more support for joints and hips which can be achieved with higher dose of protein daily. Even the mental function and character of your pet can change with time and it is your task to keep him happy and prevent diseases.

Developed not simply for aging dogs, but also for a small breed, this dry food contains everything your poodle might need at that time. It really helps with metabolism and keeps dogs lively and active despite the age.

Increased amount of antioxidants helps to keep the immune system working good.

Lower than average amount of carbs here determined by the less active lifestyle of senior poodles. They simply dosn’t need as much carbs as they’ve received before.

Small bites are easy to chew even if your pet experience teeth or gum problems. It can even help with an “old dog breath” which indicates its positive influence on digesting system.

This food, though, won’t be good for pets with allergies, especially corn or grain allergies.

Pros:

• Developed specifically for senior dogs
• Great for senior Standard poodles
• Lower carb ratio

Cons:

• Some dogs have experienced upset stomach
• Contains coin

Tips and Recommendations On The Best Poodle Food

While choosing the way to feed your dog you must know few rules that will help you to keep the feeding safe, healthy and fulfilling all your dog nutrition needs.

First of all, let’s discuss types of poodle food to avoid.

The main taboo ingredients that you must eliminate from your poodles diet are artificial coloring, flavoring or preservatives. These can easily become a cause of a heavy allergy. Also, try to avoid not the best meat that can be found in many food packs of brands who try to spare some money. Lungs, liver, bones and other meats that doesn’t have all the needed nutritional value.

Another ingredients to avoid in daily feeding routine are the ones that makes your pet in particular allergic.

Common poodle food allergies are grain allergy, corn allergy and gluten allergy.

How can you tell if your poor pet has a food allergy? Usually it starts with upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea. Neglected allergy can cause dry skin, loss of weight and poor coat quality.

So, how can you help your poodle out in this situation? First of all, his stomach needs a good rest. Eliminate the food it was receiving before and cook a simple bland food like boiled white chicken meat and rice. Contact your veterinarian to receive some quality help.

As for the amount of poodle food, we’ve mentioned this question before. The best thing to decide on how much to give to your pet is to consult your veterinarian or follow the instructions given with chosen food brand.

We also need to mention such thing as the poodle food aggression. Basically, it is a behavior issue, not a feeding problem, but it is connected to the feeding process, so let’s discuss. Food aggression is an angry dog reaction to anyone around during the feeding time. You can use such techniques:

• Make your dog “earn” the treat so he will understand the source of the food
• Try “hand-feeding” to create a trusting bond

As for the basic poodle food diet, it must consist from the right amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It all depends on the size, age and personal needs of each dog. Common nutrition needs for an adult poodle are at least 20% of protein, 55% of carbohydrates and near 15% of fat.

Don’t forget about much needed antioxidants, probiotics and vitamins. Omega fatty acids is another important ingredient to help out your dog.

Remember, the best way to keep the poodles’ food as healthy as it can be, is to consult veterinarian beforehand!