Recommended Food for Labrador Puppies
- Meaty protein. As with all dogs and most active breeds, a Labrador retriever needs a generous amount of protein in its diet.
- Omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids are commonly found in fish and other seafood. ...
- Vegetables and fruits. ...
- Organ meat. ...
- Foods with glucosamine. ...
What food can Labradors eat?
When feeding your Labrador human foods, there are a few important safety rules you should follow:
- Human foods that you feed your Labrador should be in moderation. ...
- Introduce different foods gradually. ...
- Cook all meats – unless your Lab is familiar with a safely prepared raw diet. ...
- Avoid processed meats such as ham, sausage, and bacon as they contain high amounts of salt or seasoning.
- Dogs with lactose intolerance should not consume dairy products. ...
How to make homemade dog food for Labradors?
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treat
- Ingredients
- Directions. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, oats, and cinnamon. ...
- Nutritional Info (per 1 biscuit serving): Protein: 1.3 g Carbs: 2.8 g For even more Labrador Retriever food recipes and cooking options, be sure to check out Home Cooking for ...
What is the best food for a Labrador puppy?
What is the Best Dog Food for Labrador Retrievers?
- Top Pick: Sport Dog Food Active Series Field Dog
- Second best: Halo Holistic Adult
- Third best: Gather Free Acres Organic
- Recommended: Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free
- Recommended: Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult
What to feed a Labrador?
What are the different types of food available?
- Kibble or dry food. Many people regard kibble as the best food for puppies. ...
- Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) or raw food. ...
- Wet food (cans and pouches) A puppy might prefer wet food over kibble as it looks and tastes way more appetizing. ...
- Home-cooked puppy food. ...
How do you know if your dog is eating kibble?
For busy pet owners, kibble remains a popular choice. Signs that your dog’s food doesn’t agree with him include bloating, itching, constipation, or diarrhoea. But remember, whenever you change a dog’s diet, it takes a little time for your pet to get used to the new food. Expect funny-looking stools for the first couple of days.
What do you feed a lab?
What to feed a Lab? You have three basic food options: cooked food, raw food and kibble. While there’s a lot to be said for cooked and raw foods, labs will also thrive on good kibble. It’s quick, it’s convenient, you can take kibble anywhere you take your dog, and a good brand will include the necessary nutrients.
Can dogs eat leftovers?
Although feeding your dog leftovers is often frowned upon, most dogs certainly won’t frown if you give them a few leftovers. As long as you do your homework and avoid foods that are bad for dogs (even though they’re fine for humans), and don’t give them leftovers as an important part of their diets, they should be just fine.
Can ceramic bowls break?
Ceramics are ok too – but they can break. Whatever bowl you choose, make sure the top of the bowl is wide enough for your dog to eat comfortably. That’s it for now – but if you’d like an in-depth look at the best foods for Labs, don’t miss our detailed review.
Why do puppies like wet food?
A puppy might prefer wet food over kibble as it looks and tastes way more appetizing. However, as in the case of dry food, if you choose a cheap brand, it will not have the essential nutrients your puppy needs. So choose high-quality brands that will ensure the nutrition that your puppy needs. An advantage of wet food, compared to dry food, is that it contains a higher percentage of liquid, which helps hydrate the dog and make it feel fuller.
How many meals should a puppy eat a day?
Since their growth rate is the fastest as it’s ever going to be, they need the necessary calories to keep up with the growth. A puppy will need about 3 or 4 meals a day.
How long does it take for a Labrador to become an adult?
However, a larger dog breed like a Labrador will need another 4 to 6 months to become an adult. At this time, you should switch your puppy’s food from puppy food to adult food. You also have to reduce the amount of food you give to your dog as it will not need as much food as an adult as it is needed as a child.
What happens if a dog bites a bone?
When dogs bite down on a bone, they swallow small fragments that could form a blockage in the intestine. This blockage, in the best-case scenario, causes constipation, and in the worst-case scenario requires immediate veterinary surgery.
When do puppies become adults?
When do you switch from puppy food to adult food? Your puppy becomes an adult when it’s around one to 1 and a half years of age. A small dog like a Chihuahua might become an adult when it is around 9 months of age. However, a larger dog breed like a Labrador will need another 4 to 6 months to become an adult.
Is dry dog food good for puppies?
Dry food is by far the most popular feeding method due to its convenience and price. But is it any good? Depending on the brand you choose, this food is either of very poor quality and ineffective in completing your dog’s nutritional requirements, or is very good quality that provides your puppy with all the nutrients it is going to require.
Do puppies eat more when they are eating?
It is a proven fact that puppies tend to eat more when they are eating in a group, and generally eat less when they are eating less. Hence, for the first few days that your puppy spends without its brothers and sisters, it may not eat as much and have a reduced appetite.
Choosing the Right Food to Feed Your Labrador
Wondering whether to get your Lab dry food or wet food is a question that most pet owners have to ask themselves before deciding what dog food to buy. Although both types of food give your dog the nutrition they need, they also have their pros and cons.
So, Which Dog Food Is Best?
It is up to you. After all, both types of dog food can give your dog the nourishment they need, as long as you get them the kind that gives them the right nutrients.
When and How much to Feed your Labrador
The frequency and amount of feeding your Labrador depend a lot on how old they are. Let’s break it down into two main sections: puppies and adults.
Other Information for Feeding Your Labrador
Prizes for good behavior or training purposes are often treats. However, these bite-sized biscuits should not take the place of meals, so you should use them sparingly. For overweight dogs, you can even eliminate them. After all, they are just add-ons and snacks for your dog.
Why raw food is the best diet for my Labrador Retriever
In this guide we will take you through all you need to know about the best food to feed your Labrador Retriever for the healthiest diet:
Why raw food is the best diet for my Labrador Retriever
When deciding on what is the best Labrador Retriever food, it's important to consider the canine anatomy and digestive system. Dogs' digestive tracts have not significantly evolved from when they were undomesticated wolves, and are best suited to fresh, high-protein prey-based diets.
Canine Gut Health
It's no secret these days that gut health is at the centre of overall health for humans and our four-legged friends; your Labrador Retriever companion is no exception. An unhealthy gut leads to poor nutrient absorption and imbalanced immune response, in turn leading to systemic inflammation in the body, and a whole host of health conditions.
Canine Immunity
The immune system is the body's natural protection mechanism; when functioning effectively will respond to toxins, pathogens and threats to your Labrador Retriever health and happiness found in everyday life.
Dog Weight
Maintaining appropriate healthy weight is essential for your dog no matter what breed. Labrador Retrievers are known to piling on the pounds, so a diet that consists of biologically appropriate protein and healthy fats, ground bone and vegetables packed with the required vitamins and minerals is essential for optimum health and performance.
Overall Labrador Retriever Well-Being
A species-specific diet is undoubtedly the best Labrador Retriever food, fuel for overall health and happiness. You'll notice remarkably quickly that your four-legged friend will look, feel and even smell better.
Dog Supplements
Switching to a natural good quality raw food diet will be the single best thing you can do for your dog's well-being.
What do Labradors like to eat?
Your Lab will love healthy treats like peanut butter, cheese, chicken, and more. You can also slowly try out new diets like a home-cooked diet to figure out what your Labradors like to eat that can also help them be healthier.
Is salmon good for dogs?
Surprisingly, salmon makes a great snack for dogs. It has lots of protein and omega 3 fatty acids, which boost your Lab’s immune system and keeps their coat shiny and healthy.
Do Labradors like food?
If you have a Labrador, you probably already know that they love food. In line with this, you might be wondering what foods Labradors like to eat, what the best diet is for them, and what they should not eat, among others.
Is there a dog food that is low in calories?
There is a special dog food for overweight dogs that is low in calories and fat but high in protein. However, we advise that you ask a vet for the best brand, especially if your Lab has other medical conditions.
Can Labradors eat carrots?
Baby carrots are a great low-calorie treat for Labradors since they are full of vitamins. Plus, it is good for their teeth, so Lab puppies can snack on baby carrots during their teething phase.
What is Nutro Natural Choice?
Nutro Natural Choice is another limited ingredient food that uses deboned lamb as the first ingredient. It has naturally sourced glucosamine and chondroitin to support growing joints, and a precise mix of carbs and proteins help puppies grow at a healthy rate.
What is Ollie's turkey?
Ollie provides dogs with cooked meals using fresh, human grade ingredients prepared and shipped to your door. Their Turkey recipe uses whole deboned turkey as the first ingredient with whole fruits and veggies for antioxidants and vitamins. It’s a limited ingredient formula and better for sensitive digestive systems.
What is the backcountry raw beef?
Merrick’s Backcountry Raw recipe uses bits of freeze-dried raw beef along with premium kibble to provide complete protein and excellent taste. There are three different sources of protein in the kibble along with whole fruits and veggies for vitamins and antioxidants.
Why is quality food important for a Labrador?
Why Quality Food Matters for Your Labrador Retriever. Labs are prone to joint and skin issues as well as excess weight. Nutrient dense food gives your Lab enough protein and complex carbs to last all through the day, but it won’t add a bunch of empty calories to your Lab’s diet.
What is the natural balance formula?
Natural Balance’s formula is limited ingredient so that your Lab has a better chance of problem-free digestion. It uses Lamb and brown rice for a good balance of protein and complex carbohydrates to maintain your Lab’s energy levels all day.
What is the formula for a dog's coat?
It is grain-free but enriched with omega-3 and 6 to help keep your pet's coat flawless.
What is grain free dog food?
Formulated with novel proteins including real smoked salmon, this grain-free recipe includes peas and sweet potatoes that deliver the highly-digestible energy your active pup needs, along with natural antioxidant support.
Labrador Retriever Feeding Chart
Below is the typical feed chart for the Labrador Retriever. This chart provides you a rough guide on how much dry dog food (kibble) to feed your Labrador Retriever.
How to Measure the Right Amount of Dog Food for Your Labrador Retriever
Research has shown that most owners over-measure a cup of dog food. As a result, most dogs owners overfeed their dogs. This is because dog owners do not level off the cup when measuring out the food they give to their dogs.
How Much Food to Feed the Labrador Retriever
You should feed your 16-week-old Labrador Retriever puppy 4.2 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
Best Food for Labrador Retriever. Labrador Retriever Feeding Guide
The Labrador Retriever has different nutrient needs at different life stages. Therefore, the dog food that you feed your Labrador Retriever at different ages should be the type that is appropriate for its age.
Feeding Guide for the Labrador Retriever Puppy: 12 weeks to one year
The dog food that you feed your puppy should have the nutrients that will boost a puppy`s immune system since puppies easily get infected with the disease at this age.
Feeding Guide for the Young Adult Labrador Retriever: Ages 1 year to 6 years
The dog food that you feed a young adult Labrador Retriever should have the nutrients that will make a dog live longer.
Feeding Guide for Mature Adult Labrador Retrievers: 6 years and older
You should feed the mature adult Labrador Retriever food that has been formulated to improve their quality of life, increase their life expectancy, and increase their overall health.
The Best Dog Food for Labs
Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s best dog foods for Labrador retrievers for January 2022.
The Best Puppy Food for Labs
Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s best dog food for Lab puppies for January 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 8 of the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding Lab puppies and adults.
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor is privately owned. We do not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
Important FDA Alert
The FDA is investigating a potential link between diet and heart disease in dogs. Click here for details.
Important things you need to consider when it comes to how much to feed your Labrador Retriever
First off, there is no clear-cut definition as to how much you should feed your Labrador.
How much to feed your Labrador
While how much to feed your Lab is a question that has an open-ended answer. There are some metrics that we can base on. Note that these suggestions are applicable only for adult Labradors.
How much and how often to feed a Labrador puppy
The amount of food to feed a Lab puppy is considerably different. Their diets have to be curated specifically to assist them with growing properly and healthy.
How much to feed an overweight Labrador?
For an overweight Lab, you should definitely not feed them more than they can burn off in a day. You should check with your vet for a suggested diet plan if your Labrador is overweight.
How much to feed a senior Labrador?
Like an overweight Lab, there is no hard rule for how much you should feed a senior Lab.
How much raw food to feed a Labrador?
If you do decide to raw feed your Lab, a good basis to start with how much to feed them is around 2-3% of their body weight.
How much wet food to feed a Labrador?
Generally, feeding your Lab wet food will mean a greater quantity of food for the same amount of calories than kibble.
Choosing The Right Food to Feed Your Labrador
So, Which Dog Food Is Best?
When and How Much to Feed Your Labrador
Other Information For Feeding Your Labrador