Goldendoodles are the perfect candidate if you’re on the lookout for a new best friend or want a playmate or companion for your kids. These pups are as active and fun as they are adorable, and they make the most wonderful family pets!
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, and it combines the absolute best of both worlds! They are incredibly intelligent, super friendly, cute as ever, and also a pleasure to train. These pups love to run around and get their daily dose of exercise. If they don’t get to release all of that pent-up energy that they are brimming with, they may get a little too bored and decide to wreak some havoc around the house.
While Goldendoodles and incredibly amiable and gentle, early training is as important for this breed as any other so that both the dog and its adoptive family can live a happy life. Treats are a great way to positively reinforce some behaviors and reward your pup’s desirable actions. However, you can’t treat your Goldendoodle with just anything, and you have to be even more careful when the Goldendoodle in question is a puppy. To help you out, here is our list of best treats for a Goldendoodle puppy!
10 Best treats for Goldendoodle puppies
If you’re looking for a good old dental chew for your puppy, this is a great option. It helps reduce oral buildup and is incredibly flavourful. However, it isn’t suitable for adult dogs due to its small size, which can be a choking hazard. It also contains some processed ingredients, so it may not be the best option for a sensitive Goldendoodle puppy.
Tender enough for very young Goldendoodles, this treat is filled with 100% organic ingredients, and it comes in different flavors, so you don’t have to worry about your pup getting a little too bored. It is grain and gluten-free. However, they may crumble and break inside the packet.
Perfect for Goldendoodles of all ages, this treat is the go-to for many Goldendoodle owners. The fact that it is free of grains and gluten makes it perfect for sensitive pups, and the addition of vitamins and proteins makes this treat a very healthy option.
This option is all-natural and is healthy for your Goldendoodle puppy. The portions are small, perfect for a puppy, and the only downside to this treat is the addition of wheat flour and garlic powder. They are, however, grain-free, making this a good option for Goldendoodles with sensitive stomachs.
These are the perfect one-ingredient treat! They are made using only sweet potatoes, which means you don’t have to worry about a long list of potentially harmful ingredients to go through. These treats are very high in fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, so you don’t have to worry about empty calories! They are also grain-free.
This treat is positively brimming with a ton of healthy ingredients like pumpkin puree and plain greek yogurt! The ingredients are all healthy and natural and will ensure your pup gets nutrients out of the treat. It is also low in calories, so you can give your pup a couple of extra treats without the added guilt. The only issue with these is that it contains one ingredient that is processed.
One of these Fruitables has only three calories, which means it will make the perfect treat for a needy Goldendoodle that isn’t satisfied with a few treats. They are made up of completely locally-sourced ingredients, which means it is filled with natural goodness! These are also grain-free and are thus good for Doodles with a grain sensitivity.
These treats are absolutely perfect for Goldendoodle puppies. However, they may not be the best option for adult Goldendoodles due to their small size, which may be a choking hazard. They are soft, making them perfect for pups who are teething and need something comforting to chew on. These are also very low in calories and don’t crumble, so you won’t have to worry about your Goldendoodle getting bits and pieces of the treat all over your floor.
The Stewart freeze-dried treats are a wonderful option for your Goldendoodle pup because of the fact that they are completely grain-free and contain no artificial ingredients. This makes the treat perfect for sensitive pups. They are made with only one ingredient, such as freeze-dried liver, so you don’t have to fret about unsuitable components. The treat is also training-sized, so it will be easier to control portions!
These treats are an absolute must-have if you have a pup that is prone to display anxious behavior. They help calm your Goldendoodle puppy and keep it in a relaxed state. The fact that it is made with 100% natural ingredients and is free of any kind of artificial flavors and colorings is a welcome feature since sensitive Doodle stomachs really don’t handle artificial ingredients very well. It is available in three unique flavors, so you won’t have to worry about your pup getting tired of the same old treat!
Things to consider before choosing treats for Goldendoodle puppies
All-natural ingredients
This feature is incredibly important when it comes to treats. Doodle dogs are generally quite sensitive pups due to the Poodle genes, and Goldendoodles are no exception. It is very important to pick treats that are made with 100% natural ingredients and contain foods that the dog would interact with naturally in the wild as well. Artificial flavors and colorings are a big no since these things aren’t good for your pooch and can trigger allergies. Organic is always the best option! Opt for treats low in preservatives as well.
Filled with nutrients
While it is important for the treat to be free of artificial ingredients, it is very important for it to be chock full of nutrients! You do not want to feed your Goldendoodle puppy any treat that is filled with only empty calories. Obesity is a real issue in dogs, and so you should ensure that the snack you are giving your pup is low in fats and sugar. Goldendoodles are prone to bloat and unnecessary weight gain, and high-calorie treats will only make these conditions worse.
Portion size
Even if a treat is super low in calories, if you feed your Goldendoodle too much of it, it is going to have an adverse effect on your pup’s health. How much you should feed your pup in one sitting really depends on the size and energy level of your dog. The packaged treats usually come ready-made for adult dogs, and you may want to half the portion when giving some to your puppies since they have smaller stomachs and don’t really need as much. Giving a dog too many treats may result in over-feeding, which is bound to lead to weight gain and a host of other health issues.
Diversity
Just like when you eat too much of the same thing, you get tired of the flavor, so do dogs. Goldendoodles are no exception, and if you give them the same treat over and over again, they will probably get tired of it, and the treats really won’t have the desired effect. Make sure to switch things up when it comes to flavors and textures so that your dog stays interested.
FAQ
How often should I give my Goldendoodle puppy a treat?
You Goldendoodle may try to get extra treats out of you, but you need to stay vigilant and not fall for the head tilts and puppy dog eyes! You’re already feeding your Goldendoodle full meals two times a day, so you should go easy on the treats. As a general rule of thumb, treats should make up more than 10% of your Goldendoodles total caloric consumption in a day! Careful not to overdo it with the treats, and stay steadfast in your approach no matter how much your pup begs.
What food should I not be giving my Goldendoodle puppy as a treat?
Doodle dogs have sensitive stomachs and generally don’t react well to too much plant-based protein and grains. Try to find grain-free treat options since too much consumption of grains can increase your pup’s weight and lead to conditions such as bloat. It is also very important to focus on treats that are all-natural, so steer clear of treat options that have too much artificial dye or flavoring since this is not good for your Goldendoodle. Get treats with added nutrients like Omega 3 fatty acids to promote a healthy coat, as well as minerals and vitamins that are good for your pup’s overall health!
What foods from my own pantry can I give my Goldendoodle as a treat?
You don’t always have to buy packaged treats, although this is encouraged since these treats are made keeping a dog’s several needs in mind. However, if you forgot to restock and you have a pup waiting for a treat, you can give it boiled and unseasoned chicken, bananas, apples, unsweetened plain greek yogurt, potatoes, peanut butter, carrots, blueberries, watermelon, strawberries, pumpkin, unseasoned popcorn, green beans, and raspberries.
