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Best Dog Food for Poodles 2025
Written by Wag! Staff
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 10/03/2023, edited: 02/01/2025
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.
The Poodle is among the most remarkable dog breeds you’re ever likely to meet. Though best known for its good looks and eye-catching hairstyles, the Poodle also has plenty of substance to go with that world-famous style. Poodles are highly intelligent, impressively athletic dogs, and they make devoted companions for loving pet parents.
If you’re preparing to welcome a precious Poodle into your family, you’re probably wondering which is the best dog food for Poodles. Poodles need a diet with a high-quality protein source, fiber for healthy digestion, fats for energy as well as skin and coat health, and other ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin for strong joints.
With so many products available, choosing a dog food is a daunting task. To help make your choice easier, keep reading for our guide to the best dog food for Poodles.
Overview
Merrick Healthy Grains
5
Vet recommended
If you’re searching for complete, balanced, and convenient nutrition for your Poodle, it’s hard to go past the Merrick Healthy Grains range.
This high-quality product range features many for your fur-baby, including dry and wet food options as well as recipes for puppies, seniors, small breeds, large breeds, and dogs that need help maintaining a healthy weight.
Merrick is also recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants. “Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors,” she explains.
All recipes in the Merrick Healthy Grains range feature a wholesome blend of protein, fruits, and vegetables, plus ancient grains for healthy digestion.
And with a selection of recipes also featuring kibble with a freeze-dried raw coating, your Poodle will be licking their lips in anticipation every time you reach for their dinner bowl.
Merrick Healthy Grains Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Huge range of flavors and textures to choose from.
- Recipes to suit all life stages and breed sizes.
- First ingredient is deboned meat, fish, or poultry.
Considerations & concerns
- There are more affordable foods available.
- Not a popular choice with some picky eaters.
- Some pet parents complain about some recipes causing an upset stomach.
What pet parents say about Merrick Healthy Grains
“I have a very dramatic and picky, sensitive stomach Husky and an easygoing rescued Aussie and they both approve! In fact, the first time our rescue tried it he wouldn’t eat his old food at all! This food leaves their coats super shiny and they love it. It’s a little more expensive but not outrageous. Great ingredients and the vet is happy it’s not grain-free. Our Husky has tried so many different foods and he is sensitive to pork and chicken, so this is a win!”
“My dogs have sensitive tummies and one is what we call an ‘easy keeper’ where he gains weight as soon as he looks at food. We had him on a very low-calorie food to combat the weight gain, but his coat was looking ragged, his skin was itchy, and he was anxious all the time. I read that high-fat, high-protein foods can help with behavior issues and anxiety, so decided to try this out. Not only are his weight and skin looking a lot better, but his behavior is improving! Plus, both dogs have much more energy and are playing constantly (that may also account for the weight control). We are definitely keeping them on this. It's expensive, but totally worth it!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Spot & Tango
5
Best vet recommended customized meal plans
If you’re searching for tailored nutrition for your Poodle, it’s worth checking out Spot & Tango. This dog food delivery service offers an online questionnaire so you can provide details about your pup, and then customizes a meal plan to suit their unique nutritional needs.
Spot & Tango is also vet recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah who notes, “Spot & Tango offers customized human-grade meal plans for pups with the added benefit of being shelf-stable. Nutrient profiles are preserved through low-temperature dehydration, products have guaranteed nutrient analysis, and all recipes are developed by certified veterinary nutritionists. If your pup turns their nose up, Spot & Tango also offers a ‘Happy Pup Guarantee’ and will give you 100% of your money back after your 2-week trial.”
Spot & Tango have fresh recipes and gently-dried UnKibble recipes, so there are plenty of delicious and nutritious options to put a smile on your pup’s face.
Spot & Tango Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Meal plans tailored to suit your Poodle.
- Complete and balanced recipes developed by veterinary nutritionists.
- Whole food ingredients sourced in the USA.
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents complain about customer service issues.
- Some buyers complain about late deliveries.
- Not the most budget-friendly option.
What pet parents say about Spot & Tango
“Our 4 dogs (including 1 very finicky eater) all love the Spot & Tango UnKibble so far and haven’t had any problems with digestion either. We initially tried Beef and Turkey. We are just finishing the 2-week trial period and signed up for the subscription. I can already see a positive change in my two super senior dogs since starting the UnKibble; [shinier] coats and better energy levels. Even our cats try and swipe pieces of the dog food now!”
“This food is excellent. My dog is a picky eater and has a very sensitive stomach and this food has been great for him. So much better than any other!”
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from the Spot & Tango website. Copyright Spot & Tango.
Open Farm Puppy Chicken, Salmon & Ancient Grains Recipe
5
Best vet recommended for puppies
High-quality nutrition is essential to give your Poodle puppy the best start to life. And this high-protein puppy recipe from Open Farm provides all the goodness your fur-baby needs to put their best paw forward.
Designed to promote healthy brain development, this recipe features ancient grains like oats and millet, and is free of artificial nasties.
“Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors,” explains Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “The company also prioritizes the use of ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients.”
You can even trace every ingredient in your pup’s bag of food back to its source, and because Open Farm is committed to the ethical sourcing of all ingredients, you can feel better about what you dish up for your dog’s dinner.
Open Farm Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Trace the ingredients in every bag.
- Open Farm is committed to using ethically sourced ingredients.
- No legumes, potatoes, or fillers.
Considerations & concerns
- The price tag might deter some pet parents.
- The fact that this recipe uses multiple protein sources may not suit some pups.
- Only has 4lb and 22lb bag options.
What pet parents say about Open Farm Puppy Chicken, Salmon & Ancient Grains Recipe
"My pup goes NUTS for this kibble. We use it as training treats as well and she’s been more excited about this than other high-quality treats. She’s growing beautifully and is so healthy! I’ll never change!"
“We love Open Farm food and have had only good experiences feeding it to our dogs. The puppy food has been no exception. It has high quality, recognizable ingredients that our dogs love to eat. We rotate through the different flavors of Open Farm to add variety and they never cause stomach upset. We also found this brand because the humans in our house have severe food allergies. We love that Open Farm has no dairy or added probiotics, making it safe for our family."
Read more reviews on Open Farm.
Product image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
Raised Right
5
Best vet recommended fresh food
Searching for the best fresh food for your Poodle? There’s a lot to like about Raised Right. This human-grade pet food company specializes in limited-ingredient, low-carb recipes that are high in protein.
Developed in conjunction with Dr. Karen Becker, these recipes feature a wide variety of protein sources and also come in formulas designed for puppy growth.
Even better, Raised Right is recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “Raised Right offers a human-grade dog food consisting of only whole foods and no fillers or synthetic additives such as vitamin and mineral powders,” she says. “Their ingredients can also be traced back to the source, and each batch is tested for safety.”
It’s easy to create a custom meal plan for your dog on the Raised Right website, and you can choose a shipping frequency that suits you to ensure that your pup never runs out of food.
Raised Right Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Human-grade, traceable ingredients.
- Complete and balanced nutrition with limited ingredients.
- Each batch is lab tested for safety.
Considerations & concerns
- The price tag may be a barrier for some pet parents.
- The fact that recipes are grain-free won’t please all pet parents.
- No recipes for all life stages.
What pet parents say about Raised Right
“This is an excellent high-quality dog food and my dog loved it. Unfortunately, I am unable to afford it on a retired salary. Had my dog been a small breed it would have been no problem, but if you can afford it, go for it. I think this is the best gently cooked food on the market.”
“Our dogs love it. We are in the veterinary field and feed high-quality fresh food, but Raised Right has been the best for their GI health.”
Read more reviews on Raised Right.
Product image sourced from the Raised Right website. Copyright Raised Right Pets LP.
Weruva Classic
4.5
Best vet recommended wet food
If your pup can’t resist a bowl full of wet food, Weruva Classic Dog could be their idea of mealtime “pawfection”. This range of limited-ingredient recipes is formulated with the diet of a carnivore in mind, offering high-quality protein, essential fats, plenty of moisture, and a great taste dogs will love.
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah also recommends Weruva to her clients. “Weruva dog food focuses on minimal carbohydrate recipes and human-grade ingredients, incorporating boneless meats that are free from added hormones or antibiotics,” she says.
Shop the Weruva Classic Dog range and you’ll find mouth-watering flavors like Paw Lickin’ Chicken with Chicken Breast in Gravy. Even the pickiest of eaters won’t be able to turn their nose up at that!
Weruva Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- 14 flavors to choose from.
- High-protein recipes.
- Limited ingredients for dogs with sensitivities to certain ingredients.
Considerations & concerns
- The majority of recipes contain chicken, so not a suitable option if your pup is sensitive to chicken.
- Not made in the USA.
- Some pet parents complain about the high moisture content in some cans.
What pet parents say about Weruva Classic Dog
“I originally bought this brand for my cats. I found it in dog food and of course figured they needed to try it. My boyfriend was amazed when I opened the can. He said it looks just like a can of shredded chicken you’d buy at the grocery store. My dogs love it and their coats and body shows how well this works for them too. Definitely recommend.”
“My dog is very picky and she’s getting older now so she’s extra picky. I use to have to cook for her but it was a lot of work so I tried this and she loves it. She doesn’t like many things, so if she likes this then most dogs will like it as well.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Weruva.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
4.5
Best vet recommended for senior dogs
When the time comes to transition your Poodle to a senior dog food, we recommend checking out this chicken and brown rice formula from Blue Buffalo.
Designed to promote optimal health for your golden oldie later in life, this recipe features deboned chicken as its first ingredient. It also includes fruits and vegetables for essential antioxidants, glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints, and Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits for important vitamins and minerals.
“Blue Buffalo dog food products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs,” explains Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, who recommends Blue Buffalo (among other brands) to her clients. “They offer formulations containing limited ingredients, which may be beneficial for dogs with certain dietary sensitivities.”
This recipe also doesn’t feature any corn, wheat, or soy, and it’s free from any artificial flavors or preservatives. So, when you’re searching for the best dog food for seniors, add this Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula to your shopping list.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Promotes mobility for older dogs.
- Available in a wide range of bag sizes.
- Features LifeSource Bits to provide antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Considerations & concerns
- Not a hit with some picky eaters.
- Some buyers report that the LifeSource Bits are too small.
- Some pet parents report that their dog doesn’t eat the LifeSource Bits.
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
“Toot was diagnosed with pancreatitis a few months back. After being on meds and on a rice and chicken diet that I was making for her, I decided to move her on to a senior dog food by the advice of our vet. I could not believe how fast she recovered and is having no problems with her new diet. She is happy and putting on a little weight, which she needed to do.”
“Purchased this food for two older dogs in my household. Both have eaten this type from the first day we offered it to them. They have great coats and are very healthy. Will continue to purchase this for the rest of their lives.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd.
FAQ
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