The Best Dry Food for Poodles

Selecting the proper type of food for your poodle is important to her overall health and well-being. Poodles are active dogs that make good pets because they are known for being loyal, pleasant and generally calm around children. They sometimes have issues with health such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, arthritis and skin allergies. A healthy diet that incorporates dry foods can help keep a poodle's energy level high while keeping health problems to a minimum.

  1. Poodle Overview

    • Poodles come in different sizes including miniature toy poodles, standard poodles and medium-sized poodles. Poodles are often bred with other types of dogs such as labradors, cocker spaniels and golden retrievers to create interesting mixes that share characteristics of both breeds. The dogs are known for having furry, often curly coats and for not shedding, which makes the breed good for individuals with pet allergies.

    Poodle Nutrition

    • Because the poodle is an active breed of dog, a healthy and well-balanced diet is necessary for its overall health. Poodles need a mixture of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals in an everyday diet. Protein content of the food should be 20 to 30 percent for a healthy poodle's diet. Vitamin and mineral concentrations listed on the label should read 100 percent of daily necessary values for dogs. Talk to your vet about going on a dry food diet, but the nutrition that your poodle needs should be included in most dry foods.

    Nutrition in Dog Food

    • Store-bought dry dog food is labeled according to standards by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that it contains the ingredients that are listed. Dry dog foods labeled "complete and balanced" have a standard minimum and maximum level of nutrients in them, which means that they provide the necessary ingredients for a healthy diet. Make sure that the label reads "complete and balanced" before purchasing dry dog food for your poodle.

    Recommendations

    • You do not always have to pay more to provide your poodle with adequate nutrition from its food. Brands sold at veterinarian offices often have high nutritional value and include Science Diet and Iams. Pet stores often have specialty foods that have complete and balanced nutrition on the label. Avoid dog foods that list grain as the primary ingredient, as poodles need a mixture of protein and carbohydrates. You can also add some vegetable scraps and beef broth to the dry food occasionally to make sure your poodle is getting a well-balanced diet.