We want the best for our Doodles. We groom them, walk them, and we want to feed the best too. When your dog eats a wholesome diet, it shows in everything they do. Their coat is shinier, joints supported, and they have more energy. So what are the 7 best commercial food choices for any Doodle dog?
What To Look For In Dog Food
Before we talk about the 7 best commercial food choices for any Doodle dog, let’s talk facts. There are certain things that your Doodle will need no matter what age they are or medical conditions. Let’s talk about a few things to look for in your dog food labels.
Identifiable Meat Sources
The first thing you should always look for is identifiable meats. That means, if your food is chicken flavored, it has chicken listed as the meat source. You want to steer clear of mystery “meat meals” as these can be any sourced meat. Technically there are no laws in the USA that prevent roadkill or dead pets from ending up in dog and cat food.
However, you shouldn’t confuse this with things labeled as “chicken meal.” These proteins still come from chicken and are marked as such. You should only be cautious of meals when not paired with a meat source.
Whole Grains
There is a lot of information out there about if dogs are omnivorous or carnivores. And there is a lot of evidence out there to support both claims. But no matter what you decide to feed, always check that any grains used are whole. That means brown rice, quinoa, rye, and whole wheat are excellent sources. They give your dog the energy they need to run and play all day.
Real Fruits And Vegetables
Most dog foods are enhanced with vitamins and minerals. But what better way to make sure your dog is getting all the nutrients they need than natural fruits and vegetables. Having wholesome ingredients like this in your dog’s food along with added vitamins will always be better for your Doodle.
Low Starches
Starches can be an excellent source of energy for your Doodle. But if these starches are too high on the list, it can contribute to obesity, liver damage, and even heart problems. Instead, you should opt for a food that doesn’t include starches in the first three ingredients. Anything higher, and the starch is no longer for energy, but instead, it’s a filler.
Avoid Corn And Soy
Corn and soy are the most popular fillers in the pet industry. It’s cheap to grow, process, and available everywhere. But all of these fillers can seriously damage our Doodle’s diet. It will fill your dog’s stomachs without actual nutritional content. Opting for corn and soy-free dog food is one step closer to a wholesome diet.
Age Appropriate
And finally, one small detail overlooked by pet owners is the age recommendation. Most foods have age ranges that the food is for. Puppy foods are higher protein for growing bones and fortified with different vitamins and nutrients. Adult dog food is lower in protein and slightly higher in carbs for energy. And of course, there is senior dog food that is lower calorie and enhanced with vitamins to support joints. So be sure to check those labels for the ideal age range.
The 7 Best Commercial Food Choices For Any Doodle Dog
Now that we know what the standards are, what are the best dog foods out there? You might think that there are no brands that could fit our high standards. Well, you thought wrong, my friend. Let’s take a look.
Acana Regionals Grassland
All you need to do is look at the ingredients list to know that Acana is one of the best. The first six ingredients come straight from animal and egg proteins. That means that about 70% of this dog food comes directly from natural sources. Acana also uses fresh fruits and vegetables in their food to provide maximum nutrition.
And to make this food even better, they get all of their ingredients from ethical farming. That means these ingredients come from the USA, but there is also no mistreatment of animals. So Acana is healthy for your pet, and they hold the morals you want in a company.
Purina Pro Plan
We know that Purina has gotten a rotten reputation over the years, but hear us out. Purina Pro Plan has stepped up its game on creating a whole line of specialized foods. No matter if you need grain-free, high-calorie, low-calorie, or even something easy on the stomach.
No matter what your Doodle’s health issue might be, there is a Pro Plan formula for you. And it doesn’t stop there. Most of the recipes have whole grains and real protein as the first five ingredients. So you know that what your Doodle is getting is healthy and holistic for them. Plus, it helps that this is a quality food brand for a lower cost.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Dry Kibble
One common problem in our Doodle dogs is a sensitive stomach. Some Doodles might even have allergies or trouble digesting chicken. A great solution to this problem is the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain food. This formula is grain-free and poultry-free for all of your dog’s needs.
Another reason we love this brand of food is that it comes in all life stages. So no matter if you have a puppy, a dog who needs to lose weight, or a senior, there is food for you. It’s something that your dog can eat their whole lives without a significant transition.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Open Prairie
No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, so your dog gets only the best of the best. Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak checks off on all of our requirements. And since it’s made with beef, venison, and lamb, your Doodle will cherish the flavor.
What makes this food stand out is that every bag you purchase donates to pets in need. Each bag contributes to the pets that need medical attention or food in times of need. A portion even goes toward disaster relief in times of need. So you can feel like you can help make a difference with your purchase.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-free with Chicken
Next on our list is food by Whole Earth Farms. This dry dog food is grain-free and contains wholesome ingredients for the best nutrition for your dog. If your dog has skin allergies or a sensitive stomach, this might be the perfect food for you.
When you feed Whole Earth Farms, your pup is getting premium protein choices. And on top of that, your dog is also getting a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables. This food will keep your dog energized and ready for play. Plus, the icing on the cake is that this food has no artificial colors or preservatives. So you know that your dog is getting quality food.
Victor Select Beef Meal and Brown Rice
Many dog food brands have started to add plant-based proteins into their products to boost crude protein levels. But Victor Select is here to bust some of these bad habits. Instead of adding cheap fillers, their formulas contain 77% protein from meat and only 2% from plants.
Why is this so important? Well, dogs can’t metabolize plant proteins as efficiently as meat proteins, and it lacks the taurine they need. When your dog doesn’t get the right amount of proteins they need, their fur will start to thin and lose its luster. And if it goes on longer, it could lead to heart problems. Some of the other brands combat this by adding taurine into the kibble. But why not avoid that problem altogether and buy Victor Select?
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains
And last but not least is Merrick. We love Merrick Classic Healthy Grains because of its pea-free, lentil-free, and potato-free motto. You can tell a lot about dog food by the first five ingredients listed. And when you see real protein and whole grains, you will smile.
Merrick stands by its high-quality foods and only chooses the best of the best. All of the ingredients are sourced right here in the USA. There are no fillers or by-products that could upset your Doodle’s stomach. And to top it all off, it’s very affordable for what you get.
Making The Switch
So did you find a food that sounds like it fits all of your needs? That’s fantastic! You might be tempted to check out and start feeding it as soon as possible. But you should slow it down just a tad. There are a few things you should do before switching dog food.
The first thing you need to do is have your Doodle checked by a vet. Talk with your vet about the food you are interested in. If they give you a clean bill of health, then you have a green card.
Once you have the desired new food, make a slow switch. Start by mixing 25% new food with 75% old kibble. If all goes well, you can add 10% more new food daily until your Doodle is eating only the new brand. But if your dog is having stomach trouble, you might want to wait a few days before adding more new food. In no time, you will have your dog completely switched to a better brand.
So out of these 7 best commercial food choices for any Doodle dog, which do you love? Which one does your Doodle approve of the most?
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
