The 7 Best Dog Food for Labs [2019]

Like a lot of dog breeds, owners spend time researching to pick the best dog food for Labs. This is because labs are prone to gaining weight and having extra weight makes it difficult to shed. Labs are high-energy breeds, and so they need a proper diet of fat as a source of energy.

Puppies don’t eat adult formula because they do not need extra fat found in puppy formulas. It can make them grow faster than their skeletons resulting in skeletal disorders.

You should feed puppy food to puppies and feed adult food to adult dogs. They are both designed with different goals in mind. Source: k9ofmine.com

These dogs do not also need supplements with their diet. But when they are prone to obesity, chondroitin and glucosamine can come in handy to prevent joint damage. Be sure to include fatty acids in their diet for a shiny coat. Add probiotics for healthy gut bacteria.

Top foods for Labrador Retriever

Dog Food	Image	Price	Our Rated
1. Wellness CORE Natural		$$$		View on Amazon
2. BLUE Wilderness High Protein		$$		View on Amazon
3. Taste of the Wild		$$		View on Amazon
4. Orijen Original Dry Dog Food		$$$		View on Amazon
5. Fromm Family Foods		$$		View on Amazon
6. Eagle Pack Natural		$		View on Amazon
7. BLUE Wilderness		$$$		View on Amazon

Top Rated Good Dog Food for Labs

1. Best Dry Food: Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free

[img_products img_code=”81OyvDZQilL” alt=”Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food” code=”B000VTTAMY” reviews=”View on Amazon”]

This dog food is a grain-free dog kibble. It contains about 34% protein that supports your high-energy lab. This tasty kibble is also suitable for active working dogs. Its high-quality proteins are derived from low-fat chicken and turkey.

It is also ideal for dogs that don’t suffer from allergies. It has about 15% fat that is necessary for a large dog breed that’s prone to being overweight. Dogs on a diet may also benefit from this product. The formula contains omega 6 and 3 that help promote a healthy skin as well as a shiny coat. It also protects their heart.

The grain-free food contains high-quality fiber sources like broccoli and potatoes. These ingredients help your lab feel fuller for a long time and regulate their bowel movements. Also, fiber is relatively important when it comes to weight control. Along with the fiber content, it also has probiotics for healthy digestion.

The formula also contains antioxidants that promote a healthy and strong immune system. Its glucosamine content helps support healthy joints as well.

2. Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food

[img_products img_code=”71YuPRFvcBL” alt=”BLUE Wilderness Adult Grain Free Chicken Dry Dog Food” code=”B002ZNW346″ reviews=”View on Amazon”]

This dog food has been recommended for labs with sensitive stomachs. It is an inexpensive dry dog kibble. Wilderness Blue dog food is high in protein and free of poultry or chicken by-products.

It will help your lab stay energetic and active without having to worry about the indigestible parts found in poultry. Chicken meal and low-fat salmon helps labs develop long, lean muscles. It also maintains their muscles.

The dry dog food is low in fat sliding. It has only 15% fat content, and this is suitable for labs with weight problems. It also contains the essential fatty acids needed to maintain a moisturized skin and healthy coat.

The formula is not made with corn, wheat, or soy products. It also doesn’t contain any preservatives, flavors or artificial colors.

Its LifeSource bits are processed with a cold press that doesn’t subject its essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants to the heat. This way, it remains potent and offers all the minerals, vitamins and antioxidants for proper immune system function.

It contains phosphorous and calcium that help keep your dog’s teeth and bones healthy. The glucosamine content helps the dog maintain his bones as time passes.

3. Best Puppy food: Taste of the Wild, Canine Formula

[img_products img_code=”91918Qv-fEL” alt=”Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain Free” code=”B000W5SLB8″ reviews=”View on Amazon”]

This product is considered among the best organic dog food for labs. It is delicious, inexpensive and healthy. It was made to mimic the natural feeding pattern of a canine in the wild. It is grain-free and has different exciting flavors for picky dogs.

The formula has real roasted meats to provide protein with moderated fats of 18%. These ingredients are vital for a balanced meal. It is made with high-quality fiber sources like peas and sweet potatoes and is quite easy to digest.

These ingredients provide slow-burning, long-lasting energy and keep the dog healthy while supporting gut health.

It also has naturally occurring pro and pre-biotics that help keep your pet healthy. The formula is also suitable for puppies with sensitive stomachs.

This canine formula has been enriched with the essential fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3. This component keeps your lab’s coat sleek while keeping the skin healthy. It also protects and maintains your dog’s heart health.

It contains antioxidants such as raspberries and blueberries. These ingredients keep your lab’s immune system in great shape.

4. Orijen Adult Dog Food

[img_products img_code=”81z1lXi0KyL” alt=”Orijen Original Dry Dog Food” code=”B01I3JW7PK” reviews=”View on Amazon”]

If you prefer a diet that mimics the raw food diet, this may be the best for labs with shedding/dry skin. The premium dog kibble contains high protein as well as 85% meat. This helps mimic the natural raw food that a carnivorous canine would enjoy in the wild.

Its 38-44% protein content helps your lab to sustain its energy level all through the day. However, you must feed this product to an adult lab. This is to prevent overgrowing by the puppy, which will damage his skeleton. It is more suitable for adult labs.

Aside from being a high protein dog food, the 2/3 types of meat are raw or fresh. This implies that your pet can absorb the nutrients and vitamins faster as it should be. What is left of the 1/3 meat ingredient is air-dried. All meat products contained in this formula are suitable for human consumption as well.

5. Fromm Family Foods 33 lb. Gold Nutritionals Dog Food

[img_products img_code=”61gfyBo2JAL” alt=”Fromm Family Foods” code=”B000WFQ64C” reviews=”View on Amazon”]

This adult dry kibble is suitable for labs with skin issues (source). It is formulated for large size dogs such as labs that are over 50 lb. It has enough fat and protein content of 12% and 23% respectively.

This blend of fat and protein helps support your lab’s energy level and also promote weight maintenance for your lab.

The protein content is gotten from various low-fat sources like chicken, turkey, eggs, and duck. This may not be suitable for labs with poultry allergies. It also contains salmon oil and probiotics that help your lab in digestion as well as maintenance of optimal gut health.

This ingredient provides essential fatty acids that help your lab to maintain a healthy skin and coat. It also protects the lab’s heart.

Other quality sources of fiber like barley, flaxseed and brown rice help fill up your lab all through the day. They also help maintain healthy energy levels.

6. Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food

[img_products img_code=”81eul647tfL” alt=”Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food” code=”B00K0E8YH2″ reviews=”View on Amazon”]

This natural dry dog food is specially formulated for large breeds such as labs. It is a suitable diet dog food for labs. It offers a dual source of protein with lamb and chicken as well as DHA to promote eye and brain growth.

Its phosphorus and calcium content allows your lab’s bone structure to form without any complications. This also applies to female labs during pregnancy to prevent eclampsia.

It is recommended for labs with ear infections. It does not contain meat by-products, artificial flavors, preservatives or colors. Aside from the macronutrients it provides, the dry dog food provides optimum quantities of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and trace elements.

It is more suitable for lab puppies as they need a perfect balance of micro nutrients to help strengthen their immune systems.

This formula is ideal for labs with poultry allergies. It helps maintain their coats and keep their skin healthy.

7. BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food

[img_products img_code=”81ENIf3oYgL” alt=”BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe” code=”B00CNTBDRA” reviews=”View on Amazon”]

Blue Wilderness dog food has been recommended for active dogs. It is a tasty kibble for labs that was specially made to provide for your lab’s natural taste.

The recipe is formulated to give your lab a close-to-natural diet. It is made with a protein-rich formula, and it contains meat like lamb, deboned beef, bison as well as venison.

The formula was made with gluten-free grains. It has no trace of soy, wheat or corn. It is a unique hypoallergenic formula, and this makes it ideal for pets with a sensitive stomach.

You can be sure that your lab won’t have gastrointestinal disturbances. It gives your lab enough energy all through the day. It also helps promote a shinier coat.

It is made with a salmon formula that helps your lab fix their coat and skin problems. It achieves this by providing a fatty acid rich meal.

Labrador Dog Food Advice

Regardless of what a lot of people say, the nutritional needs of different dog breeds vary. This is because larger dogs often require more food than the smaller ones. However, labs need the same percentage of fat, protein, and carbohydrate in their diets like a Great Dane or Chihuahua.

Every dog needs food with some protein. However, it must be from good quality sources like fish, chicken or lamb. Labs are high-energy breeds, and if they must keep up, they need food that is rich in protein.

One important thing you must note when it concerns the diet of your lab is the high risk of becoming obese. All dogs are prone to obesity, but the lab is particularly prone. It can be difficult to feed labs properly as they can easily be overfed. You must exercise caution in this regard.

There are lots of overweight labs because owners still haven’t gotten the routine right. There must be some sort of food-exercise balance. It is crucial to monitor your Labrador’s weight closely. Where necessary, adjust the portion sizes and include more exercise in your routine.

Before choosing food for your labs, you should find out if your lab has a sensitive stomach.

If your dog has a history of gastrointestinal problems or a sensitive stomach, it is safer to find foods that are allergy friendly. Such hypoallergenic foods are free from the common allergens like soy and gluten. They may also be easier on the lab’s stomach.

When you find a suitable food for your lab, it is better to stick to it. How can you determine if your lab needs a particular food? The coat will become more glossy, and they will have well-formed stools. They are also always energetic and maintain a healthy weight.

How much to Feed a Labrador?

Feeding your lab can be done in two different ways, and lots of lab owners use these methods. You can feed your lab twice a day all through his life or feed him once daily after he passes the 12 months mark.

Large meals can make your lab bigger than necessary, so be sure to check the portion. It is better to feed the lab once in the morning and again in the evening.

Most kibble packets contain the recommended quantity of food needed. This quantity varies from brand to brand. For labs that are already overweight, feed them 1/3 less than the recommended amount.

Your lab may need fewer kibbles than you think. If you have other concerns about his weight, read more about the measures to take to help your lab maintain optimal weight.

The amount you feed your pet Labrador will depend on the size, age and the amount of exercise the dog gets. Via cuteness.com

How much to Feed a Lab puppy?

Your lab puppies can easily be overfed. Divide the food into several portions before feeding. If you give the puppy a full day’s ration at a go, the puppy will eat it all. But this may cause diarrhea and also damage his stomach because kibbles swell after they are consumed.

The Dog Breed Info Center’s basic feeding guide recommends using an 8-ounce cup to measure out food. Via pets.thenest.com

When your lab puppy is eight to twelve weeks old, he’ll benefit from eating four meals during the day. It should include breakfast, lunch, and tea before supper. Try to space these meals properly by at least three hours. This will give the pups a chance to digest the food.

Also, ensure that Supper comes two hours before the puppy’s last trip to the bathroom during bedtime. When your lab pup is three months old, you can then divide this daily ration into about three portions. When he’s six months old, cut it to two. Just breakfast and supper.

Conclusion

Feeding your lab doesn’t have to follow a one size fits all approach. This HD because the needs of all labs are different. Some are overweight and need less food, while others are allergic to certain ingredients. So you need to do what is right for the dog and his health.

Our recommended dog food from this list is the Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food. This is because it contains a decent amount of protein that your lab needs for optimal growth. It doesn’t contain any artificial compounds like soy or color. It is also very affordable.

When your lab thrives on a particular kibble, continue with the diet. Monitor your pet to see if the food is ideal. If it is not, discontinue it immediately. You can seek the recommendation of a veterinarian for the best food for labs as well. Be sure to pick one that is suitable for your pet and keeps them healthy.