15 Best Dog Foods For Poodles

Poodles are known for their stylish and majestic looks. And, of course, having the best dog food for Poodles is crucial in maintaining a healthy skin coat. Also, choosing the most appropriate food is essential in keeping them healthy. 

So now, in this article, we will explore the best foods for Poodles and Doodles and other things you need to know concerning their diet, like their nutritional needs, ingredients to avoid, and diet-related problems among Poodles.

15 Best Foods for Poodle Dogs

Are you looking for new dog food but feeling overwhelmed with the wide variety of product choices? Worry less since we compiled the best dog foods for Poodles available in the market! 

Product Name	Description	Rating
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food	Formulated for purebred poodles aged 10 months and above. This dog food also aids in achieving healthier skin and coats.	5.0
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Small Bites Chicken Meal	With its small and easy-to-digest kibbles, this product is best for old or senior dogs who have trouble digesting bigger bites.	5.0
Eukanuba Adult Small Bites Dry Dog Food	This Eukanuba product is designed for dogs that are 12 months and above and prefers smaller kibble sizes.	5.0
ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food	Packed with needed vitamins, protein, and minerals with its 85% premium fish ingredient.	4.9
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food	Consists of nutrient-rich ingredients like salmon oil, fruits, vegetables, turkey, and chicken. This dog food is also designed to be easily digested.	4.8
Purina Beyond Simple Ingredient Farm-Raised Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe	Aims to provide a 100% balanced and complete nutritional diet for adult dogs. Does not contain any possible allergens like wheat, corn, and more.	4.8
Merrick Lil Plates Grain Free Small Breed Recipe	All-natural dog food that is grain free.  Also, this product’s protein-rich and healthy fats combination helps maintain weight and increase energy.	4.7
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food	High-quality meat is its main ingredient and comes with K9 strain probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidants for healthy digestion and a stronger immune system.	4.7
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Dry Dog Food with Grains	Made to provide the special medical needs of small breed dogs with its premium ingredients.	4.6
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Poodle Puppy Dry Dog Food	Another Royal Canin product that is specially made for purebred poodles. This product is formulated to meet the needs of Poodles sing 8 weeks to 10 months old.	4.6

1. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food

Being specially formulated for purebred Poodles aged 10 months and above, this Royal Canin dog food is one of your top choices when looking for your dog’s next food. Its kibble shapes and sizes also fit a Poodle’s teeth and smallmouth. Aside from that, this adult dry dog food contains EPA and DHA fatty acids, both essential in maintaining healthy skin and coat – an important factor, especially for the Poodle breeds. 

Moreover, to spice up this dry dog food, you can also incorporate healthy toppers for extra moisture and nutrition in their meals. Additionally, some picky eaters prefer to see something new or mixed food in their bowls. 

However, if your Poodle is allergic or sensitive to grains, this dog food might not be your best choice because it is grain-inclusive. Grains are not 100% toxic to dogs, but they can cause a reaction among dogs who are allergic to them. 

2. Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Small Bites Chicken Meal

This Hill’s Science product designed their kibbles to be 9 millimeters x 4 millimeters so that senior dogs who cannot chew well because of several teeth loss can still eat and digest their food properly. In addition, this product contains flax seeds, one of the primary sources of Omega-6 fatty acids, which is beneficial in keeping a healthy skin and shiny coat for our lovely Poodles!  

But, this dog food contains wheat and corn. Even though wholesome wheat and corn were used, both ingredients are still controversial ingredients that are not considered a preferred part of any dog food and treat. Plus, if you have a picky Poodle, ensure to buy the smallest size first (5-lb bag) to see whether they’ll like it or not. 

3. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Dry Dog Food with Grains

With authentic turkey as the No. 1 ingredient, this Wellness dry dog food is rich in protein and other nutrients. The product doesn’t also come with any meat byproducts and artificial preservatives, making it 100% made of natural ingredients. In addition, since this food is specially formulated to meet the needs of small adult dogs, it helps manage existing health conditions like gastric and digestive problems. 

But, the issue with this product is its grain-inclusive ingredients. As mentioned, it is not completely bad for dogs unless they are allergic to it. However, since it’s a potential allergen, taking caution is required. Lastly, this product is a bit pricier than the others. With that, if it’s your first time trying this product, it is best to buy their 4-lb bag instead to see first whether your Poodle will enjoy it. 

4. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Poodle Puppy Dry Dog Food

This other Royal Canin product is crafted to provide for the needs of Poodle puppies. Since it is specially made for Poodles, they design the kibble shapes and sizes to match the Poodle’s teeth and mouth. Also, this product is packed with probiotics and proteins to promote healthy digestion among puppies. It also has EPA and DHA to help your Poodle maintain their majestic skin and coat! 

However, this dog food’s high corn content might cause stomach issues among dogs who are sensitive or allergic to it. Plus, this Royal Canin product appears to be pricier than other dog food. 

5. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

In contrast with the previous Wellness product, this dry dog food is free from grains. And because of its small kibble sizes, small dogs like Toy and Miniature Poodles will not have a hard time eating it. Also, this product’s protein and other nutrients are sourced from fresh ingredients like fruits, vegetables, turkey, chicken, and salmon oil. 

Despite this product’s nutritional content, dogs are not fond of the taste. With that, several dogs, especially fussy eaters, choose to ignore the food. Also, there are some complaints about how this product causes bad breath among their dogs. 

6. Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food

This Earthborn Holistic dog food comprises Whitefish, chicken, and turkey meals from Primitive Natural, which are known protein sources. Also, this unique mix, created without grains or gluten, is perfect as a high-protein, grain-free alternative diet. Additionally, the skin barrier is established by a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, maintaining your dog’s healthy skin and hair.

However, the issue with this product is that even though they advertised it as applicable to large dogs, its small kibbles are unfit for them. They also recently changed their formula, so some dogs might not prefer the new one. 

7. Halo Dry Dog Food For Small Dogs

Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe is a dry dog food designed for small breeds with premium ingredients that can improve your dog’s general health. Additionally, as the initial ingredient, they used actual, certified, cage-free chicken. For a rich flavor that your dog will like, its ultra-premium dog food also utilizes only real, whole meat, fowl, or fish and absolutely no meat meal. It also contains probiotics and prebiotics for dogs to help each step of digestion. 

But, the downside of this product is the change in formula and kibble sizes. With that, many pet owners were dismayed since their dogs prefer the old formula. In addition to that, their kibbles can also be too hard for your dog to handle. Thus, this might not be your best choice if your dog has trouble chewing food. 

8. TruDog Freeze-Dried Dog Food

TruDog Freeze-Dried Dog Food is made in the USA without using any fillers, grains, or preservatives. This product is also easy to digest, all-natural, and hypoallergenic. Also, it keeps pets healthy and eliminates worries about food contamination or the negative consequences of filler-filled dog food. This variety is also a flavorful dog food suitable for all ages and sizes. 

But, the issue with this product is similar to the previous dog food from Halo –  hard kibbles. The hard kibbles make it impossible or hard for some dogs (especially seniors and puppies) to eat their food.  

9. Eukanuba Adult Small Bites Dry Dog Food

This Eukanuba Adult Small Bites Dry Dog Food is designed exclusively for your dog’s health, mind, and energy. This adult dog food has tiny, bite-sized kibble that is easy to eat. Additionally, this product’s animal proteins, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate help keep muscles slim and joints flexible. Also, the DHA and vitamin E boost brain health and keep your dog mentally bright. 

Moreover, the weakness of this product is its use of chicken byproduct meals, wheat, and corn as some of their ingredients. Even though byproducts are not 100% bad, raw and authentic animal protein sources can still be better. Also, wheat and corn are harder to digest. 

10. Merrick Lil Plates Grain Free Small Breed Recipe

Small breed dogs are the target market for this grain-free and gluten-free Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Real Texas Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food. Additionally, this dry small-breed dog food formula promotes the development and maintenance of strong muscular tissue. Moreover, every serving contains probiotics and prebiotic fiber for a healthy digestive system. 

Despite being free from common allergens like grains and gluten, several reports still complained about this product causing stomach problems among their dogs. Furthermore, their change in formula made some dogs reject the dog food. Lastly, one of its ingredients is menadione – a controversial type of vitamin K that is linked with allergies and liver problems.

11. ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

This ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food includes raw mackerel, herring, flounder, monkfish, redfish, and silver hake. In addition, this dog food is also made of 85% premium fish ingredients, which are a great source of needed protein, vitamins, and minerals for a healthier body. Its freeze-dried appearance also makes it much more appealing and appetizing to dogs. 

However, the only flaws of this dog food are the change in formula and quality. The Canada ORIJEN formula seems to be better than the new US formula. Lastly, if it’s your first time buying this for your dog, we suggest you buy the smallest size (4.5 lb) to check if your dog will love it or not. 

12. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

This Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food claims to give your dog complete and balanced nutrition. Aside from being free from common allergens like grains, this product also sources its protein from authentic and premium ingredients like bison and buffalo. It also contains dried chicory root for a healthy digestive system and peas and sweet potatoes for natural antioxidant support. 

But, several buyers reported that their dogs had poor stool quality after consuming the product. Additionally, the main issue with this product is the brand itself. Taste of the Wild had faced lawsuits regarding their product’s questionable ingredients and content, such as lead, contaminated ingredients, and other toxins. 

13. Nature’s Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast All Life Stages Dry Dog Food

The first component of Nature’s Logic Chicken Meal Feast is a high-quality, high-protein chicken meal from chicken grown in the United States. It is also a 100% natural and nutrient-rich dry dog food. The food is also coated with digestive enzymes that consist of natural vitamins, minerals, albumin, and globulin proteins. 

On the other hand, like the previous product, this dog food from Nature’s Logic also caused poor stool quality in some dogs. Moreover, even though grains, potatoes, and peas are not entirely bad ingredients, they might cause a reaction among dogs with sensitive food allergies. Lastly, semi to extremely fussy eaters seems to dislike this food. 

14. Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food, Adult, Small Paws for Small Breeds

To meet the nutritional requirements of small dogs, Hill’s Science Diet Adult small paws chicken & Barley entrée dog food is made alongside professional nutritionists. This natural dog food is also full of high-quality protein to help maintain lean muscle. Also, this food is easy to digest and consume. 

But, the weakness of this product is it’s not available to pregnant and lactating dogs. Additionally, several pet owners complained about the inconsistent quality of this product. Some batches are good then, some are not. And lastly, Hill’s Science has already gone through four recalls.  

15. Purina Beyond Simple Ingredient Farm-Raised Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe

This premium dog food from Purina starts with real farm-grown chicken raised without steroids as the first ingredient. The best part is that each nutrient-rich serving provides adult dogs with 100 percent complete and balanced nourishment, supporting their overall health from head to tail. 

However, the change in its formula caused some dogs to refrain from eating dog food. Moreover, Purine also went through two product recalls in 2013 and 2016, respectively. 

How Much Food Do Poodles Need?

Like other dog breeds, the amount of food Poodles also vary depending on their age, weight, and type of Poodle. Now, below are the standard feeding guides for the three different varieties of Poodles: 

Toy Poodle

This type of Poodle stands no more than 10 inches. With this, they are smaller than other Poodle varieties. Given their unique size, they also have different feeding guidelines. 

Energy Level	Calories Per Day	Cups Per Day
Not active	240 calories per day	½ to 1  cup per day
Average	300 calories per day	1 to 1 and ½  cup per day
Extremely active and energetic	Around 450 calories per day	1 and ½ to 2 cups per day

Miniature Poodle 

Unlike Toy Poodles, Miniatures are slightly taller with a height of 10 inches to 15 inches. Below are their feeding guidelines: 

Energy Level	Calories Per Day	Cups Per Day
Not active	400 calories per day	1 and ½ to 2 cups per day
Average	490 calories per day	1 and ½ to 2 cups per day
Extremely active and energetic	Around 775 calories per day	2 and ½ to 3 cups per day

Standard Poodle

Out of all varieties of Poodles, Standard Poodles are the tallest, standing more than 15 inches. By that, they require more calories per day than Toy Poodles and Miniatures. 

Energy Level	Calories Per Day	Cups Per Day
Not active	1,000 calories per day	3 to 4 cups per day
Average	1, 230 calories per day	4 to 4 and ½ cups per day
Extremely active and energetic	Around 2, 000 calories per day	5 to 6 cups per day

And lastly, this table below is the typical feeding guide for all varieties of Poodles depending on their age: 

Age	Calories Per Day	Cups Per Day
Puppy	Around 120 to 165 calories per pound	2 to 4 cups per day
Adult	Around 105 to 135 calories per pound	2 cups per day
Senior	Around 100 to 120 calories per pound	1-2 cups per day

Puppies require more calories since they are still developing. Meanwhile, senior dogs have lesser calories because, with their slower metabolism, they might have difficulties digesting high-calorie foods. In addition, the amount of cups per day varies depending on how many calories you serve per cup. 

Nutritional Needs of Poodles 

In choosing the best dog food for your Poodle, ensure that the following contents are found on the product’s ingredient list. Furthermore, these nutritional components are critical to meet your Poodle’s required nutrients to be healthy. 

Vitamins and Minerals

Usually found in vegetables and fruits, vitamins and minerals are essential in keeping our Poodle healthy and strong. Moreover, there are different types of vitamins, the most common ones are A, K, and C. These vitamins are also beneficial in avoiding poor eyesight, faster metabolism, and fighting oxidative damages from exposure to environmental pollutants. There is also calcium which is known for building stronger bones. 

Furthermore, deficiency in vitamins and minerals can result in health problems like vision impairment, being prone to bacterial infections, weaker immune system, muscle breakdown, and reproductive failure. 

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide the energy needed by dogs to go through their everyday physical activities. Additionally, the common sources of carbohydrates are grains, fruits, vegetables, sweet potatoes, peas, and more. Moreover, we don’t suggest using corn and soy as a source of carbohydrates since carbs from those foods burn quickly. Thus, resulting in tiredness in the middle of the day. Soy and corn are also harder to digest than other foods. 

Proteins

Protein is responsible for a lot of things like helping your dog’s body function properly, building stronger muscles and joints, developing a healthier immune system, and more. Also, to give you an overview of how much protein your dog needs, here’s a table indicating the preferred protein percentage among dogs:

Age	Recommended Protein Percentage
Puppies	Around 30%
Adults	Minimum of around 18% for average adults, and around 35% and above for extremely active adult dogs.

You should also note the source of protein. Good sources of protein also include authentic and high-quality animals like chicken, turkey, beef, fish, bison, and more. If possible, avoid protein sourced from byproducts.

Fats 

Healthy fats have several nutritional benefits to dogs. With the help of fats, dogs can feel full after their meals. Further, they can avoid overeating which can lead to obesity and bloating. Moreover, fat plays a crucial role in absorbing different vitamins (A, D, E, and K). On the other hand, omega fatty acids usually found in flaxseed and fish oils help maintain a smooth coat and healthy skin and heart. 

What Ingredients to Avoid 

After discussing the nutritional needs of Poodles, let us now proceed to the ingredients we need to avoid while buying dog food. These ingredients are a big no-no to Poodles since they might pose a medical threat to them. 

• Artificial Flavorings, Preservatives, and Additives: Artificial preservatives such as ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) since it can cause major allergic reactions among dogs. 

For food colorings, Kobylewski and Jacobson (2012) concluded that food dyes Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 could cause cancer in animals and contain carcinogens. Moreover, Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 can cause hypersensitivity reactions. 

And lastly, in a study by Craig (2021), even though various companies assure that the additives they use are safe, replacing them with a natural ingredient should still be considered. 

• Byproducts: Too much byproduct consumption might make your Poodle sick. It also becomes a problem if a byproduct comes from euthanized animals.
• Highly Processed Grains: Even though grains are not 100% bad, we do not recommend highly processed grains because they already lack essential nutrients like minerals, fibers, and vitamins due to over-processing. 
• Fillers: As the name suggests, these filler ingredients do not provide nutritional value to the dog food. But, it just plumps up the food. We do not suggest fillers since they are composed of potential allergens like wheat, soy, and corn. 

Diet-Related Ailments in Poodles

Now, what are the possible diet-related problems that Poodles might have?  

Addison’s Disease

The adrenal glands, the tiny glands next to the kidneys, produce cortisol and other hormones normally. However, in Addison’s disease, or hypoadrenocorticism, cortisol production is lower than usual. Additionally, the adrenal hormones balance salt, sugar, and water. Compared to Cushing’s disease, this disorder is less frequent. Middle-aged female dogs are also more prone to acquiring this ailment.

Symptoms of Addison’s Disease: 

• Increased thirst and urination
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Loss of appetite 
• Sudden weakness
• Slower heart rate and weaker pulse
• Depression 

So, how do we treat this disease? Well, there are two ways to treat Addison’s Disease, which are the following: In-hospital treatment and long-term treatment. 

Major cases of this disease also require in-hospital treatment where dogs are given intravenous fluids, cortisol-like drugs, and drugs to improve their situation. Meanwhile, the long-term treatment is providing your dog with cortisol shots in the form of daily pills or a shot/injection every 25 days.

Bladder Stones

Bladder stones, also known as cystic calculi or uroliths, are defined by veterinarians as a collection of minerals and associated compounds that crystallize inside the bladder. Additionally, calcium oxalate, struvite, urate, and cystine are the four main chemicals found in canine bladder stones. Additionally, hematuria (blood in the urine) and dysuria (painful urination) are two of the most typical symptoms of bladder stones in dogs. 

Symptoms of Bladder Stones among dogs:

• Painful urination (Dysuria)
• Blood in the urine (Haematuria)
• Increased urination (Pollakiuria)

Moreover, bladder stones are treated by removing them through surgery. This treatment is also the most effective way of treating the disease. Moreover, if you don’t want to resort to surgery, you can eliminate them through a special diet. However, this method takes longer than surgery. It also takes months to dissolve the stone. Also, some types of stone are impossible to be dissolved. 

Bloat

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) complex, sometimes referred to as bloat, is a medical and surgical emergency. In this disease, pressure rises when the stomach fills with air, preventing blood from the abdomen and rear legs from returning to the heart. The dog goes into shock because of the blood building up in the rear of the body, which reduces the amount of working blood.

Symptoms of Bloat in dogs:

• Visible enlargement of the dog’s abdomen
• Whining or growling in pain when their abdomen is touched or pressed
• Extreme salivation
• Sudden restlessness

Until now, animal experts are still puzzled by the cause or build-up of bloat among dogs. But fortunately, there’s already a treatment to address this ailment. 

First, the veterinarian waits for the shock to subside. After that, the dog will undergo surgery. Plus, since this illness has a 90% chance of happening again, the doctors will also pin the stomach to the abdominal wall (gastropexy procedure) to prevent it from twisting.

Cushing’s Disease 

This disease is the opposite of Addison’s disease. Now, Cushing’s disease happens when there is an overproduction of cortisol. This disease, usually caused by a pituitary gland tumor, is more common than we thought. 

Symptoms of Cushing’s Disease: 

• Increased thirst and urination
• Lack of activity
• Hair loss, fragile skin, and appearance of skin infection 
• Possible enlargement of the abdomen

Moreover, to treat this problem, the adrenal tumor should be removed through surgery. However, due to the risks associated with surgery, most cases of Cushing’s disease are treated with medication. 

Vetoryl (trilostane) is the only medication recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for this disease. Moreover, Vetoryl is prohibited for pregnant dogs and those with liver or kidney diseases. 

Hip Dysplasia 

This condition targets Standard Poodles. Further, one of the most common diseases among dogs is hip dysplasia. Any dog breed and size can also be affected by this illness. However, it is more prevalent among huge dogs.

Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia:

• Trouble moving around
• Sudden change in walk
• Lack of energy
• Lameness of limping
• Growling due to pain 

Further, to resolve this problem, Total Hip Replacement (THR) is the most effective option. In this procedure, metal and plastic implants will replace the entire affected hip. Aside from being the most effective, THR is also the most expensive treatment. Furthermore, the procedure roughly costs $3,500  to $7,000 per hip. The price varies depending on your dog’s size, condition, age, and other factors. 

Best Dog Foods For Poodles: FAQs

Before we wrap up this article, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the best dog foods for poodles: 

Ending this article, there is a vast choice of the best dog food for poodles, and it is also normal to feel overwhelmed about what to choose. Always look for the essential nutrients, and vitamins Poodles need in buying one. Considering that will help avoid the possible diet-related ailments among Poodles.