Getting a new puppy is an exciting experience for everyone – we have all been there. Those little creatures are not only super cute, but pretty soon, they become an essential part of your life – your family.
And, while all this is fun and cute, a puppy is also a big responsibility. You are essentially the one who needs to take care of it, feed it, and provide for it.
We know that with great responsibility comes a bit of doubt.
Well, if your new puppy is a Cockapoo, and you are in a dilemma about its feeding needs – you are at the right place because we are here to provide you with the ultimate guide – the cockapoo feeding chart.
A way to a healthy and happy dog is paved with a proper and balanced diet. It is important to know that the type of food and how often you are feeding your dog are equally important as the amount of food.
Stick with us to find out everything you need to know about your Cockapoo puppy and its feeding needs!
Cockapoo Feeding Chart – Overview
A Cockapoo, one of the oldest designer dog breeds, is actually a mix between the beautiful Cocker Spaniel and the highly intelligent Poodle.
Since this breed is a mixed breed, the Cockapoo puppy can come in various sizes and weights. It is important to know that not every Cockapoo puppy is the same because their size can highly affect the way this dog is supposed to be fed.
For example, Teacup Cockapoos are 10 inches tall when fully grown, and they usually weigh around six pounds or less, and a maxi (or a standard Cockapoo) should be at least 15 inches tall, and their adult weight should be more than 19 pounds.
Whether you have a teacup or maxi Cockapoo puppy, the best way to make sure your puppy grows up to be a healthy one is to follow a Cockapoo feeding chart.
It will make your life easier and without stress, so you can enjoy all the benefits of having such a joyful and loving dog.
Cockapoo Puppy Feeding Chart
| Age | Times A Day |
|---|---|
| 0-8 weeks | 4 |
| 8-12 weeks | 3-4 |
| 4-5 months | 3 |
| 6-9 months | 2-3 |
| 6-9 months | 2 |
Cockapoo Adult Feeding Chart
| Breed Size | Cups Per Day | |
|---|---|---|
| Teacup | ≤6lb | 1/2 |
| Toy | 7-12lb | 1 |
| Miniature | 13-18lb | 1 & 1/3 |
| Maxi/Standard | ≥19lb | 1 & 3/4 |
Cockapoo Feeding Chart: The Ultimate Guide
We have prepared for you a simple Cockapoo Feeding Chart. We know that this process can be quite confusing and stressful at times, so we really hope that this feeding guide will help you.
There are many factors that need to be considered when feeding your Cockapoo. As already mentioned, the amount of food depends on the size of the dog, but also its age, its energy levels, and its possible health conditions.
Kindly counsel: If your dog has any health issues, please consult your vet on how much and what kind of food you should be giving to your puppy!
Feeding A Cockapoo Puppy
The most important thing to consider when feeding a Cockapoo puppy is its age. Cockapoo puppies are breastfed until eight weeks old – the same as puppies fed on formula. After this, your puppy should start eating a scheduled diet.
Keep your puppy on a schedule if you can because it helps them get accustomed to a new home much easier, and it teaches them how to eat properly. It also helps them feel safer, more secure, and confident, as well as it teaches them discipline and prevents overfeeding.
Some breeders also advise that during the first couple of days, you should try to hand-feed your puppy. This will create a special bond between you two, and establish you as their owner and provider of the food.
An important step before you take your puppy to his new home is to ask a breeder what food he or she is used to. A sudden change in its food choice can be harsh for such small puppies, causing a loose stool or a decreased appetite.
Because of this, it is best to keep using the food they are used to for at least two more weeks, and then slowly introduce the new food.
Gradually mix the new choice of food with their old food, and try to add probiotics in their diet because they help with digestion and make this change easier.
How Many Times A Day Should A Cockapoo Be Fed?
Their first feeding should be mostly milk and only 10% of the new puppy food. In the beginning, you should feed your new puppy four times a day, with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the puppy food or just split the prescribed amount that is written on the food package equally throughout the day.
The best time to feed your puppy is in the morning after waking up, and at least three to four hours before going to sleep.
As your puppy grows, he can start eating fewer times a day. For example, around 12 weeks, you can start feeding him three times a day, and by nine months, just two times a day is enough.
Once the puppy reaches 12 months of age, it is important to switch to adult dog food. Since your puppy is considered an adult dog at this age, he doesn’t need as many nutrients as a puppy.
Therefore, if he continues to eat puppy food, he will probably become overweight or obese, which is not good at all for his health.
Feeding An Adult Cockapoo
The best time to feed your dog is after walks because they will be starving and see the food as a reward for doing something good.
Some dog owners prefer to feed their dog just once a day. If you would like to do that also, the best advice would be to feed your dog in the mornings because then, they will have enough energy throughout the day.
No matter what your preferences are in feeding, the crucial step in having a healthy dog is to establish a routine. Not only is it easier for you to maintain your dog’s healthy weight this way, but also dogs like routines.
Take a look at our Cockapoo adult feeding chart, which can help you establish how much you should be feeding your dog.
However, keep in mind that not every dog is the same regardless of its size and weight – all dogs are different in their own ways, including what they like or don’t like, how active they are, etc. All this should be considered when feeding your Cockapoo.
If you have a particularly active dog, he or she might need a bit more than the prescribed amount for an average dog. Of course, if your dog is on the lazier side and likes to rest most of the time, then he or she needs to be fed a little less than this amount.
How Many Cups Should A Cockapoo Eat Per Day?
When your puppy is old enough (around 10 to 12 months), it is important to make the switch to adult dog food. If you have used one commercial choice for your little pooch, stick with that one for your adult Cockapoo.
Adult Cockapoos should be fed two times a day. The amount of food depends on how big your Cockapoo is.
If you have a teacup Cockapoo, 1/2 cup per day should be enough; however, your maxi Cockapoo will need more. Bigger dogs require more food, of course.
So, depending on the dog’s weight and size, your Cockapoo might even need one cup and 3/4 per day – some, even two cups if they are larger… just make sure you are not overfeeding your dog.
Why Use A Cockapoo Feeding Chart?
Even though Cockapoos are generally healthy dogs, they can still develop some health issues such as cataracts, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, liver diseases, and allergies, which could be connected to their feeding habits.
If they eat too much, they will not be able to control their food intake, which can lead to overfeeding and an overweight dog. Chubby puppies are cute, we know, but this can seriously affect their well-being and shorten their lifespan.
On the other hand, underfeeding is also not a good situation. Your dog will not get enough nutrients needed for leading a normal life.
Underfeeding can lead to a disorder called coprophagia, which makes your dog eat poop due to anxiety and other attention-seeking behaviors like eating other items in the house just to compensate for the lack of nutrients in its diet.
If your Cockapoo does not follow a feeding schedule, and because of that, he or she is being fed too much or too little, the possibilities of certain behavioral and dietary issues are much greater.
These and other possible health risks make a great reason why you should utilize a feeding chart.
How Much Cockapoo Food Should A Dog Eat?
In order to know if you are feeding your dog the right amount of food, is it necessary to monitor your dog daily. Look at its appearance, its weight gain or loss of weight, and any change in its activity level.
Always start with the prescribed amount in the feeding chart, based on its weight, size, and age, and add or subtract if it’s necessary.
A healthy Cockapoo should have an hourglass figure, and its ribs should not be visible at any point, but you should be able to feel them when applying light pressure.
Is There A Difference In Diets Between Male And Female Cockapoos?
There really isn’t much of a difference between Cockapoo girls or boys. Outside of a few select cases, everything should be about the same.
What To Feed A Cockapoo Puppy
Did you just get your new Cockapoo puppy, and you are wondering which food you should give to him/her? Don’t worry – you are not alone.
There are many options in stores, and this can be quite confusing. We all know that you want the best for your little pup, so you are for sure wondering which is the best dog food – one that your pup will like, but it should also be equally nutritious.
Today, big markets and animal stores have a wide variety of options of dog food, but it is important to understand that if a certain dietary option is well-known and well-advertised, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a good option.
Usually, these highly-advertised brands are unfortunately the worst options for your pets because they don’t contain the needed nutrients that are necessary for the normal development of your dog.
When choosing a certain brand, make sure to read the ingredient list and try to choose the one that has the most natural ingredients within your price range.
Puppy Food
Most puppies need special puppy food that is customized to their age and dietary needs. For Cockapoo puppies, the best is to look for food made for small-breed dogs.
But, why do puppies need a different kind of food than other dogs?
The answer is simple. Just like babies and toddlers, puppies are still small dogs in development, and they require more care.
They need more protein per pound of their body weight than an adult dog would. Because they are still growing, protein and nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium, are required for a pup’s growth and muscle and bone strengthening.
The minimum amount of protein needed in puppy food is 22.5%. It is also important that the food has real protein, such as chicken, rather than meat derivatives which are made from waste parts of an animal.
Adult Food
Kibble
Kibble is just another name for dry dog food. It is ground-up ingredients such as meat, grains, vegetables, and other material shaped into pellets and cooked.
When choosing which kibble to buy, there are a number of factors that should be considered. Read the list of ingredients carefully, and do not buy those that have a lot of preservatives or fillers because those are really unhealthy for your dog.
Kibble as a type of dog food is actually really convenient because it is easy to store and easy to give to your pet without leaving a mess. This is why it is the most popular type of food for dogs.
If you choose the right type of kibble, made of natural ingredients, your dog will get all of its needed nutrients. Besides providing your dog with proteins and vitamins, kibble is also good for your dog’s dental hygiene because it cleanses their teeth.
When you find the right brand of this dry food, the best thing is to stick with it. Dogs do not need to change their food regularly or have diversity like humans do.
Besides the inexpensiveness and easiness when it comes to feeding your dog this type of food, one more advantage is that these crunchy little pieces of food can also be used as treats when training your pup.
Wet Food
Wet food is another type of dog food for your pup. It can come in various shapes and sizes. The advantage of wet food is that it contains water, which helps your dog stay hydrated.
Wet food contains fewer carbohydrates than dry food, which is better for the dog’s digestive system.
Most wet food contains meat and cereals, while those more natural ones have rice instead of cereals in order to avoid any allergic reaction.
However, most wet food is not supposed to be the only dietary option because they are not well-balanced. Wet food should be used simultaneously with dry food, except if your vet says differently.
The disadvantage of this food is that it is usually more expensive, and can cause bad breath and a loose stool, so the best option would be to use this food as just an occasional mealtime and complementary food.
BARF
BARF (or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) has been quite a popular topic in the last few years. Humans have become more self-aware, and are in search of all-natural ingredients and a high-quality diet.
The same thing has been applied to a dog’s diet. Therefore, BARF has grown in popularity, and it somehow became a trend.
But, what exactly does BARF mean?
BARF is a feeding regime that is based on a raw diet – similarly, it is how dogs would live in the wild. It mostly consists of raw meat and bones, with supplements such as vegetables, fruits, fish, etc.
You must be thinking: how is it possible that a raw diet is safe for dogs, and even considered healthier?
Well, the reason is because dogs have a completely different digestive system than us. The gastric acidity of a dog’s stomach helps process raw meat much faster, and the low pH is highly effective in killing harmful bacteria like salmonella or E Coli.
Dogs that are being fed this diet usually tend to have fewer health problems; for example, they suffer less from allergies, digestive and dental problems, and dog odor.
However, even though it has many benefits, this raw diet is still not scientifically proven to be significantly better for your dog’s health.
The problem is that many commercial raw foods are not well-balanced and complete, so it is best to consult your vet in order to help you make a good meal plan for your pup.
Homemade Food
Many owners nowadays choose to feed their pup homemade food. It is similar to a raw-food diet, but this way, the food is cooked.
However, with this type of diet, puppy parents should be careful. While dogs can eat much of the same food as humans, there are some concerns – for example, spices like salt and pepper, or other human foods can be toxic to dogs.
If you are not an expert in dog nutrition, again, it is best to consult your vet and talk with him about the best meal plan for a complete and well-balanced dog diet.
Treats
Treats are generally the one thing that many do not consider as part of a dog’s diet, but they certainly are. They are generally used when trying to train your puppy, or just as a reward or recreation.
People love to show their pups that they love them, and giving them treats is one of such ways. Usually, dogs get really excited when they just hear the word, and your Cockapoo is certainly not an exception.
Giving your puppy a treat is alright and even healthy, but just be careful not to overfeed him with them since treats should only be a small part of your dog’s diet.
Not every treat is healthy, though. Some are full of artificial ingredients, and therefore, should be avoided.
Great healthy options include jerky, tendons, dried liver, raw bones, or some fruits and vegetables like pumpkins, carrots, green beans, or fresh fruit (apples, watermelons, blueberries, bananas…).
Like with everything said before, not every dog is the same, so always be careful when giving any type of treat to your dog for the first time. Look for any sign of reaction, and if there is one, contact your vet immediately!
What Not To Feed Your Cockapoo Puppy
Cockapoos are actually known for having allergies to different kinds of food, which is why you need to be careful when feeding your Cockapoo puppy.
If you are using commercial food exclusively, always check whether that particular brand is safe for Cockapoos.
Here is a list of food that might cause allergies for your Cockapoo puppy:
Soy And Gluten
Soy and gluten may cause allergic reactions, such as skin and ear infections. If you notice that your Cockapoo is prone to having these reactions, maybe you should consider switching to a hypoallergenic diet.
Milk (Dairy Products)
Cockapoos, as many other dog breeds, could be lactose intolerant because they can’t produce the enzyme called lactase.
Being lactose intolerant means that they cannot digest dairy products, which can lead to many digestive problems.
For example, milk or other dairy products can cause diarrhea, vomiting, allergic reactions, and itching.
Grapes And Raisins
Grapes and raisins are known to have an extremely toxic compound for your dog, which can cause rapid kidney failure and eventually death. It is advised to avoid them completely since even a small amount can cause big health problems.
Chocolate
Chocolate is toxic for dogs because it contains two chemicals: caffeine and theobromine. It can be extremely harmful to your Cockapoo depending on the amount ingested.
The best thing to do is avoid giving chocolate to your pup in any form! If it happens, though, seek professional advice immediately in order to prevent severe symptoms from happening.
Avocados
Because of the toxin called persin, avocados should never be eaten by dogs. This toxin can damage a dog’s lungs and heart, and can cause breathing problems, oxygen deprivation, and in the worst case scenario – death!
Look for any sign of swelling of the abdomen, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort because those are all severe symptoms caused by eating avocados.
Garlic And Onions
Garlic and onions contain toxins which can cause damage to your Cockapoo’s red blood cells. Garlic is much stronger, and thus, has more toxins. Its consumption may lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
Macadamia Nuts And Almonds
Generally, a Cockapoo’s digestive system is not made to handle nuts well. Macadamia nuts contain a toxin which can lead to vomiting, weakness, tremors, or hyperthermia.
If your dog is having an allergic reaction, he or she will probably experience itchy red skin, loss of fur, diarrhea and sickness, and extreme licking.
Conclusion: Cockapoo Feeding Chart
We sincerely hope that this Cockapoo Feeding Chart that we have prepared has been useful for you, and that it has answered all your questions regarding a Cockapoo’s dietary needs.
Sticking with a feeding chart can help you grow a happy and healthy adult dog. But, how much you should be feeding your dog will always be solely your decision.
Remember that this puppy is part of your family, and you are the one who spends the most time with him and knows him the best.
These sweet, loving, and friendly puppies can be the perfect choice for your family. They are extremely easy to adapt and train, and with their enthusiasm and joking nature, every day spent with them will be a true joy.
If you, however, have any more doubts or questions, make sure to ask a vet, who will certainly give you some interesting and helpful advice.
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