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Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles 2024
Written by Emily Bayne
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 07/31/2023, edited: 03/08/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Goldendoodles are one of the most popular designer dog breeds. With fluffy teddy-bear faces, it's no surprise people are signing up for months-long waiting lists to get their hands on one of these cuddly canines.
Since this is a relatively new breed, there isn't much information available on the specific nutritional needs of Goldendoodles. Here's a word of advice on how to choose the right dog food from our veterinary consultant, Dr. Linda Simon MVB MRCVS:
“Opt for the best quality diet you can afford. It should be minimally processed and rich in plenty of meat or fish as well as grains, veggies, and fruits. The best foods will also contain supplements such as probiotics.”
Not sure which food is best for your Doodle's activity levels and overall health? We've done the digging for you to find the best dog food for Goldendoodles so you can spend less time shopping and more time cuddling your fur-baby!
Overview
Sundays Food for Dogs
Vet recommended
Sundays Food for Dogs delivers nutritious, human-grade dry dog food right to your door.
Unlike most subscription services, Sundays lets you make one-time purchases without committing to a subscription.
You can choose from 3 flavors: beef, chicken, or turkey. All 3 recipes meet AAFCO's nutrient profiles for all life stages, which means you won't need to switch your Goldendoodle to a new food as they grow older.
This brand also gets 5 paws up from Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!'s veterinary consultants:
“Sundays for Dogs is a convenient and affordable kibble alternative composed of 90% meat, human-grade ingredients, and has no synthetic additives.”
For a deep dive into this furrific dog food brand, check out our review of Sundays Food for Dogs.
Sundays for Dogs variations:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Turkey
Sundays Food for Dogs Chicken Recipe
Why Wag! loves Sundays Food for Dogs
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, veterinary consultant with Wag!.
- Minimally processed, human-grade ingredients.
- Family-owned business.
- A limited ingredient list that prioritizes quality animal proteins and healthy fruits and veggies.
- You can place one-time orders without committing to a subscription.
Considerations & concerns
- This brand, like many pet food subscription services, is a bit of a splurge.
- Only 3 recipes available.
What pet parents say about Sundays Food for Dogs
"I didn't think I could be convinced that a dog food would make such a difference, but I was definitely wrong. I (and the pups!) are so happy to have found this amazing product that makes them both happier and healthier."
"Toby used to barely touch his old food, and if he did, it wasn't till late at night. Now that we switched to Sundays, I can barely put the bowl down before he's going at it. It's such a relief that he's excited to eat now. It also seems like he's more energetic (in a good way!) and I swear he's been shedding less since the switch. On top of all of that, the customer experience and service has been top-notch. Can not recommend enough. Dogs deserve to love their food, too!"
"Sundays is easy to serve, no prep involved. Tito is always running around in circles with excitement while I'm putting it in his bowl. He is usually the pickiest when it comes to food and stops eating it after a few months — I've tried so many brands before landing on Sundays. He can't get enough! Happy pup, happy life :)"
Read more reviews on Sundays Food for Dogs.
Product image sourced from the Sundays Food for Dogs website. Copyright Sundays Food for Dogs.
Redbarn Whole Grain Dry Dog Food
Best for active dogs
With high quality meat and fish as the leading ingredients, Redbarn's Whole Grain recipes are some of the best dry dog foods for Goldendoodles.
This food contains omega-3 fatty acids and biotin to keep your Doodle's coat soft and shiny, plus a healthy dose of protein to fuel your energetic pooch.
This line of recipes is also available in a grain-free formulation.
To get the scoop on this brand, sink your paws into our comprehensive Redbarn dog food review.
RedBarn Whole Grain Dog Food Variations:
- Ocean (salmon and trout flavor)
- Sky (turkey, chicken, and duck flavor)
- Land (beef, lamb, and pork flavor).
Redbarn Whole Grain Ocean Recipe Dry Dog Food
Why Wag! loves Redbarn
- Superior food safety practices, including an SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacturing certification.
- High-quality meats and meat products comprise the first 4 ingredients — a rare sight in the pet food industry!
- Features multiple sources of probiotics that support gut health and promote better digestion.
- Includes omega-3 fatty acids and biotin to keep your Doodle's locks luscious.
Considerations & concerns
- Tough to locate in stores.
- Better quality means higher prices.
What pet parents say about Redbarn
"My Golden Retriever Murphy has been on Red Barn for a year. I chose Red Barn because they have "good grains" in the food. In one years time my dog lost 25 lbs and is so healthy now. He was 125lbs at the vet last year and needed to lose weight for his health. Murphy has more energy and we are on the way to his ideal body weight of 90lbs. Recommend this food."
"Just bought 22lb ocean dog food and my boxer inhaled it. Her old food was really slow on the intake sometimes not eating at all. So glad we changed to a healthier food."
"My dog is extremely picky and this is the only food she will eat. I love that the ingredients are healthy for her. I am hoping you guys come out with a canned food line as well. Overall, my girl thrives on this food, her coat is shiny and shes happy."
Read more reviews on the Redbarn website.
Product image sourced from Redbarn's website. Copyright Redbarn Pet Products LLC.
Open Farm Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
Vet recommended
With traceable, high-quality ingredients like wild-caught salmon, quinoa, coconut oil, oats, and chia seed, Open Farm is one of the best dry dog foods on the market.
We appreciate that all ingredients are humanely raised and sustainably sourced — we love when brands make a pawsitive impact on our planet!
Open Farm also gets Dr. Jeremiah's seal of approval:
“Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors," she says.
This food meets AAFCO nutritional profiles for all life stages except large breed puppies, which means this food is best for adult Goldendoodles.
It's important to mention that this food is higher in calories than some other foods at almost 500 per cup. Be sure to follow the feeding guidelines carefully — Goldendoodles are susceptible to obesity and hip dysplasia, which can develop due to excess weight.
For a deeper dive into Open Farm's offerings, check out our thorough brand-wide review!
Open Farm Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food variations:
- Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
- New Zealand Venison & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
- Homestead Turkey & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
- Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
- Pasture-Raised Lamb & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
- Grass-Fed Beef & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
- Ancient Grains High-Protein Puppy Food
- Catch-of-the-Season Whitefish & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
- Farmer's Table Pork & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
- Front Range Ancient Grains RawMix for Dogs
- Open Prairie Ancient Grains RawMix for Dogs
- Wild Ocean Ancient Grains RawMix for Dogs
Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
Why Wag! loves Open Farm
- A high-quality protein source, wild-caught salmon, is the first ingredient.
- Chicory root, pumpkin, and ancient grains help with digestion and add fiber.
- Chia seeds and complex carbs help stabilize blood sugar and keep dogs feeling full for longer.
- Omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil and coconut oil are super important for a healthy brain, skin, and fur.
- Free of fillers and common allergens like corn, wheat, chicken, potatoes, and legumes.
Considerations & considerations
- At $80 for a 22-pound bag, feeding this food can get pricey.
What pet parents say about Open Farm
"Was having issues with watery stool so we switched to this brand . My
70lb golden retriever loves it so much he gobbles it right down and
forgets to chew!"
"My dog has some intense food sensitivities and spent the first 4 months at the vet. We did an exclusion diet and took out chicken altogether. She gets the salmon recipe and, for the first time, her stool isn't diarrhea. Her coat is shiny and soft. THANK YOU."
Read more reviews on the Open Farm website.
Product image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
Iams Proactive Large Breed Dog Food
Best budget-friendly brand
Iams is a great choice for pet parents looking for an affordable dog food for their Goldendoodle.
Not only do dogs go crazy for the flavor (my dog included!), but pet
parents can rest easy knowing they're feeding their dogs a vet-developed
formula that prioritizes real meat products and whole grains to fuel their babies.
Grains tend to get a bad rap because more people are becoming aware of food allergies in dogs, but grain allergies aren't especially common. Plus, grains can be a great energy source for active breeds like Goldendoodles.
For more info on Iams products, checkout our brand-wide guide!
Iams Large Breed Food Variations:
- Large Breed Chicken & Whole Grains
- Large Breed Lamb & Rice
- Healthy Weight Large Breed
- Healthy Aging Large Breed
- Puppy Large Breed
Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Dog Food
Why Wag! loves Iams
- Reasonably priced for quality nutrition.
- Iams has undergone AAFCO feeding trials.
- Natural preservatives, including vitamin E and rosemary, rather than artificial preservatives like BHA.
- Added prebiotics for a healthy gut.
- Available at most grocery stores and big-box retailers.
Considerations & concerns
- Contains artificial coloring.
- Contains chicken by-product meal as the fourth ingredient. (By-product meals are still a good source of protein and are safe for dogs to eat, but they're not human-grade.)
- Since this food is high in corn and poultry, it may not be suitable for dogs with corn and poultry allergies.
What pet parents say about Iams
"I have had dogs for at least 40 years. I've always used Iams and have never had to see a vet for any reason but routine care. My dogs have always liked the flavor and I have never had to supplement it with any wet food. My local food store carries it and is very price competitive with dog food chains. I realize no grain food is popular, but I believe it is not the best choice."
"I've tried so many different dog foods. It's insane. I have a 3 year old dachshund and a foster dog. My dachshund has dry itchy skin and her hair is thin and falling out, until I swapped to Iams. She has a thick full coat and her skin is better."
"It is hit and miss with Iams. It may also be my fickle dogs who like it one time, and the next time they won't eat it. Funny enough my two cats love Iams food."
Read more reviews on Consumer Affairs.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Iams.
Canidae All Life Stages Food
Best wet food
If your pup is partial to wet food, Canidae's All Life Stages range just might be the perfect fit, especially if you have multiple fur-babies to feed. Don't fret kibble lovers, their dry food is just as good!
Free of wheat, corn, and animal byproducts, Canidae's All Life Stages products are formulated with the help of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Canidae is also a sustainable brand that uses regenerative farming methods to reduce the carbon pawprint of your pup's food.
For all these reasons and a few more, it's easy to see why Dr. Jeremiah pawsonally recommends Canidae to her own clients:
“Canidae dog food is made with high-quality animal protein sources, providing essential amino acids, and is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which can trigger allergies,“ she says.
For a closer look at this woofderful brand, check out our Canidae dog food review.
Canidae All Life Stages Wet Food Variations:
- Chicken and Rice
- Lamb and Rice
- Multi-protein Chicken, Lamb, and Fish
- Less Active Chicken, Lamb, and Fish
Canidae All Life Stages Dry Food Variations:
- All Life Stages Dry Dog Food: Multi-Protein Chicken, Turkey, and Lamb Meals
- All Life Stages Less Active Dry Dog Food: Chicken, Turkey, & Lamb Meal
- All Life Stages Large Breed Dry Dog Food: Turkey Meal and Brown Rice
- All Life Stages Dry Dog Food: Lamb Meal and Rice
- All Life Stages Dry Dog Food: Chicken Meal and Rice Recipe
Canidae All Life Stages Multi-protein Chicken, Lamb, and Fish Wet Food
Why Wag! loves Canidae
- Recommended by our veterinary consultant, Dr. Georgia Jeremiah.
- Uses sustainable farming methods for its produce.
- Formulated for all life stages, which means you won't have to switch your pup to a different food as they grow older.
- Pawfect for multi-dog households.
Concerns & considerations
- Higher quality means higher prices.
- Multi-protein recipes may not be suitable for some dogs with meat allergies.
What pet parents have to say about Canidae All Life Stages wet food
"Love this brand. Wholeheartedly trust their products. Pet store staff and vets seem to agree when they ask what food she gets. Able to maintain a healthy weight on this wet food combined with the “less active” dry food. Very satisfied customer!"
"Have a high energy agility loving standard poodle. He loves this canned dog food. I mix with dry Taste of the Wild and his coat, weight and energy level reflect the quality of this food diet!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Canidae.
Orijen Amazing Grains
Best for puppies
Feeding a diet that's rich in protein and other essential nutrients is super important for Goldendoodles, who can gain up to 80 pounds during puppyhood and adolescence! If you're looking for high protein puppy food for your Goldendoodle, Orijen Amazing Grains is top-tier, and their adult formulas are just as good!
All products from this brand contain a minimum of 85% meat, which is virtually unheard of in the kibble world. This food contains both whole and organ meats, which are loved by canines and also contain a healthy dose of iron and other vital minerals.
Protein sources featured in Orijen's foods include:
- chicken
- turkey
- whole mackerel
- whole herring
- salmon
- dehydrated chicken
- dehydrated chicken liver
Want to find out if this is the best dog food for your Goldendoodle? Dig into our full Orijen dog food review to learn about the brand's products, recall history, and more.
Orijen Amazing Grains Variations:
- Original
- Six Fish
- Regional Red
- Puppy
- Puppy Large
Orijen Amazing Grains Puppy Dry Dog Food
Why Wag! loves Orijen
- First ingredient is always real meat.
- Contains 3 different probiotics to help with digestion.
- Free of legumes, which may increase the risk of enlarged heart in some dog breeds, including Golden Retrievers.
- Made with cage-free poultry and wild-caught fish.
- Contains natural preservatives and natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Grain-free options also available.
Considerations & concerns
- Contains some raw meat ingredients, so you may need to take special precautions when handling the product.
- More expensive than other dog foods.
What pet parents say about Orijen
"When I got my 8 weeks old golden retriever, his breath was horrible. Didn’t tale long time to figure it out the problem - his food which came along from breeder. But as soon as I [switched] him to Orijen, the problem was gone. He loves it! His breath is good, his stool is ok, and it’s legume free which was important too. Highly recommend."
"My golden retriever rescue mix loves it! Was relieved to find a grain inclusive option for Orijen that is safe for all breed sizes!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare, Inc.
FAQ
What should I look for in a dog food for my Goldendoodle?
How does the size of my doodle (mini or standard) affect the food they need?
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