Which feed is best for Labrador
What To Feed a Labrador Puppy (Best Options)
Ultimate Labrador Puppy Food Guide: Feeding Tips and Best Choices
When it comes to feeding your furry little friend, a Labrador puppy, youre not just filling a bowl; youre setting the stage for a lifetime of health and happiness.
Your Lab's vibrant energy, shiny coat, and bright eyes all start with what's in their food dish.
Navigating the nutritional needs of your Lab puppy doesn't have to be a trek through the unknown.
Let's dive in and explore the choices and tips that will keep your puppy's tail wagging meal after meal!
Age-Appropriate Diet
Labrador puppies have unique nutritional needs, particularly during their early stages of growth and development.
It's essential to choose high-quality puppy food designed specifically for large breeds like Labradors.
These formulations ensure that your puppy receives the right balance of nutrients, including protein and fat, which are crucial for their rapid growth and overall health.
Opting for a puppy-specific diet sets the foundation for a healthy and robust Labrador.
Portion Control
Lab puppies have a hearty appetite, but it's crucial to prevent them from overeating, as this can lead to obesity and related health issues later in life.
To maintain an ideal weight, use a feeding chart provided by your veterinarian or the puppy food manufacturer.
This chart takes into account your puppy's age and size, helping you determine the appropriate portion sizes for each meal.
Scheduled Meals
Establishing a regular feeding schedule is beneficial for both your Labrador puppy's health and house training. Aim to feed your puppy at the same times each day, creating a consistent routine that allows you to anticipate their bathroom needs.
For young Labradors, three to four meals per day are ideal, gradually reducing the frequency as they grow and their stomach capacity increases.
A structured feeding routine helps your puppy thrive and adapt to a predictable daily schedule.
Fresh Water
Adequate hydration is vital for Labradors, given their energetic nature and playfulness. Ensure that clean, fresh water is always available for your puppy.
Labradors can become dehydrated quickly, especially after physical activity or during warmer months.
Regularly check and refill their water bowl to keep them well-hydrated. Proper hydration supports their overall health and helps them stay active and happy.
Avoid Human Foods
While it may be tempting to share your meals with your Labrador puppy, many human foods can be harmful to them. Some foods may lead to allergies, digestive issues, or even serious health problems.
It's essential to stick to puppy-formulated foods recommended by your veterinarian or a trusted pet nutritionist.
Avoid offering table scraps or human foods to ensure your puppy's diet remains safe and appropriate for their unique nutritional needs.
Monitor Growth
Keeping track of your Lab's weight and growth can help you adjust their diet as needed. Regular vet visits are part of this monitoring to ensure their development is on track.
Gradual Food Changes
When it's time to transition your Labrador puppy from puppy food to adult dog food, it's essential to do so gradually. Sudden dietary changes can lead to digestive upset and discomfort. To make the transition smoother, mix a small portion of the new adult food with their current puppy food.
Gradually increase the proportion of adult food while decreasing the puppy food over about a week. This gradual transition minimizes the chances of digestive issues and ensures your Labrador adapts well to their new diet.
Treats in Moderation
Treats are a valuable tool for training and rewarding your Labrador puppy, but it's essential to use them in moderation. Excessive treats can contribute to weight gain and an imbalanced diet.
As a general guideline, treats should constitute less than 10% of your puppy's daily caloric intake. Choose healthy, puppy-friendly treats that align with their dietary requirements.
This practice helps maintain a balanced diet while still allowing you to reinforce positive behavior and bonding with your Labrador.
Regularly Clean Food and Water Bowls
Cleanliness is vital when it comes to your Labrador puppy's food and water bowls. Bacteria can thrive in dirty dishes, potentially leading to health issues for your puppy.
Make it a habit to wash your puppy's food and water bowls daily with hot, soapy water to ensure they remain clean and free from harmful contaminants.
This simple yet essential task contributes to your puppy's overall health and well-being by providing a safe and hygienic dining experience.
Consider Consulting with a Veterinarian for Dietary Guidance
A vet can provide personalized dietary guidance for your puppy, taking into account their specific nutritional requirements, health conditions, and even preferences.
Remember, every Labrador puppy is unique, and while these tips are a great general guide, your puppy's individual needs might vary.
Keep an eye on their response to the diet, and don't hesitate to get professional advice when needed. Feeding your Lab well isn't just about today's meal; it's about a lifetime of well-being.
Best Food Choices for Lab Puppies
When you bring a Labrador puppy into your life, choosing the right food is as critical as teaching them to sit or stay. Your Lab's growth, development, and overall health are heavily impacted by what they munch on.
Let's dive into the top food choices tailored for your Lab puppy, focusing on high-quality kibble that supports their rapid growth without going overboard on fillers and unnecessary grains.
1. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Puppy
Royal Canin Lab Puppy Dry Food has crafted a formula specifically for Labrador puppies, ensuring a balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to support their lively energy levels. It includes:
- High-quality protein (including chicken) for muscle development
- An assortment of vitamins and minerals to boost your pup's immune system
2. Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed
Hills Science Diet Puppy Dog Food prioritizes the well-being of larger breeds like Labs, focusing on:
- Optimal levels of calcium for controlled bone growth
- High-quality chicken meal as a primary source of protein
3. Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large Breed
Purina Pro is known for its scientific approach to pet nutrition and offers:
- A blend of high-quality protein, including chicken, for your puppys muscle development
- DHA-rich fish oil for brain and vision health
4. Wellness Complete Health Puppy
The Wellness Complete Health Puppy Food is a well-rounded choice that combines natural ingredients for a balanced diet, featuring:
- Deboned chicken and salmon meal for a protein-packed punch
- Grains like oats and barley for sustained energy release
5. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Food offers a grain-inclusive option loaded with antioxidants, comprising:
- Real meat is the first ingredient to cater to your Lab's protein needs
- 'LifeSource Bits' - a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
6. Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Recipe Dry Food
For those opting for a grain-free diet for their pups, Merrick Grain-Free Dry Food provides:
- A poultry-rich formula with 60% protein and healthy fats; 40% produce, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other natural ingredients
- DHA for healthy brain development
7. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Puppy
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Puppy understands the specific needs of large-breed puppies, and their formula reflects this understanding by featuring farm-raised chicken as the primary protein source.
This high-quality protein supports muscle development, providing your Labrador puppy with the necessary building blocks for growth.
Additionally, Nutro includes nutrient-rich grains like brown rice, which not only offer sustained energy but also promote healthy digestion.
8. Eukanuba Puppy Large Breed Dog Food
Eukanuba Puppy Large Breed Dog Food aims to provide the optimal environment for controlled bone growth.
This dog food carefully balances calcium and phosphorus levels to ensure that your Labrador's bones develop at a healthy pace, reducing the risk of skeletal issues.
9. Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Large Breed Dog Food
Iams Smart Puppy is tailored to the needs of large breed puppies, offering real chicken as the primary protein source. This protein promotes strong muscles, helping your Labrador develop into a robust and active adult dog.
Additionally, Iams includes Omega-3 DHA in its formula, which supports cognitive development and helps maintain healthy joints.
10. Canidae All Life Stages Large Breed Puppy Formula
Canidae All Life Stages Large Breed Puppy Formula offers a versatile option suitable for both puppies and adult dogs, making it a convenient choice if you have multiple dogs at different life stages.
Their formula features high-quality chicken meal as the primary protein source, ensuring that your Labrador receives the necessary amino acids for muscle development and overall well-being.
Canidae combines essential nutrients in their recipe to support healthy growth and development, making it an excellent choice for a growing Lab in a multi-dog household.
Selecting the best puppy food for your Labrador involves a careful look at ingredients and nutritional balance.
High-quality proteins and fats are essential for your Lab's growth but make sure to manage carbohydrate intake to avoid unnecessary weight gain.
Labrador Food Allergies and Sensitivities
Food allergies and sensitivities can affect dogs of all breeds, including the beloved Labrador Retriever. These allergies and sensitivities can lead to a range of health issues, from digestive problems to skin irritations.
Lets delve into the common food allergies and sensitivities that Labradors may experience, their symptoms, and how to manage and prevent them.
| Allergies or Sensitivities | Common Signs | Culprit Ingredients | Healthier Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Allergies | Itchy skin, hair loss, gastrointestinal upset | Beef, corn, soy, wheat, chicken, eggs | Novel protein sources (like duck and venison), hypoallergenic formulas |
| Grain Sensitivities | Digestive discomfort, skin irritation | Wheat, corn, other grains | Grain-free diets, though not always necessary unless an allergy is confirmed |
| Fillers/Additives | Non-specific symptoms, poor coat quality | Unnecessary fillers like certain types of corn and soy | Whole food ingredients, identified meats, limited ingredient diets |
| Protein Intolerance | Similar to food allergies | Sometimes the protein source, be it plant or animal | High-quality, single-source protein foods, raw diets for some pups |
Food allergies can account for about 10% of allergy problems in dogs, and Labrador Retrievers arent exempt.
Whether your dog is showing signs of discomfort or you're on a preventive mission, understanding their dietary needs will make all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the FAQs on the ultimate Lab puppy food guide.
How frequently should I feed my Labrador puppy throughout the day?
Your Labrador puppy is a bundle of energy, and they need a feeding schedule as consistent as your love for them. Aim for 3 to 4 meals a day. This regularity not only fuels their play sessions but also helps prevent belly aches.
Are there specific dietary requirements for Labrador puppies compared to other breeds?
Labrador puppies have higher energy needs due to their active nature. Look for puppy food formulated for large breeds to ensure they get the right balance of nutrients to support their growth and development.
What are the recommended feeding amounts for a Labrador puppy based on their weight?
Typically, a Labrador puppy weighing 5 pounds should eat around 1 cup of food daily. As they grow, adjust the amountpups at 10 pounds may need 1 cups, for instance. Keep a close eye on their weight and activity level; those factors decide how much chow is just right.
Should I choose dry kibble, wet food, or a combination of both for my Labrador puppy?
The choice between dry kibble, wet food, or a combination depends on your puppy's preference and specific dietary needs. Some owners opt for a mix of both for variety. Ensure the food you choose is appropriate for Labrador puppies and provides essential nutrients.
Labrador Feeding Demystified: A Comprehensive Expert Guide
The best Labrador food is high in fat and protein, but low in carbohydrates. Great diets avoid fillers, and are packed with healthy vitamins and minerals. Working out how to feed a Labrador isnt just about picking the perfect menu though. You know Labs are enthusiastic eaters and prone to weight gain, so getting the right schedule and feeding routine can make a big difference to your pets welfare too.
A good rule of thumb is that puppies up to six months of age need four meals a day. Adult dogs can cope just fine with two meals a day, but many prefer their daily rations to be broken down into smaller amounts.
Im going to help you choose the right diet for your dog and answer your feeding questions and concerns about how to feed your Labrador. If your dog is under six months old, youll probably wantto visit our puppy feeding page for detailed information on feeding your Labrador puppy.
Labrador Feeding Guide
The amount you feed your Lab will vary depending on his age and the type of food you are giving him. The Eukanuba Adult Breed Lamb and Rice food suggests these serving sizes:
- 40 45 pound Lab, feed: 205 230 grams per day
- 50 55 pound Lab, feed: 240 265 grams per day
- 60 65 pound Lab, feed: 270 300 grams per day
- 70 75 pound Lab, feed: 300 335 grams per day
- 80 85 pound Lab, feed: 330 365 grams per day
- 90 95 pound Lab, feed: 355 395 grams per day
However, these serving sizes will change depending on the food you use, and only apply to dry kibble! Keep reading to find out how much food your Lab needs if he isnt eating kibble, and when to feed him.
Whats the best dog food for Labs?
Experts agree that the best food for any dog is a balanced diet that keeps him in excellent health at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, thats where the agreement ends.
Theres lots to choose from
Even experts differ on which method of feeding is the most healthy, what makes a diet balanced, how easy it is to feed your dog a balanced diet, and which brand of kibble is best. By the end of this article, youll how everything about how to feed your Labrador.
Different Methods to Feed your Labrador
There are currently two very different approaches to dog feeding that are popular with many Labrador owners.
Both methods of feeding Labradors have their supporters and detractors. At one time a lot of dogs were fed on canned food with an added biscuit mixer. Nowadays, most pet dogs have dried meals.
Although majority of dogs are now being fed kibble, a substantial minority are fed raw. Raw feeding (the BARF diet) was once considered an extremist fad. But raw fed dogs thrived, and interest in raw feeding dogs has grown lately.
Labradordog food choices dry kibble
The majority of Labrador owners feed their dogs on dried kibble pellets. All major pet food companies now supply a dried version of their brands. Youll find a confusing range of choice in pet stores and supermarkets worldwide. But some are better than others.
Advantages of kibble
The main advantage of being able to open a packet and instantly pour food into your dogs bowl is convenience. Busy modern homes are pressed for time. Convenience is an important factor.
Kibble also stores well. It doesnt need refrigerating or freezing and it doesnt smell very strong. Most dogs nowadays are trained with food. So kibble has the added advantage of making portable training treats.
The disadvantages of kibble
Kibble doesnt smell bad, but kibble fed dog poops stink. That is partly because kibble is full of fillers, additional bulking agents that are not fully digested by your dog.
These fillers mean that kibble fed dogs produce much greater quantities of poop and much smellier poop, than dogs fed on raw meat and bones. Kibble fed dogs may also need their teeth cleaning on a daily basis. There may also be a small increased risk of bloat in susceptible dogs fed on a dry food diet.
Kibble fed dogs may also be more likely to snack on their own poop (yes its a very common Labrador habit) than raw fed dogs.
Should I feed my dog raw meat?
Natural raw doggy diets of meat and bones have become increasingly popular, despite some experts giving out dire warnings of the dangers of letting dogs consume bones.
The pros and cons
Raw feeding is quite a big topic. It is both complicated and simple. Complicated because we tend to worry about the nutrients our dogs are getting. And we cant see a list of ingredients on a meaty bone. But the truth is, we dont need to.
Raw feeding is not as convenient as kibble feeding, It requires plenty of freezer and refrigeration space, a designated preparation surface, and good meat preparation hygiene. (Just as with meat preparation for people).
Small puppies need more research to be raw fed, as they are growing fast and are vulnerable to diets with a poor nutrient balance.
Raw fed dogs and small children
I dont recommend raw feeding in families with very small children. This is because raw fed dogs get messy. It is hard in this situation to keep raw meat juices containing pathogens, away from children too small to understand the importance of hand washing
The fact is that there is no rightway to feed your dog. No best way to provide a balanced diet.
Deciding Between Raw and Kibble
- If you have a small puppy you may be happier feeding kibble
- With children under five, it may be safer for you to feed kibble
- If your dog has a close relative that has suffered from bloat, he may be safer eating raw
- If your dog suffers from allergies, he might do better on raw
Choosing a brand for your Labrador
Cost matters, but choosing the lowest price Labrador food is not always the cheapest option. Very often, you will need to feed larger quantities of the cheaper food. Mid range dog food brands are usually a good starting point, but the most expensive brands can come with a hidden health benefit.
Biologically appropriate kibble?
I like the Orijen brand, it is what my dogs have as training treats or when I cant provide raw.Orijen is perhaps the closest thing to biologically appropriate food that youll find in a kibble at 80% meat and 20% vegetable with no grain at all.
Remember that a change in diet can upset your dogs stomach. So if you decide to switch brands, do it gradually over the space of a few days by adding a little more of the new food and a little less of the old, each day.
How often to feed your Labrador
Many dog owners continue to feed their dogs twice a day throughout their lives. Some people feed their dogs once a day after twelve months of age.
We do know that there is an association between bloat and large meals. Though this may only apply to kibble. Once daily feeding is probably fine if you decide to feed raw meat. But with kibble it may be too much dry food in one go. I recommend that you feed your adult dog morning and evening.
How often to feed Labrador puppies
The amount of food that your Labrador puppy needs to eat each day must be divided into several portions. If you try and give him the whole days ration in one go, he will probably give it his best shot. But it will almost certainly give him diarrhoea and could damage his stomach as kibble swells after drinking.
From eight to twelve weeks your puppy will benefit from four meals a day. Breakfast, lunch, tea and supper. Space the meals at least three hours apart to give him chance to digest them properly. And make sure the last meal is atwo tothree hours before his last trip to the toilet at bedtime.
Once your puppy gets to three months old you can divide his daily ration into three portions, and by six months to two. Breakfast and supper.
How much to feed your Labrador?
Recommended quantities can be found on kibble packaging and these will vary quite widely from brand to brand. They are also often on the high side. If your dog is a little overweight, feed about a third less than recommended for a few days and then re-assess his appearance. Your dog may well need less food than you think.
How long should your dog take to eat his dinner?
Some people leave food down for their dogs to graze on. I prefer my dogs to eat their meals up fairly quickly. Some dogs are more likely to be picky if they know they can come back to their dinner later on. I recommend you take up your dogs bowl after ten minutes if he hasnt finished. He wont come to any harm if he hasnt devoured the lot.
How to feed a Labrador slowly
A much more common problem in Labradors, is the dog that scoffs his dinner in a heartbeat and then begs for more with pleading eyes. There is an association between bloat and rapid eating, so if you can slow down your dog a little, it is probably good thing. The best way to do that is by using a slow feed bowl.
Feeding household scraps and left overs to dogs
Many people will add household scraps to their dogs dinner bowl. In theory, there is a risk that this will unbalance his diet. In practice, most adult dogs will come to no harm if they occasionally get some extras in their bowl.
Make sure that your leftovers dont contain sugar, onions, cooked bones or any common human foods that are toxic to dogs. And to keep the diet balanced, make sure that left overs dont comprise more than 10% of your dogs dinner.
Giving leftovers to puppies
Puppies need a very well balanced diet, so it is not a good idea to feed your puppy on household scraps.
Dog feeding equipment and storage
Good dog feeding bowls are dishwasher safe and not easily breakable. Cheap and colorful plastic bowls can look tired after a few trips through the dishwasher, so I like stainless steel. Although I admit it is quite noisy, and not as pretty as some of the ceramic products. Avoid raised bowls if possible as some studies have associated these with bloat.
For kibble storage I recommend sealable bins, which you can fit large quantites of dried dog food into and keep fresh.
(paid link)Giving water to your Labrador
Puppies and older dogs need water available to them at all times during the day. It is ok to take your puppys water away an hour before bedtime to help with housetraining.
Kibble fed dogs drink quite a lot of water, raw fed dogs drink very little.
When feeding problems need veterinary help
All puppies need regular veterinary check ups and when you take your puppy to the vet for his vaccinations. This is a great time to ask any questions you might have on his diet and welfare generally.
All dogs may eat less in very hot weather. But changes in appetite, especially sudden changes, can be a sign that your dog is not well. If yourLabrador goes off his food, dont just put it down to old age.
The Labrador Site Founder
Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.
She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program
Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website
