Best Food For Cavapoos in 2024 (And What NOT To Feed Them)

We all want the best for our Cavapoos and the food that they eat is probably one of the most important decisions that we have to make because what they eat can have a drastic effect on their health and quality of life.

What is the best food for Cavapoos?

If you are anything like me then you will agree with me when I say that my dogs are my children.

I don’t just want them to be okay, I want them to thrive.

I want them to live a long and happy life!

With this in mind, my favorite adult Cavapoo dog food is Acana High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food.

However, each Cavapoo is unique.

Continue reading if you have a dog with unique dietary needs.

We’ve reviewed the finest dog food brands for Cavapoos with allergies, active lives, sensitive stomachs, and more.

Our Best Dog Food For Cavapoos

• Acana High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food, Wholesome Grains and Grain Free (Best For Adult Cavapoos)
• Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food (Best for Cavapoo Puppies)
• Rachael Ray Nutrish Premium Natural Wet Dog Food (Best Wet Food For Cavapoos)
• JustFoodForDogs PantryFresh Chicken & White Rice (Best Human Grade Food For Cavapoos)
• Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Stella’s Super Beef Meal Mixers Grain-Free Dog Food Topper (Best For Picky Eaters) (Add to Kibble)
• Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Shredded Formula Adult Dry Dog Food (Best For Active Cavapoos)
• Purina Pro Plan Senior 7+ Brain Support, High Protein Senior Dry Dog Food (Best For Senior Cavapoos)
• Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet | Small-Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best For Cavapoos with Allergies)
• Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small & Mini Breeds, Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Chicken Recipe (Best for Sensitive Stomachs)

9 Best Foods For Cavapoos Reviewed

Before making any modifications to your dog’s food, always check with your veterinarian.

All dog foods that I have included in this review meet the standard AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines for dogs.

Acana High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food, Wholesome Grains and Grain Free (Best Adult)

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oat groats, whole sorghum, whole millet
• Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 17% Crude Fat, 6% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 413 kcal per cup
• Life Stage: Adult
• Key Feature: These premium ingredients come from a curated group of farmers, ranchers, and fishers

Acana High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food contains a respectable 27% protein content from high-quality protein sources. 

Deboned chicken is the first ingredient, with additional protein from free-run turkey and cage-free eggs.

For Cavapoos, whole grains are particularly important.

This recipe’s digestible carbohydrates and 6 percent crude fiber come from oat groats, whole sorghum, and whole millet.

Low blood sugar and hypoglycemia are less likely in Cavapoos when they eat these carbs.

The modest 17% crude fat content contains omega-3 fatty acid sources including freshwater fish and fish oil, which improve skin health and provide a silky, lustrous coat.

The added antioxidants ensure a healthy immune system and prevent an excess of free radicals that can cause damage to your Cavapoo’s cells.

This premium adult dog food does not contain any harmful preservatives or artificial coloring.

Here is a more thorough review of Acana High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food, Wholesome Grains and Grain Free.

I personally highly recommend this recipe as an excellent dry dog food option as I have fed Acana to my own dogs and have had excellent results.

Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food (Best Puppy)

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Wheat
• Guaranteed Analysis: 28% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 456 kcal/cup
• Life Stage: Puppy
• Key Feature: DHA from omega-rich fish oil nourishes brain and vision development 

Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dog Food is the most highly recommended puppy food mentioned by members of the Cavapoolove Facebook Group.

Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food offers balanced nutrition to support healthy growth.

The moderately high 28% crude protein consisting of chicken helps your puppy develop healthy muscles so they have all the energy they need to play all day long.

DHA from omega-rich fish oil has a nourishing effect on the brain and is also responsible for vision development while calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals build strong teeth and bones.

The skin and coat are nourished by the inclusion of Omega-6 fatty acids as well as vitamin A.

This food does not contain any artificial colors or flavors.

This specifically designed puppy food promotes overall health and well-being while also meeting the required nutritional needs of your growing Cavapoo puppy.

Go here for a more extensive review of Purina Pro Plan Puppy

Rachael Ray Nutrish Premium Natural Wet Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Egg White, Pea Protein
• Guaranteed Analysis: 9% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 2% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 235 kcal/tub
• Life stage: All life stages
• Key Feature: Made with simple, natural ingredients

This wet dog food comes in a range of chunky recipes to appeal to even the fussiest Cavapoos’ palate.

Furthermore, all Nutrish Natural recipes provide a balanced meal with the right proportions of protein and carbs.

Wet dog foods, like fresh recipes, have a higher moisture content, which lowers the crude macronutrient percentages on the label.

This wet pet food for Cavapoos has identical protein and fat ratios to our preferred dry formula, but it has more wet matter.

Muscle health is aided by high-quality protein sources such as chicken, beef, and lamb.

These wet recipes’ chicken broth base makes them irresistible to even the pickiest eaters.

Whole grains and veggies are excellent providers of carbs and fiber.

The natural components are then fortified with vitamins and minerals to provide additional critical nutrition.

This recipe’s nutritional analysis does not include corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, preservatives, or other common allergens, unlike many other wet dog food labels.

To encourage picky eaters, pet parents typically advocate combining bits of this wet food with your dog’s dry food.

Others opt to feed canned food as their pet’s sole source of nutrition.

Here is a more thorough review of Rachael Ray Nutrish Wet Dog Food.

JustFoodForDogs PantryFresh Chicken & White Rice

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken breast and thighs, Rice, Spinach, Carrots, Apples
• Guaranteed Analysis: 7.5% Crude Protein, 2.5% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 248 kcal/tub
• Life stage: All life stages
• Key Feature: 100% human-grade ingredients

JustFoodForDogs is high in calcium and phosphorus, making it ideal for growing puppies, as well as being nutritionally balanced for the long-term feeding of adult dogs.

Every PantryFresh meal may be stored unopened on the shelf for up to two years thanks to its ingenious packaging, making it an ideal choice for traveling or if you need to board your Cavapoo.

Human-grade proteins are chicken thighs, liver, and gizzards.

This recipe is gluten-free, preservative-free, and does not contain any growth hormones.

It can be stored in your pantry and moved to the refrigerator once opened.

JustFoodForDogs’ Pantry Fresh Chicken & White Rice Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Stella’s Super Beef Meal Mixers Grain-Free Dog Food Topper

• First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Heart, Beef Trip
• Guaranteed Analysis: 44% Crude Protein, 35% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 56 kcal per 1/4 cup
• Life stage: All life stages
• Key Feature: All natural, minimally processed, and made in the USA

Picky eaters will love this topper!

For a fresh boost of nutrition and flavor, add a scoop of Meal Mixers dog food topper to dry food or kibble.

Stella’s Super Beef Meal Mixers are made with 95 percent grass-fed beef, organs, and bone, as well as organic fruits and vegetables.

All-natural, lightly processed ingredients foods that are kept as close to their natural state as possible are better for your Cavapoo.

There are no additional hormones, antibiotics, cereals, peas, lentils, or potatoes in Meal Mixers freeze-dried raw dog food.

Fortified with added vitamins and minerals as well as probiotics and antioxidants. It contains no grains or gluten.

It is completely comprehensive and balanced for all stages of life.

Raw nutrients and ease of use – With the simplicity of freeze-dried, it’s easier than ever to provide your dog with actual raw nutrients.

There’s no need to rehydrate or prepare.

Scoop, combine with kibble, and serve.

If you want the topper to be softer then you can rehydrate it with a little warm water and then add it to your dog’s kibble.

Benefits of this topper include – Improved appetite and digestion, relief from allergies, lustrous skin and coat, healthy teeth and gums, enhanced energy and stamina, and a robust immune system.

Stella & Chewy is formulated by a qualified animal nutritionist, and reviewed thoroughly by a cooperating team of veterinarians giving you total peace of mind that you are feeding your dog high-quality food.

Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Shredded Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-product, Beef Fat, Corn Gluten Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Crude Protein, 17% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 397 kcal per cup
• Life stage: Adult
• Key Feature: High in protein to meet the needs of highly active small-breed dogs

Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula has a crude protein content of 29% and a crude fat content of 17%.

This perfect protein-to-fat ratio provides additional energy sources to help Cavapoos cope with their busy lifestyles and high energy while still maintaining a healthy weight.

Normally dog food that is high in protein is also grain-free but this is not the case with Purina Pro Plan dog meals as they incorporate whole grains like whole-grain corn and whole-grain wheat to supply the carbs that active little dogs require.

Although chicken is the main protein source, this recipe also includes certain meat by-products.

These ingredients provide a natural source of glucosamine to help active dogs maintain their joint health.

With the added vitamins and minerals, this formula is a complete and balanced meal for small dogs that like to play.

This dog food also has live probiotics to help dogs who need more energy digest and absorb the food they eat.

The highly digestible formula ensures optimal nutrient delivery with added Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A to nourish the skin and coat.

This is the perfect dog food for active and lively Cavapoos.

Purina Pro Plan Senior 7+ Brain Support, High Protein Senior Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-product, Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 366 kcal per cup
• Life stage: Senior Adult
• Key Feature: Optimized protein-to-fat ratio to maintain an ideal body condition

Purina Pro Plan Senior 7+ is a high-protein diet with real chicken as the first ingredient.

It contains guaranteed live probiotics to help with digestion and immunity.

Your dog will enjoy a combination of hard kibble and delicate meaty bits.

Purina Pro Plan Senior is formulated to suit the nutritional needs of senior dogs aged 7 and up.

Each dry formula contains glucosamine and EPA for joint health and mobility, as well as high-quality nutrition and delicious flavors that senior dogs enjoy.

Each Bright Mind Formula also includes a patented blend of brain-supporting nutrients for cognitive health, as well as improved botanical oils that have been found to increase alertness and mental sharpness in dogs aged 7 and above.

Support your older dog’s nutritional needs while keeping him happy in his senior years.

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet | Small-Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Cassava Flour, Potatoes
• Guaranteed Analysis: 24% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 380 kcal per cup
• Life stage: Adult
• Key Feature: For dogs that suffer from allergies

Cavapoos, like poodles, are prone to food allergies.

Although there is no treatment for allergies in dogs, a limited-ingredient diet can help manage allergy reactions and prevent upset tummies.

Natural Balance’s recipe for a limited-ingredient diet eliminates common fillers and additives.

To provide a full diet and avoid food sensitivities, these recipes use a few simple components.

Salmon is the only protein source in this 24 percent protein dog kibble.

If your Cavapoo is allergic to chicken or other common dog food proteins, fish is a good alternative.

Grains are common allergies as well.

Many grain-free dog meals don’t supply enough carbohydrates for little dogs, but the sweet potatoes in this recipe give lots of digestible carbohydrates and fiber.

So, this high-quality dog food is perfectly suitable for Cavapoos with allergies.

Salmon’s fatty acids promote coat health, but the food’s lower 10% fat content is insufficient to support coat health in Cavapoos on its own.

This is combated by the higher fat levels since they provide more energy and encourage the development of natural oils that maintain skin health.

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small & Mini Breeds, Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Chicken Recipe

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley
• Guaranteed Analysis: 21% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 392 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Good for Cavapoos with sensitive stomachs

Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to allergies as well as sensitive stomachs.

Cavapoos, being a mix of these two breeds, can inherit the same problems and challenges.

Vets normally suggest an elimination diet to determine exactly which ingredient is causing the issues.

This is a good suggestion but it comes with big obstacles.

I know because I have tried it with my dog.

Elimination diets are better suited to a dog that suffers from allergies as the idea is to eliminate one ingredient at a time until you see a result.

This is time-consuming and expensive.

Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin contains ingredients that are better suited to dogs suffering from sensitivities as it focuses on ingredients that are easy to digest with real chicken being the first ingredient.

The addition of brewer’s rice, a rich source of carbs, helps to soothe sensitive stomachs.

The recipe includes whole-grain sorghum and beet pulp.

These ingredients are high in crude fiber providing additional support for digestion.

Antioxidants, which are abundant in this food, contribute to a healthy immune system.

Extra omega fatty acids and vitamin E, on the other hand, help to maintain a healthy coat and skin.

Guide To Buying Dog Food For Cavapoos

One of the most important things you can do for your Cavapoo’s health is to control what (and how much) they eat.

And, while many Cavapoos have lived long and healthy lives on Walmart brand pet food, feeding them high-quality food will increase their chances of staying healthy well into their golden years.

The following are some of the advantages of feeding them high-quality food:

• Healthy and lovely coat (you won’t be able to stop touching it)
• Bones and joints in good condition
• Healthy heart and gastrointestinal system
• Healthy skin
• There are fewer allergies

High-quality food can be pricey, but you’ll save more money in the long run on vet bills and your dog will lead a happier and healthier life.

What Is Classified As “High-Quality”?

Because dogs are omnivores, a decent dog diet should include a variety of meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Preservatives, added sugar, salt, and artificial colors should be kept to a minimum.

The protein will come from commonplace sources like chicken, lamb, or beef, rather than uncommon or specialty meats like kangaroo or venison.

Pick a dog food that has been approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Somewhere on the bag, it should state – “(Name of product) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

AAFCO sets tight guidelines for dog food and determines if it is fit to be fed to your dog or not.

There is one misconception and that is that animal byproducts are bad.

Quality, controlled animal byproducts, according to the AKC, can be beneficial to your dog.

Organ meats and entrails are examples of byproducts that often contain more nutrients than pure chicken breast.

Of course, some recipes may contain unregulated byproducts such as hooves, digestive contents, or even excrement, so choosing a reputable dog food is crucial.

How To Read A Dog Food Label

You’ll need to study the food label to make an informed decision about what you’re feeding your Cavapoo.

However, because food labels can be unclear and confusing, the Merck Veterinary Manual and the American Kennel Club have provided an explanation of what some of these terms represent.

Ingredients are listed in weight order

The component of the food that is present in the greatest quantity is shown at the beginning of the ingredient list, while the component that is present in the smallest amount is presented at the end of the list.

However, there is one thing you need to keep in mind and that is that ingredients are listed in the exact category that they’re added in.

A food’s ingredient list may include flaked, ground, and kibbled corn, but if you add them all up (they are all corn), you may discover that this food is primarily made of corn.

Another example is that chicken, chicken meal, and chicken byproducts are all in the same category.

Meat vs. Meat Meal vs. Meat Byproduct

When reading a food label you might notice “chicken”, chicken meal” and “chicken byproduct”

Chicken – can be fresh, raw chicken meat, chicken muscle, and skin or bones

Chicken meal – is the same as ‘chicken’ except that it has been ground

Chicken byproducts – indicates organs and bones

Chicken byproducts meal – is ‘chicken byproducts’ that have been ground or dried.

Talk to your vet about this and choose a recognized brand of food, as the quality of these ingredients can vary greatly.

Ingredients That Are Bad and Should Be Avoided

Common elements in dog food including corn, wheat, and soy may cause allergic reactions in some Cavapoos.

However, many dogs can eat these substances without experiencing any negative consequences.

If your dog is allergic to anything then make sure their food has none of that ingredient present.

A closer look at the dog food label shows that the most dangerous components are located at the bottom.

One element that Cavapoo owners should steer clear of is melamine.

Dogs like Cavapoos, who are predisposed to kidney disease, should avoid foods containing this nitrogen-rich element, as it can lead to kidney failure.

How Much Should You Feed Your Cavapoo?

The amount of food you give your dog depends on the advice of your Veterinarian and what the food label says.

Generalizations like “feed your dog one cup per day” will not work as 1) all dogs are unique and 2) various foods have varying calorie densities.

Foods from the same brand may have different amounts of calories in each serving.

For these reasons, it is advisable to follow the guidelines printed on the dog food bag and to ask your Veterinarian’s advice.

For feeding your Cavapoo puppy, the same rule of thumb applies.

In most cases, puppy owners feed their pups three times to four times a day until they are a few months old, at which point they begin feeding them twice to three times a day.

After a few months, you can go to two meals a day.

Because their growth is slowing down, they don’t need to eat as much, and it will also help them poop less!

Puppy Food vs Adult Food

Puppies and adults have different dietary needs because puppies are still growing and adults are just maintaining their weight.

Puppy food should contain at least 22.5 percent protein, compared to 18 percent protein in adult food, according to AAFCO.

As far as fats are concerned, puppy food should have at least 8.5 percent fats, compared to 5.5 percent for adult dogs.

Ask your Veterinarian about when to transition from puppy to adult food.

They’ll probably advise switching when they’re approximately a year old and finished growing.

How To Switch To A Different Brand Of Food

Because dogs’ stomachs are sensitive, switching diets should be done gradually.

Transitioning from the old food to the new brand should take around a week to two weeks.

On day one, for example, their meal might consist of 10% new food and 90% old food.

Do that for two to three days depending on how sensitive your dog is to food.

You’d gradually introduce more new food while decreasing the amount of old food until you’ve completed the transition.

Whether you’re transferring to a different brand of puppy food or transitioning from puppy to adult food, this guideline applies.

Make sure you transition to the new food slowly to avoid your dog having diarrhea.

Never just switch them immediately over to a different food.

Summary

Cavapoos require a diet that is both well-balanced and rich in sources of energy that are easily digestible.

If they don’t get enough carbs in their diet, just like other dogs, they are at risk of developing hypoglycemia.

They are fantastic dogs, but their tummies are delicate and they can be picky eaters. So it may be difficult to track down the best food for your dog.

Fortunately, the Acana High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food is an appetizing and nutrient-dense formulation that provides an excellent diet for Cavapoos.

They also have a great puppy range that you can try out.