How many times a day should I feed my cockapoo?

Puppies typically need three to four smaller meals a day, tapering down to two meals daily by around six months old for most cockapoos. Adult dogs generally do well on two meals a day rather than one large one, which also helps with portion control.

Are cockapoos prone to being overweight?

The breed is commonly reported as prone to weight gain, partly because they are food-motivated and popular for training with treats. Regularly checking body condition — feeling for ribs and looking for a visible waist — helps catch weight creeping on before it becomes a bigger problem.

Should I feed my cockapoo according to their poodle or spaniel size?

Feed according to your individual dog's actual adult weight and body condition rather than assuming a size based on their parentage, since cockapoos vary considerably even within the same litter. Your vet can advise on an appropriate target weight if you are unsure.

What if my cockapoo is always begging for food?

Some cockapoos are simply food-motivated regardless of how much they are actually fed, so begging on its own is not a reliable sign of hunger. Stick to your feeding plan and body-condition checks rather than adding extra food, and speak to your vet if you are worried they genuinely are not getting enough.

Cockapoo feeding guide

Cockapoos vary considerably in adult size depending on which poodle size sits behind the cross, and as a breed they are commonly reported as prone to putting on weight, so judging portions by body condition matters more than following a fixed figure. This guide covers the method rather than a single number, because the right amount genuinely differs from one cockapoo to the next.

Why one figure doesn't fit every cockapoo

A toy or miniature cockapoo can be under 10kg fully grown, while a standard cockapoo can be considerably larger, and calorie needs scale with size, activity level and individual metabolism rather than the breed name alone. A feeding guide printed on a bag of food, based on your dog's actual weight, is a far more useful starting point than a generic figure for the breed.

As a general working method: weigh your dog, find the closest weight band on your specific food's guide, and treat that as a starting point to adjust from rather than a fixed rule, since two cockapoos at the same weight can still need meaningfully different amounts depending on how active they are.

Puppy to adult, and watching body condition

A cockapoo puppy needs a proper puppy food, fed more frequently in smaller meals than an adult dog, tapering down to two meals a day as they mature. Because the breed is commonly reported as prone to weight gain as an adult, it is worth getting into the habit of checking body condition regularly from early adulthood rather than only after weight has visibly crept on.

You should be able to feel your cockapoo's ribs with light pressure, without them being visibly prominent, and see a waist when looking down from above. If you cannot feel the ribs easily, or there is no visible waist, that is a sign to review portions and treats rather than waiting for a vet to point it out at a routine visit.

Feeding kit

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats

Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.

From£12.99

Turkey Tail Mushroom & Probiotic Powder

A bacon-flavoured turkey tail mushroom and probiotic powder you sprinkle over food. Made to support immunity, energy and gut health, with scoop guidance for every weight from small to large pets.

£13.99

Yeast Protection Gut & Skin Supplement For Dogs

A powdered daily supplement for dogs to support normal gut flora and healthy skin, with a measuring scoop.

£14.99

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Common questions

How many times a day should I feed my cockapoo?: Puppies typically need three to four smaller meals a day, tapering down to two meals daily by around six months old for most cockapoos. Adult dogs generally do well on two meals a day rather than one large one, which also helps with portion control.
Are cockapoos prone to being overweight?: The breed is commonly reported as prone to weight gain, partly because they are food-motivated and popular for training with treats. Regularly checking body condition — feeling for ribs and looking for a visible waist — helps catch weight creeping on before it becomes a bigger problem.
Should I feed my cockapoo according to their poodle or spaniel size?: Feed according to your individual dog's actual adult weight and body condition rather than assuming a size based on their parentage, since cockapoos vary considerably even within the same litter. Your vet can advise on an appropriate target weight if you are unsure.
What if my cockapoo is always begging for food?: Some cockapoos are simply food-motivated regardless of how much they are actually fed, so begging on its own is not a reliable sign of hunger. Stick to your feeding plan and body-condition checks rather than adding extra food, and speak to your vet if you are worried they genuinely are not getting enough.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.