If you have a Poodle, you know they're not just your average dog. They're the smartest dog at the park, always coming up with clever ideas and getting their less intelligent doggy friends in trouble. Poodles are showoffs, they love to be the center of attention and are easy to train. But if they're bored or don't get enough attention, watch out! Your home could turn into a disaster area. So, what do you feed this smarty pants?
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Poodles come in three different sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. This is an important factor to consider when selecting the best dog food for your Poodle, both as an adult and as a growing puppy. Toy Poodles are very small, standing no more than 10 inches tall and weighing between 4 and 6 pounds. Miniature Poodles stand between 10 and 15 inches tall, weighing between 10 and 15 pounds. Standard Poodles stand over 15 inches tall, with males weighing between 60-70 pounds and females weighing between 40-50 pounds. There is also a Medium Poodle recognized in some countries, standing 14-18 inches tall and falling between the Standard and Miniature in size. As you can see, there is a significant size difference among the Poodle varieties.
Regardless of size, all Poodles have some key nutritional needs. They need good protein for muscle development, with meat protein being easier to digest than plant protein. Adult dogs require a minimum of 18 percent protein, while growing puppies need a minimum of 22 percent protein. Fat is also necessary in a dog's diet, providing energy and essential fatty acids. Adult dogs need at least 5 percent fat, while growing puppies need at least 8 percent fat. Carbohydrates are important for providing healthy prebiotics and dietary fiber for digestion, and fiber helps keep the gastrointestinal system functioning smoothly. Vitamins, minerals, and water are also essential for a Poodle's overall health and well-being.
Now, let's dive into the 12 best dog foods for Poodles in 2023.
1. The Farmer’s Dog Customized Human-Grade Dog Food
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food is an excellent option if you want to feed your Poodle a diet consisting of fresh, whole foods with the convenience of home delivery. This fresh food delivery service sends pre-portioned packages of fresh dog food right to your door on a monthly basis. You can create a profile online and choose from several protein-rich, low-carbohydrate recipes tailored to your Poodle's needs. Rest assured that every recipe is packed with premium protein, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, and essential nutrients for a balanced diet. Plus, your dog will love the natural flavors.
- Pros: Fresh food delivered monthly, pre-portioned according to dog's needs, rich in protein, low in carbohydrates, grain-free and low-glycemic, complete and nutritionally balanced.
- Cons: Expensive as a staple diet, limited number of recipes.
2. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is a great choice for Standard Poodles. This adult maintenance formula contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It contains chondroitin and glucosamine for joint and hip support, which is important for larger dogs prone to hip dysplasia. The formula is designed to help your Standard Poodle stay slim with slightly less fat and fewer calories than the regular Complete Health formula. The first ingredients are deboned chicken and chicken meal, providing multiple sources of protein for lean muscle development. It also contains probiotics for digestion.
- Pros: Features four sources of protein, optimal protein levels and moderate fat content help maintain weight, promotes healthy joints, no corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives, suitable for large dogs.
- Cons: Not suitable for puppies.
3. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food
If you're looking for a protein-packed food that mimics what your Poodle would eat in nature, Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food is a great choice. It contains 90% of protein from 11 animal sources, including fresh, raw and dried chicken, turkey, saltwater fish, and duck. This formula provides essential nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat. It is grain-free and contains no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives.
- Pros: High protein formula, nutrient-rich from 11 animal sources, omega-3 and 6 support skin and coat, grain-free, no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives.
- Cons: Contains fava beans, chickpeas, and lentils (low in the ingredient list).
4. Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken, Carrot & Pea Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
For a delicious canned food option for your Poodle, Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken, Carrot & Pea Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is a great choice. It features real chicken as the first ingredient, along with other natural ingredients, vitamins, and minerals for a healthy and strong adult dog. This premium wet food contains no chicken by-product meal, corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
- Pros: Chicken as the first ingredient, no corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives, good for all adult dogs.
- Cons: Not suitable for puppies.
5. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
If you have a large breed Poodle puppy, Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food is an ideal choice. This formula is made specifically for large breed puppies and contains DHA for healthy brain development. It also provides precise levels of calcium and phosphorus for strong bone development. Omega-3 and glucosamine support joint health, and probiotics aid digestion. This food is suitable for puppies that will grow to be over 70 pounds as adults.
- Pros: Good sources of meat protein, probiotics for digestion, DHA for brain and eye development, formulated for large breed puppies, no meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives.
- Cons: Peas are the third ingredient.
6. American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is an affordable option that offers high-quality ingredients for your Poodle. It contains real deboned salmon as the first ingredient, along with chicken meal and turkey meal for additional protein. The formula includes omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and a beautiful coat, and it is free from corn, wheat, and soy.
- Pros: Affordably priced, suitable for all life stages, no corn, wheat, or soy, DHA supports brain and eye development, omega-3 fatty acids keep the skin and coat healthy.
- Cons: Protein comes from peas and chickpeas (low on the ingredient list).
7. Instinct by Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Diet Small Breed Grain-Free Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food
If your Poodle needs a limited ingredient diet, Instinct by Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Diet Small Breed Grain-Free Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food is an excellent choice. This food is made for small breed dogs with food sensitivities, containing a single animal protein source (turkey) and limited carbohydrate sources (peas and tapioca). It is grain-free and free from dairy, eggs, beef, chicken, fish, sweet potatoes, potatoes, or chickpeas.
- Pros: Single source of animal protein, high in protein, limited carbohydrate sources, grain-free with no corn, wheat, or soy, no artificial colors or preservatives.
- Cons: Not suitable for puppies.
8. Royal Canin Poodle Puppy Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Poodle Puppy Dry Dog Food is specifically formulated for Poodle puppies from 8 weeks to 10 months old. This formula contains DHA for brain and eye development, as well as omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to support a Poodle's continuous hair growth. It includes prebiotics and antioxidants for digestive health and a strong immune system. The kibble is designed for easy pickup and chewing.
- Pros: Specifically formulated for Poodle puppies, contains DHA for brain and eye development, enriched with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for hair growth, supports digestive health and immune system, easy to chew kibble.
- Cons: Some may not like the ingredients, but it's formulated by veterinary nutritionists.
9. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
As Poodles age, they may experience physical and mental changes. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food is specially formulated for older dogs. It includes medium-chain triglycerides that have been proven beneficial for cognitive function in dogs. The formula contains real chicken as the first ingredient, bite-sized kibble for easier chewing and digestion, and specific botanical oils to promote mental sharpness. It also supports skin and coat health, joint health and mobility, and strong teeth and bones.
- Pros: Botanical oils and medium-chain triglycerides for mental sharpness, real chicken as the first ingredient, bite-sized kibble, supports skin, coat, joints, mobility, teeth, and bones, formulated for small dogs.
- Cons: Some may not like the ingredients, but the improvement is real for dogs with cognitive dysfunction.
10. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a popular choice among dog owners. It features real buffalo as the first ingredient, along with lamb meal and chicken meal for additional protein. Fatty acids support skin and coat health, while antioxidants boost the immune system. This grain-free formula contains no fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and is free from corn and wheat.
- Pros: Real buffalo as the first ingredient, no corn or wheat, grain-free with no fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, supports skin, coat, and immune system, reasonably priced.
- Cons: Not suitable for puppies.
11. American Natural Premium Triple Protein Recipe with Ancestral Grains Legume-Free Premium Dry Dog Food
American Natural Premium Triple Protein Recipe with Ancestral Grains Legume-Free Premium Dry Dog Food is a great choice for Poodles who need a pea-free diet. It contains real chicken, turkey, and pork as sources of protein, along with non-GMO ancestral grains. This formula excludes peas, legumes, potatoes, flax, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Omega-3 fatty acids from menhaden fish oil promote healthy skin and coat, while added prebiotics and probiotics support the immune system.
- Pros: No legumes, peas, potatoes, flax, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, no corn, wheat, or soy, omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health, added prebiotics and probiotics, all life stages.
- Cons: Contains "natural flavor" (as do some other foods) with varying ingredients.
12. Nutro Hearty Stew Roasted Turkey, Potatoes & Carrots Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
If you're looking for a tasty canned food option, Nutro Hearty Stew Roasted Turkey, Potatoes & Carrots Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is a great choice. It features real roasted turkey as the first ingredient, along with potatoes and carrots. This grain-free formula contains no corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It is suitable for adult dogs.
- Pros: Real roasted turkey as the first ingredient, no corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
- Cons: Not suitable for puppies.
Poodle Feeding Guide
Feeding your Poodle depends on their age and size. Poodle puppies should be fed four meals per day between two and three months, three meals per day between three and six months, and gradually transition to two meals per day after six months. Adult Poodles can eat two meals per day. Senior Poodles may require senior-specific food with more calories to support their aging bodies. It's important to monitor your Poodle's weight and adjust their food intake accordingly.
FAQs
Should a Poodle eat dry or canned food?
Poodles can eat both dry and canned food. Adding some canned food to a Standard Poodle's diet might help prevent bloat, while Toy and Miniature Poodles can enjoy canned food as a regular diet.
Should my Poodle eat a grain-free diet?
Poodles can eat both grain-free and grain-inclusive dog foods. There is no scientific evidence supporting the idea that grain-free dog foods are better for dogs. However, if your Poodle has a grain sensitivity or allergy, it's best to avoid those grains.
Do Poodles have sensitive stomachs?
There is no evidence suggesting that Poodles have more sensitive digestion than other dogs. Some individuals may have food sensitivities or allergies, so it's important to monitor their reactions to certain foods.
Why does my Poodle fart so much?
It is normal for dogs to fart occasionally. However, if your Poodle's gas smells bad or they are experiencing excessive flatulence, it is best to consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.
Is a Poodle considered a small breed?
Toy and Miniature Poodles are considered small breeds, while Standard Poodles are considered large breeds.
In conclusion, it's important to select the best dog food for your Poodle based on their size, age, and specific nutritional needs. These top-rated dog foods provide excellent options for your Poodle's overall health and well-being. Remember to always consult with your veterinarian to ensure you are meeting your Poodle's specific dietary requirements.
