Labradoodle Dog Food: Why Lean Doodles Live Longer, From a 14-Year Study

A good Labradoodle diet keeps your dog lean for life, and a 14-year study shows why that matters. Labradors fed 25% less food than their littermates lived a median 1.8 years longer and were slower to develop osteoarthritis. The study was in Labradors, the Labradoodle's parent breed, and it's the strongest evidence we have that portion size shapes a long, active life. Our Labradoodle dog food guide covers the breed's full profile.

What did the 14-year lean feeding study find?

The 14-year lean feeding study found that Labradors kept leaner through life, lived longer and stayed healthier for longer. Researchers paired 48 Labrador Retrievers from puppyhood and fed one dog in each pair 25% less food than its pair-mate¹.

The dogs on less food weighed less, carried less body fat, lived significantly longer and generally showed signs of chronic disease later¹. The median difference in life span was 1.8 years, and the leaner dogs were slower to develop chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis². Nestlé Purina PetCare funded and ran the study with university researchers².

What does that study mean for a Labradoodle diet?

That study means a Labradoodle diet should aim for a lean body condition, with portions measured rather than guessed. The research was in Labradors, not Labradoodles, so it doesn't prove the same result for doodles, but it's the clearest long-term evidence on lean feeding in a closely related breed.

In practice, that looks like a few habits:

• Weigh the daily portion, so small, everyday extras don't add up to a heavier dog.
• Feel for the ribs every couple of weeks, which should be easy to feel under a thin layer of fat.
• Count treats as part of the daily calories, and use pieces of the regular meal for training.
• Ask your vet to score body condition at each visit, and write it down to track the trend.

How much should you feed a Labradoodle?

How much to feed a Labradoodle depends on size, but a neutered 25 lb Miniature needs about 690 calories a day and a 50 lb Standard about 1,165. Veterinarians estimate this from the resting energy requirement (70 × body weight in kg to the power of 0.75), multiplied by 1.6 for a neutered adult or 1.8 for an intact adult³.

That number is a starting point³. A busy Labradoodle that swims and hikes may need more; a quieter one may need less.

For a portion matched to your dog, answer a few questions about your pup, and we'll set the Meal Plan by weight, age, activity and body condition.

How do you keep a healthy Labradoodle weight?

You keep a healthy Labradoodle weight by checking body condition often and adjusting the portion in small steps. The scale helps, but your hands and eyes catch changes early.

1. Weigh your dog monthly on the same scale.
2. Trim the portion by a small amount if the weight creeps up, then recheck in two to four weeks.
3. Feed two measured meals a day, rather than leaving food out.
4. Match food to activity, feeding a little more in busy months and less in quieter ones.

Does food help Labradoodle joint health?

Food helps Labradoodle joint health mainly by keeping the dog lean. In the Labrador study, the leaner dogs were slower to develop osteoarthritis², which makes weight the main food-related lever for joints.

We don't claim that any meal treats joint disease. If your Labradoodle is stiff, slow on stairs or reluctant to jump, see your vet. Our Berry Beefy Breakfast Bowl is tagged Joint & Mobility on our site, as a complete meal for adult dogs.

Are Labradoodles prone to ear and skin problems?

Labradoodles are prone to ear problems, and itchy skin is worth watching too. A UK study of 22,333 dogs found Labradoodles had 2.95 times the odds of outer ear infection compared with crossbred dogs, among the highest of any breed type⁴.

Ear shape, hair in the canal and moisture after swimming all play a part. If ear trouble keeps returning alongside itchy paws or red skin, your vet may suggest a food trial with a protein your dog hasn't eaten before.

What is the best low fat dog food for Labradoodles?

The best low fat dog food for Labradoodles is a complete and balanced meal with no more than 25 g of fat per 1,000 kcal, our definition of low fat, fed in a measured portion. These recipes are tagged Low Fat and Healthy Weight on our site.

• Fisherman's Best Friend Supper pairs wild Alaskan pollock with butternut squash, brown and white rice and cranberries, at 504 kcal per pack. It has no chicken, beef or pork.
• Thai Coconut Chicken & Rice Recipe is a low fat meal of chicken breast, white rice, carrots and spinach, at 473 kcal per pack, and a favourite with picky eaters.
• Kangaroo is a short-ingredient meal of kangaroo, sweet potato and peas, at 435 kcal per pack, for a Labradoodle with a sensitive stomach or itchy skin.

These three are formulated for adult dogs.

Every Tom&Sawyer meal is made with 100% human grade ingredients in a human grade inspected facility and gently-cooked without cooking out nutrients. A Full Plan makes our meals your Labradoodle's complete diet, portioned to the gram. A Partial Plan mixes our meals with their current food. You can cancel anytime, and each order comes with our 14 day satisfaction guarantee.

Ready to build a lean Labradoodle diet?

A lean Labradoodle diet comes down to measured portions, regular body condition checks and a meal your dog enjoys. Lean for life is the goal the research points to.

Build your pup's Meal Plan with our meal quiz. Tell us about your Labradoodle, and we'll recommend low fat meals portioned to the gram.

Please consult your veterinarian before making changes to your pet's diet, especially if your pet has a medical condition.

Resources

1. Kealy, R. D., Lawler, D. F., Ballam, J. M., Mantz, S. L., Biery, D. N., Greeley, E. H., Lust, G., Segre, M., Smith, G. K., & Stowe, H. D. (2002). Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 220(9), 1315–1320. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2002.220.1315
2. University of Pennsylvania. (2002, September 12). Study finds dogs fed reduced-calorie diet live nearly two years longer than dogs on unrestricted diet. Penn Today. https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/study-finds-dogs-fed-reduced-calorie-diet-live-nearly-two-years-longer-dogs-unrestricted-diet
3. Sanderson, S. L. (2024). Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-small-animals/nutritional-requirements-of-small-animals
4. O'Neill, D. G., Volk, A. V., Soares, T., Church, D. B., Brodbelt, D. C., & Pegram, C. (2021). Frequency and predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK: a primary veterinary care epidemiological view. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 8, 7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8422687/