Goldendoodle Homemade Dog Food Guide: Recipes, Nutrition & Tips

This is the ultimate guide to cooking homemade dog food for your Goldendoodles.

Homemade diets for dogs can be a tricky thing to navigate, especially when it comes to getting the right amount of nutrients, vitamins, and other factors that play into making a balanced diet for your pet.

We cover every aspect of cooking for your Goldendoodle, including, recipes, tips, and vital guidelines to make delicious home-cooked meals for your Groodles.

Benefits Homemade Dog Food For Goldendoodles

Are there any health and nutritional benefits that make home cooking from your Goldendoodle appealing?

Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, MS, Ph.D., and Joe Bartges, DVM, Ph.D., board-certified veterinary nutritionists and diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, says some of the benefits you can expect when you start feeding your dog homemade dog food include:

• Diet management
• Appeasing picky dog eaters
• Combatting food intolerance and allergy issues
• Avoid concern over food recalls
• Bond-building

Additionally, a homemade dog diet is generally the healthiest alternative for Goldendoodles. It’s free of additives or preservatives, unlike regular kibble. It promotes healthier digestion and can prevent many conditions associated with a poor diet, such as obesity, poor skin and coat condition, pancreatitis, diabetes, and reduced immunity.

Why Is Homemade Food Specifically Beneficial For Goldendoodles?

Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the Goldendoodle is no exception. In many cases, the cause of food allergies in dogs is animal protein such as chicken or beef, chemical additives, and preservatives. However, some dogs also develop allergies to other sources like corn, grains, fat, eggs, and milk.

Dr. Sara Ochoa, D.V.M. states that a large portion of Goldendoodles have sensitive stomachs, and feeding them higher quality ingredients is vital to avoid digestive issues. But why is this? Because the Goldendoodle is a hybrid breed (a cross between Golden Retrievers and Poodle), we’ll have to examine its parents to find out what food-related issues this mix-breed may be prone to.

According to a study published in “Veterinary Dermatology,” researchers found that Golden Retrievers Atopic dermatitis, a heritable condition, is more common in Golden Retrievers than other breeds. This allergic skin disease is mostly due to environmental allergens, but food intolerances can also cause skin allergies and gastrointestinal disorders in Golden Retrievers. On the other hand, Poodles are incredibly sensitive on many levels, especially in the food department. They are known to develop skin allergies from food. According to several testimonials in this poodle forum, this breed is prone to skin allergies due to improper nutrition. A poodle that develops an allergic reaction to food may suffer from dry, itchy, and irritated skin, including a rare inflammatory skin disease (sebaceous adenitis), which is more prominent in poodles.

Because the parents of Goldenpoodles are breeds susceptible to food-related allergy issues, you need to be mindful of creating a healthy diet that sustains the high energy of Goldendoodles and keeps allergens at bait.

How Can A Homemade Diet Stop All of This In Goldendoodles?

One of the most beneficial aspects of home cooking for Goldendoodle is that you get to pick only whole, fresh ingredients that are healthy and you know won’t cause an allergic reaction in your pet. And since Goldendoodles are prone to sensitive stomachs, being able to control what goes into each recipe allows you to design a calorie-controlled, high protein, and fresh diet that’s tailored to this breed’s specific nutritional needs.

As a good home-cooking practice, we strongly suggest doing an At Home Dog Allergy Test to identify which foods your Goldendoodle is allergic to so you can avoid those ingredients to ensure everything you cook is safe.

Homemade dog diets are much easier to digest than regular kibble due to their higher bioavailability, freshness, and unprocessed nature. Easy digestion means more efficient nutrient absorption, which results in your dog processing minerals, vitamins, amino acids fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6) more effectively. The processing of nutrients is key because they play a role in decreasing inflammatory responses caused by allergens.

If you think your dog may have a food allergy, make an appointment with your vet or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist for a professional diagnosis.

Goldendoodle Homemade Dog Food Risks

Making homemade dog food may sound as easy as making a home cooked meal for you and your family, but that’s not always the case.

Here are just some of the risks:

• Using inadequate or dangerous recipes
• Not preparing a balanced meal.
• Using unsafe or harmful ingredients
• Not understanding the impact of food and dietary changes
• Not understanding the nutritional needs of your Goldendoodle

A study by the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary found that most homemade dog food recipes are lacking key essential nutrients that dogs need in order to grow properly.

Further research published in The Journal of Nutritional Science concluded 48% of dog homemade diets had an imprecise determination of ingredients and quantities and that 71.3 % of dog owners did know how much food to serve per meal.

Although we know you would never knowingly not give your dog all of the nutrients they need, we do highly recommend checking with a veterinary nutritionist to guide you on what proper Goldendoodle nutrition. Your vet should also provide you with trusted recipes or recommend a homemade dog food delivery service. This can help prevent future malnutrition in your Goldendoodle.

Goldendoodles Nutritional Guidelines to Follow

When cooking for your Groodle (aks Goldendoodle) you need to consider your dog’s health conditions, activity level, size, and weight. Just as you would with any dog.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO), (the entity regulating dog food nutritional value in commercial dog food) recommends that all dog meals need to include these 6 essential nutrients.

Nutrient	Food	Description
Protein	Chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish, yogurt and cooked eggs	Builds and repairs muscles and other body tissues. Needed to make new skin cells, grow hair, hormones, enzymes and more.
Carbohydrates	Oats, brown rice, potatoes, and whole wheat	Source of energy for dogs and supplies glucose needed by the brain, nervous system and other critical organs for normal function.
Fat	From meats and oils such as olive or sunflower oil, fish oil, canola oils among others	Responsible for providing quality energy. Necessary for the normal development and function of body cells, nerves, muscles, and body tissues
Minerals	Calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc.	Common functions include the formation of bone and cartilage, nerve and muscle function, fluid balance regulation, the transportation of oxygen in the bloodstream and hormone production.
Water	Water	Hydration is critical in dogs. A dog that loses too much water (10% to 15% of the water in his body) can get very sick and even die. Ensure they have water available throughout the day.
Vitamins	A, B, C, D, E, and K	Keeps skin and coat healthy, strengthens bones and teeth, and gives them the overall energy that they need to function.

However, it’s common for homemade dog meals to lack one or more of these essential nutrients. To remedy this, you can supplement your dog’s meals with a multivitamin supplement like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews.

Creating a well-balanced diet for dogs can be difficult for some parents. We advise you to consult with your veterinarian, where they can help you create a professional-approved, individualized diet for your Goldendoodle.

Never improvise when cooking for your pet. To help you cook for your Goldendoodle at home, check out Home Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, Ph.D. He’s an expert in veterinary medicine, and tons of pet nutritionists look to this book as a guide for homemade dog food.

Healthy Dietary Changes In Goldendoodles

Is your Goldendoodle struggling with any of the following health conditions below due to a bad food reaction or other reasons? The following dietary changes, adjustments may help bring relief and aid with recovery.

A homemade diet supplemented with the following nutritional tips might help control these conditions.

Condition	Dietary Needs & Adjustments
Coat Color Changes	Increase amino acids which can be found in protein (>75 grams per 1000 calories)
Concurrent GI Signs	Avoid foods with tryptamine and histamine such as dairy or fermented vegetables and meats (yes, this includes bacon); try a simple ingredient food trial
Chronic Itching and Dermatitis	Fortify the diet with Vitamin E, B Vitamins, Zinc, omega-6 and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil; add a dog probiotic; try a simple ingredient food trial
Dull Coat and Scaling	Adjust EPA and DHA levels in the diet (added fish oil being the most common way); try a food that has added zinc
Dandruff and Crustiness	Add Zinc and Vitamin A levels

Due to hereditary traits, Goldendoodles tend to have sensitive tummies and food allergies are somewhat common in this breed. To minimize and prevent such digestive problems, adding a couple of squirts of dog-specific fish oil to his food may provide relief and nourishment to affected areas.

Goldendoodles Calorie Requirements

The calorie requirements of an adult Goldendoodle will vary depending on their weight. A full-grown Goldendoodle can weigh between 50-90 pounds. So, most Goldendoodles need to eat between 1160 and 1800 calories a day based on their weight.

If you are giving treats, make sure you follow the 10% rule where food would equal 90% of the total calories and treats 10%. For instance, if your Goldendoodle weighs 65 lbs, he would need 1418 per day. If you give him treats, then that’s 1276 in food (90%) and 142 in treats (10%). Usually, adult dogs eat two meals per day, so split 1276 calories into two meals of 638 calories each. You can use this calculator to find the exact caloric needs for your pet.

For pregnant Goldendoodles, make sure to speak with your vet about proper diet care. Pregnant dogs can need up to 2 to 4 times the amount of food they would normally have as the mother’s energy and nutrient requirements increase after delivery and during lactation.

Homemade Dog Food For Goldendoodles Puppies

Goldendoodle puppies have different dietary needs than an adult Goldendoodle.

If you bring home an 9 weeks old Goldendoodle puppy that weighs 16 lbs, you will want to feed them about 497 calories a day, divided into 3 during the day compared to just two for adults. You would have to cook 3 homemade meals for your Goldendoodle puppy of 165 calories each.

To encourage proper growth and development, never skip a meal and make sure your puppy’s diet consists of a proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, water, and vitamins, as outlined in our nutritional guidelines earlier. Always get your vet’s advice about your puppy’s diet requirement.

Homemade Dog Food Delivery Service

If you are a Goldendoodle dog parent who is overwhelmed about dog nutrition and don’t want to risk cooking something that’s not nutritionally appropriate for your pet, or maybe you don’t have the time to cook for your doodle, Nom Nom homemade dog food delivery service is here to help.

Nom Nom offers fresh, pre-portioned packs of homemade dog food to your door at regular intervals. This food is carefully designed to fit your specific dog’s needs using the information you fill out when signing up. Everything is made from real, human-grade ingredients (meats, veggies, grains, etc.)

Their food is developed by a veterinary nutritionist and follows the AAFCO nutritional guidelines. They do all the cooking for you, so you never have to worry about using the wrong ingredients, proper nutrition guidelines, portion sizes, and more.

In our experience, it’s a huge time-saver, and you can spend time on more important things like walks or training. Plus, you avoid all the hassle of planning, shopping, and cooking. We think it’s worth the cost after you add up the prices of all the ingredients you’ll need to cook a recipe.

Our readers have access to save 50% off their first Nom Nom order just use this link to get your Goldendoodle’s first homemade meal delivered.

You can learn more about Nom Nom in our in-depth review article

Check out Canine Bible’s Maltipoo try out Nom Nom homemade dog food. She loves it and definitely recommends it!

Goldendoodles Homemade Dog Tips

Before sharing our favorite Goldendoodle homemade food recipes, keep these recommendations in mind when preparing your dog’s next meal.

1. Set a consistent feeding schedule.
2. Feed your Goldendoodle two times a day (puppies under 5 months, 3 to 4 times a day. But always check with your veterinarian).
3. Meal prep weekly or monthly.
4. Measure and control portion sizes depending on your dog’s calorie needs.
5. Keep meals frozen for 2 to 3 months or refrigerated for about 5 days.
6. Make a new batch when the food supply is getting low.
7. If you want to feed different recipes, you can make multiple batches and color code by ingredients, rotating out the different meals.
8. Prepare the food in bulk and portion it into containers (one container per meal makes it extra-easy).
9. Increase portions appropriately as your puppy grows.
10. Monitor weight to make sure you are feeding the proper amount of calories.

Cooking Homemade Dog Food For Goldendoodles

If you’ve never made food for your canine companion, watch this family cook a tasty homemade meal for their Goldendoodle.

Best Goldendoodle Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Whether you are looking for homemade dog food for an adult, senior, puppy, overweight, or the best girl/boy Goldendoodle, these are some of the best homemade dog food recipes for Goldendoodles

We also threw in a homemade yummy treat for your Dood because they also deserve some healthy treats from time to time!

Note: Please consult with your pet’s veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your dog’s diet. The recipes below do not include serving size because portion sizes will vary depending on breed, weight, activity level, age, and the health of your dog. A common recommendation is to feed your dog a comparable amount of ounces/cups to what you would usually feed in kibble BUT check with your vet to be certain.

Fiber Filled For Fido

Fiber is pretty awesome for your dog! Since Goldendoodles are prone to digestive function issues, chances are fiber can really help.

This recipe provides a burst of vitamins and beneficial minerals. You shouldn’t give this to your dog more than twice a week as they do need a good amount of protein in their active diet.

Beware: Too much fiber in your dog’s diet will cause her to poop way too much.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Ground Turkey
• 1 lb. Shredded Chicken
• 3 cups Water
• 1 medium Sweet Potato, peeled and diced
• 2 cups Brown Rice
• 1/2 cup Lentils
• 2 tbsp. Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 cup Chopped Spinach
• 2 tsp. Olive Oil

Instructions

• Boil turkey and chicken in 3 cups of water over medium heat for 20 minutes
• Remove the meat from the water and set it aside
• Add rice, lentils, and sweet potato to the water and return to a boil – Cook for 15 minutes
• Add remaining ingredients and cook until the liquid has been absorbed.
• Mix in the cooked meat and serve warm
• Freeze unused portions and feed as directed by your vet

Source: WithaSplashofColor

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DIY Homemade Dog Food

We love making this meal for our dogs because this can translate to many different breeds. So if you have a Goldendoodle and another pup in the house, you can make this for both of them and both will enjoy the hearty, warm meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 pounds ground turkey
• 3 cups baby spinach, chopped
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 1 zucchini, shredded
• 1/2 cup peas, canned or frozen

Instructions:

• In a large saucepan of 3 cups water, cook rice according to package instructions; set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the turkey as it cooks.
• Stir in spinach, carrots, zucchini, peas, and brown rice until the spinach has wilted and the mixture is heated for about 3-5 minutes.
• Let cool completely.

Source: DamnDelicious

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Turkey & Vegetable Dinner

A great recipe for making sure your Goldendoodle is getting their protein and carbs to be filled with energy. It’s ideal for highly active Goldendoodles to burn calories quickly because the turkey and veggies help stabilize their metabolism.

This basic dog food recipe includes fish oil to ensure your pet gets his Omega-3 fats, great for the immune system. It comes with turkey for protein and vegetables for added vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients

• 4 cups of water
• 1 pound of ground turkey
• 2 cups of brown rice
• 1 cup of carrots, chopped
• 1 cup of green beans, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of fish oil

Instructions

• Cook the ground turkey in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until the meat is cooked through
• Add the brown rice, turkey, and water to a large pot and bring to a boil
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the rice is soft and tender
• Add the carrots and green beans and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender
• Allow cooling before serving
• Store extra dinners in the fridge for up to five days

Pro tip: Avoid using heavy oil to brown the turkey. Its high-fat content may upset your dog’s stomach.

Recipe from: Moneycrashers

Frozen Strawberry & Banana Smoothie Dog Treat

Since Goldendoodles have such high energy and yours probably loves to play nonstop, this classic strawberry banana smoothie recipe is going to help cool them down as they enjoy a treat! This treat is easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients in less than 10 minutes. After the first bite, your Goldendoodle will expect them after every run you go on!

All the ingredients are human-grade and will make them roll-over. They are perfect hot weather, but your Goldendoodle will enjoy them all year round. It’s one of our fave dog treats to make because our pups love it so much.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of Sliced Strawberries or a 16-ounce bag of Frozen Strawberries
• 1½ cups Plain Greek Low Fat Yogurt
• 1 sliced banana (if you have two…use them both)
• ¼ cup of Skim Milk
• 3 tablespoons of Honey

Instructions

• Place all the ingredients in your blender
• Turn on the blender to a medium speed
• Blend for approximately 2 minutes
• Pour into the molds of your choice or use ice cube trays
• Freeze for 4 hours or more
• Pop-out of the molds
• Ready to enjoy!

NOTE: For storage use Zip Lock Bags or use some sort of Tupperware. Keep them in the freezer.

Recipe from: The Cottage Market

For even more Goldendoodle homemade food recipes and cooking options, be sure to check out Home Cooking for Your Dog: 75 Holistic Recipes for a Healthier Dog.

Best Homemade Dog Food Cooking Practices

Here are some general guidelines to follow when cooking homemade dog food for your Goldendoodle.

• Never use unsafe or toxic ingredients for your dog
• Cook all animal products thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria
• Cook all grains, beans, and starchy vegetables to make them easier to digest
• Research every ingredient before using it for safety
• Follow the recipe as instructed
• Add supplements to their diet as needed
• Understand the impact of dietary changes
• Run any questions by a veterinary nutritionist

Can I Feed Homemade Dog Food To My Goldendoodle?

Yes, and you should! Cooking and feeding your Goldendoodle homemade food is okay as long as he or she gets the levels of nutrition they need to live a healthy, allergy-free life.

Just be sure all the ingredients used are safe for dogs and that all of your Goldendoodle’s nutritional requirements are met in every meal.

Remember, switching your Goldendoodle’s food from kibble to homemade is a slow process and should be done progressively. You need to consider factors like your Goldendoodle’s eating history, weight, and overall health before giving homemade food to your pet.

Monitor Weight & Health

It’s vital to monitor your Goldendoodle’s weight when feeding them a new food like homemade meals.

Goldendoodles are known for having a very slender figure, making it hard to tell if they need extra calories. This breed can easily become underweight due to their naturally energetic nature, which makes burn calories faster than other breeds. That’s why you need to make sure his diet is having meets all his or her caloric needs but also the nutritional aspect for proper function and development.

If you notice symptoms such as lack of energy, skin or coat disorders, malnutrition, or obesity, you will need to revise his diet immediately and contact your vet.

Other Food Options

What are other food options for Goldendoodles other than kibble and homemade food?

Did you know vegan dog food is gaining popularity in the dog realm for those pups that suffer from food intolerance, allergies, digestive issues, or any other food health-related condition?

If your Goldendoodle has any of those problems (or you want to see how vegan dog food can benefit your pooch), it might be worth reading up on vegan dog food for your Goldendoodle.

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