Depending on age and size, most Goldendoodle puppies should be fed between 2-4 times a day, a total of anywhere from 2/3 cup to as much as 4 cups of feed per day. Since puppies grow quickly, the volume and frequency of feeds change as they grow
So you just brought home a new Goldendoodle puppy, or you’re making plans to buy or adopt one! You’re excited to have a new addition to the family, but also feeling a little intimidated with everything you need to do to care for the pup. One of the first things you’re likely wondering is how much to feed a Goldendoodle puppy (or mini Goldendoodle).
Depending on age and size, most Goldendoodle puppies should be fed between 2-4 times a day, a total of anywhere from 2/3 cup to as much as 4 cups of feed per day.
Since puppies grow quickly, the volume and frequency of feeds change as they grow. Since there’s not just one blanket answer for every puppy, keep reading to learn exactly how much food your puppy needs.
Your puppy’s food needs will change rapidly during its first couple of months. The following chart should help you gauge approximately how much and how often to feed your puppy.
If your puppy seems hungry and aggressive all the time, this may be an indication that it’s not getting enough food, but don’t go off of that one indicator alone. Feel around its ribs – you should be able to feel the ribs but not see them individually when simply looking at them. If you can see the puppy’s ribs, that’s a strong indication that it is not eating enough food or getting sufficient nutrition.
Additionally, do your best to follow the recommendations in the chart above. You can also ask the seller who sold you the puppy to see if they have any recommendations.
Typically yes, most puppies stop eating when they’re full. However, this does not mean that you should have large amounts of food freely available to your dog all of the time. It’s important to pace them by feeding them small meals several times a day instead of 1 big meal. Having consistency in meals is very important to a puppies health and development of healthy eating habits for years to come.
Yes, it’s possible to overfeed your puppy! Generally speaking, puppies will stop eating soon after they start feeling full. However, if given more food than is appropriate, sometimes puppies will eat more than they should and then throw some of it up. If this continues to happen over time, puppies can adjust to eating too much food and gain too much weight as a result. This could lead to obesity and related health issues.
With hundreds of dog food options available today, deciding which type and brand of dog food to buy can’t be a daunting decision. While there are many great options out there, you want to make sure you get the best for your particular puppy. Investing in higher quality food with more natural ingredients is often well worth the money. By feeding your dog more natural dog food (even organic), you can keep them healthier longer which could save money down the road on unnecessary vet bills. Compared to feeding a human, the cost of feeding a dog is minimal, even when selecting high quality and priced foods.
In general, Goldendoodles are high energy meaning they need a food that can support that. As puppies, they will have different nutritional needs than when they grow up to be dogs, so be aware when selecting your puppy food. Always read the packaging for accurate measurements and age, and size requirements. Make sure you select a puppy food that is high in protein, as well as vitamins and minerals. Ingredients like flaxseed can help to add to the amino profile and keep your pups joints and ligaments healthy. When in doubt ask the breeder you purchase your puppy from for suggestions on how to best care for this breed. Asking a vet is also always a great idea!
No matter which route you choose for your puppy nutrition and food, always be sure to keep an eye on how they respond to dietary substance and change. If you end up using a new food because they were out of the food you normally buy, then watch closely to make sure your puppy doesn’t have an adverse reaction to it. If you are changing your dog’s food because they are getting older and need something different, then watch for the first few days to make sure they are adapting to it well. Dogs are best with consistency for their diets. It is never recommended to “change it up” just for the sake of variety with pets.
Remember, puppies and dogs are not like humans in that we crave variety. Dogs will eat what you give them and they don’t wish for something different. Consistency is key for optimum health in dogs and puppies. Their food is designed to work with their digestive system. While dogs enjoy and can manage human food, it should be mostly avoided as it isn’t good for their health. There are alot of foods that are toxic and even deadly for dogs as well that would be surprising, so risking human food for dogs is never advised.
I’m guessing if you are here learning about how to feed a Goldendoodle, then you are either already a proud puppy owner, or you are looking to expand your family. Puppy Connector has an easy to use way to get connected with quality breeders near you. All of the puppies we list have a 30 day health guarantee as well as vaccines and deworming. They are vet checked and will even tell you if they have been family raised or not. See our available Goldendoodles here!