The adorable, teddy-bear-like cockapoo has a hilarious personality and calm temperament that’s endearing to many families. These loveable goofs are known for their outgoing, friendly personalities and low-shedding coats. Cockapoos get along with children, other dogs, and even cats. It’s no wonder this breed is becoming a household staple.
Searching for healthy food for your dog can be difficult with so many brands on the market, but we’ve created a list of the best dog food for cockapoos and included reviews and a buyer’s guide.
A Glance at Our Winners in 2023
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Best Overall
The Farmers Dog Chicken Recipe
Contains whole proteins and organs
Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
No preservatives or unnecessary fillers
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Best for The Money
American Journey Active Life Formula Dry Dog Food
Priced more affordably
Fortified with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids
Minimum of 25% crude protein
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ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Made with free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs
85% premium animal ingredients,
Made with fresh regional ingredients
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Best for Puppies
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
Packed with lean proteins
Fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
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Vet’s Choice
Royal Canin Digestive Care Dry Dog Food
Designed for adult dogs with digestive issues.
Enhanced with antioxidants, vitamins, and chelated minerals.
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The 8 Best Dog Foods for Cockapoos
1. The Farmers Dog Chicken Recipe Subscription Service – Best Overall
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Main ingredients: Chicken Liver, Brussels sprouts, chicken liver, broccoli
Protein content: 11.5%
Fat content: 8.5%
Calories: Depends on your dog’s formula
The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe creates a bountiful feast for your beloved cockapoo to enjoy, and it’s our pick for the best overall dog food. Not only is it packed with flavor and protein from chicken and chicken liver, it includes nutrient-dense vegetables like brussels sprouts, bok choy, and broccoli. This formula is loaded with nutrition with as few additives as possible. Farmer’s Dog fresh food is suitable for dogs of all shapes, ages, sizes, and breeds.
With chicken as its primary protein, this formula supports muscle growth, and the omega-6 fatty acids support your cockapoo’s healthy skin and coat. The inclusion of brussels sprouts makes the formula rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium, and the chicken liver holds even more protein, vitamin A, and Vitamin B. AllFarmer’s Dog recipes are veterinarian crafted and in USDA-approved kitchens, meaning you are feeding your dog only food you would eat yourself.
Pros
Contains whole proteins and organs
Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
No preservatives or unnecessary fillers
Cons
Expensive
American Journey Active Life Formula provides a well-rounded and well-balanced diet for your cockapoo for the best bang for your buck.
Contains whole proteins and organs
Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
No preservatives or unnecessary fillers
- Contains whole proteins and organs
- Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
- No preservatives or unnecessary fillers
Expensive
- Expensive
Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, brown rice, barley
Protein content: 25%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: 342 kcal/cup
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American Journey Active Life Formula provides 25% protein content, and it won our prize for the best dog food for the money. Although deboned chicken is the only source of protein in this formula, Farmer’s Dog also includes nutrient-rich vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots. The recipe has added nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants to support a healthy immune system. It also features a balanced blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support your pup’s healthy skin and shiny coat.
Pros
Priced more affordably
Fortified with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids
Minimum of 25% crude protein
Cons
Not a diverse list of protein sources.
Orijen Original Grain-Free Dy Dog Food provides a diet closely resembling the diet of natural predators in the wild. Choosing this food will make your canine companion feel like the apex predator they were born to be. This formula is protein-rich and contains meat from sources like chicken, turkey, and fish. It is also crafted with some of the most nutrient-dense parts of a dog’s natural prey, including organs (liver and hearts) and bone.
Priced more affordably
Fortified with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids
Minimum of 25% crude protein
- Priced more affordably
- Fortified with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids
- Minimum of 25% crude protein
Not a diverse list of protein sources.
- Not a diverse list of protein sources.
Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, Atlantic flounder, chicken liver, whole red lentils, whole eggs
Protein content: 38%
Fat content: 18%
Calories: 473 kcal/cup
This Orijen formula is grain-free and designed for pups with grain sensitivities. . However, be sure to check in with your veterinarian first to see if a grain-free diet is right for your pup. Grains can be beneficial to most dogs, so it’s best to check with your vet to determine if your dog has any allergies. Not only does this food use the best ingredients, but it also gives your cockapoo the chance to be wild!
Pros
Made with free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs
85% premium animal ingredients
Made with fresh regional ingredients
Cons
Expensive compared to other dog food
Grain-free formulas, like Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken and Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food, are easy on your puppy’s digestive system and provide the right nutrients to ensure they grow into healthy, happy, adventurous adults.
Made with free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs
85% premium animal ingredients
Made with fresh regional ingredients
- Made with free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs
- 85% premium animal ingredients
- Made with fresh regional ingredients
Expensive compared to other dog food
- Expensive compared to other dog food
With a 36% minimum of crude protein, Wellness CORE’s puppy formula ensures your dog will have all the necessary nutrients to aid its ever-growing body. It’s formulated with chicken, turkey, salmon oil, fruits, and veggies. Wellness Core is also fortified with probiotics, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega-fatty acids. Although it’s more expensive than some of the competition, it’s an excellent choice for young cockapoos.
Pros
Packed with lean proteins
Fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
Cons
Expensive
Royal Canin Canine Nutrition Medium Digestive Care is tailored nutrition to support your dog’s sensitive stomach. Royal Canin knows that some dogs need more advanced nutritional support than a regular diet offers. Its team includes veterinarians and nutritionists who develop formulas for dogs with unique care needs. Medium Digestive Care is designed to put the needs of your dog first.
Packed with lean proteins
Fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
- Packed with lean proteins
- Fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
This recipe is formulated with a blend of prebiotics and fibers to support healthy digestion. The prebiotics and a special blend of fibers promote balanced gut health in your pup. We chose Royal Canin for our vet’s choice pick because it is tailored to your dog’s digestive needs.
Pros
Designed for adult dogs with digestive issues.
Enhanced with antioxidants, vitamins, and chelated minerals.
Cons
Not as much protein as other formulas
If you, like many loving pet owners, have already started researching healthy food formulas for your dog, you’ve probably encountered Blue Buffalo. It is one of the most respected names in pet nutrition, and its Life Protection Formula food helps it maintain its stellar reputation.
Designed for adult dogs with digestive issues.
Enhanced with antioxidants, vitamins, and chelated minerals.
- Designed for adult dogs with digestive issues.
- Enhanced with antioxidants, vitamins, and chelated minerals.
Not as much protein as other formulas
- Not as much protein as other formulas
Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, brown rice, flaxseed
Protein content: 24%
Fat content: 14%
Calories: 377 kcal/cup
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is made with natural, healthy ingredients packed with all the essential nutrients your cockapoo needs to thrive. Using deboned chicken and brown rice, Blue Buffalo is packed with high-quality protein for healthy muscle development and the necessary carbs for an active life. You will also find cranberries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and other whole foods providing essential minerals like calcium for strong bones and teeth.
Every ingredient in this nutrient-dense formula is carefully chosen for the benefits it provides to your beloved pup, providing a well-rounded for your cockapoo.
Pros
Includes glucosamine to support healthy joints
Made with whole foods
Enhanced with antioxidants, vitamins, and chelated minerals
Cons
Not as much protein as other formulas
- Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken & Ancestral Low-Grain Mini Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
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Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, whole oats, whole spelt, herring
Protein content: 30%
Fat content: 18%
Calories: 435 kcal/cup
With deboned chicken as the primary protein, Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken food recipe smartly uses the best ingredients with just the right amounts of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Unlike other food that has a similarly high protein content, Farmina uses protein from 92% pure animal sources rather than plant proteins. It does not contain peas or pea protein, making it a winner when it comes to dogs with sensitive stomachs. In addition to all this goodness, the natural omega fatty acids within the chicken and herring promote healthy skin and coat, and the added fruits, like pomegranate and berries, are rich in antioxidants.
Includes glucosamine to support healthy joints
Made with whole foods
Enhanced with antioxidants, vitamins, and chelated minerals
- Includes glucosamine to support healthy joints
- Made with whole foods
- Enhanced with antioxidants, vitamins, and chelated minerals
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, whole oats, whole spelt, herring
Protein content: 30%
Fat content: 18%
Calories: 435 kcal/cup
Pros
92 percent of the protein sourced from animals
Does not contain peas or lentils
Cons
Customers report that the food has a potent odor.
This Natural Balance Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe is designed for dogs that benefit from a limited ingredient diet, and it features protein-packed salmon and fiber-rich whole-grain brown rice. Natural Balance is made with simple ingredients, yet it is still packed to the brim with vitamins and minerals to support your furry friend’s digestion, muscles, and immune system. It’s perfect for all pups, including those with sensitive stomachs, skin irritations, and allergies.
92 percent of the protein sourced from animals
Does not contain peas or lentils
- 92 percent of the protein sourced from animals
- Does not contain peas or lentils
Customers report that the food has a potent odor.
- Customers report that the food has a potent odor.
Main ingredients: Salmon, brown rice, brewers rice, menhaden fish
Protein content: 24%
Fat content: 12%
Calories: 340 kcal/cup
Because of the limited ingredients list, the protein primarily comes from salmon. The protein content is lacking compared to some other formulas on this list, coming in at 24%.
We’d prefer to see multiple protein sources to ensure your dog gets a full amino acid profile. Although Healthy Balance is a nutritionally balanced food, you cannot order bags larger than 12 pounds, making it a bit more difficult and expensive to try and stock up in bulk. While still a decent choice, it ranks further down on the list because there are so many other options in the dog food market providing more protein and more accessibility at a better overall value.
Pros
Made with protein-rich salmon
The fiber-packed, whole-grain brown rice aids with digestion.
Cons
Fairly expensive
Not available in large volumes
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Food for a Cockapoo
Now that you have a list of some of the best foods for your canine companion, you may be unsure which brand is right for your pup. With so many options available, making this choice can seem a bit overwhelming, but here we will cover all the important factors you need to consider when choosing a food for your cockapoo.
Made with protein-rich salmon
The fiber-packed, whole-grain brown rice aids with digestion.
- Made with protein-rich salmon
- The fiber-packed, whole-grain brown rice aids with digestion.
Fairly expensive
Not available in large volumes
- Fairly expensive
- Not available in large volumes
Nutritional Content
When researching dog food for your cockapoo, your first step should be to read the nutrition label. The nutritional content label provides most of the information you need to guide your choices. This label displays the protein, carbs, fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and ingredients of the dog food.
Why Is Protein So Important?
The protein in your dog’s food is made up of essential amino acids. In simple terms, amino acids are the building blocks of life and are required to build your dog’s muscles, hair, nails, tendons, cartilage, and more. They also play vital roles in hormone production, and your dog cannot function without the essential amino acids provided by protein in your dog’s diet.
Consider this: before dogs were domesticated, their diet was built on the animal proteins found in the prey they hunted and killed. Today is no different. Protein is a vital nutrient for our dogs.
When looking at a nutritional label, you want to make sure your dog’s food has a minimum of 24% – 25% crude protein. Remember to ensure your dog’s food still has other high-quality, whole-food ingredients as well as sufficient protein content.
Key Ingredients
After checking the nutritional label, you need to scan the ingredient list. Not only will this give you the ability to assess the quality of the food you consider, but it also gives you the chance to determine exactly what is going into your dog’s body.
You want to look for formulas using healthy, whole-ingredient foods like brown rice, deboned chicken, sweet potatoes, and more.
You will also want to look for omega fatty acids for your dog’s skin and coat and essential vitamins like vitamins A, C, D, and E. Keep an eye out for calcium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. All of these are necessary to help your dog maintain a healthy balance in their bodies.
Does Your Dog Like It?
Does your dog actually like its food? At the end of the day, just because you’ve chosen the best food based on the ingredient list does not mean your dog will eat the food. There might be a fair bit of trial and error in choosing your cockapoo’s favorite meal.
When switching to a new food, it is best to start with the smallest bag possible to ensure you don’t waste too much money when your pup walks away from the new kibble.
Conclusion
From our reviews, Our top pick is the specially crafted Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe that is carefully tailored to your individual dog’s needs. Your best bang for your buck comes from American Journey’s Active Life Formula Dry Dog Food as it’s the cheapest one on the list. The Wellness CORE’s Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food is a nutritious recipe that provides optimal nutrition to your puppies. Royal Canin’s Canine Care is our veterinarian’s choice of food due to its specially crafted nutrition catering to dogs with sensitive stomachs for their overall health and wellness.
See also: 7 Cockapoo Health Issues to Look Out For
Sources
Dog Lovers Digest We Love Doodles Dog Food Guide Well pet
Featured Image Credit: James Ryan, Unsplash
- Dog Lovers Digest
- We Love Doodles
- Dog Food Guide
- Well pet
