Tag: best dog food for small breeds

Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient
Dry Dog Food Salmon & Potato

Here is the 5 best dog food for Scottish Terries (Scotties) for a quick glance:

Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food Salmon & Potato
Now Fresh Grain Free For Small Breed Adult Dog Food Bag
Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food, Real Beef & Brown Rice Recipe
Organix Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food
ROYAL CANIN Canine Hepatic Dry Dog Food

Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food will make sure that your pup will thrive and have a healthy life. Because it has salmon as the first listed ingredient and contains high level Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Now Fresh Grain Free For Small
Breed Adult Dog Food Bag

Now Fresh Grain Free Dog Food is specifically designed for small breeds and it contains all the nutrition that your Scottie needs to live a happy life with lots of energy. Real turkey is the first ingredient in this recipe and it contains nutritious vegetables.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food,
Real Beef & Brown Rice Recipe

Containing high-quality beef as the first ingredient, Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food is one of the best products that you can get for your Scottie. It also comes with a price tag that won't your budget at all.

Organix Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food

Best For Budget

Organix is the best organic dog food company around this is their small breed recipe. This product is a perfect choice if you want your dog to go all natural.

ROYAL CANIN Canine Hepatic Dry Dog Food

Best organic

Best Dog Food For Scottish Terriers: ROYAL CANIN Canine Hepatic Dry:

This is hepatic dog food and it is perfect for Scottish Terriers that have sensitive stomachs. But it doesn't have high protein content, so, it is a good idea to avoid it if your dog doesn't have a condition.

Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient
Dry Dog Food Salmon & Potato

For Sensitive Stomachs

Our Top Pick: Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food Salmon & Potato

Now Fresh Grain Free For Small
Breed Adult Dog Food Bag

We have included a lot of different recipes from this manufacturer in our selections before, and Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food Salmon & Potato is one of the best they created to this date. This is a very simple and high-quality recipe with a flavor that your pooch will love.

The manufacturer decided to include salmon as the only protein source instead of possible allergens such as chicken to make this recipe suitable for dogs that have digestive issues and food sensitivities. Salmon is a very high-quality protein, and it is filled with Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It will promote a healthier and shinier coat, and it will also boost your dog’s immune system.

Owners of the Scottish Terriers that have allergies to gluten will be happy to hear that this is a grain-free recipe which gets all the carb content from vegetables instead of grains. Potatoes and peas are the main sources of carbohydrates in this dog food. While peas are very nutritious for your pooch, we cannot say the same thing about potatoes. However, they do have some vitamin C and a bit of Vitamin B6.

Taurine is also included in this recipe, and it is one of the 20 amino acids that are found in your dog’s body. It is a very significant amino acid, and it should be among the supplements that your pup takes with its diet. Deficiency of it can cause lethargy and pant during even moderate exercise.

Overall, this dog food is one of the best in the market, and we definitely suggest it for the owners of the Scottish Terriers if they have the budget for it.

Runner Up: Now Fresh Grain Free For Small Breed Adult Dog Food Bag

Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food,
Real Beef & Brown Rice Recipe

Now Fresh Grain Free For Small Breed Adult Dog Food Bag usually goes under the radar, and it is not a popular one among the dog owners, but we believe it deserves to be recognized more. Because this product has a very high-quality protein content and it is also full of healthy carbohydrates that will fuel your dog’s system.

The first ingredient is turkey, and it is the ingredient most of the protein in this dog food comes from. However, it also contains dried eggs, and that is why this dog food might not be the best choice for Scottish Terriers that have allergies to eggs.

This is a grain free product, and it gets all the carbohydrates from a lot of different fruits and vegetables included in the recipe, and when saying a lot, we don’t exaggerate. The vegetables and fruits in this recipe include potatoes, blueberries, broccoli, parsley, flaxseeds, apples, tomatoes, pumpkin, and so on.

Best For Budget: Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food, Real Beef & Brown Rice Recipe

Organix Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food

Best For Budget

Seeing beef as the first ingredient in Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food, Real Beef & Brown Rice Recipe is very satisfying because that means it is the main protein source in this dog food. Also, beef meal listed as the other protein. Having the beef meal as the second ingredient is totally fine since it is also a good source of protein and full of vitamins.

We should mention that this recipe is not grain-free and contains grains such as whole ground corn and brown rice. So, this dog food might not be the best choice for Scottish Terriers that have allergies to such ingredients. This food is not gluten free either, so if your pup has a gluten sensitivity, you might consider our other selections.

Other sources of carbohydrates are dried carrots and dried peas, and both of them are very nutritious vegetables with great benefits.

Other than the fact that they contain a good amount of vitamin A, carrots also contain beta-carotene, which is very beneficial for your pup’s eyesight and it will also help your dog have a better coat color.

Peas are great sources of fiber, and they also have several vitamins. However, we should mention that they also contain a fair amount of protein, which is not necessarily a bad thing but you should know that some of the protein content in this dog food probably comes from peas.

Also, this dog food contains pea starch, which is a by-product of pea, and it is used as a binding agent to bind the kibble.

Best Organic Dog Food: Organix Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food

ROYAL CANIN Canine Hepatic Dry Dog Food

Best organic

Organix is the number one organic dog food manufacturer in the market, and its products are free of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics that are usually found in most dog foods.

The first listed ingredient is organic chicken in Organix Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food, and the second one is chicken meal. Since this is an organic dog food, it is less likely to cause allergies, and it is one of the best options even for the Scottish Terriers that have allergies to chicken. Because the allergies are not usually to the chicken but to the antibiotics that are used when growing that chicken instead.

Chicken liver is another protein source in this dog food, and just like every meat organ, it is very beneficial for Scottish Terries, and it is one of the best sources of vitamins and iron.

This product is also grain free so, it does not contain any grains or wheat. Also, it doesn’t contain soy, which is another possible allergen that some dogs are sensitive to. Instead, it gets the carbohydrates from chickpeas and sweet potatoes.

This product also has tapioca among its ingredients. It is a starch used as a glue in dog foods, and it is considered a low-quality filler. However, we could say that it is less likely to cause allergies than fillers that are the by-products of grains.

Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs: ROYAL CANIN Canine Hepatic Dry Dog Food

Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient
Dry Dog Food Salmon & Potato

For Sensitive Stomachs

We usually consider the products of Royal Canin as low quality and don’t give them a place among our selections. However, since ROYAL CANIN Canine Hepatic Dry Dog Food is specifically designed for digestive issues and liver issues, and both of these issues are very common among Scottish Terriers, we decided to give them a place and let you make the decision.

Brewers rice and the brown rice are the first two listed ingredients in this dog food, and it is a very carb heavy dog food. The guaranteed analysis shows that this product contains only 14% protein, and it has the lowest amount of protein among our selections by far.

According to the manufacturer, the reason for that is brewers rice, and brown rice is easily digestible. We could say that this is a fair argument and it works for some dogs, but we always advise you to be cautious if you decide to switch to a dog food with carbs as the first ingredient.

It has a lower sodium content to reduce your pup’s blood pressure and contains a high amount of zinc, which could be beneficial for your pup’s liver health.

However, it is odd to see corn among the ingredients considering that it is a dog food that is made for dogs that have digestive issues because some dogs have a hard time to digest it.

We should mention that this dog food is far from the best among our selections and also in the dog food market, still can be the right choice for Scottish Terriers with digestive problems or liver shunt.

Buyer’s Guide

What Should Look For When Getting a Dog Food For Scottie?

Real Meat as the First Ingredient

All dog owners know how protein is crucial for their pup’s dietary needs. High-quality protein is essentially the fuel of your dog’s system, and it is what keeps them active and healthy during their life.

Also, it is essential that your pup gets that from real meats like chicken, turkey, beef, or fish instead of meals of these meats. It is true that manufacturers claim that chicken meal, turkey meal, beef meal or fish meal is as good as the real meats in terms of nutritional values, and when you look at the protein content, meals do have higher protein content than meats.

However, we believe there are different aspects of this issue that we need to consider before reaching a conclusion. First, all meat meals are not the same, and some of them are better than the other ones regarding nutritional value. However, since most of the time, manufacturers are not required to give detailed information regarding the content of the meat meal, they can be tough to deduct from the ingredient list.

However, there are a couple of indicators that show whether the product contains high-quality meat meal. First of all, if the product includes the word “by-product”, it can be a sign that it contains low-quality meat meals. We should also mention that by-products are usually meat organs, and if they are included in the dog food properly, they can be very beneficial for your pup because they are full of vitamins. But since we look at the best interest of Scottish Terriers, we always advise owners to be cautious if they see the word by-product among the ingredients when getting a dog food for their pup.

Another indicator of a bad quality meat meal can be when you cannot see the species of the animal in among the ingredients. So, when ingredients like chicken meal and duck meal are perfectly fine, and they can be included in dog foods, if you see ingredients like “poultry meal” and “animal meal” you’re probably looking at a low-quality dog food.

In brief, we believe that dog foods with meat as the first listed ingredient are best the ones in terms of quality, and for owners of the Scottish Terriers with enough budget, our suggestion would be to get a dog food that has real meat listed as the first ingredient.

Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient
Dry Dog Food Salmon & Potato

High Protein Content

Containing a high quality is one thing, but your pup’s food should also have a high protein content. Because it is true that healthy carbs can be a source of energy for dogs, but protein is the one that you should be looking for as the first energy source.

Unlike carbs, the protein will provide a longer lasting energy that will continue throughout the day. A carb-heavy diet will raise your Scottie’s blood sugar levels and will cause fluctuations in the energy levels during the day.

Also, a dog food with high protein content usually the best option for Scottish Terriers that are greed with their food because protein will make them feel fuller for a longer period.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fats have various benefits for dogs, and they should be included in every dog’s diet. There are different types of fats, and they all have different benefits.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are polyunsaturated fats, and they are significantly beneficial for both dogs and humans. Their primary function is to control and produce hormones, and the hormones they produce have several benefits.

First, they are very beneficial for reducing inflammation, which causes swelling and pain. That is why for Scottish Terriers that have arthritis or sore joints, a dog food loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids would provide the best relief.

Also, they help your dog’s body improve the immune cells, and that is why they are also very good at boosting the immune system.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Omega-6 fatty acids are another very beneficial fat source for your dog. They are mostly found in chicken fats, flaxseeds, and canola oil.

They have a very essential role in your pup’s skin health and the way they do that by preserving the skin’s outermost water barrier. Also, just like Omega-3 fatty acids, they help boost the immune system by improving the functioning of the immune cells.

We should mention that while Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, Omega-6 fatty acids actually increase inflammation. However, that does not mean that they are necessarily bad for your pup. Both Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for tail-wagger, and they both have several benefits.

However, to prevent the risk of the inflammation increase that might be caused by the consumption of too many Omega-6 fatty acids, there should be a balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in your dog’s diet.

The suggested consumption of the Omega-6 fatty acids is that the twice the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids that are in their daily diet.

Healthy Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are not required for your dog to live a healthy and fulfilling life, but they can be helpful if they are taken from the right sources. Because carbohydrates can come from a lot of different sources, and some of them have real benefits for your dog, and some of them can be damaging to your Scottie’s health.

Regarding nutritional value, grains like wheat, barley, rice, and corns are far from the best, and we don’t advise getting a dog food that contains too much of them, especially for Scottish Terriers that have sensitivities to certain kinds of foods. Because most of the grains contain gluten and can be allergenic to most dogs and, in fact, even the ones that don’t include gluten can be troublesome for pups.

Instead, we always suggest owners go with the products that have a considerable amount of vegetables and fruits among the ingredients. Because they not only they will be less likely to cause any allergies for your pup, some of them also have significant benefits.

For instance, carrots are a great source of vitamin A, and since vitamin A deficiency can cause issues such as poor growth or a dull coat, it is essential that your pup gets enough of it.

Peas can be a great source of protein, and they also contain various vitamins. They are also full of fiber so a dog food which includes peas in the recipe can be one of the best options for Scottish Terriers that have digestive issues.

Sweet potatoes are also excellent sources fiber, and they contain almost every vitamin that your dog needs. They also don’t have a high glycemic index, and they won’t cause a sugar spike. That is why for Scotties that have diabetes or weight problems, a dog food that contains sweet potatoes is probably the best the substitute for a dog food with white potatoes.

Not just only vegetables but some fruits can be very beneficial for your tail-wagger. For instance, a dog food that is containing blueberries can be a good choice for your Scottish Terrier. Because blueberries have antioxidant properties and they help your dog’s cells protect against damaging “free radicals” and essentially cancer.

Common Health Problems in Scotties

Digestive Issues

Digestive issues can be seen in any breed of dogs, but for some reason, Scottish Terries seem to have a more sensitive stomach than the other dogs. If your pup show symptoms like occasional vomiting, flatulence or diarrhea, there is a good chance just like some of the other members of its breed, it is one of the unlucky ones.

The reasons for digestive issues in dogs can change from dog to dog, and many different foods can cause that condition.

For instance, some dogs have a hard time digesting some plant proteins such as chickpeas and peas. Because dogs are not naturally built to have plant protein in their diets and plant-based protein might be harder for them to digest. Because dog are carnivores and they have a shorter digestive tract compared to the omnivores like humans. For Scottish Terriers that have issues digesting the plant protein, the best thing their owners do would be to switch to a dog food that contains more animal protein.

Other than plant protein, some dogs’ digestive system can be sensitive to other protein sources like dairy products or even animal meats, which is usually chicken meat. So, if your pup shows the symptoms of a digestive issue and chicken is one of the sources of protein, switching to other protein sources like lamb or fish can be an excellent choice.

We should mention that their short digestive track makes some dogs have a hard time digesting grains such as wheat, rice, barley, or corn as well. That does not mean that dogs’ systems are not able to process grains whatsoever, and most dogs can tolerate grains really well. However, if your pup seems to have a hard time with grains, you should probably switch to a dog food that is grain free.

Also, foods that have a high amount of fiber such as peas, carrots, apples, and flaxseeds are very good for the digestive system, and it will be beneficial for your dog if it has digestive issues.

If your pooch has a digestive issue, Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food Salmon & Potato would be a good choice because it has a simple recipe.

Allergies

Dogs have allergies just like humans, and they can have any allergies that we have, such as, seasonal allergies, food allergies, and skin allergies.

Food allergies are very common among Scottish Terriers. The constant need for itching, licking of the paws and vomiting are the most common symptoms of food allergies.

Most of the time, they can be treated by a diet called “elimination diet” which is used to detect the allergy-causing ingredient, but the process takes time because that ingredient is usually hard to find.

The way to implement the “elimination diet” is that just taking out the ingredient that you suspect that is causing the issue for your pooch and wait to see if the symptoms will cease or reduce. If that is the case, you just have to put that ingredient back in your Scottie’s diet and see if the symptoms will revert. If the symptoms come back, that means you find the ingredient that is causing the problem.

Since Scottish Terriers are generally susceptible to allergies, taking precautions and not including possible allergy causing ingredients in its dog food is one of the best things you can do for your pup to prevent this issue from happening.

Cataracts

Cataracts are an eye issue commonly encountered in Scottish Terriers, and it is also called eye cloudiness. If it is not treated carefully, it can have some serious consequences. The most common cause of cataracts is diabetes and, in fact, around 75% of the dogs that have diabetes also get cataracts.

There are two types of diabetes, and the most popular one is the one that occurs mostly in humans, which is type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the result of a and as a result, producing too much insulin.

After a while, a dog’s body is not able to handle that much glucose consumption and starts to resist it, and that is how type 2 diabetes occurs. Interestingly, even though dogs are not naturally built to digest carbs and sugar as much as we do, they tend to get type 2 diabetes less compared to humans.

Type 1 diabetes is a more severe issue, and it happens when your pup’s pancreas fails to generate adequate insulin, and the consequences of it are usually extreme fatigue and occasional vomiting. In most cases, this issue can be treated with life-long insulin shots.

So, to prevent your pup from getting cataracts, the best thing to do would be to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes before it becomes a more serious issue.

Conclusion: 5 Best Dog Food For Scotties (2020 Reviews)

Nutrition plays a huge role in every dog’s health, and it is essential for them to get the most out of their lives. It is not always easy to find the right food for your pup because there are a lot of different dog foods with different qualities in the market. Things can get out of hand when you add the different needs and preferences of dogs to the equation.

So, we decided to make your life easier when getting a dog food for your pup. That is why we created this list to help you to find the best dog food for your pooch, and we believe this list and buyer’s guide will especially be helpful for the owners of the Scotties with allergies and health issues. We hope we managed to achieve our purpose.

Best Dog Food For Havanese: Havanese looking at his food

5 Best Dog Food For Havanese (2020 Reviews)

Alaaddin Sarac

Havanese originally developed in Cuba and took its name their name there, which means the ‘little dog of Havana’. Then, their endless energy, affectionate personality, and their staggering intelligence made Havanese perfect companions for every household around the world. That is why owners of the Havanese always want the best for their beloved pets, including providing them the best beds, best toys, and the dog food.

However, finding the right dog food is not as easy as it sounds because you should consider your pup’s needs and preferences. Therefore, we prepared a list of the dog foods that we think are the best choices for Havanese. Also, below the list, we provided you with a buyer’s guide that we believe will be very helpful to you when you’re making your choice.

Here are the 5 dog food for Havanese for a quick glance:

Instinct Original Grain-Free Dog Food
WholeHearted Grain-Free Salmon and Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food
Rachael Ray Small-Breed Dry Dog Food, Real Chicken & Veggies
Holistic Select Dry Dog Food Grain-Free Salmon Anchovy & Sardine
Blue Buffalo High Protein Grain-Free, Dog Food Chicken Recipe

Containing high quality protein sources such as chicken, turkey and salmon meals, this product makes sure that your Havanese gets a little bit of everything. Also, it has various vegetables that will provide the vitamins and minerals that your tail-wagger needs.

WholeHearted Grain-Free Salmon and
Pea RecipeDry Dog Food

Containing salmon makes this product a protein bomb that is filled with omega -3, which is necessary for a healthy coat. Also, it has a high fiber content that can be beneficial for digestive issues.

Rachael Ray Small-Breed
Dry Dog Food, Real Chicken & Veggies

Seeing high-quality animal meat such as venison among the ingredients is surprising considering this product has a reasonable price tag. Racheal Ray did an excellent job in this recipe.

Holistic Select Dry Dog Food
Grain-Free Salmon Anchovy & Sardine

best for budget

Coming with various nutritious seafood such a salmon, anchovy and sardine, this dog bed is perfect for Havanese that have food sensitivities. Also, it is packed with healthy fatty acids.

Blue Buffalo High Protein
Grain-Free, Dog Food Chicken Recipe

best seafood recipe

This recipe is perfect for the active Havenese. Because it contains high amount of protein
will make sure that your pooch has enough energy throughout the day.

best high protein

Our Top Pick: Instinct Original Grain-Free Dog Food

WholeHearted Grain-Free Salmon and
Pea RecipeDry Dog Food

Most dog lovers know that Instinct is a very trustworthy company that makes really good dog foods, and Instinct Original Grain-Free Dog Food is one of them. This dog food has a very good list of ingredients and also has a very high protein content, so, it is an excellent option for active Havanese.

Real chicken meat is listed as the first ingredient in this dog food, and it provides the highest protein content in this product. Other sources of protein are chicken, turkey, and salmon meals. Salmon meal makes this dog food very high in Omega-3 fatty acids, and they are very beneficial for your pup’s skin and immune system.

This dog food is grain free, so, it does not contain grains such as corn, wheat, and barley. So, if your Havanese has any allergies to any of such ingredients, this dog food would be among the best you can get for him.

Instead of the grains, the manufacturer decided to include vegetables such as chickpeas and peas to provide a healthy source of carbs for your pup. It also includes carrots, apples, and cranberries, and all of them are filled with fiber, and they have antioxidant properties.

However, we should mention that both peas and chickpeas also contain a fair amount of protein, so, some of the protein content in this dog food probably comes from them.

Runner Up: WholeHearted Grain-Free Salmon and Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food

Rachael Ray Small-Breed
Dry Dog Food, Real Chicken & Veggies

We love to give a place to products that are lesser known but underrated, and this recipe of WholeHearted is one of them. WholeHearted Grain-Free Salmon and Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food has a straightforward and high-quality recipe, and it is perfect for Havanese that is sensitive to specific ingredients usually found in dog foods.

Salmon and salmon meal are the first two ingredients in this dog food, and they will provide all the protein needs of your dog. However, we should mention that considering that the recipe has salmon as the first ingredient, Omega-3 fatty acid levels are not that impressive.

We already mentioned that this product has a very simple recipe, and it does not contain any grains such as wheat, corn, or rice. Sources of carbohydrates come from ingredients like chickpeas and peas, which are both sources of fiber and various vitamins.

We should also mention that this product contains flaxseed, and it has several benefits such as reducing the inflammation in pups that have kidney disease, helping the immune and digestive system. So, for Havanese that have any digestive problems, flaxseed makes this dog food one of the best options in the market.

The only downside about this product is that it contains pea flour. It is a by-product of peas, and it is a low-quality ingredient that is used to bind the kibble.

Best for Budget: Rachael Ray Small-Breed Dry Dog Food, Real Chicken & Veggies

Holistic Select Dry Dog Food
Grain-Free Salmon Anchovy & Sardine

best for budget

Rachael Ray Small-Breed Dry Dog Food, Real Chicken & Veggies is a small breed recipe with small kibble size, which makes it perfect for your pup’s small bites. Not the mention this dog food has a perfect flavor that your pup will probably won’t be able to get enough of.

Turkey is the first listed ingredient in this dog food, and it is the primary protein source, and the second listed ingredient is the turkey meal. Turkey has a lot of benefits for dogs, including containing a high level of phosphorous, which helps regulate metabolism.

It also has the right amount of vitamin B2 in it, which is essential for producing energy for your Havanese. This recipe also contains a fair amount of venison, which is not only a good source of vitamin B but also contains zinc, phosphorous, and iron.

We should mention that this product is not grain free and contains brown rice, whole ground corn, and corn gluten meal. So, if you’re Havanese has a sensitivity to those ingredients, this dog food might not be the best choice for it.

This product also contains cranberries, and it has antioxidant properties. But, other than that, this product does not have any significant amount of vegetables or fruits as the carb source.

Best Seafood Recipe: Holistic Select Dry Dog Food Grain-Free Salmon Anchovy & Sardine

Blue Buffalo High Protein
Grain-Free, Dog Food Chicken Recipe

best seafood recipe

Holistic Select Dry Dog Food Grain-Free Salmon Anchovy and Sardine is another selection that we believe that goes under the radar. It has very high-quality ingredients that will fulfill your dog’s all the dietary needs and provide the energy to get through its days.

The first listed ingredient in this product is salmon, and the second listed ingredient in this product is anchovy and sardine, which makes this product full of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. So, you can be sure that your pup’s coat will shine better than ever, and it will have a better immune system to resist any kinds of diseases.

This dog food does not contain any grains, wheat gluten, or corn. Instead, it contains healthy carbs such as carrots, potatoes, peas, pumpkin, cranberries, and apples. While all of these vegetables and fruits have several benefits for your dog, carrots, and pumpkin are especially beneficial for your pup because of their antioxidant properties, and also both of them are excellent sources of beta-carotene.

We should mention that the protein content could be higher in this product. So, if you’re trying to get your pup on a high protein diet, this dog food might not be the best option for your Havanese.

Best High Protein: Blue Buffalo High Protein Grain-Free, Dog Food Chicken Recipe

best high protein

The quality of the products of Blue Buffalo varies a lot; however, we believe Blue Buffalo High Protein Grain-Free, Dog Food Chicken Recipe is one of their finest ones. This is a grain-free product with a high protein content that we think your pup will definitely love its flavor.

Deboned chicken is the first listed ingredient in this one, and it will provide the primary source of protein for your pup’s daily protein needs. Chicken meal is the second ingredient, and it is filled with glucosamine, which makes this dog food one of the best options for senior Havanese with sore joints and muscles.

Instead of grains, the manufacturer decided to go for a lot of different vegetables, including peas, sweet potatoes, blueberries, parsley, and cranberries. Parsley is known for its ability to freshen a dog’s breath, but it also has many several other benefits. Parsley has anti-inflammatory properties, and it can be beneficial for dogs that have inflammatory issues, including arthritis.

We should mention that this dog food is very rich in both Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids content comes from menhaden fish meal, and it will help your dog to have a healthier and shinier coat. Omega-6 fatty acids content comes from flaxseed, which has several benefits from helping your pup to have a healthy kidney to promote better digestion.

Buyer’s Guide

What Should Be in Your Pup’s Dog Food?

High-Quality Protein

The high-quality protein content is the number one ingredient that you should look for when getting a dog food for your Havanese. Because even though their fluffy tail and amazingly cute face don’t necessarily show, Havanese are evolved from predators like wild wolves and protein is the main source that ensures that they will live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Protein is a macronutrient, and it is one of the big three along with carbohydrates and fat. Macro means large, and the protein is a macronutrient because your pup needs it in large amounts. Protein is made up of little building blocks called amino acids, and when your Havanese digest the protein, those amino acids are used by its body to manufacture other proteins.

Also, just like humans, dogs’ system does not store protein, so it is crucial that your pup gets adequate protein every day. That is why the best thing you can do for your Havanese would be to get a dog food that has high-quality protein content.

Protein has various benefits, including building muscle mass, repairing damaged muscles, providing energy, and promoting a healthy and shiny coat. Diets that are low in protein can cause some issues with your Havanese such as lethargy, weakness and even change in behavior and the best way to avoid that would be to provide him a diet that has protein.

Dogs should get around 20-25% of their daily nutrition from proteins. However, we should mention that this amount should be a little higher for pregnant dogs, puppies, and dogs that are very active.

Fats

Just like proteins, fats are also vital for your pooch to enjoy a healthy life. Fats are essential for providing energy to your pup’s body, they are necessary for the absorption of vitamins, and protecting the brain and heart health.

However, it doesn’t mean that every food that contains fat is healthy but you probably already know that if your Havanese is devouring French fries, it is not the best way for it to fulfill its need for fat. There are different types of fats, and there is a clear distinction between healthy and unhealthy fats.

First, there are bad trans fats. They are usually found in fast food products, commercial foods, and pastries. Trans fats don’t have any known health benefits the consumption of them should be minimized both by you and your pet.

Then, there are saturated fats. They are usually found in animal products such as dairy products and animal meats. Consuming too many saturated fats can be harmful to humans and raise cholesterol levels; however, dogs don’t have to worry about that issue, and they usually only benefit from a high saturated fat diet.

Other than that, there are unsaturated fats. There are two types of unsaturated fats, which are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are usually found in vegetables such as avocado and olive oil.

Also, there are polyunsaturated fats. There are two types of polyunsaturated fats: Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids. They are both very beneficial for dogs.

Omega-3 fatty acids are usually found oily fish such as salmon and menhaden fish. They promote healthier skin and better immune system, and they can even reduce allergic reactions.

Omega-6 fatty acids are usually found in vegetable oils, including sunflower and corn, so, they are more readily available for consumption. They are beneficial for the functioning of the digestive system, and they are essential for reproduction in dogs.

Healthy fats have a lot of different benefits for dogs so, the best thing you can you would be to take into consideration the healthy fat content of the dog food you’re getting for your Havanese.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are another macronutrient they are often found in dog foods; however, what differs them from protein and fat is that it is not necessary for them to be included in a dog’s diet. However, when consumed in moderate amounts and if the right carbohydrates are taken, they can even be beneficial for your dog.

Just like fats, all carbs are not the same, and some carbs can be very healthy for your pup, and some carbs can issue for your dog.

Good carbs are usually found in vegetables and fruits, and most of them have excellent nutritional values that can benefit your pup. For instance, carrots have very low calories, and they are full of fiber and several vitamins. Peas benefit digestion, and they help regulate your pup’s blood sugar levels. Also, flaxseed is very good at relieving healthy joint, and they are also beneficial for a better immune system.

Bad carbs are usually found in foods that have high glycemic index such as, grains, rice, and sugar. When consumed too much, they will cause a ‘sugar spike’ in your Havanese so the best approach would be to minimize them as much as possible when getting a food for your dog.

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals, and even though they don’t have to be consumed as much as them, micronutrients are also essential to provide a healthy and balanced diet for your Havanese. For instance, zinc is one of the most used minerals in dog’s body and should definitely be in its diet because its deficiency can cause issues such as chronic digestive issues, dermatitis and even in some cases, organ failures. Other than zinc, magnesium supplementation is a huge one. Magnesium is a natural relaxant, and it is directly related to muscle health. It helps your dog to contract and relax its muscles, and it is also very significant for muscle regeneration. Other essential minerals include calcium, potassium, sodium, and iron and they all have different benefits, and the best way to provide them adequately to your Havanese is to check in ingredients list when you’re buying a dog food for your pup.

How Much Dog Food Does Your Havanese Need?

It might be surprising to hear that, but small breeds usually need more food per pound compared to the larger breeds. Because they have a higher metabolism and they burn what they eat faster.Dogs on average usually need around 30 calories per pound a day. Small breeds that are less than 20 lbs. might need up to 40 calories per pound a day. Havanese usually weights between 10-17 pounds (4.5-7.5 kg’s), so by this calculation, we could say that Havanese needs between 300-510 calories every day.

We should mention that this is a rough calculation and it is best to consider different factors when determining the amount of food you’re giving to your Havanese; for instance, if you live in a place with hot climate or if your dog is overweight, your pup will need fewer calories.

On the other hand, if you have a pup that is very active or that is pregnant, daily calorie amount should be increased.

How Often Should You Feed Your Havanese?

This is a topic that is usually argued about heavily, and there are a different point of views with valid reasons for every one of them. Some believe that you should feed your dog three times a day, some say that two should be the upper limit.

We look at this situation from an evolutionary perspective, and since your Havanese is a descendant of wild wolves, we believe that feeding in a way that wolves were feeding would make sense. So, our advice for the dog owners with pups that are older than 12 months, we advise them not to feed them more than twice a day, and we believe there are a lot of valid reasons for that.

Because when your pup starts feeding, its metabolism will begin to work. This will happen even if it consumes a little snack. So, there will not be a chance for its gut to refresh itself and create healthy bacteria.

That is why we also believe that fasting your Havanese by depriving it of its beloved food can be one of the best things you can do for your dog. By fasting, we mean not giving it any food or snacks for a couple of days, and, no our intention is not to make your pup or starve it to death.

Before you start to think that we’re crazy and leave this website forever, we advise you to listen to our reasons for a second.

First of all, as mentioned above, not consuming food regularly will give your pup’s gut a break from working, and it will have a chance to recharge itself and create healthy bacteria.

Also, its digestive system does much more than digesting foods, and most of the immune system of a dog takes place in its gut. So, it will have a chance to do its other duties, such as preventing your dog from getting diseases from harmful hormones, vaccines, and antibiotics that are commonly found in almost every food.

As mentioned above, we are huge believers of fasting and think that depriving your Havanese of its dog food would be one of the best ways to give it a healthier and maybe even longer life, but we leave the decision to you but advise you the do more research about that.

Merrick Grain-Free Dry-Dog Food Real Lamb & Sweet Potato

Common Health Problems In Havanese

Cataracts

Cataracts (cloudy lenses) are eye disease, and it is one of the most commonly encountered conditions in Havanese. One of the most common causes of cataracts is diabetes and, in fact, 75% of the dogs that have diabetes are diagnosed for cataracts. Cataracts are a severe issue, and if it is not diagnosed early, it can have severe consequences.

Of course, the best way to be harmed the least by that issue would be to take the necessary precautions to prevent this issue from ever happening. As mentioned above, diabetes is the number cause of cataracts.

Just like humans, two types of diabetes are encountered in dogs: Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

We’ll start with type 2 diabetes since it is the one that is known more. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by two things, and they are eating too many carbohydrates and obesity. The way it happens is that a dog’s body cannot handle too much insulin production and begins to resist it because it is receiving much more sugar than it can handle.

Since type two diabetes is usually caused by the wrong diet, the best way to prevent your Havanese from getting this disease would be to implement the right diet for it by choosing a dog food that suits its needs.

However, we should also mention that type 1 diabetes occur more than type 2 diabetes in dogs, and it is even more serious. Type 1 diabetes is the failure of the pancreas to produce enough insulin. So, the body is not able to convert glucose into energy, and that usually causes symptoms like fatigue, vomiting, and weight loss. The treatment of this issue is much harder, and in some cases, life-long insulin shots might be necessary.

Allergies

Dogs are not different from us in the way that they get all the allergies that we get. They can get seasonal allergies, food allergies, and skin allergies. Skin allergies also called atopic dermatitis, are the one that is commonly seen in Havanese.

Most of the time, their feet, belly, skin, and ears are the places that are most affected by this issue. The symptoms can start to show themselves from the age of three, and they can worsen every year. Constantly licking the paws and constant itching are the most common, and they resemble the symptoms of a food allergy a lot.

So, although there is not enough evidence to support that there is a strong correlation between them, experts believe that there might be a connection between the two.

Whether or not there is a connection between the two, the best thing to do would be to take precautions and removing the ingredients that your Havanese has allergies to from its diet and be careful about them when getting a dog food for your pup.

Also, it is possible that your pup has already allergies to a food and you have not been able to find what is causing the problem. In that case, there is a method that is called ‘elimination diet’ which is suggested by vets, and you can implement it to your pup’s diet.

To do that, you have to remove the possible allergy causing ingredients from your dog’s diet and see if the symptoms are diminishing if so, you should put that ingredient slowly back into your pup’s food and see if the symptoms will reoccur. If that is the case, you managed to find the allergy-causing ingredient

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is an orthopedic disease, and it is a condition that affects the hip joint. Hip dysplasia is a disease that happens when the hip joint moves differently than its usual way of moving, and it ends up damaging the socket.

It is a condition that is usually seen in larger dogs, but sometimes it can be seen in smaller dogs as well, and Havanese are no exception to that. We should mention that hip dysplasia is not caused by diet, but like most of the other things, it can play a role in the prevention and the management of it.

As we mentioned above, a high protein diet is very beneficial for dogs to recover from injuries and to repair damaging muscles. So, we believe that a diet that is high in protein is the way to go if you have a pup that has hip dysplasia.

However, we should mention that unlike arthritis, high protein dog food will probably not be enough to fix your pup’s problem and if you have a Havanese that suffers from this issue, surgery would be probably the best solution for her.

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is a disease that is caused in dogs when the elbow grows unnaturally and cause a disturbance in the elbow joint. Even though they are generally a healthy breed, this is one of the issues that Havanese are susceptible to.

There are several claims about the causes of this problem, and they include trauma, genetics, and diet.

Since this disease is caused by the overgrowth of the elbow, a lot of people think that this issue might be caused by a high protein diet that is implemented to dogs when they are at a young age.

Even though that sounds like a plausible argument since protein is the number one macronutrient that will help dogs to thrive, we believe that this not actually the case. Even from a young age, dogs should not have problems with high protein diets because it is how they are wired.

There is also one study that supports our belief, which clearly states that giving dogs a high protein diet does not cause any irregularities of bone development. So, if you’ve ever read that giving your Havanese a high protein dog food might actually cause elbow dysplasia in your pup, we suggest that you to continue to do so because it is the best way for them to have a healthy life.

Conclusion: 5 Best Dog Beds for Havanese (2020 Reviews)

Because of all their lovely traits, Havanese just makes unbelievable pets and just like in everything, they deserve the best nutrition they can get, and that’s what we tried to do in this article. We wanted to provide you with the best foods for Havanese that are available in the market today.

We hope that both the list and the buyer’s guide were helpful to you to find the best dog food for your Havanese!

5 Best Dog Food For Cockapoo

Alaaddin Sarac

Being a cross breed between Cocker Spaniel and Poodle, Cockapoo has got the characteristics of both breeds. It is energetic, playful, and incredibly friendly, and they are just excellent pets.

Cockapoo’s

They are also a generally healthy breed, and they can live up to 20 years (yes, you’ve read it right). However, to ensure that your pup lives the healthiest life it can live, there are some measures you can take, and feeding it the right food is a huge one. So, we prepared a list to help you to find the best dog food for your Cockapoo.

We included different options, such as grain-free for special conditions like allergies. We should also mention that some of our selections may not be the most popular ones amongst the dog lovers; however, we firmly believe that these are better options than some of the more popular commercial dog foods. We did our research, so, please trust us on this one.

There is also a buyer’s guide below the list so that you know the rights and wrongs about feeding your pup but first, let’s get to our list.

Runner Up
Top Pick
Budget

Runner Up

About: Merrick Grain-Free Dry-Dog Food Real Lamb & Sweet Potato is a grain-free recipe of the well-known dog food manufacturer Merrick, and the ingredients are very satisfying with a lot of nutrition in them.

Features: There is a wide range of protein sources in this dog food, including lamb and salmon. We should mention that deboned lamb is the first listed ingredient in this one and most the protein in this dog food comes from it.

It will not only provide the protein that your Cockapoo needs, but this dog food is also an excellent iron source. Moreover, it is filled with zinc, so it is very beneficial for your dog. On the other hand, salmon meal makes this recipe very high in Omega-3 fatty acids, and it is what your pup needs for a shiny coat.

It has lamb as the first ingredient which is a great protein source.

We should mention that this dog food does not contain any grains such as wheat, barley, and corn. All the carbohydrates come from different vegetables and fruits such as potatoes, peas, apples, and blueberries.

Also, this dog food is filled with probiotics, which are healthy bacteria that help with digestion, and they also boost the immune system.

IAMS Mini Chunks Dry Dog Food

About: We love Pet Plate a lot because they are a company that are determined to bring human-grade dog food for our loyal companions. It is a subscription service that we highly suggest.

Features: We want to start by mentioning that this dog food is made with human-grade, all-natural ingredients. So, it is a good option for pet parents who want to provide the best nutrition possible to their dogs.

Pet Plate is a subscription based dog food service.

We should also say that their meals don’t contain rendered meat or by-products. Also, it doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.

Other than that, they make sure that they prepare the recipes that your dog will absolutely love. The way they do that is to get some information about your pup and create personalized meals for him.

Their recipes come in four different flavors such as beef, turkey, chicken, and lamb at least one of which will be the ideal option for your dog. Also, they use U.S. Department of Agriculture approved meats, fruits, and veggies that contain nutritious vitamins and minerals that are very beneficial for your tail-wagger.

Another thing to highlight about Pet Plate is that their products are flash-frozen to keep their food fresh. They also bring you the products on an on-going basis, which is another reason you don’t have to worry about the freshness with your dog’s food.

Lastly but most importantly, they provide a 30% discount at the checkout for the first order for buypetsupplyonline.com readers. You can get yours by making your purchase by clicking on the link above.

Natural Balance Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Best For Budget

About: IAMS Mini Chunks Dry Dog Food is a dog food that is specifically made for small breed dogs. It offers a varied diet rich in lean meats, fruits, and vegetables. The recipe is entirely free from soy and is enhanced by various vital vitamins and minerals.

Features: The manufacturer used farm-raised chicken as the primary source of protein in this one to fulfill all the protein needs of your pup.

It is rich in lean meats, fruits and vegetables.

The healthy carbohydrates in this dog food come from the vegetables such as spinach, carrots, tomatoes, and also flaxseed. Flaxseed is one of the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, they are also filled with fiber and has a lot of other benefits, including regulating the digestive system and becoming an energy source for your pup.

However, we should mention that this dog food also contains high-grain corns, and if your Cockapoo is allergic to grains, the best thing to do for your pup would be to avoid this dog food.

It also contains chicken by-products. We should mention that while some owners believe that the organ meats that are in the meat by-products are beneficial for dogs because of the vitamin content in them, others are doubtful of such benefits.

Best Limited Recipe: Natural Balance Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Nutro Ultra Dry Dog Food with A Trio of Proteins from Chicken

Best Limited Recipe

About: Natural Balance Small Breed Dry Dog Food comes in small kibbles and offers a diet based on limited ingredients such as chicken and brown rice, both of which are easily digestible. For dogs with allergies, limited ingredient diets are perfect, and they could also be an excellent pragmatic method to avoid them entirely.

Features: This dog food features tasty proteins that come from high-quality chicken and duck meat, and they will provide the necessary protein that your Cockapoo needs.

The carbohydrates come from the vegetables and fruits that are full of antioxidants such as spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries. We should mention that these are very high-quality vegetables filled with fiber.

This dog food also contains zinc, which is very good because it is the mineral that is most commonly used in your pup’s body and its absence can cause all sorts of issues ranging from a weak immune system to hair and skin problems.

Taurine is another hugely beneficial amino acid in this dog food, which is useful for the distribution of certain tissues in the body, and it also helps the heart to pump blood more efficiently.

Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs: NUTRO Dry Dog Food

For Sensitive Stomachs

About: Nutro is a dog food manufacturer that is loved by a lot of pet owners, and there are some valid reasons for it.

Features: Nutro Ultra Dry Dog Food with A Trio of Proteins from Chicken has a high-quality recipe that has chicken, salmon, and lamb as the protein sources and also it has a lot of different vegetables and fruits that will act as antioxidants including pumpkin, spinach, carrots, and apples.

Also, salmon is a fatty fish that you definitely want in your dog’s diet. Because it is full of Omega-3 fatty acids and also a study indicates that it might be helpful for some dogs that have allergies.

Furthermore, this dog food is rich in other organic ingredients, from chia seeds to blueberries and also micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

However, we should mention that it includes whole grain oatmeal in its recipe and if your Cockapoo has allergies to it, going for a grain-free dog food would be the best choice.

Other Dog Foods for Cockapoo We Reviewed

Taste of The Wild Grain Free High Protein Dry Dog Food Appalachian Valley Small Breed – Venison

Although this dog food didn’t make it to our top 5, it managed to make it to our honorable mentions, and it is for good reasons. First, we like this product because of its protein choice. Because venison is not only a nutritious protein source, but also, it is very easy on the sensitive stomachs.

Other than that, this dog food contains nutritious vitamins and minerals that are very beneficial for your Cockapoo. We should also mention that this product contains taurine, which is essential for a well-functioning heart and its deficiency can cause heart problems for dogs.

Key Features

Good Choice of Protein
Contains Nutritious Vegetables
Contains Taurine

Solid Gold Leaping Waters with Cold Water Salmon Grain Free Dog Food

Solid Gold manufactures some of the best products in the market and this is their salmon recipe. Salmon makes this recipe filled with protein and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Getting enough amount of Omega-3 Fatty Acids is essential for your Cockapoo. Because they are the beneficial fatty acids that will ensure that your dog has a shiny and healthy coat.

We should mention that this recipe is free from all the allergy causing ingredients such as soy, wheat, and corn. Overall, this is a very high-quality dog food that will ensure that your Cockapoo will thrive and have a healthy life.

Key Features

High Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
No Allergy Causing Ingredients

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo makes dog foods that are in a very wide range of quality. That is the reason we don’t include every product of them in our selections, but this recipe deserves a mention. Because this dog food contains nutritious and tasty ingredients that your Cockapoo won’t be able to get enough.

For instance, other than having real deboned chicken as the first ingredient, this product also contains menhaden fish meal as the second ingredient. Also, this recipe contains flaxseed, which is filled with vital fatty acids.

Key Features

Real Chicken is the First Ingredient
Contains Flaxseed

CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Dry Dog Food

Most dog parents who gets a product of CANIDAE keep coming back for more. Because they make some recipes that are so delicious that it becomes their dog’s favorite one instantly and this is their lamb recipe.

As for the other protein sources, this recipe contains fish meal, chicken meal and turkey meal, which are amazing sources of significant vitamins and antioxidants. Also, the manufacturer decided to include chickpeas as the carbohydrates source to keep this recipe grain free.

Key Features

Various High-Quality Protein Sources
Grain Free
Contains High Levels of Vitamins and Minerals

Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Lamb

We included this product because Holistic makes the most nutritious products with the least amount of processing. As for this recipe, each product listed in the formula has a purpose. First, lamb is an amazing protein source and almost every dog loves the taste of it.

Also, single protein source makes this dog food a perfect choice for a Cockapoo that have digestive issues. Other than that, this product contains various vegetables that are excellent vitamin sources.

Key Features

Single Protein Source is Less Likely to Cause Allergies
Contains Nutritious Vegetables
Contains Beet Pulp

Addiction Grain Free Dry Dog Food Formulas Kangaroo & Apple

This is another formula with a rare protein source in our selections other than Taste of The Wild Grain Free High Protein Dry Dog Food Appalachian Valley Small Breed – Venison. Because wild-harvested kangaroo meat is the first listed ingredient in this recipe.

Since kangaroo meat is very rare, the chance that your Cockapoo has allergies to it is very low. So, this is one of the best dog food for a Cockapoo that has sensitivities to certain meat proteins. Other than that, this recipe is packed with vegetables and fruits and that are filled with antioxidants.

Key Features

Kangaroo Meat is the First Listed Ingredient
High Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Contains Flaxseed

Dogs-100-Hypoallergenic-Dog Food

P.S. For Dogs is not a brand that is very popular among dog owners. But they deserve much more recognition because they mimic the diet of wild animals when they prepare their formulas.

This product contains free range grass-fed lamb meat and organs. That makes this dog food full of protein and antioxidants, which makes it perfect for a Cockapoo that is at any stage of his life. We should mention that the ingredients in this product is carefully picked and that is why the recipe is hypoallergenic.

Key Features

Air Dried Ingredients
Hypoallergenic
Wild-Life Recipe

Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Recipe

This is a veterinarian approved recipe that is specifically designed for pups that have issues with digestion. This product is different from our other products in the sense that it doesn’t contain any animal meat.

This is because animal meat is one of the biggest causes of allergies in dogs. Besides, this formula doesn’t contain any gluten, corn, wheat and filler. The reason for that is that this dog food includes any probiotics that will make your Cockapoo thrive.

Key Features

Veterinarian Approved Recipe
Doesn’t Contain Any Allergens

Nutrisca Dog Food, Lamb and Chickpeas

Nutrisca has a simple manifest, which is providing superior quality products that help dogs to live a happy and long life and this is one of their finest recipes. This product contains lamb as the number one ingredient that is balanced with peas, chickpeas and fruits.

That is why this recipe is a perfect combination of beneficial vitamins and high-quality animal protein. Since it is free from grains, this recipe has a low glycemic index and it is perfect for dogs that have weight issues.

Key Features

Satisfactory Nutrition
Low Glycemic Index

AvoDerm Natural Revolving Menu Dry & Wet Dog Food

We love Avoderm because they include some unique and healthy ingredients in their recipe. Their products are famous among pet parents because almost all of them contain avocado. This makes a huge difference since avocado is one of the best fruits that your pup can eat.

Because this dog food contains high levels of fiber and that is why it is an excellent choice a Cockapo that has digestive issues. We should also mention that lamb is the first listed ingredient in this formula.

Key Features

Lamb is the First Ingredient
High Levels of Fiber
Contains Avocado

Racheal Ray Nutrish Dish Natural Dog Food

This is a simple recipe that is full of high protein and quality carbohydrates. The first ingredient is real chicken in this recipe. As for the second ingredient, the manufacturer decided to go with chicken meal. This is a very good choice because chicken meal contains various organ meats that are beneficial for your tail-wagger.

Other than that, this recipe contains flaxseed, which is a great source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids . Those are healthy fats that can alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and improve kidney functioning.

Key Features

Real Chicken is the First Ingredient
High Levels of Healthy Fatty Acids
High Levels of Antioxidants

Diamond Naturals Meat Recipe Dog Food

As for the first listed ingredient, this formula contains lamb. Also, high protein content will provide the muscle growth that every dog needs. Other than that, this dog food is filled with minerals and disease fighting antioxidants that will make your Cockapoo thrive.

Because it contains nutritious vegetables and fruits such as carrots, spinach, coconut and peas. We should mention that this product also contains eggs and that is why you should avoid this recipe if your pooch has allergies to them.

Key Features

High-Quality Ingredients
Contains Nutritious Vegetables
High Levels of Fiber

Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food Pork, Beef & Lamb

Containing wide range of vegetables, this dog food has everything that your Cockapoo needs. The manufacturer decided to include three different protein sources, which are pork, beef and lamb.

So, it will provide the nutrition and energy that your pooch needs every day. As for the carbohydrates, this recipe contains sweet potatoes, peas and blueberries. That is why this dog food is very high in fiber and it is perfect for dogs that have digestive issues.

Key Features

Perfect Option for Sensitive Stomachs
Doesn’t Contain Low Quality Ingredients

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free

We should start by mentioning that this dog food contains all the necessary ingredients that your Cockapoo needs to thrive and have a healthy life. Because this recipe doesn’t contain any artificial fillers or additives. Instead, it has salmon as the first listed ingredient and also various vegetables.

Making salmon as the first ingredient makes this recipe very high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and that is significant for a healthy coat and immune system.

Key Features

High Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
No Artificial Ingredients

Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Grain Free Adult & Puppy Salmon Anchovy & Sardine

This is another product among our selections that contains salmon as the first ingredient. But there is one aspect that differentiates this product from the other ones, which is the fact that it also contains anchovy and sardine. this makes this recipe an excellent source of protein.

As for the carbohydrates, this formula includes vegetables that are filled with vitamins and minerals. This is to ensure that your dog gets the most nutrition with the least amount of processing.

Key Features

Satisfactory Nutrition
Too Many Ingredients That Can Cause Allergies

Instinct Limited Ingredient Grain Free Dog Food

Instinct is a company that makes high-quality dog food, and this is their limited ingredient recipe. What we particularly like about this product is that the manufacturer didn’t include any animal proteins that might cause allergy in it.

Instead, this dog food has the lamb as the first ingredient, and it will provide all the ingredients that your Cockapoo needs. Besides, Instinct is known for using raw ingredients in their products, which makes their products very close to what ancestors of our loyal companions used to eat.

Key Features

Grass Fed Lamb is the First Ingredient
Raw Ingredients

Acana Singles Formula, Duck and Pear Dog Food

Even though Acana may not be as famous as our other selections, they are a premium dog food company that makes some great foods with very high protein proportion.

Other than that, they use as few ingredients as possible and combine them in a recipe to provide your pup with a feeding experience that is very close to the nature. This is their duck and pear formula, which is a very simple recipe that only focuses on animal protein and vitamins.

Key Features

High-Quality Ingredients
Limited Ingredients Recipe
No Possible Allergens

Nulo Small Breed Grain Free Dog Food

Nulo manages to maintain a good protein to carbohydrates ratio in their recipe. This is their small breed formula, which is made in smaller kibble size so that your Cockapoo won’t have a hard time when swallowing it.

Another thing that we love about this product is that it doesn’t contain any ingredients that have high glycemic index such as wheat, soy or white potatoes. That is why it is a perfect choice for dogs that have weight issues or diabetes.

Key Features

Small Kibble Size
Free from Grains, Corn or Soy

Merrick Lil Plates Grain Free Small Breed Recipe

After being sold to Purina, there was a little bit of a worry among the pet parents. Because Purina is known for bringing some ingredients from China. But they assured that this will not be the case for Merrick.

So, that is why we still give Merrick a place among our selections. This dog food has lamb listed as the first ingredient, and it is the primary source of protein. Other than that, it contains chickpeas and sweet potatoes, both are fantastic sources of vitamin C and A.

Key Features

Good Protein to Carbs Ratio
Satisfactory Nutrition

Buyer’s Guide

How Much Food Does a Cockapoo Need?

Dogs on average, need about 30 calories per pound (66 calories per kg) of their body weight per day to maintain their current weight, and Cockapoos usually weight between 10-30 pounds (4.5- 14 kg’s).

So, by this calculation, we could estimate that most healthy Cockapoos need between 300 to 900 calories a day to maintain their current weight. However, estimation is the best thing we can do because there are a lot of different factors when calculating the amount of dog food should be given to a Cockapoo.

Since they are a very energetic and playful breed, most Cockapoos tend to be very active. If that is the case for your Cockapoo, you can feed it a little more than the advised calorie amount. If not, the lower threshold would be enough. The best way to find the sweet spot is just by experimenting with the amount of dog food you give to your Cockapoo.

How Often Should You Feed Your Cockapoo?

After the puppy leaves its mother, it is advised to feed it three to four times a day, because smaller meals would be easier for them to digest and, also, they will not experience the energy fluctuations with smaller meals.

By the time your pup gets to 6-months old, the best feeding schedule for your Cockapoo would be 2 times a day with quality dog food. Once it gets to 12 months old, the general advice is to feed them once or twice a day maximum. However, since Cockapoo is a small breed, feeding it smaller meals might be a good option because they have smaller stomachs and they can eat smaller amounts each time.

Also, we should mention that there are solid reasons for why you should fast your Cockapoo and deprive it of its beloved dog food sometimes. By fasting, we mean not feeding it for a couple of days. Before you think that we lost our minds and try to starve your Cockapoos to death, please listen to our reasons.

First of all, giving its digestive system a break from continually processing food not only restrict calories and reduce the risk of diabetes, but it also has many other long-term benefits.

Fasting has been shown to reduce inflammation and reduce insulin sensitivity. Because, whenever a dog consumes food, its metabolism starts working and its body releases insulin. Nibbling on snacks regularly makes blood sugar levels stay high, and it causes fat gain and even diabetes.

Fasting also has a healing effect, and it repairs damaged cells. It gives a rest to your pup’s gut to help it produce beneficial bacteria.

Also, dogs have evolved from wild animals, and the way they fed was to hunt an animal and eat it. After that, they searched for food, and until then, they fasted. So, this way of eating is more natural to them.

We know that this might sound controversial and it would be probably for the best if you consult your vet before you make any changes to how many times you give dog food to your Cockapoo, we advise you to take a look at it before jumping to any conclusions.