Ah yes, dogs and food — an ongoing topic among all paw lovers.
Are you planning to get a Goldendoodle puppy, but you’re not quite sure about its feeding schedule? Or what to feed your Goldendoodle puppy with?
We’re here to help you out!
Getting a Goldendoodle puppy is no joke. It’s a very exciting period in which there are many things to take into consideration. Perhaps one of the most important things to think about is the Goldendoodle feeding chart.
You know what they say — “you are what you eat”, well, that definitely goes for the Goldendoodle dog breed.
As we all know, the Goldendoodle is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. Now, Poodles come in different sizes, and so do their hybrid puppies. That said, different Goldendoodle sizes mean different Goldendoodle feeding charts. Therefore, we will talk about standard, medium, and mini Goldendoodle feeding charts. To learn more about Goldendoodle sizes, take a look at the Goldendoodle growth chart.
Every responsible dog owner wants to make sure its puppy gets the most high-quality, balanced diet. In case you are unsure about how much food you should give your Goldendoodle puppy per day and what is the best food for Goldendoodle puppies, I strongly advise you to continue reading.
Goldendoodle Puppy Feeding Chart
Are you wondering how much food a Goldendoodle puppy should eat a day?
The amount of food you’re giving to your Goldendoodle puppy depends on its age, as well as its daily activity and energy levels.
Take a look at this Goldendoodle puppy feeding chart overview.
| Age | Standard, Medium, and Mini Goldendoodle |
|---|---|
| 8 - 12 Weeks | 3 - 5 times per day |
| 4 - 6 Months | 3 times per day |
| 6 - 12 Months | 2 times per day |
| 12 - 24 Months | 2 times per day |
Here we’re pointing out the feeding frequency of your Goldendoodle puppy depending on its age. This will vary as your Goldendoodle puppy grows. As older it gets, the feeding frequency decreases, but the volume of feed increases.
How much should I feed my Goldendoodle?
Taking into consideration each dog’s ancestry, all dog breeds are prone to overeating — it’s in their nature.
That’s something to always keep in mind. Goldendoodles love to eat. Perhaps it’s their second favorite thing to do (first being cuddling). They probably inherited this trait from the Golden Retriever parents. Either way, a Goldendoodle’s love for food is both a good thing, and a bad thing.
It’s good because it’s a positive sign that everything’s alright with your Goldendoodle puppy’s health. It’s bad because overeating can lead to serious health problems.
So, how much is too much? Take a look at this adult Goldendoodle feeding chart.
| Goldendoodle Size | Weight | Feeding amount per day |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Goldendoodle | 15 to 30 pounds | 1 to 2 cups |
| Medium Goldendoodle | 30 to 45 pounds | 2 to 4 cups |
| Standard Goldendoodle | 45 to 100 pounds | 3 to 5 cups |
Here’s a golden rule to remember. Goldendoodle puppies require a balanced diet. This means that they should be fed more frequent, but small meals. Goldendoodle puppies may need up to five small meals per day, whereas adults require a total of two meals per day.
Let’s get into more detail!
Goldendoodle Calorie Intake
If you are one of those people who are constantly counting calories in meals, this whole story will be familiar to you. However, if you are like me, who doesn’t really pay attention to calorie intake, you will find this text quite educational.
First thing’s first — calories are not bad for your Goldendoodle puppy. In fact, calories are what keep the body going! How do you think Goldendoodle puppies maintain their high energy levels? Calories are basically what give Doodles their energy.
Different Goldendoodle Sizes And Calorie Intake
Mini Goldendoodles usually reach 15 to 35 pounds in weight. So, they require around 366 calories per day.
Medium Goldendoodles may weigh up to 30 and 45 pounds so they need approximately 440 calories or above.
As for Standard Goldendoodles that normally weigh 50 to 90 pounds, they require 835 to over 1000 calories per day.
Take a look at an estimated daily calorie intake depending on the Goldendoodle’s weight.
Goldendoodle Weight Daily Calorie Intake
| Goldendoodle Weight | Daily Calorie Intake |
|---|---|
| 10 pounds | 200 - 275 calories |
| 20 pounds | 325 - 400 calories |
| 50 pounds | 700 - 900 calories |
| 70 pounds | 900 - 1050 calories |
| 90 pounds | 1100 - 1350 calories |
It’s pretty clear that large Goldendoodles require a higher calorie count than Mini Goldendoodles.
How To Calculate Calories
Wondering how I got to these numbers? Thanks to math of course! Yeah right, I used the calorie calculator. However, I have prepared a math formula for you guys.
Here’s what you can do to properly figure out how many calories your Goldendoodle puppy should take per day.
Weigh your Goldendoodle puppy and convert pounds into kilograms. Then, find the power of its weight to ¾ and multiply it by 70. This is called the resting energy requirement or RER for short. And it seems quite confusing so let’s give an example.
If your Goldendoodle weighs 20 pounds (9kg) then RER will be 70 x (9kg)3/4 ≈ 365 calories per day.
I honestly find this difficult and time consuming, so I stick to online dog calorie calculators.
Feeding your Goldendoodle large portions of puppy food or dry kibble doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s getting enough calories. This is where you have to check the back of the dog food bag for the list of ingredients.
Dog Food Label For Dummies
Looking at the dog food ingredient table can be very frustrating. You find yourself reading the ingredients and for a second it seems like you have figured it all out. But, the next thing you know, you have no clue what to look out for.
When it comes to dog food, most of it is made out of four basic components: water, healthy fats, fiber, and protein. Ingredients in dog food are listed by their weight.
So, the “heaviest” ingredients should always go first. You can use this as a tip on how to distinguish low quality and high quality dog food.
Protein In Dog Food
High quality dog food usually has meat listed as the first ingredient. The meat percentage is therefore normally written on the dog food package. Some sources state that dogs should keep a balanced diet with a 30% lean meat protein, while others believe that a 100% raw diet is the way to go. This depends on the dog breed and the dog’s needs.
When it comes to dry food, Goldendoodles can tolerate 30% of protein. Studies show that an adult dog requires 10% of calories from protein. So, look for whole protein in dry food, such as beef, turkey, salmon, rabbit, and pork.
Although daily protein intake is a must, you can overdo it. Don’t feed your dog more than it can eat. Too much protein in diet is extremely unhealthy, especially if in small breeds. Excess protein can lead to problems with the digestive system, which lead to other health issues like obesity and heart problems.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats such as beef fat and fish oil. Adult dog food should have enough healthy fats to meet the dog’s daily needs. At least 5,5% of daily calories should come from healthy fats.
Search for dog food with 3 and 6 omega fatty acids. These healthy fatty acids are often found in fish-based foods. Most quality dog food brands include these important ingredients in both wet food and dry kibble.
Fatty acids such as omega 6 contribute to a healthy Goldendoodle coat. Working together with vitamins and other nutrients, these healthy fats help build a shiny, low-shedding coat with healthy skin. And we all know that Goldendoodle’s coat color its best when it’s well taken care of.
Not only do healthy fats contribute to the quality of hair, but they also make the Goldendoodle’s coat color more vivid and glowy!
Healthy fats can be found in vegetable oils as well. So, you can incorporate a teaspoon of canola, sunflower or olive oil to your Goldendoodle’s meal.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the second most important ingredient in dog food. Opt for healthy carbs like potato, squash, and berries. You can also hand-feed your Goldendoodle dog-friendly fruits and veggies.
Keep an eye out for “grain-free” dog food. What’s so special about grain-free dog food? Well, such food helps maintain a healthy digestive system. Most dogs (and cats too) have sensitive stomachs. Grain-free dog food replaces grains like rice, corn and peas. It aids in maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome in dogs.
Due to the fact that the Goldendoodles come in different sizes, the amount of ingredients found in dog food vary.
Goldendoodle Feeding Chart: Things To Consider
Of course there are some external and internal factors that affect your Goldendoodle’s diet. Each puppy’s appetite is different. And each puppy’s metabolism burns different amounts of calories. Therefore, each puppy needs an individual diet plan.
Here are some factors to keep in mind.
Size And Gender
The Goldendoodle is a crossbreed that ranges in size depending on its Poodle parent. This means that all three Goldendoodle sizes require different diets. Although they all show the same activity levels, their bodies require different amounts of food and nutrients.
Normally, Goldendoodle males and females are different in terms of size. Females are usually smaller than male Goldendoodles. So, most of the time, female Doodles will eat less than males.
Mini Goldendoodles are usually fed mini portions. Same goes for medium and standard Doodles, except they can eat a tad bigger portions. Without putting much thought into calculations, the main thing you have to worry about is to avoid your Goldendoodle puppy getting overweight or underweight.
Age
Goldendoodle puppies are some of the most high-energy puppies in the canine world. Considering their high energy levels, Goldendoodle puppies have different nutritional needs than older Doodles. This means that younger pups should be fed a proper diet that meets their nutritional needs.
Age is an important factor in the Goldendoodle puppy growth which is connected to the feeding chart. Both the skeletal and digestive system of young Goldendoodle puppies benefit greatly from high quality dog food.
Dog foods rich in calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals are great for small Goldendoodle puppies in development. Such food strengthens and “feeds” the bone tissue that is crucial in Goldendoodle puppy growth.
Goldendoodle puppies that are in the transitioning period from mother’s milk to puppy food require high quality puppy food that will aid in the normal development of an immune and strong digestive system.
A healthy Goldendoodle puppy is the one that gets enough energy from food. Every puppy needs enough high quality nutrients. Finding the best dog food for Goldendoodle puppies will assure that they grow into beautiful adult dogs.
Health
Health and age go side by side. There is no way of raising a long-living Goldendoodle dog unless it is healthy. Goldendoodle is a mixed breed that doesn’t suffer from many health issues. However, inadequate food intake can have a huge impact on the dog’s health.
All creatures on this earth need some source of food in order to survive — so do puppies. In order to stay healthy and survive, dogs need a balanced diet.
Due to the fact that the Goldendoodle is a cross derived from Poodles and Golden Retrievers, it is susceptible to congenital health issues such as hip dysplasia, eye diseases, and Addison’s disease.
Moreover, Goldendoodles can develop different health issues because of their size. For example, Standard Goldendoodles that get up to 24 inches in height are more prone to hip and elbow dysplasia (as most large dogs are).
Activity Levels
Due to the fact that the Goldendoodles are athletic and high-energy dogs, many Doodle owners wonder “How much exercise does a Goldendoodle need?”
A Goldendoodle dog of any size usually needs two to three hours of exercise per day. Besides physical activity, Goldendoodle puppies should get enough mental stimulation throughout the day.
The amount of food you should give your Goldendoodle depends on how active it is — both mentally and physically.
How Much Should A Goldendoodle Puppy Be Fed?
You can use the Goldendoodle puppy feeding chart we’ve provided now that you’ve seen the things to consider. Nonetheless, we’ve included a feeding guide just to be sure.
For instance, if a chart states a 20-pound Mini Goldendoodle needs 1.5 cups of food, divide 1.5 by the number of meals you feed your dog. Dogs should normally be fed twice a day, so the appropriate serving size in this situation is 3/4 cup of food per meal.
The diet of a growing Goldendoodle puppy is crucial. There are numerous commercial puppy foods on the market. These foods meet their specific nutritional needs and should be fed until the Goldendoodle puppy is twelve to eighteen months of age, depending on its body condition and size.
To avoid developmental issues, large Goldendoodles should start with a large-breed puppy food and then switch to an adolescent formula until they reach their full size.
According to its age, here are some basic feeding guidelines for your Goldendoodle puppy:
Birth To Two Weeks Old Goldendoodle Puppy
A newborn Goldendoodle puppy must start nursing as soon as possible. The most important part of its tiny life is ingesting the right amount of colostrum.
Colostrum is what we call the first milk the mother Goldendoodle dog produces. It is full of crucial ingredients, like enzymes, hormones, polyamides, nucleic acid derivatives, amino acids, proteins, and immunoglobulins. This means that the colostrum is the best substance that helps build a strong immune system to fight puppy diseases.
There is no synthetic puppy formula that can completely replace colostrum. This is a one-of-a-kind product that is only produced by the mother dog.
There are cases when the mother is not able to produce any milk (due to hormonal, or other disorders), in which the whole litter of puppies is at risk. In fact, the whole litter may not make it in the next 48 hours. Newborn Goldendoodle puppies are to be fed every three to four hours.
If it ever comes to this situation, dog owners must act quickly. One should either find a high-quality puppy formula to feed the orphaned puppies, or find a substitute dog mother.
At two weeks of age, the Goldendoodle puppy becomes stronger and its immune system is developing. Two-week old Goldendoodle puppies still require 4-5 meals per day. Mini Goldendoodle puppies should be fed up to 15 mL with each meal. Medium and Standard two-week old Goldendoodle puppies should eat from 20 to 25 mL with each meal. The best thing to do is read the instructions on the puppy formula package or consult your veterinarian.
Three To Six Week Old Goldendoodle Puppy
At three weeks of age, Goldendoodle puppies still rely on their mother. This means that they are still by their mom’s side. As they become more active, Goldendoodle puppies stop nursing by four weeks of age.
Four weeks of age is when Doodle puppies are extremely active — for the first time! They enjoy learning new smells and sounds. Increased activity equals higher energy requirements. During this period, it’s safe to slowly progress to first puppy food.
To make the transition period easier, it’s best to mix puppy food with some lukewarm water. This way you won’t “shock” your Goldendoodle’s stomach with hard puppy food.
Six To Nine Week Old Goldendoodle Puppy
Week six marks the transition period from mother’s milk to puppy food. Make sure to choose the best dog food brand you can find. Puppy diarrhea and stomach problems may occur when they are first introduced to puppy food (this usually goes away quickly).
However, it’s good to keep track of your puppy’s poop color and texture. Grainy dog poop may be a result of improper diet.
At seven weeks of age, Goldendoodle’s baby teeth should have already protruded. Now it may start to eat dry kibble. If you notice that it hasn’t gotten used to such food, you can continue adding small amounts of water. However, by eight weeks of age, a Goldendoodle puppy should already have an increased and healthy appetite.
Ten To Twelve Week Old Goldendoodle Puppy
This is the period where your Goldendoodle puppy is active the most. You will want to keep up with your puppy feeding schedule, as it’s extremely important to meet its nutritional needs.
A twelve week old Goldendoodle puppy should get at least 1 to 1 1/3 cups of puppy food a day.
Keep up with the “more frequent meals per day” puppy feeding schedule during this period.
Three To Six Month Old Goldendoodle Puppy
Your Goldendoodle puppy is going through its puppy growth spurt! This means that its energy requirements are over the roof. And it will stay like this until it reaches its adult size.
You can always prepare healthy homemade puppy food. But, before making your own dog food, make sure to know what human foods are bad for dogs.
Six To Twelve Month Old Goldendoodle Puppy
Depending on the size of your Goldendoodle puppy, some might require two, whereas some three meals per day. Smaller Goldendoodles usually require less frequent meals.
By six months of age, most Goldendoodle puppies have a balanced feeding schedule.
A twelve month old Goldendoodle puppy is basically an adult dog. However, some Goldendoodles may reach adulthood when they are 18 months old.
After twelve months of age, your Goldendoodle puppy can switch to adult dog food. During this period you can experiment with vegetable meals. Your Goldendoodle puppy’s diet shouldn’t only consist of store-bought puppy kibble. Try boiling chicken for your all grown up Doodle.
Goldendoodle Puppy Feeding Schedule
As a responsible dog owner, you’ll have to be disciplined in keeping track of your Goldendoodle puppy’s feeding schedule. During the first year of the Goldendoodle puppy’s life, it’s best to incorporate frequent, but small meals.
So, start with breakfast. Your Goldendoodle puppy should eat breakfast at the same time you do (preferably at the same time every day). Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? Therefore, make sure to give your Doodle puppy a proper, measured meal.
Lunch should be around five hours away from breakfast. In between two meals, your Goldendoodle puppy should get some exercise. But, not straight after a meal — wait at least two hours before any major physical activity.
Dinner is served in the evening and should contain light foods. Avoid feeding your Goldendoodle treats during the evening. Dog treats may lead to your puppy becoming restless at night.
When your Goldendoodle puppy reaches adulthood, you can switch to feeding it two meals per day (with healthy snacks in between).
Giving Supplements To A Goldendoodle Puppy
You might get the idea of giving your Goldendoodle puppy supplements during puppyhood.
Supplements are a great source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and probiotics. Calcium and phosphorus are two minerals that you should give to your Goldendoodle puppy because they are necessary during its development years.
However, frequent and high intake of supplements may lead to health problems. So, it’s best to consult your veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist.
Final Thoughts
The Goldendoodle’s puppyhood is the most important period of its life. So, I highly recommend taking notes and keeping a puppy feeding schedule.
Feeding your Goldendoodle puppy a high quality diet assures raising a healthy puppy. A healthy Goldendoodle’s lifespan is between ten and thirteen years. And the key to long life is a well-balanced diet, along with lots of physical activity and lots of love!
Using the Goldendoodle feeding chart helps you keep track of how much food and how many meals per day your Goldendoodle puppy eats. This way you will maintain your Goldendoodle puppy’s healthy weight.
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