How Much to Feed a Labradoodle (Feeding Chart & Guide)

Determining the correct amount to feed a Labradoodle is a crucial task for any owner, as both overfeeding and underfeeding can lead to health issues. Finding the right balance in their diet is key to maintaining their health.

For Labradoodle puppies, the typical daily serving ranges from ½ to 4 ½ cups of puppy food. As they grow into adults, this amount generally adjusts to about 3 to 4 ½ cups of dog food per day. In their senior years, Labradoodles usually require a reduced amount, about 2 ¼ to 3 ½ cups daily.

This feeding guide provides comprehensive insights into managing your Labradoodle’s diet. It includes guidance on the appropriate feeding amount and other essential aspects of feeding a Labradoodle.

What Factors Impact How Much to Feed a Labradoodle? 

Feeding the correct amount is essential for their overall happiness and energy levels. However, it can be a complex task, as it requires considering several key factors:

• Age: The dietary needs of Labradoodles vary with their age. Puppies need more calories and protein for growth, while older dogs require fewer calories but more fiber and vitamins for aging bodies.
• Size: Labradoodles come in Toy, Miniature, and Standard sizes. Toy Labradoodles typically consume less than their larger counterparts due to their smaller size and capacity. Some Labradoodles may even come in teacup size, which requires a special diet.
• Activity Level: This energetic and athletic breed generally needs more calories. However, less active Labradoodles should have a calorie-restricted diet to prevent weight gain.
• Pregnancy and Lactation: Female Labradoodles undergoing pregnancy and lactation undergo significant stress and need increased nutrition to support both themselves and their puppies.

Before you decide how much food to feed your Labradoodle, it’s important to choose the type of food carefully.

High-quality dry food is commonly recommended, but other options like raw, canned, semi-moist, freeze-dried, and wet foods are also available.

Each type offers different nutritional benefits, so consider what best suits your Labradoodle’s needs and preferences.

How Much to Feed Your Labradoodle?

Managing the diet of a Labradoodle puppy is critical, especially considering the breed’s susceptibility to rapid growth and its associated health risks, like weakened bones and joints.

Therefore, it is crucial to feed your puppy precisely according to its caloric needs to mitigate the risk of joint and bone problems and maintain a healthy body weight.

Labradoodle Puppy Feeding Chart (1 to 12 months)

During the first few weeks of life, breeders take advantage of the colostrum found in a Labradoodle mother’s milk. The puppy will primarily rely on this for nourishment and early protection.

By the fourth to sixth week, as their teeth emerge, they can start transitioning to solid foods, including dry, freeze-dried, raw, homemade, and commercial foods.

Here’s a general feeding guide for Standard Labradoodle puppies:

For Toy or Miniature Labradoodles, you’ll want to adjust these amounts downwards, as their smaller size means they need less food.

It’s always best to monitor your puppy’s growth and adjust their food intake accordingly to avoid overfeeding and rapid growth, which can lead to health problems like hip dysplasia.

Adult Labradoodle Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)

Once your Labradoodle turns one year old, it steps into its adult years, marking a significant shift in its dietary needs. At this stage, the diet you choose will likely remain consistent throughout its adult life.

For adult Labradoodles, here’s a guide on the daily food requirements:

It’s noteworthy that adult Labradoodles typically consume less food than they did as puppies. This change is a reflection of their decreased activity levels and slower metabolism as they mature.

In addition to adjusting the quantity of food, switching from puppy formula to adult dog food is recommended.

Adult-specific dog food generally contains reduced levels of calcium and fats, aligning better with the nutritional needs of an adult Labradoodle and aiding in maintaining a healthy weight.

Senior Labradoodle Feeding Chart (7 years and above)

When your Labradoodle reaches the age of seven, it begins its senior years, a phase that may require changes in its diet.

Although many dog owners continue using the same food as in the adult years, it’s often beneficial to either reduce the quantity or switch to a formula specifically designed for senior dogs.

Senior Labradoodles may face more health challenges, making it important to be mindful of their diet. Here’s a guideline for feeding senior Labradoodles:

It’s essential to focus on high-quality protein sources for senior Labradoodles to help maintain their muscle mass, which is crucial for mobility.

Fresh chicken, raw food diets, and other meat-rich foods are great options. There are also high-protein kibbles and wet food available.

However, always consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new food to ensure it’s suitable for your senior Labradoodle’s health and dietary needs.

How Often Should You Feed Your Labradoodle? 

For a Labradoodle puppy, three to four meals a day is the ideal feeding frequency. As they grow into adulthood, this should be reduced to two meals per day. When they reach senior status, feeding them once or twice a day is appropriate.

Here’s a quick overview of the recommended feeding frequencies for Labradoodles at different life stages:

This feeding schedule reflects the changing dietary needs of Labradoodles as they age. Younger dogs require more frequent meals to support their growth and development.

While free feeding might seem like a convenient option, it’s generally not recommended by most veterinarians.

This method can lead to overeating and associated health issues such as obesity, especially in breeds like Labradoodles that may be prone to weight gain.

How to Transition Your Labradoodle to a New Food 

A Labradoodle’s preference and dietary needs can change over time. Thus, it’s crucial for dog owners to understand how to make the transition to stay on top of their dogs’ nutritional demands.

Here’s a gradual transition schedule to introduce new food to your Labradoodle:

This transition method is useful not just for changing dog food brands but also for different types of dietary changes, such as moving from puppy to adult food, dry to wet food, or canned to commercial food.

Remember, every Labradoodle is unique, and their pace of adapting to new food can vary. Some may adjust quicker than others.

It’s important to be patient and observe your dog’s response to the new diet, especially if they seem to find the change challenging.

For example, I used to own a Labradoodle in my younger years and named her Brandy. She was a picky eater, which she got from her Poodle parent. This required me to be creative with my food choices for her in order to meet her nutrient needs.

This meant a lot of diet transitioning from me, from kibbles to wet food, to home-cooked meals, and sometimes even to a raw diet. Following a gradual transition schedule, I was able to avoid issues with Brandy’s tummy.

Tips on Feeding an Overweight Labradoodle 

If you’re concerned about your Labradoodle puppy being overweight, a visit to the vet is a good first step. They may conduct blood tests to check for conditions like low thyroid or hormone imbalances that often lead to weight gain.

After ruling out medical issues, your vet might suggest a diet change to high-fiber, low-calorie food. This type of diet helps slow digestion, making your pup feel full longer without consuming excess calories.

Here are some practical ways to assist your overweight Labradoodle puppy:

• Measure and monitor: Keep a regular check on your puppy’s weight to track diet progress. Adjust meal portions if you’re not seeing the expected results. Observing activity levels is also helpful in determining if additional exercise might be beneficial.
• Limit treats: It’s tempting to give your dog treats, but they can undermine a healthy diet. Try keeping treats to a maximum of 10% of your puppy’s daily calorie intake to keep their diet balanced and prevent weight gain.
• Opt for quality dog food: Although more expensive, high-quality dog food is generally healthier, avoiding the artificial preservatives found in cheaper options.
• Stick to the routine: Once your Labradoodle reaches its ideal weight, maintaining the diet and exercise routine helps prevent weight gain from reoccurring.

Additionally, increasing physical activities such as more frequent walks and play sessions like fetch can help your puppy burn extra calories.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know If I’m Feeding My Labradoodle Enough?

Looking at your Labradoodle’s body composition can tell you if it’s getting enough nutrition. A Labradoodle’s ideal body composition should have a clearly defined waist and ribs that are easily felt but not visible. 

If their ribs are visible, they may be underweight, and if they have a layer of fat, they may be overweight. 

Why Is My Labradoodle Not Eating?

Your Labradoodle puppy may stop eating for a number of different reasons. The most common causes include stress, recent vaccines, illness, digestive problems, or simply a lack of appetite. 

To help your Labradoodle, make sure it gets plenty of rest. You might also try adding other dog foods, like wet food, to its diet so that its regular food will have a different flavor and possibly revive its appetite.

If the condition persists, it is best to consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Can I Feed My Labradoodle With Human Food?

Unlike commercial dog foods, human food is not formulated to meet all of a dog’s nutritional needs. It may also contain harmful ingredients that can be toxic to dogs.

Given that, it is best to stick to a diet of specially formulated dog food to ensure your Labradoodle’s healthy growth.

However, human food can be given as an occasional treat, as long as it is in moderation and does not contain any ingredients that may be harmful to your Labradoodle puppy.

Do Labradoodles Eat a Lot?

Most Labradoodles have a big appetite. This is due to their high energy levels, which require them to eat more food than other dog breeds.

They also have an affinity for treats, which can lead to overeating if not monitored. Therefore, Labradoodle owners must be especially mindful of their dog’s diet to ensure they stay in good shape.

Can Labradoodle Eat Bones?

Adult Labradoodles can chew on bones if they are not cooked. Raw bones are not only a rich source of minerals and other elements, but they can also help your dog feel fuller faster. 

Then again, if your dog is chewing on a bone, you should always keep an eye on it. Even raw bones can get stuck in your Labradoodle’s throat or digestive tract, leading to choking or other health issues.

Have you found this Labradoodle feeding guide helpful in making your pup’s feeding plan? We would love to hear your feedback in the comments section.