Best Dog Food for Bernedoodles: Top 7 Picks

Bernedoodle dogs make excellent pets, as they adapt well to different households and families. This dog breed is a cross between a poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog, which means they vary considerably in size, from a miniature Bernedoodle to standard sizes.

When you adopt your new puppy from a Bernedoodle breeder, it’s crucial to provide a healthy, well-balanced diet high in protein and nutrients. Our top picks for the best dog food for Bernedoodles include everything you need to ensure proper nutrition and care for your puppy.

Best Small Breed Dog Food for Adult Bernedoodles

Nutro Ultra Small & Toy Breed Adult dog food is a dry kibble that provides exceptional quality and multiple protein sources that support your Bernedoodle’s development and growth. I found this brand offers excellent nutrient quality, including lamb, salmon, and chicken flavor options, which provide animal protein for your adult dog.

Manufacturer: The Nutro Company

Package Dimensions: 21 x 15 x 2 inches (15 pounds)

Ingredients: Chicken, whole brown rice, lamb meal, rice bran, salmon meal, sunflower oil, whole flaxseed, pea protein, dried plain beet pulp, whole chia seed, dried coconut, dried kale, dried pumpkin, selenium yeast, vitamins B12, D3, B1, A, E, B6, iron, folic acid, rosemary extract, and zinc.

This formula is designed for toy and small breed dogs in a convenient, small-sized kibble, making it easy for Bernedoodles and similar dogs to pick up and chew. Here are some of the reasons why we like this product:

• All ingredients are natural, with no chicken by-products, artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors.
• Nutro features a solid blend of superfoods high in nutrients and antioxidants, including kale, blueberries, coconut, chia, and more.
• Three convenient package sizes are available, including four, eight, and fifteen lbs.
• Nutro is a well-established brand that specializes in non-GMO ingredients

Nutro Ultra Small & Toy Breed Adult dry dog food is an excellent formula for standard and tiny Bernedoodle sizes. It’s easy to feed as a regular part of your dog’s diet and provides all the essential nutrients without ingredients contributing to allergies.

Best Variety-Pack Wet Dog Food for Bernedoodles

Purina Beneful IncrediBites Wet Dog Food for adult dogs offers an excellent variety pack with thirty single-serving cans, divided into three flavors, beef, chicken, and salmon with rice. These nutrient-rich meals are marinated in a gravy-like broth with easy-to-chew chunks of meat.

Manufacturer: Nestle Purina Pet

Package Dimensions: 9.9 x 5.5 x 4.4 inches for a pack of 30 (canned food)

Ingredients: Chicken, beef, salmon with rice, whole grains, and nutrient-rich fruit and vegetable accents

There are a few great reasons to consider this brand for your small or standard Bernedoodle:

• Purina Pro Plan and Beneful products are reputable and provide well-balanced meals and nutrients for various breed types, sizes, and dogs in all life stages
• Meat chunks are small and tender, which makes it easy for small breed dogs to chew and digest
• They were designed with specific nutrient needs, including 23 essential minerals and vitamins for Bernedoodles and other tiny breed dogs.
• This formula contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
• A variety of three flavor options provides an excellent topping for dry kibble or as a meal on its own

Purina Beneful IncrediBites Wet Dog Food is a terrific topper or small meal for your Bernedoodle, with rich protein sources that support your pet’s muscle and bone development.

Best Dog Food Formula for Stomach and Skin Health

Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach is an excellent formula for adult, small breed dogs. This dry dog food supports your dog’s digestive system, ideal for pets with sensitive stomachs and food sensitivities.

Manufacturer: Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.

Package Dimensions: 13.54 x 6 x 4.25 inches (4 pounds)

Ingredients: Turkey, whole ground brown rice, canola oil, potatoes, flaxseed, peas, oatmeal, tomato pomace, blueberries, barley grass, cranberries, alfalfa meal, dried kelp, turmeric, dried chicory root, vitamins B7, B6, E, D3, B5, C, B12, B9, zinc, manganese amino acid chelate, and copper.

We found this dry dog food product offers excellent quality nutrients without ingredients that commonly contribute to allergies. It’s also easy to digest and contains a rich source of omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and probiotics that support gut health and digestion.

• Blue Buffalo products contain natural ingredients, without any by-products or fillers, such as corn, soy, wheat, or preservatives.
• There are no ingredients that trigger allergic reactions, such as dairy, soy, eggs, corn, beef, wheat, or chicken
• It is formulated with peas, pumpkin, potatoes, and turkey to provide the proper balance of carbohydrates and protein for a sensitive digestive system.
• Provides the right blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to support your dog’s immune system at all life stages.

Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach is one of our best dog food picks for dogs with a sensitive stomach or chronic digestive issues. It’s a great option if your dog is recovering from illness, injury, or is diagnosed with a condition that impacts its digestion.

Best Breed Specific Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition dry dog food is designed for poodle breeds. However, it’s an excellent option for doodle, and hybrid breeds, including the Labradoodle, Bernedoodle, and standard poodle-sized dogs.

Manufacturer: Royal Canin  

Package Dimensions: 21 x 12.8 x 3.8 inches (10 pounds)

Ingredients: Chicken fat, brewers rice, corn, fish oil, grain distillers, vegetable oil, dried plain beet pulp, corn gluten meal, potassium chloride, taurine, vitamins E, B12, C, D3, B1, B6, folic acid, copper, rosemary extract, and calcium.

We found this dog food formula, while designed to meet the nutrient needs of poodles, is an excellent product for many similar breeds, as it contains small, easy-to-chew kibble and accurate portions of protein, calcium, and vitamins for proper balance and nutrition. We also found some great benefits for Bernedoodles, including:

• Fish oil and high protein provide DHA and EPA fatty acids to support your dog’s skin and coat health.
• Supports dogs in advanced stages of life by providing nutrients that support mobility, joint, muscle, and bone health.
• Ideal for small or medium breed dogs ten months and older, with all the nutrients required for all stages of a dog’s adult life

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition offers a well-balanced dietary plan to support your dog’s overall health, including nourishing your pet’s coat and skin. We found this formula perfect for supporting the unique coat texture of poodle and doodle breeds by providing a healthy dose of oils and moisture that prevent dryness and irritation.

Best Small Breed Formula for Bernedoodle Puppies

Eukanuba Puppy Small Breed dry dog food is a well-balanced formula that gives your Bernedoodle pup the nutrient level needed during the first year. This brand is developed by Royal Canin, a reputable dog food manufacturer that designs many breed-specific formulas high in nutrients.

Manufacturer: Royal Canin 

Package Dimensions: 20.75 x 13.75 x 3 inches (15 pounds)

Ingredients: Chicken, cornmeal, brewers rice, whole grains, dried beet pulp, fish oil, dried egg product, potassium chloride, brewers dried yeast, thiamine, vitamins B2, E, B12, D3, B2, rosemary extract, folic acid, copper sulfate, zinc, manganese, and chicken fat.

Eukanuba Puppy Small Breed provides everything you need to support your puppy’s first year. Royal Canin’s Eukanuba brand features all the essential nutrients to ensure healthy growth and development, including healthy brain function, muscle growth, and more. We chose this brand for its exceptional quality, and the following:

• This formula offers the perfect balance of carbohydrates, fat, and protein that puppies need for optimal growth
• Eukanuba includes high-quality calcium, phosphorus, and high-quality animal protein to support bones, tissue, organs, eyes, and brain development.
• This formula specializes in small breed puppies, so every nutrient and ingredient is measured and provided in the required amount for your pet’s size and breed.

Eukanuba Puppy Small Breed offers a convenient dry kibble that’s small in size, so your puppy can easily chew and enjoy their meal without any difficulty.

Best Dog Food Formula for Weight Maintenance

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight is a veterinarian-developed formula that aims to maintain a healthy weight for small and mini breed adult dogs. Hill’s Pet Nutrition is a well-established brand that offers years of clinically proven formulas for puppies and adult dogs, including blends designed to meet various dog breeds’ nutritional needs.

Manufacturer: Hill’s Pet Nutrition Sales Inc. 

Package Dimensions: 16 x 13.5 x 5.25 inches (15 pounds)

Ingredients: Chicken, corn gluten meal, pea bran meal, brown rice, flaxseed, coconut oil, dried beet pulp, calcium, folic acid, zinc, dried carrots, potassium, pork liver flavor, zinc oxide, copper, green peas, cranberries, apples, broccoli, vitamins B12, E, C, A, and taurine.

Hill’s Science Diet is an excellent option for any dog breed, based on the brand’s high reputation and veterinarian-supported studies. We recommend this dog food product for its well-sourced ingredients and significant results in improving health and weight levels within a short time. We also like the following benefits of this product:

• Weight loss goals are easier to achieve with this product. We noticed significant results within ten to twelve weeks.
• This formula provides all the essential nutrients for Bernedoodles and similar small dog breeds
• The kibble size is in small pellet form, which is easy for small dog breeds to pick up and chew

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight offers excellent weight management support so that you’ll see results that last in your poodle or doodle dog breed. The formula focuses on providing a significant source of protein for lean muscle development and support.

Best Grain-Free Formula for Bernedoodles and Small Breed Dogs

Crave Grain-Free High Protein dry dog food for adult dogs is an excellent source of omega fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It’s our top pick for pets who cannot digest grains or have allergies to wheat, corn, and other grains commonly included in dog food formulas.

Manufacturer: Mars Petcare 

Package Dimensions: 3 x 13.75 x 19 inches (12 pounds)

Ingredients: Whitefish, pork meal, lentils, split peas, dehydrated alfalfa meal, zinc oxide, vitamins E, B2, C, D3, B1, B12, A, and B2, rosemary extract, dried plain beet pulp, salmon meal, and folic acid.

This dog food formula is one of our favorite blends for its meaty texture and flavor, hearty and satisfying for dogs. Crave’s blend is based on wild ingredient sources, including meat, fish, and vegetable-based ingredients. Here’s why we love this product and why it’s a good option for your Bernedoodle:

• This formula offers a high protein content to support lean muscle growth and development
• Meets all the nutritional needs of your dog’s diet without any artificial ingredients, colors, preservatives, or fillers.
• It’s an ideal formula for dogs with sensitive stomachs and digestion issues

Crave Grain-Free High Protein dog food is an excellent alternative to formulas that contain grains while providing authentic white fish flavors and a great blend of animal protein sources. It’s an excellent choice to feed your dog as a regular diet staple or a wet dog food topper.

Selecting the Best Dog Food for Your Bernedoodle: Buyer’s Guide

There are many dog food brands, products, and specialized formulas to choose from when looking for the best option for your Bernedoodle. While many products design formulas for specific dog breeds, sizes, and ages, selecting the best fit for your pet can be daunting and challenging.

Bernedoodle puppies require a nutrient-dense diet that supports their body’s growth within the first ten to twelve months, while older dogs require additional joint and muscle support to maintain greater mobility and bone health as they age.

How to Choose the Best Dog Food Product

You choose the dog food formula depending on several factors, starting with your dog’s age, breed, and size. A Bernadoodle puppy, like most dogs within the first year of life, requires a higher density of nutrients, including protein, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and others formulated explicitly for puppy food.

When you adopt a Bernedoodle puppy from a professional breeder, it’s good to inquire about the diet and dog food brands that provide the best quality nutrients.

There are other essential factors that you’ll want to consider before choosing the right dog food for your Bernedoodle pup:

• Your veterinarian may recommend a specific brand or formula that provides all the essentials to ensure proper growth and development in the early and later stages of your dog’s life
• If you adopt a mini Bernedoodle, you’ll want to adjust the portion sizes based on your pup’s weight and size
• When you consider adopting a Bernedoodle, it’s best to get familiar with the breed’s history, the puppy’s poodle parent, specific poodle mix, and other factors that determine the type of nutrients and best dietary options. For example, formulas rich in fatty acids in flaxseed, sunflower oil, and fish oil enhance the naturally curly texture of poodle and doodle breeds’ coats while supporting their digestion and skin health.

If you’re a new dog owner, it’s best to inquire with a veterinarian, a vet nutritionist, or a reputable breeder about which dog food brands and formulas are suited for Bernedoodles.

You’ll also have the option of adding wet food as a topper to increase flavor and protein content, and there are plenty of healthy treats and raw food options.

What Is the Best Way to Feed Your Bernedoodle?

When you introduce your Bernedoodle to a new dog food formula, it’s best to provide a sample initially until they become comfortable with the chance.

In most cases, puppy food is easy for most Bernedoodle pups to digest, though they may prefer specific flavors or blends or refuse a specific texture or taste.

As you research and inquire about the best dog food options, it’s vital to ensure that you have everything needed to feed your pet:

• Purchase quality dog bowls for food and water, and regularly replenish the water bowl to make sure your pet has fresh, cold, or room temperature water
• Dry kibble is typically the most excellent dog food option for mealtimes and should be served at the exact times and in portion sizes to provide consistency.
• Measure your pet’s meal portions and observe if they consume the total amount at once or a little.
• While dry kibble dog food can be left out for the day, raw or wet dog food should only be served when your Bernedoodle is ready to eat and in smaller amounts. If only a portion of a can is consumed, store the remaining food in a sealed container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
• If you have more than one dog or several dog breeds, keep the mealtimes consistent with all pets and maintain a distance between their bowls or feeding stations

While many dogs follow feeding schedules successfully, such as the Labrador Retriever, Australian Bernedoodle, Great Dane, and Bernese Mountain poo, it’s essential to keep each dog’s food serving separate, significantly where pets with specific dietary needs vary from one another.

The Importance of Regular Meal Schedules and Consistent Portions

A routine meal schedule is the best way to provide your pet with regular feeding and consistent portions, so there is less risk of overeating. The key to feeding your pet well is the quality of nutrients, as long as portion sizes are appropriate based on your dog’s size and age.

Most quality dog food brands offer suggested portions for dog breeds and ages, and your veterinarian can also provide this.

What Is the Best Way to Offer Treats?

Dog treats are a great way to provide a reward during training or when you play outdoors with your Bernedoodle. While many healthy dog treats are available, they do not contain the nutrient levels required for a sustainable diet.

For this reason, it’s important to use treats for training and occasional indulgences, though not to replace or supplement a meal. When you choose treats for your dog, it’s essential to consider the following:

• Choose snacks with natural flavors and ingredients as much as possible.
• Avoid treats that are high in sodium or artificial flavors
• If your pet needs more protein, you may want to buy a high-protein snack
• Feed your pet fresh fruit and vegetables, such as watermelon, apples, green peppers, strawberries, and tomato
• Keep your pet’s treats in a hidden space so that your Bernedoodle is less likely to find them, and take a sample between mealtimes

Where Should I Buy Quality Dog Food?

You’ll find some of the best puppy food formulas online, at your local pet store, or with the assistance of your veterinarian. Specialized products that provide dietary support for medical conditions, for example, may require ordering directly from a supplier or manufacturer.

In most cases, you’ll find the top brands and dog food formulas readily available online retailers and stores.

Switching Dog Food Brands or Formulas

If you find that your pet requires a formula with higher protein content or other nutrients, or you simply want to make a switch to improve your dog’s health, you’ll find that making a switch is usually straightforward.

In some cases, it might be ideal to introduce a small amount of the new formula to determine if your pet enjoys the flavor. Some pet stores offer samples or similar flavors to your pet’s previous dog food, making it easier for them to accept the new option.

Supplement Options for Your Bernedoodle

Many dogs benefit from taking supplements to support their growth and development throughout life. These options include multi-vitamins, probiotics, and nutritional supplements that support dogs in the advanced stages of life.

It’s crucial to find quality vitamins and supplement products, such as Nuvet Plus, NaturVet, and PetMD, among other reputable brands and products that help support your pet’s health and well-being.

When you administer supplements, it’s essential to follow the product’s instructions, whether this requires your dog to take a vitamin with their meal or at another time in between meals. If you don’t notice any improvement in your pet’s diet, follow up with your veterinarian to determine if an alternative supplement or dietary changes are required.

Conclusion

Bernedoodles are highly intelligent, active, and healthy dogs that thrive on a high-protein diet with all the essential nutrients. If you’re a new dog owner, you’ll want to consult with your veterinarian and focus on puppy food that supports your dog’s development through the earlier stages.

While all of our top picks are excellent options for your Bernedoodle, we highly recommend initially choosing Science Diet or a vet-approved formula. Once you establish a meal routine, you can try or switch to other blends, including grain-free and diet-specific kibble or food plans for your pet.