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While Labrador Retrievers (Labs) are known to be some of the best family dogs, they are also known to become obese in their adult years.
This is one of the many reasons why it is important to find the best dog food for Labs that fits the nutritional needs of this breed.
As a practicing veterinarian, I have seen hundreds of Labrador Retrievers walk through the doors of my clinic seeking nutritional advice.
The Labrador Retriever is a large breed dog with a stocky body, floppy ears, a paddle-shaped tail, and webbed feet.
They excel at swimming, short-distance sprinting and retrieving. Labs live an average of 12 years.
These dogs tend to be highly energetic dogs throughout their lives and need daily exercise. Labrador Retrievers tend to have extremely large appetites.
They can easily become countersurfers, jumping on the kitchen counter for an unsupervised snack or munching on a discarded apple core on the sidewalk.
Today I am sharing my recommendations for the best Labrador dog food brands depending on what stage they are in in their lives.
I go into all the details below in this article.
Their healthy appetites can be a blessing and a curse.
Many Labs are not picky eaters, so they will usually enjoy whatever dog food you decide to feed them.
It is extremely important to talk to your vet about the best dog food for Labs that will meet all of their nutritional needs without adding unnecessary calories.
Labradors are one of the easiest breeds to overfeed.
I have met many who are bottomless pits and who will constantly beg for all the food you can give.
You should pay close attention to their calorie intake and make sure they eat healthy.
The best dog food for Labrador Retriever puppies
Always consult a veterinarian before switching your dog to a new diet. Remember that no article on the internet, not even this one, can replace a vet consultation.
Large breed puppies, such as Labs, are more susceptible to malnutrition and developmental orthopedic disorders compared to small breed puppies.
Many Lab owners have heard of these diseases: hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis (OCD), panosteitis, and hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD).
While there is a genetic component to these diseases, there are important nutritional risk factors that come into play during puppyhood.
These risk factors its rapid growth and excessive dietary calcium intake.
Even moderate overfeeding of Labrador retriever puppies and young adults can lead to overweight adults and a reduced lifespan.
It is important to feed them just enough of the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers that provides the perfect nutritional balance for their needs.
Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Breed Health Food Puppy
Specific puppy food for large breeds is an excellent safeguard to help prevent these problems.
When it comes to recommending the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers under 15 months old, I say pet parents should look Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Breed Health Food Puppy.
Royal Canin has done all the work for us in creating their Labrador retriever specific puppy food.
Labradors are a slower mature breed and it is recommended to feed this puppy food until 15 months of age.
The calorie content and mineral balance are optimal to prevent orthopedic developmental diseases.
Labradors are also notorious for not chewing their food properly. In the veterinary field we call it ‘vacuuming’.
This Royal Canin kibble has been specially developed for optimal digestion in dogs (ahem, Labs) that do not chew their food.
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy
I also recommend Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy.
Hill’s Science Diet has been a leader in pet nutrition since the early 1900s.
Their large breed puppy formula has been modified over the years, but it provides consistent quality food to promote healthy growth in Labrador Retrievers.
It is fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA, to promote healthy brain, joint and skin development.
All Hill’s Science Diet products are made in the USA from North American raw materials.
Ideal Balance Large Breed Puppy
If you’re interested in Hill’s Natural Line, they now have a Ideal Balance Large Breed Puppy food that also pairs well with the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers at this early stage of life.
This food is made from natural ingredients with added vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Brown rice is a great source of natural fiber in this diet, which aids in healthy digestion.
We all know that puppies tend to eat things they shouldn’t so they need all the digestive support they can get.
The best dog food for adult Labrador Retrievers
If you are looking for the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers over 15 months old or transitioning from puppy food to adult food, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian.
Your vet can help determine your Lab’s current Body Condition Score. With this in hand, you can decide which “maintenance” diet for adults is best.
Normal Body Condition Labrador Retrievers
A great place to start for an active, normal body weight/condition Lab is with Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Breed Health Nutrition Adult.
This adult formula is excellent for adults from 15 months to 7-8 years.
Royal Canin provides the right balance of nutrients to optimize a lean body for a lifetime.
As with the Royal Canin Labrador puppy food, this food also has the optimal shape for digestibility. Labs never grow out of their “Hoover stage”, it seems!
Very active/hunting Labrador Retrievers
Is Your Lab a Competitive Dock Dive or Active Hunter?
She may need more calories than your average house dog.
In this case I recommend Native Performance dog food.
If your Labrador is training hard, this is the food for her. Native offers different nutritional levels, from Level 1 “off-season, low activity” food to Level 4 for dogs that are intensely active for 4-5 hours a day.
Low-Active/Couch Potato Labrador Retrievers
Many adult Labradors out there easily become overweight or obese.
As Labs get older, they can lose a bit of their grit and lead more sedentary lives.
I often have to make recommendations for the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers in this category.
It’s important to talk to your vet if your lab is overweight or has a concurrent health condition, like atopy, which causes allergic itchy skin. Some foods can address multiple issues.
In general I reach for Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolism and Mobility when Labradors get a little overweight and their owners have come to me for help.
This diet is prescription only, but it works beautifully in middle-aged Labs who can’t seem to shed the pounds.
Over time, being overweight can predispose Labs to arthritis, so the mobility component will help keep their joints in top shape.
The Best Dog Food for Labs Seniors
Labrador Retrievers are considered “senior” or “geriatric” around 8 years of age.
As they age, their nutritional needs also change. Joints begin to hurt and mental function may begin to decline.
Active ingredients in my top picks for the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers in their golden years will help your Lab stay strong for as long as possible.
For senior Labs I recommend: Eukanuba Lamb and Rice Senior Maintenance.
Eukanuba is another premium dog food manufacturer with an excellent track record of quality products and high quality control standards.
This food is distinguished by its high antioxidant content, which can help support proper cell function in aging dogs. It has also been proven to reduce the build-up of tartar on the teeth by 46%.
READ NEXT: 10 Vet Recommended Dog Food Brands That Are Not Expensive
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