If you are a new parent to a poodle puppy, you’ll need some advice on raising him. Poodles are very popular because they don’t shed much. People adore them for being hypoallergenic.
Grooming is essential, but it shouldn’t be the top priority. Puppy’s nutritional needs are another thing that needs your attention. There’s a lot to learn about the feeding requirements of your Poodle. You should know what foods they can eat and what you should avoid.
Furthermore, the feeding schedule and serving size are another cause of concern. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about feeding your poodle breed(Standard, Miniature, and Toy) in simplified tables and poodle feeding charts. Let’s get started!
Poodle Feeding Guide
You should keep in mind that the feeding charts in this article are basic guidelines. The serving size varies according to the dog’s age, activity level, individual metabolism, and state of health. Dogs eat a little more in the winter and a little less in the summer, so the weather can even have an impact.
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for dogs with the Poodle’s physique. In the case of commercial foods, follow the basic guidelines for serving size on the back of the dog food bag. The standard rule of thumb for homemade food is to provide 1 ounce of food for every pound of body weight each day.
Puppy caloric needs are higher per pound than those of adult dogs, averaging 40 to 55 calories per pound per day versus 35 to 45 for adult dogs. Due to their slower metabolisms and decreased movement, senior Poodles often need fewer calories.
Standard Poodle Feeding Chart
Age | Normal Activity | High Activity |
---|---|---|
3 months | 2 1/2 cups | 2 1/2 to 3 cups |
6 months | 3 cups | 5 cups |
9 months | 3 1/2 cups | 6 cups |
12 months | 3 1/2 cups | 6 1/2 cups |
Standard Poodles are both tall and courteous. Every standard Poodle can reach a height of roughly 24 inches at the withers. They ought to be no heavier than 70 pounds. Naturally, women are often lighter than men.
Be aware that a cup of dog chow typically provides 300–400 kcal. The back of every dog food bag contains precise calorie information. These feeding recommendations are to assist you initially. Once you know your Poodle, you’ll be able to judge whether or not it needs up to six cups of food daily.
Miniature Poodle Feeding Chart
Age | Weight | Daily kcal intake |
---|---|---|
2 months | 3 lbs | 264 |
4 months | 6 lbs | 298 |
12 months | 12 lbs | 400 |
Miniature Poodles are much smaller than standard Poodles. They shouldn’t be taller than 15 inches or weigh more than 20 pounds at the withers. You should keep your smaller dogs healthy since obesity severely affects their frail bodies.
At all ages, it’s crucial to maintain a miniature Poodle’s healthy weight. You should avoid senior dogs becoming obese as they are especially susceptible to it. This mini poodle feeding chart recommends that an adult poodle who is 12 months old consume one cup of food daily.
Toy Poodle Feeding Chart
Age | Weight | Daily kcal intake |
---|---|---|
2 months | 1 lb | 117 |
4 months | 3 lbs | 176 |
12 months | 5 lbs | 208 |
The above feeding chart for toy poodles is only meant to serve as a rough guideline. Unlike what you may expect, Toy Poodles typically don’t need as much food. They’re little dogs with simple diets!
Toy Poodles are small dogs, measuring only 10 inches at the withers and weighing up to six pounds. Thus, they won’t need as much food. Toy Poodles should not be overfed or allowed to gain excessive weight.
For instance, a toy Poodle will only need half a cup of dog food each day at the age of 12 months. The best action would be to speak with your veterinarian to determine the ideal feeding regimen for your tiny toy Poodle.
How To Switch From Puppy Food To Adult Food
Time | Amount of old food | Amount of new food |
---|---|---|
One week | ¾ old food | ¼ new food |
Two week | ½ old food | ½ new food |
Three week | ¼ old food | ¾ new food |
Four week | 100% new food | 100% new food |
According to the chart above, transitioning your Poodle from puppy to adult food should take about one month. Gradually making the switch is necessary to avoid your dog developing digestive problems.
Puppies about to become adults do not require you to change their food abruptly. Growing up, mastering obedience, and learning additional tricks are just a few of the many things they are already dealing with.
Watch out for any potential health problems in your dog. Some puppies could object to their food. This shift will become apparent if your puppy no longer eats but enjoys its treats.
How often to Feed a Poodle
You may create a routine that all dogs enjoy by feeding your dog at a set hour.
Creating a poodle feeding schedule is more crucial than you think. It can be helpful in dog training and teaching your dog when to eat. If your dog knows it will receive a bowl full of food at the end of the class, it will obey your directions more readily.
Under 3 months: While it is ideal for keeping your Poodle on a feeding plan, tiny puppies up to 3 months old thrive when freely fed. The food needs to be fresh even if you always have food out. Don’t fill it up all day; rinse and wipe the bowl as needed to prevent stale food from getting stuck at the bottom of the dish.
Puppy: Poodles of all breeds should begin eating three meals and two snacks daily at around the three-month mark.
Adult: When a puppy reaches adulthood, it’s unnecessary to start feeding them just one meal daily. Smaller dogs, like Toy Poodles and Miniatures, can enjoy having two or even three meals daily. At the same time, standards are a little more tolerant. They can have a single dinnertime feeding. Many might also enjoy having their meals divided into two portions.
You can offer many snacks in between meals, which is especially beneficial if the Poodle is a quick eater.
Final Words
We hope you will benefit from the poodle feeding charts in this article. Dogs ought to follow a food routine. It would help if you didn’t let them eat at will.
They require their meals to be carefully scheduled; otherwise, you risk obesity and bad habits. It might not seem like much food—one or two cups a day—but quality, not quantity, matters. A little Poodle puppy cannot consume the same food as a large, energetic standard Poodle.
Aside from that, focus on the quality rather than the quantity of the food. A meal with the right proportions of proteins, vegetables, grains, and other foods is preferable to a pile of unhealthy treats. Your Poodle will come home with a bag full of goodness if you buy premium dog food.
It will enhance your dog’s life and make him healthier if you feed him high-quality kibble or wet food rich in proteins, minerals, vitamins, omega fatty acids, and other beneficial supplements.