Poodle Diet

Your poodle is as individual as you are and deserves the best diet you can give him. You wouldn't eat poor quality food yourself so why should your poodle? He needs the right balance of nutrients to grow and thrive into a healthy dog. Every poodle is different and you'll soon learn what yours prefers.

Poodles tend not to be greedy eaters and will often leave their food and return to it later. Don't worry about this, as long as your dog is maintaining its recommended weight and looks healthy and content it is eating the right amount. If you have another breed of dog as well as your poodle you may have to isolate them at feeding time so they don't eat the poodle's food.

Fresh or Commercially Prepared Food?

This is a matter of individual preference. It will also depend on how much time you have available. However, with some careful planning it shouldn't be that difficult to prepare a fresh and varied diet for your poodle.

Fresh Food

Opinions vary, but giving your poodle fresh food does seem to be the healthiest option. It's no different from choosing either pre-packed ready meals or a freshly prepared meal for yourself. Fresh food suitable for a poodle includes meat and vegetables. Check with your vet what is suitable for your particular type of poodle, as some vegetables such as onions can be dangerous to their health.

It's a matter of choice whether you give your poodle raw or cooked food. Dogs are able to digest raw food much more easily than humans, so if your poodle is happy to eat raw then let them. If they prefer cooked then grill and steam, which is as easy as opening a can of dog food. Avoid the use of additives and giving your poodle the cooked food you prepare for your family as some ingredients can be potentially harmful to dogs.

Dry Food

Dry dog food is derived from meat and plants. It's often bulked up with cereal, which dogs find difficult to digest. However, there are some dried foods that vets recommend, but they can be expensive. A dog that eats dried food is more likely to get thirsty so check the water bowl often.

Canned Dog Food

Your poodle may prefer canned dog food mixed with a small portion of mixer biscuit. Canned foods tend to contain more meat and water than dried food. If you do use canned food try and use the best brand you can afford and check the label for meat content and humane ingredients.

It's a good idea to give your poodle variation in its diet to avoid development of food allergies. Dogs enjoy different tastes just as much as we do.

NEVER be tempted to give your poodle chocolate as a treat as it can be toxic and potentially life threatening to a dog if consumed in large quantities. If you want to give treats, give either specially formulated doggy treats or small portions of cheese, fruit and vegetables.