The best Cockapoo puppy food is tailored to the size and breed of this friendly Cocker Spaniel and Poodle cross breed. There are a few breed-specific factors to know about these intelligent and fun-loving dogs. Firstly, Cockapoos can be fussy with food. Plus, they can be prone to getting an upset stomach and their long ears can develop infections. With these common illnesses, switching to a hypoallergenic diet (gluten-free) can help. Cockapoo size varies, so you should follow the feeding guide on the dog food packet, which is based on body weight.
When it comes to puppies, they need feeding more regularly than adult dogs; that's three times a day for six to 12 months. Puppies need 4-6 per cent of their body weight daily. This can be from wet puppy food, dry puppy food - a mixture of both - or raw food (BARF) or homemade diet. Just be sure to do your research on the latter two as these diets can be expensive and time-consuming.
Best Cockapoo puppy food at a glance:
Dogs have a short digestive system and they do not have the gut enzyme amylase which is needed to digest grains. If you think your Cockapoo is showing signs of a sensitive stomach, they might benefit from sensitive puppy food. Remember, a pup that's less than one year old requires puppy food because the smaller chunks or kibble fit in their mouths. Additionally, puppy food is more calorie-dense than adult food and has added vitamins and minerals to support growth and development.
There's nothing more adorable than a cute Cockapoo puppy and you want to do everything to ensure they grow into cuddly, loyal and lively family pets. Regardless of breed, any dog lover wants to feed their pet the best quality dog food they can afford. At this life stage, it's important to get your puppy on food that's right for them to develop and support their bodily functions. After all, a healthy dog means fewer visits to the vet.
Best Cockapoo puppy food
Best dry Cockapoo food for puppies
AVA www.petsathome.com
Choose AVA Veterinary Approved Cockapoo Dry Puppy Food for boisterous and enthusiastic cockapoos. The benefit of this kibble is that it contains natural ingredients, pre-biotics and +Imuvita immune-boosting ingredients. Sweet potato, salmon oil, and yucca extract are listed as ingredients containing 40 per cent chicken. This hypoallergenic dry dog food contains highly digestible chicken protein. Additionally, pre-biotic fibres aid digestion. It's rich in omega-3 oils to support brain development. And your pup's bones get a boost from calcium and phosphorus.
This dry food has a good proportion of meat, and all the ingredients are naturally derived, giving your dog a nutritionally complete diet. In addition, every ingredient is clearly stated with its proportion. This is especially useful if your dog has a sensitive tummy, as you can avoid allergens.
Pets at Home is the main online stockist for AVA Veterinary Approved dog food as it's made by them, so it's hard to find a more competitive price on this premium kibble.
Pros
- Breed-specific composition to support growing Cockapoos
- Tailored kibble shape and size to suit the breed
- Added Chamomile for its calming properties
Cons
- Not widely available
| Quantity: | 3kg |
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Ingredients: | Chicken Meal, Chicken, Chicken Gravy, Potato, Sweet Potato, Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat, Peas, Minerals, Salmon Oil, Brewers Yeast, Egg, Pea Protein, Chicory Inulin, Yeasts, Glucosamine, Valerian Root, Skullcap, Chamomile, Dandelion Root, Carrots, Broccoli, Chondroitin Sulphate, Yucca Extract, Cranberry Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Green Tea Extract. |
Best for Cockapoos with anxiety
Pooch & MuttAnyone with a Cockapoo knows they can suffer from separation anxiety as they’re so attached to their owners, but Pooch & Mutt – Calm & Relaxed should help them feel calmer and more relaxed. Designed for excitable dogs, too, it includes chamomile to help them chill out, plus prebiotics and probiotics to ensure they have all the good stuff they need to keep them healthy. It’s free from grains, cereal, gluten, artificial flavours, colours and preservatives, so it's perfect for Cockapoos with sensitive tummies.
Pooch & Mutt is an Amazon's Choice recommended brand, with over 2,300 reviews rating their dog food 4.5 out of 5. Customer reviews comment that this Calm & Relaxed kibble had a positive effect on their dog's digestion, so it's a great choice for sensitive tummies. However, there's mixed opinion on how effective the food is at easing anxiety. But it worked for some.
Pros
- Natural and high quality ingredients
- 45 per cent lean turkey included
- Suitable from eight weeks old
Cons
- Some reviewers weren't sure it had a calming effect on their pooch
| Food type: | Dry food |
| Food weight: | 2kg |
| Ingredients: | Fresh turkey, sweet potato, turkey protein, potatoes, peas, dried beet pulp, brewer's yeast, turkey fat, turkey gravy, linseed, alfalfa, pea protein, dried chamomile, dried cranberries, glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, mannanoligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, mojave yucca, lactobacillus acidophilus |
3.
Tails.com
Tested
Best personalised puppy food for Cockapoos
Tails.comtails.com
With a Tails.com subscription, you can get specifically formulated food for your cockapoo delivered straight to your door. You tell them all about your pooch and they’ll make a tailored kibble, developed with vets and nutritionists, from high-quality ingredients to support your dog’s health. They’ll also recommend calories and daily portion sizes so you can keep on track with feeding them the right amount.
Reviews comment that this tailored diet has been a game-changer. Dogs have better energy levels and improved overall health. It's solved issues with fussy eaters and digestive health problems. Also, customers have found the pricing reasonable and the service consistent. The only negative is when there are shipping and delivery issues. Overwhelmingly 85 per cent of customers on Trustpilot have given Tails.com 5/5. See what our 'in-dog-house' testers Alfie and Frankie thought of Tails.com...🐕
Find out more by reading our full Tails.com review.
Pros
- Designed specifically for your Cockapoo
- High-quality ingredients
- Made so your Cockapoo gets the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals they need
Cons
- Can't find out the exact price for your Cockapoo until you've put your details in
| Food type: | Dry food (wet and treats available too) |
| Food weight: | Tailored to your dog's needs |
| Flavour: | Tailored to your dog's preference |
Best chicken-free wet puppy food
Lily's Kitchen Some Cockapoos can have allergies and intolerances to chicken and beef, so if you’re worried about that, why not try this Lily's Kitchen Turkey and Duck Puppy Recipe? You'll know that Cockapoos are high-energy, pretty much 24/7, and as an active breed, they'll benefit from wholesome natural ingredients. This wet food is primarily for puppies aged between eight and 14 months. Those premium ingredients will nourish your pup and give them yummy din-dins.
It's a popular choice on Amazon, with over 2,890 reviews rating Lily's Kitchen 4.5 out of 5. Customer reviews say this puppy recipe is easy for dogs to eat and digest. The ingredients are good quality and show in pets' vitality and healthy skin and fur. The only point to consider is that over time, the texture and single flavour may become monotonous for your pup, so consider adding other foods or varying their food to keep mealtimes interesting.
Pros
- High quality and all natural ingredients
- A source of quality protein that's an alternative to chicken
Cons
- Tinned food needs to be eaten within a day otherwise it gets smelly and spoils
| Quantity: | 400g (pack of 6) |
| Food type: | Wet dog food, tinned |
| Ingredients: | Freshly Prepared Turkey, Duck, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Kale, Cranberries, Potatoes, Carrots, Vitamins and Chelated Minerals, Salmon Oil, Golden Rod, Nettles, Aniseed, Rosehips, Marigold Petals, Cleavers, Kelp, Alfalfa, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Burdock Root, Celery Seeds |
Best for active Cockapoos
Skinner'sSkinner's is another good option for a hypoallergenic junior dog food that doesn't contain chicken. The Field and Trial range is designed for active working dogs. It's also an option for bouncing Cockapoo puppies that have digestive issues. Duck meat is a rich source of protein and fat. Skinner's Field and Trial Dry Puppy and Junior Food Duck and Rice contains wholesome brown rice and oats to give your pup energy and a whole host of nourishing ingredients to support their immune system and development. Follow the feeding guide and provide a portion appropriate for your puppy's size and weight.
This is an Amazon's Choice recommended product from a longstanding Suffolk-based brand. Customers comment that this food has been highly effective in relieving digestive problems and skin irritation. However, take care with the portion size as it's designed for working dogs. Some reviews comment that this food gives their dogs a lot of energy.
Pros
- Bulk buy is ideal for multiple dog households
- Chicken and beef free alternative if your Cockapoo has an allergy to these proteins
- Hypoallergenic for sensitive stomach
Cons
- Do not overfeed this as it's a rich meat
| Quantity: | 15kg |
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Ingredients: | Duck meat meal, brown rice, naked oats, peas, poultry fat, whole linseed, beet pulp, vitamins and minerals, brewer's yeast, dicalcium phosphate, cellulose, marine algae meal, MOS/GOS yeast cell, FOS, herb blend, glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, seaweed, yucca |
Best meat and rice puppy food
HarringtonsHarringtons Puppy Food Rich in Turkey and Rice is a dry puppy food packed with omega 6 and 3 oils. It also has no soy, wheat or dairy, so it's good for sensitive stomachs. This dry dog food is available on Amazon's Subscribe and Save, so it's ideal if you feed more than one pup and need to buy in bulk.
Harringtons is an Amazon's Choice recommended product. Customers praise it for being great value for money and dogs enjoy the taste. However, some reviews comment that it gives their dogs soft and smelly poops. Do note that it contains maize and oats, which may trigger an allergy in some dogs.
Pros
- Great value especially if you subscribe
- Dogs enjoy the taste
Cons
- Contains maize and oats which in rare cases can trigger an allergy
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Quantity: | 10kg |
| Ingredients: | Turkey and meat meals, rice, maize, maize protein, oats, peas, poultry fat, beet pulp, poultry gravy, linseed, salmon oil, minerals, seaweed, FOS, yucca extract |
Best sensitive puppy food for medium breeds
Hill's www.petsathome.com
Hill's Science Plan Perfect Digestion is designed for medium-size breeds. The ActivBiome+ formula helps nourish and maintain healthy digestion. This dry food contains easy-to-digest ingredients for small stomachs. Additionally, a blend of high-quality proteins, gentle carbs and probiotics will help your puppy reach its full potential. Hill's Science has a brilliant range of dog foods for small, medium and large breeds, catering for sensitivities, puppies and senior dogs.
Online reviews praise the quality of this dry dog food. It is appealing to fussy eaters and effective in settling digestive issues. It's improved energy levels and the condition of dogs' coats. The only thing to watch out for is that it contains maize which in rare cases can upset a dog's stomach.
Pros
- Expertly balanced nutrition
- Lots of sensitive products in the range
Cons
- It has relatively high maize content which a couple of reviewers found didn't agree with their pup's digestion
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Quantity: | 2.5kg or 14kg |
| Ingredients: | Maize, chicken and turkey meal (chicken 16 per cent; total poultry 25per cent), animal fat, digest, maize gluten meal, brown rice (4 per cent), brewers and rice, barley, oats, minerals, ground pecan shell, flaxseed, dried beet pulp, dried citrus pulp, fish oil, vegetable oil, vitamins, dried cranberries. ActivBiome+ prebiotic blend (4 per cent): Ground pecan shell, flaxseed, dried beet pulp, dried citrus pulp, dried cranberries |
Best hypoallergenic wet puppy food
James Wellbelovedwww.viovet.co.uk
Hypoallergenic wet dog foods are made from ingredients less likely to cause allergies and intolerances and use highly digestible single proteins. James Wellbeloved Complete Wet Puppy Dog is an excellent choice for pets with sensitive tummies or allergies from birth. It is made from natural ingredients, with added vitamins and minerals, including Omega 3 oils, to help promote a healthy, glossy coat. These tasty meals are free from added artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.
Customer reviews praise the quality of ingredients, saying it contains chunks of meat. They make it go further by adding kibble; otherwise, it can be an expensive way to feed a dog. The pouches are convenient and easy to serve. Also, growing puppies love the taste.
Pros
- Great for fussy and picky dogs
- Full of moisture and chunks of meat
- High protein - perfect for doggie diets
Cons
- Small portions so can get expensive
| Food type: | Wet |
| Quantity: | 12-48 x 150g pouches |
| Ingredients: | Turkey, rice, dried carrots, dried peas, minerals, dextrose, dried beet pulp, sunflower oil, linseed oil, alfalfa, seaweed, fish oil, tomato powder |
Best dry puppy food for sensitive puppies
Royal Caninwww.viovet.co.uk
This complete dry food is perfect for little puppies who are bounding with energy. Royal Canin Mini Puppy Food contains poultry and rice in a small kibble form, so it's easily chewed and digested. Give your pup a good start in life by providing them with food to help support their immune and digestive systems. Vitamin E and a probiotic will support their natural defences and gut health. It's aimed at puppies between two and ten months old.
Online reviews praise this dry food for its balanced nutrition. Puppies thrive on it. Customers recommend soaking it with boiled water for very young pups. It's gentle on developing digestive systems, and the all-around positive reviews demonstrate the quality of Royal Canin dog food.
Pros
- Breed-specific so specially tailored to Cockapoos
- Great nutrition for early years development
Cons
- Designed for mini breeds so you may want to look for an alternative if you have a larger dog
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Quantity: | 2-8kg |
| Ingredients: | Dehydrated poultry protein, rice, animal fats, vegetable protein isolate, maize, beet pulp, maize flour, hydrolysed animal proteins, maize gluten, minerals, fish oil, soya oil, fructo-oligo-saccharides, hydrolysed yeast (source of manno-oligo-saccharides), yeasts extracts (source of betaglucans), marigold extract (source of lutein) |
Best for transitioning a puppy onto adult food
WaggSuitable for pups over eight weeks old, Wagg's brilliant, complete, sensitive food contains a tasty doggie staple: chicken and rice. Not only is this wheat-free for gluten-free pups, but it also contains no added dairy, soya, or artificial colours. Wagg Complete Wheat-Free Chicken Dry Dog Food offers immune and digestive support with added vitamin E. The yucca extract helps to reduce odours.
This Amazon's Choice recommended brand has over 2,960 reviews, rating Wagg 4.6 out of 5. Customer comments indicate that dogs love the taste, and it relieves allergies such as skin irritation. Note that this is not specifically puppy food, so make this a transitional kibble to adult foods.
Pros
- Wheat-free, so gentle on sensitive stomachs
- Affordable especially with a bulk buy purchase
- Offers immune and digestive support
Cons
- Note this is not specifically puppy food, but it's a great choice for transitioning onto adult food
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Quantity: | 12kg |
| Ingredients: | Cereals, meat and animal derivatives (25.5 per cent including 4 per cent chicken), vegetables, derivatives of vegetable origin, oils and fats, minerals, yeasts, citrus extract, yucca extract |
How we chose the best Cockapoo puppy food
All of these dog foods have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered quality, nutrition and affordability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching air purifiers to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
FAQs
What are Cockapoos?
According to The Cockapoo Club of GB, Cockapoos are one of the oldest hybrid breeds, dating back to the 1950s. The earliest dictionary reference that listed the word 'Cockapoo' was in the 1960 Oxford English Dictionary. Gaining popularity in the UK in the 2000s, these designer dogs are now commonplace. Cockapoos can vary greatly in size. For example, a Cocker Spaniel crossbred with a Toy Poodle will result in smaller offspring than a Cockapoo bred from a Cocker Spaniel and a standard Poodle. They are a lively and active breed - friendly, loyal and make good family pets.
What do I feed my new Cockapoo puppy?
Firstly, ask the breeder to tell you what they have been feeding the pup. For the first couple of weeks, it's best to stick with that food so your puppy can focus on settling into their new home. After that, you can choose to make changes to their diet by gradually transitioning them on to new foods. The Cockapoo Club of GB offers comprehensive advice on feeding Cockapoos.
How do I introduce new food into my Cockapoo's diet?
As we mentioned earlier, Cockapoos can suffer from food sensitivities and allergies, so you’ll need to be careful when introducing new food to avoid an upset tummy and other health issues.
The best way to introduce any dog to new food is to do it gradually. You’ll want to start by mixing a bit of the new food in with their old food for the first couple of days and see how they get on. If you haven’t noticed any negative changes in your pooch, you can gradually increase the amount of the new food you add into the mix over a week or two until your hound is solidly eating their new diet.
How much food does a Cockapoo need?
How much food your Cockapoo needs will depend on a number of factors; this includes how much they weigh, their ideal weight for their size and their activity levels. The more active your dog is, the more calories it'll burn. You can feed your Cockapoo dry puppy food, wet puppy food on its own, or a combination of the two.
As Cockapoos can be bred with Poodles of varying sizes, the ideal weight and height of your Cockapoo will depend. Most commonly, a Cockapoo is created by crossing a Cocker Spaniel with a miniature Poodle. This creates a sturdy, medium-sized dog that weighs around 15 pounds and stands about 14 inches at the withers. The feeding guide on the packet of dog food will tell you how much to give your pup about its ideal weight.
If you're not sure how much food to give your pooch, you can always contact your vet for more advice.
Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things cats and dogs. In her other life, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.