What should you feed a Labrador?
Labrador dog food choices – dry kibble By far the majority of Labrador owners nowadays, feed their dogs on kibble. That is the dried pellets of dog food that you can buy in pet stores and online. All major pet food companies now supply a dried version of their brands.
What dog food is best for a lab?
The Best Dog Foods for LabradorsPurina Pro Plan Specialized Large Breed Canned Food. ... Nom Nom Turkey Fare. ... Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult Dog Food. ... Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult Dog Food. ... Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dog Food. ... Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dog Food.More items...
How much should you feed a Labrador?
For a 50-pound Lab feed 2-1/2 to 3 cups daily. For a 60-pound Lab feed 3 to 3-1/2 cups daily. For a 70-pound Lab feed 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups daily. For an 80-pound Lab feed 3-1/2 to 4 cups daily.
How often should I feed my Labrador?
For 'large breed' puppies, the advice is for under 3 months feed them 4 times each day, for 3 to 6 months old, feed them 3 times each day, and at 6 months and older you can feed them just twice each day.
Is chicken Good for Labradors?
Considering how many dog foods contain chicken as an ingredient, it's a safe bet that you can feed your dog chicken. In fact, it's a good source of protein, and cooked chicken can even be substituted for or added to his regular meal.
Are Labs always hungry?
A new study found Labrador retrievers are more likely than other breeds to beg for treats and generally be obsessed with food. That's because they have a specific gene mutation that sets them apart from the rest. It's the first of its kind that has been directly associated with canine obesity.
Can Labrador eat rice?
But can dogs eat rice? The answer is yes. You may not even realize it, but rice is an ingredient sometimes found in commercial dog foods. In fact, if you ask many pet owners what they feed their dog when he's sick, they'll likely tell you that white rice is a part of their pup's diet.
What vegetables can Labradors eat?
Dog-Friendly VegetablesKale. Benefits: Kale's key vitamins like K, A and Iron provide bone health, proper vision and immune function, fetal development and energy metabolism. ... Spinach. Benefits: Spinach contains potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B6, B9 and E. ... Carrots. ... Green Beans. ... Broccoli. ... Beets. ... Celery. ... Cucumber.More items...
How often should you bathe Labradors?
once every four to six weeksFor Labs who spend most of their time indoors, Little recommends bathing once every four to six weeks. Dogs who compete in conformation shows are bathed four to five days before they are shown.
Why is my Labrador so greedy?
Labrador dogs are well known for being fond of their food, but new research suggests their greedy nature could be down to genetic mutation.
How much exercise does a Labrador need?
A healthy, adult Labrador generally needs at least 80 minutes of high-quality exercise per day. Of course, it's important to tailor this to each individual dog – some more energetic dogs will need longer, and more relaxed dogs will be healthy and satisfied with a little less.
What do Labs like?
Labradors thrive in company and adore extra attention and playing games with their owners. If you're going to be away from your pet for a few hours, make sure to leave them stimulating dog toys and arrange for someone to check in with them.
Do Labs need grain free food?
As such, we recommend Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food for three main reasons: naming meat as a main ingredient, the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin to protect your Lab's joints, and the fruits and veggies to add much-needed vitamins and minerals. For Labradors, a healthy diet isn't difficult.
Should Labs have grain free food?
There are a lot of dog and cat foods sold as grain-free with marketing suggesting that feeding no grains is healthier. This is not true and can, in fact, cause illness for some dogs and cats. There is no medical or physiologic basis to feed dogs or cats a grain-free diet.
Is a Lab a large breed?
Labs are a large breed with lots of energy, so it's important to socialize and train Lab puppies from an early age.
How often should Labs be bathed?
once every four to six weeksFor Labs who spend most of their time indoors, Little recommends bathing once every four to six weeks. Dogs who compete in conformation shows are bathed four to five days before they are shown. “Labrador Retrievers shed twice a year in handfuls,” says Little.
How can I switch to a new food… without getting my Lab sick?
In Dr. Gary Richter’s video below… You’ll find a simple feeding tip that can help reduce your Lab’s risk of suffering from digestive upset...
Do Labs need to eat special dog food?
The answer depends on your dog’s age. Adult Labs can eat almost ANY quality dry or wet food. However, to lower your dog’s risk of permanent hip and...
What are the 3 feeding stages of a Lab’s life?
Since dog breeds mature at different rates , the feeding stages below can be used as a general guide to find the food that’s best suited for you...
When can I safely switch my Lab puppy to adult food?
Lab puppies don’t stop growing and aren’t ready to eat adult dog food… until they reach 15 to 24 months of age. 10 11 12 So, switching your pupp...
When is my Lab considered a senior?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association , larger breed dogs tend live shorter lives than smaller dogs… which is why they’re often...
What causes hip disease in Labrador retrievers?
Hip disease in Labs is caused by at least one of 3 factors : Genetics 13 Overfeeding 14 Too much calcium in the diet 15 Since there’s nothing yo...
How can I lower my Lab’s risk of hip disease?
There are 2 things you CAN do to help lower your dog’s risk of hip disease. First, don’t overfeed your puppy. Too many calories in the diet can...
How much food should I feed my Lab?
A landmark study found that dogs fed an amount of food that keeps them at ideal body condition lived almost 2 years longer … than other dogs. 16...
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.
What is the best food for a Labrador puppy?
This means that it includes natural sources of glucosamine, which is essential for joint development for Labrador Retriever puppies. It also contains good levels of protein, which is important for brain, heart, and muscle development, putting your puppy off to the right start. It is also intended to be easy to eat and digest.
How much should a 2 month old Labrador puppy weigh?
At 2 months, your Labrador Retriever puppy should weigh anywhere from 9 to 15 pounds. Any less than that and your puppy is going to need to eat more frequently in order to close the gap. Puppies that weigh more than that should also be watched for food to make sure they are not gaining weight excessively. The placement on the range of your puppy will depend on his natural size, sex, and how much he ate from his mother.
How much exercise should a lab puppy get?
The amount of exercise that your lab puppy needs will depend on his age. For example, a 3 month-old puppy needs about 15 minutes total exercise a day. You can work it out by calculating 5 minutes of exercise for every month of his age. A 6 month-old puppy would need about 30 minutes total exercise a day.
How much exercise should a 6 month old puppy get?
A 6 month-old puppy would need about 30 minutes total exercise a day. Since puppies burn a lot of energy normally, you do not need to exercise them much at all. It is not recommended that you take puppies under 3 months out for walks, because it exhausts them and is unnecessary.
What is the most popular dog breed?
According to the American Kennel Club, Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed of dogs to own. It makes sense, given their sweet disposition, playfulness, and their great love of fetch. But, like any family member, you need to care for them properly and you need to know how much to feed a lab puppy whether he or she is a 4 week old, ...
When should a Labrador puppy open his eyes?
At 2 weeks old, your Labrador puppy should be with his mother still, drinking her milk. Puppies normally open their eyes around two weeks, but are still entirely reliant upon their mothers. If you have a litter of labs yourself, watch for growth changes among the puppies.
How many meals should a 12 week old puppy eat?
It is still ideal to offer your 12 week old lab puppy 3 meals a day, which can be tricky if you are at work all day, but this is also a prime developmental period. Sticking to 3 meals a day will help with the digestive developmental process and ensure that your growing baby is getting the right nutrition.
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.
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.
Choosing The Right Food to Feed Your Labrador
- Puppies need less, more nutritious food more often. Their stomachs are still very small, and they are growing and developing full speed. This is the most important time to attend to your pet’s nutritionto ensure healthy growth and development. If you’re whipping up pet food at home, chec…
So, Which Dog Food Is Best?
When and How Much to Feed Your Labrador
Other Information For Feeding Your Labrador