Have you noticed that your Goldendoodle seems a bit lanky or skinny compared to other dogs, and you’re worried that there might be a medical problem present? Since Goldendoodles will eat anything that even resembles food, you sometimes can’t tell if he is starving or just being a Goldendoodle. You can evaluate your own pet to determine if he’s getting enough nutrition.
Is your Goldendoodle too skinny? Lightly run your hand along his chest and you should be able to feel ribs just under a very thin layer of fat when gently running your hands over the rib area. You should, however, not see his ribs from above or the side.
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Visual Evaluation
Stand behind your dog and look down at his body. The waist will curve inward gradually from his ribcage if he is a healthy weight. Underweight dogs will have pronounced waistlines. If your Goldendoodle has a short haircut, you should not be able to see the spine. Run your hand along the spine and see if it feels too close to the surface. Continue running your hand to the pelvic bone. If your dog’s vertebrae and pelvis are too conspicuous, he is probably underweight.
Note the appearance of his abdomen from the side. The abdomen should slope gradually upward from his ribcage, and not be angular to the hips. Your dog should have a healthy thin layer of fat and display a muscular appearance.
Your dog’s coat should be healthy and with a nice sheen. If it is dry and brittle then you might have a nutritional deficiency. Consult with your vet to see if your dog needs to be on any supplements.
How Much Should My Goldendoodle Weigh?
Every Goldendoodle is unique in their physical attributes, but an average weight for your furry companion is as follows:
Toy – 10-15 lbs.
Mini – 15-30 lbs.
Medium – 30-45 lbs.
Standard – 45 + (Adult Avg 60-80 lbs.)
How Much Food Should I Be Feeding My Goldendoodle?
Below is a listing of what your Goldendoodle on average should weigh considering his breed type and age.
| Dogs Weight | Less Active | Active | Puppy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 - 5 lb | 110-220 Cal | 150-280 Cal | 170-335 Cal |
| 5 - 10 lb | 225-335 Cal | 228-450 Cal | 335-560 Cal |
| 10 - 20 lb | 335-450 Cal | 450-560 Cal | 560-675 Cal |
| 20 - 30 lb | 450-675 Cal | 560-785 Cal | 675- 900 Cal |
| 30 - 50 lb | 675- 900 Cal | 785-1,015 Cal | 900-1,235 Cal |
| 50 - 70 lb | 900-1,125 Cal | 1,015-1,465 Cal | 1,235-1,690 Cal |
| 70 - 90 lb | 1,125-1,350 Cal | 1,465-1,575 Cal | 1,690-1,915 Cal |
| 90 - 110 lb | 1,350-1,575 Cal | 1,575-1,860 Cal | 1,915-2,365 Cal |
| 110 - 140 lb | 1,575-1,800 Cal | 1,860-2,140 Cal | 2,365-2,590 Cal |
Goldendoodle’s Possible Health Issues
If your Goldendoodle is getting the proper nutrition and has the legendary Goldendoodle appetite, then there might be a physiological problem lurking in the background. Possible health issues to be concerned about are:
- Diabetes
- Cushings Disease
- Parasites (such as worms)
- Cancers
- Digestive disorders
Your veterinarian should be consulted so you can rule out any health issues.
What Should You Feed Your Goldendoodle?
A good reference for Goldendoodle nutritional chow can be found at Dog Food Guide. It ranks food for your Goldendoodle based on quality and affordability.
If you have a dog that is a picky eater you might not want to change foods abruptly. This can cause stomach upset and a whole list of problems you don’t want to get into. If your dog has to be bribed to eat, then he probably just doesn’t like the food he’s being given. Many Goldendoodle owners have found that adding a “surf and turf” type food keeps their dog eating consistently. I guess because it’s so stinky that they love to eat it, and it is higher in calories in most cases. You should certainly try it and see if this gives the needed encouragement to eat what they are given.
After everything is said and done your dog’s health is most important and you want to build lean muscle mass and avoid too much of the fat layer. Many dog owners have discovered that after their puppy has been to the groomers and been shorn, the dog looks shockingly skinny. This is when you should begin the visual inspection to see if he or she too skinny. If your dog is eating normally and it’s still skin and bones, it’s time to visit the vet.
