Skip to content
Dog Food Chevron
Cat Food Chevron
More Chevron
See Plans & Pricing Account

FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Goldendoodle

A Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever wrapped in a Poodle's curly, low-shedding coat — an energetic, food-loving family dog whose Golden side carries real heart and joint risk. That mix is exactly why how, and how much, you feed one matters.

Here is how to feed a Goldendoodle on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with whole-food nutrition that protects the heart, joints, skin and that signature coat.

  • Adult weight50–90 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan10–15 years
  • CoatWavy-to-curly, low-shedding — needs regular grooming
A healthy Goldendoodle
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Goldendoodle's body needs

Every Goldendoodle trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Golden-Retriever heart risk

    Needs: Whole-food, named-protein diet

    A Goldendoodle's Golden side can carry inherited heart concerns. Freeze-dried raw is built on real, named meat and organ — not the vague, starchy formulas worth steering clear of — so you always know exactly what is in the bowl.

  • Hip & joint sensitivity

    Needs: Joint support + a lean body

    As a larger cross, Goldendoodles are prone to hip dysplasia. Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off the joints.

  • Curly, low-shedding double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    That teddy-bear coat lives or dies on skin health. Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from within, supporting a soft, resilient coat between grooming visits.

  • Smart, high-energy worker

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    Real meat, organs and bone fuel lean muscle and steady, all-day energy for an agility-loving Doodle — without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Prone to easy weight gain

    Needs: Precise, measured portions

    A fluffy coat hides a thickening waist. Freeze-dried raw is measured by weight, not eyeballed, which makes honest portioning simple and keeps a Goldendoodle lean for life.

How much to feed a Goldendoodle

Quick answer: a healthy adult Goldendoodle (50–90 lb) needs about 7.5–13.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
50 lb 7.5 oz 3.8 oz
60 lb 9.0 oz 4.5 oz
70 lb typical Goldendoodle 10.5 oz 5.3 oz
80 lb 12.0 oz 6.0 oz
90 lb 13.5 oz 6.8 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

What to feed a Goldendoodle

For a Goldendoodle we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition. Minimally processed, single-protein recipes keep the ingredient list short and honest.

Leaner proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit easy keepers and sensitive Doodles; omega-rich Salmon feeds the skin and that curly coat from the inside. Just add water and serve.

Feeding a Goldendoodle by life stage

  • Puppy: Standard Goldendoodle puppies grow large and should grow slowly to protect developing joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals (Mini Doodles eat far less), and resist overfeeding — fast growth raises hip dysplasia risk.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two or more meals to lower bloat risk in larger Doodles. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Energy tapers but appetite rarely does. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and heart-supporting whole-food nutrition.

Common Goldendoodle concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasiaCommon in larger Doodles and partly genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from bone and cartilage, plus omega-3) support comfort and day-to-day mobility.
  • Heart healthThe Golden side can carry inherited heart concerns. Diet cannot prevent a genetic defect, but a complete, whole-food diet built on real named meat — not vague boutique formulas — is the responsible foundation.
  • Skin & coat upkeepA dense curly coat asks a lot of the skin. An omega-rich, low-filler whole-food diet supports the skin barrier and a soft, healthy coat between groomings.
  • Weight & metabolismA fluffy coat hides excess weight. Measured raw feeding and a lean body condition lower the strain on joints, heart and overall health.
  • Bloat (GDV) awarenessLarger Goldendoodles share the Golden's bloat risk; smaller, measured, multiple daily meals and calm time around feeding are a sensible feeding habit.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Goldendoodle: what to know

Goldendoodles love their food and their people, and a bored, under-exercised Doodle will happily overeat. Feed to body condition, not to the bowl-watching: you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above through that fluffy coat.

Because the Golden side raises the risk of bloat (GDV) in the larger Standard sizes, split the day into two or more smaller, measured meals rather than one big one, and avoid hard exercise right around mealtime.

Goldendoodle feeding questions

How much should I feed my Goldendoodle?
It depends on size. A Standard Goldendoodle (roughly 50–90 lb) needs about 7–13 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two or more meals, while a Mini Doodle needs far less. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is much less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Goldendoodle with a sensitive stomach?
A measured, complete freeze-dried raw diet of a single lean protein like Chicken or Cod keeps the ingredient list short and easy to digest. Minimal processing and no fillers make it gentle, and you can rotate proteins once your Doodle settles in.
How do I switch my Goldendoodle to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Start at the lower end of the range — it is rich — and split it into smaller meals to keep digestion easy and lower bloat risk.
What food helps a Goldendoodle's coat and skin?
Omega-3s are the key. Whole-food recipes with real animal and fish fat, like our Salmon recipe, feed the skin barrier from the inside and support a soft, resilient curly coat between grooming appointments.
Do Goldendoodles need joint support?
Larger Doodles often benefit from it, given the breed's hip dysplasia risk. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Goldendoodle lean is the most effective joint protection there is.

THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE

If your dog won't eat it, it's on us

Try Goldendoodle's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.

  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch
  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper
  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
Build my dog's meal plan →

Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.