Good nutrition is one of the greatest gifts you can give your Cockapoo puppy. Puppies need a balanced diet with the right mix of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to grow, learn and thrive. 

We understand how stressful it is to choose the right food when advice seems to change every day. Let’s simplify the process. Because every dog is an individual, their nutritional path should be just as unique. We’re here to support you in making informed, confident decisions for your puppy’s health.

Cockapoos are highly affectionate, intelligent, and people-oriented dogs combining qualities from both Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. They are usually lively pups and have been known to be picky eaters and sometimes prefer to hold out for the good stuff. Their diet plays an important role in supporting not only their physical health but also coat condition, energy levels and behaviour.

Adult Cockapoo weight can vary widely, typically between 7-20 kg, depending on whether they are bred through toy, miniature or standard Poodle lines. This makes them a small-to-medium-sized breed with individual nutritional needs.

Why is nutrition so important for Cockapoos?

Puppies are building bone, muscle, organs and a healthy immune system. The quality of their nutrition has lifelong effects. 

A poor-quality or unbalanced diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and contribute to illnesses such as skin disease and tummy problems. And for some conditions (allergies are a common example for Cockapoos), the right diet can make a dramatic difference to your dog's symptoms and comfort.

Underfeeding can cause poor growth, vision problems, and a weakened immune system. Whereas overfeeding can lead to obesity. Overweight dogs are at higher risk of arthritis, diabetes, heart problems and many other long-term conditions. This also applies to overfeeding of non-complete foods such as treats or table scraps, as they prefer them over their own balanced meal.

Supporting good gut health with a balanced, high-quality diet helps maintain both physical health and a calm, confident temperament. 

What should you feed your Cockapoo puppy?

There’s no single diet that’s “best” for every puppy. The right choice depends on their:

• Life stage (a 4-week-old puppy has different requirements than an 11-month-old)

• Expected adult size (dependent on their Poodle line)

• Lifestyle and activity level

• Current weight and body condition score

• Health issues (including sensitivities)

The diet must be complete and balanced. In the UK, look for diets formulated to meet FEDIAF guidelines, and ideally produced by a company that can answer questions like:

• Who formulates the diet, and what are their qualifications?

• Is a veterinary nutritionist involved (for example, someone with an MSc or PhD in Animal Nutrition)?

• What quality control processes are in place?

• Has the product been tested or supported by feeding trials or research?

How much should you feed your Cockapoo puppy?

How much a puppy needs depends on their age, growth phase, activity and body condition.

It’s ok to start with the feeding guide on the pack (in grams or cups) and then adjust based on your puppy’s growth. This is usually a feeding guide table or graph based on their expected adult weight. If your puppy is gaining or losing weight unexpectedly, ask your vet team to help you calculate a more tailored plan. 

Other factors that affect how much to feed include:

• Age: Puppies in a rapid growth phase (e.g. around 4 months old) have higher energy requirements than older puppies.

• Activity level: More active puppies require more energy than those with a sedentary lifestyle. 

• Neuter status: Neutered dogs often need fewer calories.

Keeping stable portion sizes and a regular feeding schedule helps to prevent overeating. 

How often should you feed your Cockapoo puppy?

Young puppies have small stomachs and an immature digestive system, so they can’t comfortably eat all their daily intake in one or two big meals. 

Providing smaller regular feeds at predictable mealtimes helps puppies feel settled and secure. Again, no one-size-fits-all, and it may take some trial and error to find the perfect balance for both you and your dog. 

If your pup doesn’t eat all or some of their meal, remove it after 15 minutes and try again in a little while to find what time suits them best. Don’t be tempted to add whatever is left in their bowl to their next meal, as this would be too much in one feed.

A rough guide:

• 8 weeks to 6 months: split the daily amount into 3 to 4 meals

• 6 months to 12 months: 2 to 3 meals suit most dogs

• Over 12 months: usually 2 meals (some dogs do well on 1)

Once routine has been established, stick to structured mealtimes to help support consistent energy levels and reduce hunger-induced frustration or irritability.

What types of puppy diets are available?

You’ll see a wide range of options, including:

• Dry food

• Wet food

• Vegan diets

• Raw diets

• Insect-based diets

• Home-cooked diets

The most common choice for dog owners is commercial wet, dry, or a mix of both.

Wet food: common advantages

• Helps with hydration

• Can support portion control because it’s less calorie-dense per serving

• Great for picky eaters (pâtés, stews, chunks in gravy)

• Often easier to hide medication

Dry food: common advantages

• Long shelf life and less waste

• Convenient for grazers, automatic and puzzle feeders

• Higher energy density, which is helpful for puppies and larger breeds with high requirements

Offering a variety of different foods can overwhelm the digestive system of puppies and also risk creating bad eating habits, especially in smaller-breed dogs. The best (and most convenient) approach is to choose one good-quality food and avoid changing it. Most dogs are very happy eating this way, especially if it’s what they’ve been used to from a young age.

How to safely switch your Cockapoo's food

If you’re planning on changing your puppy’s food, remember to do so gradually (over about 7 to 10 days) as sudden diet changes can lead to tummy upset:

• Days 1–3: 75% old food, 25% new

• Days 4–6: 50/50

• Days 7–9: 25% old, 75% new

• Day 10: 100% new

Cockapoos can be sensitive to sudden changes in diets or the addition of new treats, which can cause upset stomachs and refusal to eat if they’re not feeling 100%. Gradual changes or slow introductions are far better tolerated and enjoyed.

Treats and “extras”

Treats can be great for helping with training, but they should count as part of your puppy’s daily calorie allowance, and no more than 10% of total intake. 

Too many extras can lead to weight gain and obesity. Frequent unplanned snacks, including table scraps, can encourage begging, fussy habits, and can even cause issues like anxiety or difficulties with training.

What not to feed your puppy

Some human foods commonly cause tummy upsets, such as:

• Dairy products

• Highly processed foods (ham, sausages)

• Very salty, spicy or heavily seasoned foods

• Cooked bones (risk of splintering and intestinal damage)

And some are toxic to dogs, especially chocolate, raisins, onions, alcohol and xylitol. 

When should I switch my Cockapoo from puppy to adult food?

Making the switch is recommended once your dog has finished growing. This depends on their size: 

• Small Cockapoos (under 10 kg adult): ~8–12 months

• Medium Cockapoos(10–25 kg adult): ~12–18 months

Your vet may advise changes earlier or later, depending on neutering, weight, or growth patterns.

Q&A: Cockapoo Puppy Food

Q: Is it normal for my puppy to skip meals?
A: This can be normal for Cockapoos, especially as puppies approach the end of growth and their needs drop. But if your puppy skips several meals in a row, or has other symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea, low energy), contact a vet.

Q: Are grain-free diets better for puppies?
A: Not generally. There’s no good evidence that grain-free diets are “healthier” for most puppies. True grain allergies are less common than allergies to certain meat proteins.

Q: Can I feed my puppy a raw diet?
A: Raw diets are heavily debated. Most major veterinary nutrition bodies advise against feeding raw to growing puppies because of infection risks and the difficulty of getting the nutrient balance right during growth. If you choose to feed your dog raw food, make sure to use a reputable supplier.

Q: How can I tell if a food is good from the label?
A: Labels can be confusing. Look for “complete” (not “complementary”), check it’s appropriate for growth, and choose brands that follow recognised standards and can explain their formulation and quality control.

Q: Should I buy breed-specific puppy food?
A: Breed-specific foods can be a great option, as they are usually adapted for particular characteristics of the breed. However, a good-quality puppy food will have similar benefits.  

Q: Can I feed my puppy home-cooked food?
A: It is possible to feed a puppy a home-cooked diet, but balancing the essential nutrients is complex. Make sure to discuss a diet plan with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. This will prevent nutritional deficiencies that could have lifelong consequences. 

Q: What foods do vets recommend?
A: Vets often recommend established brands like Hill’s or Royal Canin. These companies spend a lot of time researching and testing their food to make sure it’s safe.

Support is always at hand. Team Joii is available 24/7. Whether you’re unsure about your dog’s weight, portion sizes, or which diet to choose, download the app and chat with a professional anytime.