The Best Food For Labrador Dogs (2019 Edition)

Are you the proud new owner of a fun, rambunctious labrador? If so, congratulations! I’m sure you’re looking for the best food for labrador dogs like yours, and don’t worry - I’ve got the information.

I know how important it is to feed your dog the best food, and I’m here today to share info about the best food for labrador dogs with you!

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**Below, you'll find more detailed reriews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon

Finding The Best Food For Labrador Dogs

best food for labrador

Labradors are a large, active breed, and you need to make sure you feed them the right diet so that they can live long, happy, healthy lives.

How Much To Feed: Calorie Requirements

Every food has a different calorie amount, but the number of calories that your lab needs doesn’t change. In general, you should feed your dog 30 calories worth of food per pound of body weight.

If your dog is a puppy, you should feed them 50 calories per pound. If you have a senior dog, you can lower this amount to 20 calories per pound.

If your lab is very active, you should increase this amount so that they are getting enough energy for each day.

Protein and Fat Amounts

best food for labrador

One of the most important things to consider when choosing the best food for a labrador is how much protein is in the food. Because labs are fairly active and they are a large breed, you will want to feed them a high level of protein.

Any dog food you choose for your lab should have at least 23% protein.

You will also want to make sure that your pet’s food has at least 5% fat. This is to help maintain the sheen on their coat. Labs shed a lot, so if you feed them any less than this, they may develop a dull or thin coat.

Counteract Obesity With Lean Proteins

Because labs are so motivated by food, it is very easy for them to overeat and to put on extra weight. One good way to avoid this is to choose a food that has a lean protein as the main protein.

Really, they’ll gobble up everything without hesitation, so you have to feed them right:

Lean proteins are more nutrient dense per calorie than other proteins, so your dog will feel full and be less lucky to be affected by obesity.

Whitefish, chicken breast, and lean ground beef are all sources of lean protein that your dog might benefit from eating.

Avoid Health Risks Through Their Diet

best food for labrador

Labs and other big, playful dogs are prone to arthritis and hip dysplasia. You can help prevent these conditions from early onset by choosing a food with at least 800mg of calcium.

Additionally, you should try to avoid grains altogether. While there isn’t yet scientific evidence to confirm that grains can lead to joint and bone problems, there is enough evidence pointing in that direction that I recommend choosing grain-free foods. There’s no harm, and non-grain sources of carbohydrates are generally healthier for dogs.

Summing it all up, here is what you should look for:

  • At least 23% protein
  • At least 5% fat
  • Grain-free carbohydrate source
  • High in calcium
  • Lean proteins, when possible

By following these simple guidelines, you’ll be able to choose the best food for you labrador.

But I know that is a big undertaking. So I’ve taken the time to gather up some info about the five best foods for labs. Hopefully, one of these foods will be the right fit for you and your dog!

Top 5 Best Food For Labrador Dogs

**Below, you'll find more detailed reriews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon

1. Wilderness Blue Buffalo Large Breed Salmon Grain Free High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food

Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food

Via Amazon.com

The Blue Wilderness Salmon Large Breed formula is a fantastic choice for labrador owners. This high-quality food is only made with the best ingredients, and it’s full of nutrients such as omega-6 fatty acids that will help your dog live a longer, happier life. Not only does it meet all basic requirements for a great food for labs, but it also does more!

Blue Wilderness is a reliable brand that makes some of the highest quality food. Your lab will love this food and the energy it gives them.

Pros

  • Grain-free
  • 32% protein minimum
  • 14% fat minimum
  • Shiny coats for labs
  • Gives dogs lots of energy
  • Good for dogs with sensitive stomachs
  • Can help clear up dry skin issues

Cons

  • Not great for all dogs with allergies; many ingredients
  • Some dogs cannot handle this much fat or protein, especially if they are not active
  • Can cause diarrhea if you overfeed them

2. CANIDAE Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Dry Dog Food

Via Amazon.com

Via Amazon.com

This food is made for all dogs, of all ages, and all sizes...and that makes it super convenient for pet owners! You might worry that this means the formula won’t be right for your lab, but that’s not the case at all. You can feed this food to your lab from the time they are a puppy until they are an adult, and they’ll get great nutrition from it. The food has great protein sources and good levels of all nutrients.

Pros

  • Good for all life stages and all breeds; can feed to all dogs!
  • 24% protein minimum
  • 14.5% fat minimum
  • Chicken, Turkey and Lamb Formula provides good sources of protein
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Calcium content not given on bag
  • Some dogs don’t like the taste or size of the kibble
  • Strong smelling farts

3. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Adult

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Adult dry dog food

Via Amazon.com

This food from Royal Canin is made specifically for dogs like yours….for Labrador Retrievers! If your pet is over 15 years old, this food has been formulated to meet their exact needs. With the right level of nutrients and supplements to support healthy bones, joints, and coat. The kibble size is also made specifically so that labs will enjoy eating it, so struggle with feeding time no more!

Pros

  • Supports bone and joint health with omega fatty acids
  • Supports a healthy skin and coat
  • 30% protein minimum
  • 15.5% fat minimum
  • Helps prevent allergic reactions that can cause skin problems

Cons

  • Price has been increasing over time
  • Has animal products
  • Contains corn meal

4. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Large Breed

Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Via Amazon.com

The large breed formula from the Wellness Core Grain-Free Formula is a great option for lab owners. This food is focused on providing high-quality, nutrient-dense protein for big dogs like yours so that they can grow strong while still having a lot of energy. The formula is made specific to help large dogs with hip dysplasia and other joint issues that can be painful for your dog and expensive for you.

Pros

  • Grain-free formula full of high-quality, non-filler carbohydrates
  • Glucosamine & chondroitin supplements bone & joint health
  • 34% protein
  • 12% fat
  • No less than 2.0% calcium

Cons

  • Some dogs don’t like it
  • Company has had quality control problems in the past
  • Gives some dogs smelly gas

5. Taste of the Wild, Bison & Venison Canine Formula

Taste of the Wild, Canine Formula

Via Amazon.com

The final food I’d like to introduce today is the Bison & Venison formula from Taste of the Wild. When most people think of Taste of the Wild food, they think about huge dogs like Mastiffs needing them. This food has a great level of fat in particular, which can help your dog shed less while having a shiny, beautiful coat. And who doesn’t want that for they precious pup?

Pros

  • Grain-free, formulated with sweet potatoes
  • Roasted, high-density meats as a source of protein
  • Quality, reputable brand
  • 32% protein minimum
  • 18% fat minimum - keeps coat shiny and healthy!

Cons

  • Contains canola oil as a source of fat
  • Contains peas and tomato pomace, two controversial ingredients
  • Can cause gassiness

Conclusion

best food for labrador

There you have it! Everything that you need to know about the best food for labrador dogs. You’re probably still wondering, however, which one is the best of the best.

And that would be the Blue Wilderness Salmon Large Breed formula. This grain-free, high-quality formula has the right levels of protein and fat without overdoing it, making it a great choice for all labs. It’s also formulated with proteins that are good for dogs with common protein allergies (such as chicken). If you’ve got a lab, try this food.

Do you have other advice on getting the right food? Let me know in the comments, and share this article with other labrador owners.

bella
 

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