Best Dog Food for Bernedoodles: Top Formulas Based on Owner Reviews

If you’re in search of the best dog food for Bernedoodles, then this guide will certainly help you get started. Here we’ve done all the pesky research, so you don’t have to. Not only have we dug deep into the nutritional needs of Bernedoodles, but we have also waded our way through literally hundreds of owner reviews to find you the six (technically seven) best dog food for Bernedoodles – the very best brands of dog food that your pup will adore.

Picking the right food for your furry friend is a more difficult task than it would initially seem. Not only are there so many brands out there promising great things, but quite a few factors need to go into this decision. You should think about your pet’s needs, preferences, and have a clear understanding of which ingredients are good for them and which are not so good.

Table of Contents

• Bernedoodle Nutritional Needs: A Quick Overview
• Common Bernedoodle Health Issues and How Food Can Help
• Best Foods for Bernedoodles: Buyer’s Guide
• BEST DOG FOOD FOR BERNEDOODLES: REVIEWS
• The Homemade Food Option
• Ingredients to Avoid in Bernedoodle Food
• Bernedoodle Feeding Guide
• BEST FOOD FOR BERNEDOODLES: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Bernedoodle Nutritional Needs: A Quick Overview

According to the experts over at PetMD, a balanced diet is vital for a dog’s health. Bernedoodles are no exception. In fact, they have pretty standard doggy needs as compared with other breeds. Although, they may be a little more high-energy because of their two working-dog parents. So, you will likely need to pick a blend suited for a more active lifestyle.

Other things you need to keep in mind when picking out the best dog food for a Bernedoodle is their size (are they toy, miniature, medium, or standard?), their age (younger and older dogs have varying needs), and their specific activity levels (which will tell you how many calories they should have each day).

Common Bernedoodle Health Issues and How Food Can Help

When it comes to health, each breed has its own specific problems; however, many can be prevented or significantly reduced with the right supplements. Here are a few things to watch out for with your Bernedoodle:

Obesity

Topping the list, obesity is a huge problem for Doodles – especially larger ones that are not getting enough exercise. Part of the reason for this is these dogs will generally eat anything and everything. However, another problem is that research looking into why so many dogs in the US are overweight. It has identified that many owners vastly overestimate their pet’s daily food needs.

Allergies

Like their Poodle parents, Bernies can be sensitive to certain foods and products. Many high-quality pet foods have stopped using ingredients known to cause issues for canines, such as artificial flavors and preservatives. However, this is not the case for every brand. If your pup is suffering from digestive problems or itchy skin, carefully check food labels for possible culprits.

Joint Pain

More common in elderly pets, joint pain and stiffness can seriously slow your pup down. It can be distressing to see a previously vigorous dog struggling to move about the way they used to. Help them to hang on to their mobility by seeking out foods with omega fatty acids, glucosamine, CBD oil, and other herbal remedies for joint health.  

Best Foods for Bernedoodles: Buyer’s Guide

When picking out the best food for your Bernedoodle, you have several options, such as fresh foods, canned foods, and raw foods. In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with a decent kibble. Not only is it easier and cheaper than the other choices, but it usually contains an assortment of great ingredients. Plus, chewing the pellets will help keep your pal’s teeth clean.

The downside of kibble is that the quality of the food can vary significantly between manufacturers. Opt for a reputable and trusted brand, but make sure you do your homework too. Carefully check the ingredients list to ensure it has everything your pup needs and that there are no potentially harmful products or fillers (keep scrolling for more on this). Particularly look out for:

Premium Proteins

High-quality meat should be the first ingredient in any food you plan to serve up to your pooch. Animal-based protein is essential to many processes in a dog’s body, such as growth, cell regeneration, and organ efficiency. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), it should make up at least 18% of any dry dog food. 

Good Fats

While fats are frequently viewed in a bad light, they are necessary for keeping your pup’s energy levels up (among other things), and kibble should contain at least 5.5%. Of course, as you well know, there are both good fats and bad fats. For dogs, animal products are the best source of fat. However, they can also benefit from some plant-based forms like olive oil and coconut oil.

Beneficial Carbs

Often owners are surprised to hear their four-legged friend needs carbs. These are another nutrient that has gotten a bad rap for all the wrong reasons. While carbohydrates aren’t as essential to dogs as they are for us, fiber certainly is for their digestion. Carbs can also help keep your pup feeling fuller for longer making them less likely to beg for treats off your plate.

BEST DOG FOOD FOR BERNEDOODLES: REVIEWS

Best Dog Food For Bernedoodles: Across The Board Winner

Here at Doodle Doods, we really love the American Journey dry foods and would recommend them for most dogs. This food’s nutritional profile is truly excellent, with a guaranteed 23% premium protein (in this case lamb), a full range of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support a healthy immune system. The tasty kibble contains absolutely no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients, so you can be confident your pet is getting only the very best.

Reviewers are equally as enthusiastic, rating this ‘awesome food’ very highly. Dogs seem to really love the taste, and the kibble is a good size for big and small dogs alike – one of the key reasons we selected it as our all-rounder best dog food for Bernedoodles. Some pet parents even comment that the food is good for those with allergies and sensitivities (especially the lamb blend).

Best Food for Bigger Bernedoodles

Rachael Ray Nutrish is a new one on us but seems firmly established among dog owners and is pretty popular too. With its mix of real ingredients, including the highest-quality meat, wholesome grains and veggies, and added vitamins and minerals, we can see why. The company even offers an array of wet food entrees to complement their kibble – adding extra taste and interesting new textures to keep your pup keen.

With fewer calories than similar alternatives, this is the natural choice for pups who are watching their weight. However, fewer calories and lower fat doesn’t translate into less flavor judging by the positive comments. Owners also mention that it even seems to boost energy levels and leaves skin and coat soft, silky, and beautiful looking to boot.

Best for Active Bernedoodles

With a truly excellent 34% of protein, Blue Buffalo’s formula is knocking it out of the park for happy, active dogs everywhere. Chicken is one of the best sources of lean protein, and this kibble couples it with vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates for a flavorsome, balanced diet for dogs always on the go. Moreover, the antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits support immune system health, as well as supple skin and a glossy coat.

The ‘Wilderness’ branch of the Blue Buffalo family tree is designed to imitate a dog’s original diet – back in the days before food was so handily provided for them. For this reason, it is considered to be perfectly formulated for their specific dietary needs. On the whole, reviewers seem to support this – especially those with larger dogs.

Best Dog Food For Mini Bernedoodles

Having almost the same number of calories per serving as our active choice, Victor’s Hi-Pro Plus food is also great for more energetic pups – and the kibble is a little more manageable for smaller mouths. With premium-quality beef, chicken, and pork meals, alongside vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, and amino acids, this food is suitable for all life stages. It’s especially good for digestion and immune system function.

Victor’s is another popular brand among pet owners. Those that have switched over from other top choices tend to stick with it. Reviewers dub it an ‘excellent choice for all dogs.’ Some comment that irritations and allergy responses caused by unknown ingredients have vanished with this particular blend. Plus, pups can’t seem to get enough of this tasty food.  

Best For Bernedoodles Allergic To Poultry

PawTree is a pet food brand that’s committed to transforming pets’ lives through carefully crafted foods, treats, and supplements. With the help of top veterinarians and nutritionists, they create nutritionally balanced formulas with natural ingredients. 

Since poultry allergy is often an issue for Bernedoodles, their Real Trout, Sweet Peas & Lentils Recipe can be an excellent way to substitute turkey and chicken – two of the most common protein sources in many dog foods. What’s more, this recipe is perfect for adult and elderly Bernedoodles that are prone to gaining some of that extra chunk around their waistline. 

As it’s a grain-free formula, it’s designed to reduce stool volume and help with digestive issues and flatulence. Instead of grains, you’ll find healthful ingredients like sweet peas and lentils, chickpeas, flaxseed, pumpkin, spinach, and many other real foods in this recipe. 

The formula is fortified with a blend of vitamins and minerals, it’s rich in antioxidants, and it provides plenty of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to your pup’s diet. It’s also a good source of glucosamine, helping to minimize those common joint pains in Bernedoodles. 

Best for Sensitive Souls

Finding the best dog food for Bernedoodles with sensitive stomachs can be quite tricky, especially if you’re not sure what it is that you’re looking for exactly. Purina does a truly fantastic sensitive range with controlled ingredients. This salmon and rice formula is our absolute favorite. Aside from the highly digestible rice and oatmeal recipe, what makes this super food so super is the nutrient-rich salmon and the added probiotics and prebiotic fiber, which are great for joint as well as digestive health. The formula also contains zero corn, wheat, or soy – just good, clean, healthful ingredients.

Reviews for this product are great. The vast majority of people would definitely recommend this food to a friend. Some mention that it was their vet that cottoned them on to this brand in the first place. It seems to help with tummy troubles, itchy skin, dull coats, and so much more.

Best for Older Pups

Another Blue Buffalo food for our list, this brand is super popular among Doodle owners. However, the focus is a little different. Instead of being really high in protein like the Wilderness foods (although it does still contain 24% – well within the recommended amount), it has a precise blend of nutrients enhanced with a Super 7 package of antioxidant-rich ingredients. The added glucosamine, which supports joint health and mobility, is why we have chosen it as our best food for Bernedoodles in their golden years.

The omega fatty acids in this kibble seem to be doing something super for coat health – as reported by those who recently switched to this brand. Owners marvel at how full, soft and shiny their pup’s hair has become. It even seems to help with reducing shedding. A big thumbs up for this food from us and from reviewers too.

Best Food For Bernedoodle Puppies

While many food brands these days offer all-for-one with their kibble, stating it’s good for oldies and youngies alike, there’s something to be said for one designed specifically for your pup’s life stage. Wellness’ Complete Health Puppy food provides whole-body nutrition for your new, little four-legged friend. With its premium proteins and wholesome grains, not to mention all those added vitamins and minerals that are just perfect for a growing pup. This one’s got to be on top of our list for the best food for a Bernedoodle puppy. 

The majority of puppies seem to get along very well with this food – they like it, and it’s doing great things for them. It even seems to go down a treat with fussy pups who otherwise turn their nose up at kibble. Pet parents comment that the ingredients are high quality, and one even goes as far as to say the food almost smells good enough for people to eat!

The Homemade Food Option

While preparing your pup’s food yourself is great for ensuring that they get exactly what they need from their diet (after a fair chunk of research, of course), it is undoubtedly the most time-consuming option. It can also be the most expensive if you prepare food each day rather than in batches to freeze.

However, if you have chosen this route either due to the fact that your dog has particular health or nutritional needs or simply because it is something that you wish to do for your pet, experts over at the American Kennel Club have compiled this convenient list of does and don’ts for homemade dog food.

Ingredients to Avoid in Bernedoodle Food

With the AAFCO working hard to keep harmful far away from pet foods, there’s not too much to worry about these days when it comes to food manufactured in the States.

Now filler ingredients are the number one enemy of pet owners looking to grab their dog some tasty, healthy nosh at a reasonable price. While these are not necessarily directly harmful for their health (at least not most of the time), they provide your pup with absolutely zero nutrition – so there’s not really much point in them eating them.

Many companies make use of such ingredients because they are cheap, easy, and sadly there are no rules against using them – yet.

“Healthy amounts of corn and rice can be good for your dog; corn syrup, and MSG (monosodium glutamate) are never good. Look for foods that list the fillers low on the list so that you know your dog is not getting an unhealthy amount of fillers.”

PetMD

Bernedoodle Feeding Guide

A feeding schedule is essential to ensure your pup receives the right amount of food at the right time of day.

Under four months, you can let your puppy graze. However, after this age, their mealtimes need to be a little more regulated to stop them from putting on too much weight too quickly. Smaller Bernies should be fed little and often, whereas larger ones should be given four small meals a day. Refer to the manufacturer’s individual instructions to see exactly how much you should be putting down each time.

At six months, your dog can switch over to an adult feeding schedule (and formula). Mealtimes should be reduced to either twice or three times daily, and this routine will remain in place for their adult lives unless there are any changes in their health.

BEST FOOD FOR BERNEDOODLES: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Bernedoodles are fun, fab, lively hounds, and they make excellent pets. However, as is the case with any pet, we need to take care of them to the very best of our ability. A major part of this is giving them food that will keep them happy, healthy, and just as full of life as they naturally are. Select one of the excellent blends including on our list, one that suits your dog’s life stage, pick a flavor they will love, and you’ll be well away.