Nutritional Needs for Labrador Retrievers – How to Feed a Labrador Dog

The Complete Guide to Feeding a Labrador 

 

We are going to walk you through the process of creating a food schedule for your Labrador in this article.

This includes selecting the appropriate food for them, knowing when to feed them, and determining how much to provide in order to maintain their optimal level of happiness and health.

The question of what a Labrador should eat is not as easy to answer as one might believe it to be. The diet that is ideal for one Labrador may not be ideal for another Labrador of the same breed.

However, you will need to select one that is low in carbohydrates while also being high in fat and protein content.

The amount of food that a Labrador should be given to eat is another important consideration. This will vary from dog to dog, as well as depending on the type of food you choose to feed your dog.

 

Planning Your Labrador Diet

There is such a wide variety of brands of food that can be purchased for your Labrador! And there is such a wide range of perspectives regarding dog food in general. Not to mention the available alternatives to foods purchased in stores.

However, in order to be of assistance to you, we have compiled this Labrador feeding guide. Because providing food for your dog is such a broad subject, we have included navigation links to the information that you want below.

 

Basic things you need know before thinking of feeding a Labrador.

• Dry food – kibble
• Raw food – barf
• Choosing a dog food brand
• How often to feed a Lab
• How much to feed a Lab
• Fast eaters
• Feeding scraps
• Feeding problems

I am going to assist you in selecting an appropriate diet for your canine companion and respond to any questions or concerns you may have regarding the proper way to eat a Labrador Retriever.

Visit our article on feeding puppies if your Labrador puppy is less than six months old; it has in-depth advice on how to provide proper nutrition for your Labrador puppy. This contains the amount of food that should be given to a Lab puppy.

 

Labrador Feeding Guide

The amount of food that you give your Lab should change depending not only on his age but also on the kind of food that you provide him. The following are the recommended serving sizes for the Eukanuba Adult Breed Lamb and Rice food:

• 40 – 45 pound Lab, feed: 205 – 230 grams per day
• 50 – 55 pound Lab, feed: 240 – 265 grams per day
• 60 – 65 pound Lab, feed: 270 – 300 grams per day
• 70 – 75 pound Lab, feed: 300 – 335 grams per day
• 80 – 85 pound Lab, feed: 330 – 365 grams per day
• 90 – 95 pound Lab, feed: 355 – 395 grams per day

 

However, these portion amounts are only applicable to dry kibble, as they will change depending on the type of food that you use!

Continue reading to learn how much food your Lab requires if he isn’t eating kibble, as well as when you should be feeding him.

 

What is the best food for feeding Labrador retrievers?

The vast majority of specialists are in agreement that the optimal diet for a dog is one that allows him to maintain exceptional health at a cost that is affordable. They are also of the opinion that in order to keep a dog in outstanding shape, he needs to be provided a diet that is considered to be “balanced.”

Unfortuitously, this is pretty much where the consensus peters out. In addition, it is not always easy to determine which diet is ideal for Labrador Retrievers.

 

There is a various range of options available in feeding your dog

Even amongst professionals, there is debate as to which manner of feeding is the healthiest, what factors contribute to a diet being considered balanced, how simple it is to provide a dog with a diet that is considered balanced, and which kibble brand is the most beneficial.

Therefore, I’ll help you sort through all of the information and decide what’s going to be most beneficial for you, your dog, and your family as a whole.

You won’t leave this page without knowing everything there is to know about what to feed a Labrador.

First, we are going to examine the various ways that feeding can be done. Then, for those of you who will be feeding your dogs on dry commercial foods, which makes up the majority of you, we’ll discuss how to choose a brand of dog food and how much food your Labrador needs to eat each day.

In addition to that, all of your other questions pertaining to feeding will be answered as we proceed.

 

There are a variety of approaches to feeding a Labrador Retriever.

There are now two very distinct methods of feeding a dog, both of which are common practices among many owners of Labrador retrievers.

1. Feeding your dog with Dry kibble
2. Feeding your dog with Raw meat and bones or BARF

 

The question is, what kind of food is best for Labrador Retrievers?

Both breast feeding and bottle feeding have proponents and detractors in their respective communities.

There was a time when the majority of dogs were given canned food that also contained a biscuit mixer. These days, only a minority of dog owners continue practice feeding their pets in this manner.

 

Where do we stand with BARF?

At one time, feeding your pet raw food, also known as the BARF diet (which you are certainly familiar with), was regarded as an unbalanced and radical trend. But as more people have become interested in raw feeding for their dogs and as more dogs are fed in this manner, it is becoming increasingly obvious that they are also thriving.

Currently, kibble is provided to the vast majority of dogs, whereas raw meat is consumed by a sizeable but rapidly expanding minority of canines.

These are the two types of diets that will be the primary focus of this discussion. To begin, let’s talk about kibble.

 

Kibble is one of the meal options for Labrador retrievers.

Kibble is the primary source of nutrition for the majority of canine pets in modern households, including Labradors. This refers to the dry pellets of dog food that may be purchased in pet stores as well as on the internet.

The majority of the major pet food manufacturers now provide dried varieties of their brands.

There is an overwhelming amount of selection available in grocery stores and pet specialty shops all around the world. This particular selection is what causes a lot of first-time dog owners of Labradors to feel overwhelmed.

 

What and how to feed a Labrador?

 

 

Is kibble healthy for dogs?

Cans of meat were virtually the only source of nutrition for canines until very recently (within the last couple of decades).

Those of you who are “over 50” probably have fond memories of the rows of Pedigree Chum that used to line the shelves of supermarkets when you were younger. These are becoming a lot less common these days.

There is a great deal of conjecture about the impact, if any, that the switch from wet to dry food has had, if any, on the health of canines.

One canine issue that appears to be on the rise ever since the invention of kibble is the phenomenon known as “allergies.” It would appear that more Labradors are developing allergic reactions as time goes on.

However, in spite of this, and in spite of some of the more outlandish assertions that are made by raw feeding aficionados, it would appear that the majority of Labradors are content eating kibble.

In addition to that, it is a really practical approach to feeding your dog. Is this the kind of food that Labrador Retrievers thrive on the most?

 

More on feeding your dog with kibble’s 

The fact that a bag may be opened and food immediately poured into a bowl for a dog is mostly beneficial from a practical standpoint.

These days, occupied contemporary households are under a lot of time pressure. Therefore, ease of access is a significant consideration.

 

Dog Food Storage

Kibble is not only easy to transport, but it also maintains its quality even after being opened. As long as it is kept in a cool, dry environment and enclosed in a suitable container, it should be fine.

It is not necessary to refrigerate or freeze it, and it does not have a particularly pungent odor. The majority of canines in today’s society are educated using food rewards. Kibble has the additional benefit of being able to serve as convenient and portable training rewards.

 

The disadvantages associated with feeding your dog with kibble

Kibble itself doesn’t smell too awful. However, the waste produced by a dog that eats kibble has an extremely terrible odor. This is due, in part, to the fact that kibble is loaded with various “fillers.” These are additional bulking agents that are not completely digested and are expelled from the body of the dog in their unmetabolized state.

 

How to give food to a Labrador Retriever

Because of these additives, dogs that are fed kibble create significantly more feces, and those feces have a significantly stronger odor, than dogs that are fed raw meat and bones.

There is a possibility that dental brushing is required everyday for kibble-fed dogs as well. Dogs that are predisposed to the condition and are fed a diet consisting primarily of dry food have a somewhat greater risk of developing bloat.

Dogs that are fed kibble may also be more likely to chew on their own feces (yes, this is a regular Labrador habit), as opposed to dogs that are provided raw food.

In a moment, we’ll take a look at the optimal method for providing your dog with kibble as food. But before we get into that, let’s take a brief look at what exactly is meant by the term “raw feeding.”

 

Can I feed my dog uncooked meat?

In the past ten years, there has been a rise in popularity for raw meat and bone diets, which adhere more closely to nature.

There is a growing school of thought that suggests feeding Labrador Retrievers and many other types of dogs raw meat is the optimal diet for them. This is the case despite the fact that there are websites that issue serious warnings about the risks of allowing dogs to consume bones.

Unfortunately, it appears that raw feeding does attract a few people who have extremist views. In addition, it might be challenging to locate discussions about the benefits and drawbacks of raw feeding that are neutral and unbiased on the internet.

 

Advantages and disadvantages of feeding raw meat to your dog

 

The question of raw feeding is rather a significant one. It is both difficult and easy to understand. Complicated because we have a tendency to be concerned about the amount of various nutrients that our dogs are receiving. And there is no indication of the components anywhere on the meaty bone. But the fact of the matter is that we don’t require that.

Raw feeding is not as convenient as kibble feeding since it takes a lot of freezer and fridge space, a specialized preparation area, and proper sanitation when preparing meat.

Kibble feeding is far more common. (In the same vein as the preparation of meat for people).

Small puppies grow quickly and are more susceptible to the effects of diets that do not provide an adequate balance of nutrients.

Before you start feeding a young dog raw food, it is critical that you do some study on the topic first.

 

Feeding Your Labrador

Raw feeding has a number of well-documented advantages, the most important of which are improved dental health (thanks to teeth that clean themselves), reduced stool volume that is virtually odorless, and, most importantly for dogs that suffer from food allergies, a diet that does not include grains.

The consumption of raw food is another source of immense joy for canines. The kind of pleasure that is difficult to put a number on, but you’ll recognize it when you see it!

 

Young Puppies that are fed raw food

Feeding extremely young dogs raw food is not something that I would advocate to families. This is due to the fact that dogs that eat raw food tend to be dirty.

In this situation, it is difficult to keep raw meat that may contain germs away from your puppies.

The most essential thing to take away from this is the idea that there is no one correct method to feed a dog. There is no one “optimal technique” to ensure a healthy diet for your furry friend.

 

The importance of selecting the appropriate mode of feeding

When you are learning how to feed a Labrador, you will come to the realization that there is more to feeding a dog than simply the food that is placed in its bowl.

Your family in its entirety needs to be taken into consideration. Your way of life and the conditions you are in right now should be taken into consideration while selecting a technique of feeding.

See Also: Petlibro Automatic Pet Feeder 

For a good number of years, I gave my dogs raw meat. When my children were younger, though, I was unable to do this and I just did not have the time to do it.

In today’s day and age, I will occasionally provide kibble if the situation calls for it. But whenever it’s possible, I always go for raw feeding.

Keep in mind that some dogs do well on kibble, while other dogs do well on raw food. It’s possible that your personal situation will affect which dog food is most suited for Labrador retrievers.

 

Choosing the right diet for your Labrador Retriever. 

 

Don’t be a slave to your dogs, they are just there to help.

• If you have a small puppy you may be happier feeding it with kibble.
• With puppies under five, it may be safer for you to feed them kibble
• If your dog has a close relative that has suffered from bloat, he may be safer eating raw
• If your dog suffers from allergies, he might do better on raw

Now may be the right time to feed raw for you, or it may be the right time to feed kibble.

Your circumstances are unique so only you can decide. For those of you (the majority) that will be feeding kibble.

Let’s look at a few more concerns

 

Feeding Your Labrador – choosing a food brand

There are many different brands of dried food to choose from now in most countries around the world where dog ownership is popular.

Choosing the lowest price Labrador food may not necessarily be the cheapest option. As very often, you will need to feed larger quantities of the cheaper food.

 

Biologically appropriate kibble?

It is usually a reasonable option to choose a mid-range (in terms of cost) food and see how your dog gets on with that.

If your wallet can stretch to it, we especially like the Orijen brand. This is perhaps the closest thing to biologically appropriate food that you’ll find in a kibble.

 

How often should you give your Labrador food?

There are a lot of people who continue to feed their dogs twice a day even after they have passed away. After they reach the age of one year, some individuals only give their dogs one meal every day.

The amount of food that should be given to a Lab puppy will vary. Continue reading since the following paragraph will cover this topic.

We are aware that a correlation exists between bloat and the consumption of huge meals. Despite the fact that this might only apply to kibble If you choose to feed raw meat, you can generally get away with feeding it once each day.

On the other hand, one serving of kibble can be too much of a dry diet at once. It is best to give your adult dog food twice a day, in the morning and the evening.

 

How frequently should I feed my puppies?

Your Labrador puppy needs to consume a certain amount of food every day, and this total amount needs to be broken up into many servings.

If you give your puppy his entire daily ration all at once, he will most likely give it his best effort, but he may not be able to finish it.

However, this will almost surely give him diarrhea and has the potential to injure his stomach because drinking causes kibble to expand.

Between the ages of eight and twelve weeks, it is best to feed your puppy four times per day. The meal consists of breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner.

At a minimum of 3-hours apart, the meals should be spaced so that he has time to thoroughly digest each one.

In addition, the final meal should be had at least two to three hours before his final trip to the bathroom before bedtime.

When your puppy is three months old, you can divide his daily ration into three portions, and when he is six months old, you can divide it into two portions. The morning meal and the evening meal

 

How much food should a Labrador retriever receive?

You can find recommended serving sizes printed on the container of kibble, and these will differ significantly from one brand to the next.

In addition to that, they are frequently on the high side. If you notice that your dog is carrying a little extra weight, try feeding him about a third less than the amount that is recommended for a few days, and then evaluate how he looks. It’s possible that your dog has a lower caloric requirement than you thought.

 

How much time should pass before a dog has finished his supper?

There are others who allow their dogs to “graze” on food that they have left out for them. It’s best for me if my dogs gobble up their food somewhat rapidly.

If they know they can return to their meal at a later time, certain dogs are more inclined to exhibit a “picky” eating behavior.

If after ten minutes he hasn’t eaten what’s in the bowl, you should remove it from him in the event that he hasn’t finished eating.

If he hasn’t eaten everything, then he won’t put himself in any danger. In addition to this, if he is slightly hungry before the next meal, he will eat with much greater vigor at that meal.

 

How to gradually feed a Labrador Retriever

A issue that occurs considerably more frequently in Labradors is the canine who devours his meal in a flash and then looks at its owner with begging eyes when it wants more.

There is a correlation between vomiting after eating too quickly and bloat, so if you can get your dog to eat a bit more slowly, it is definitely for the best. Utilizing a dish for slow feeding is the most effective method for accomplishing this goal.

 

Dogs being fed table scraps and other leftovers from the household.

A lot of folks may throw in some leftovers from the kitchen or the bathroom for their dog to eat. In principle, there is a possibility that this will cause his diet to become “unbalanced.”

In actuality, the vast majority of adult dogs won’t be harmed in any way even if they occasionally get some “extras” in their bowl. Providing there is nothing in there that would be considered inappropriate.

Make sure that your leftovers do not contain any common human foods that are poisonous to dogs, such as sugar, onions, boiled bones, or any other foods.

In addition, in order to maintain a balanced diet for your dog, you should aim to limit the amount of leftovers that they consume to no more than ten percent of their meal. This is true even if the leftovers are primarily composed of meat.

 

Can I feed leftover food to my puppies?

In order for them to mature into robust and healthy adults, puppies require a diet that is extremely well balanced. It is not a good idea to feed your puppy table scraps unless you are a very experienced dog owner and knowledgeable about nutrition and the nutritional demands of a growing animal.

If you are not familiar with nutrition and the requirements of a growing animal’s diet, it is not a smart idea.

We have already looked at how much food should be given to a Labrador Retriever puppy. In addition, complete puppy feeds provide all of the nutrients that are necessary for the physical development of your new puppy.

 

Equipment for feeding dogs and places to store it

There is a plethora of options available in terms of feeding bowls. You should probably check to see that the bowls you pick can be cleaned in the dishwasher and are not fragile before you buy them.

Bowls made of plastic can be purchased at a low cost and in a variety of colors. However, they are prone to scuffing easily and develop a “sad” appearance after being cleaned in the dishwasher on multiple occasions.

I like stainless steel. However, I must mention that it makes a lot of noise when being handled or used. And it does not have the same level of aesthetic appeal as some of the ceramic products. Because raised bowls have been linked to bloat in certain research, you should give serious consideration to purchasing one before you go shopping.

 

Storing dog food

Kibble is a source of food that is, for the most part, very handy. However, in order to avoid paying excessive rates, you will have to purchase enormous sacks, which are cumbersome to work with and challenging to reseal.

A container that does not let air in is the best option for preserving the quality of the food within.

We appreciate the wheeled pet food storage bins because they make it easy to move large quantities of food without straining your back. These bins are a great investment.

This variant is more compact and may easily be stored in a cupboard. Consider giving it some thought, particularly if you need to provide food for more than one canine companion. In addition to that, there are now some stunning storage containers available that beg to be put on display. This page contains some suggestions made specifically for you by our team!

 

Feeding Labrador puppies

When you brought your new puppy home for the first time, the breeder ought to have given you a diet sheet, some food, and a lot of advice about how to feed Labrador puppies.

It is of the utmost significance to provide him with the meals he is used to eating for the first few days.

A move to a new house is already stressful for an eight-week-old puppy; there’s no need to add to that by upsetting his stomach.

If you have not been provided any food or any information on how to feed a puppy, then I propose that you visit your local pet store and get a small sack of (kibble) puppy food that is appropriate for his breed and age. This can be done by calling the store ahead of time and placing an order.

Carefully read the information that is printed on the bag since there are many different variations of each “brand,” and only one of those variations is appropriate for your new puppy.

 

Should you give your Lab milk from cows or other animals?

The feeding of cow’s milk to a young Labrador puppy is a mistake that many first-time owners of Labrador puppies make.

Unfortunately, cow’s milk is not a good choice for pups and feeding it to your canine companion could cause diarrhea.

Replacement dog milk is available for purchase, but a puppy of eight weeks of age is considered weaned and does not require any milk at all.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having purchased a puppy that is less than seven weeks old and therefore still dependent on its mother, you should call your local veterinarian for guidance on how to properly care for the puppy and feed it.

Also, make sure you get the puppy checked out as soon as possible. Adult dogs don’t need milk. Many adult Labradors, just like many adult people, find that drinking milk as a treat to be quite enjoyable, and some even tolerate it quite well.

On the other hand, milk can cause some people to experience unpleasant side effects such as nausea or even diarrhea after consumption.

The effects of milk on your dog can only be determined by you. If you are unsure, it is best to talk to your vet or just forego it.

 

Giving water to your Labrador

It is important to have fresh water available at all times of the day for both younger puppies and older dogs.

It is perfectly acceptable to remove your puppy’s access to water one hour before to sleep in order to facilitate housetraining. Assuming that it has been at least an hour since he had his previous meal.

Dogs that are fed kibble use a significant amount of water, whereas raw-fed dogs may consume relatively little water. This is to be expected.

 

When feeding problems occurs, You need veterinary help

When you take your puppy to the veterinarian for his immunizations, he will also need routine veterinary checkups, which are necessary for all puppies. Now would be a good opportunity to ask any questions you might have regarding his food or his general well-being in general.

 

Do weather affect Dog Feeding?

In really hot weather, it’s possible that all dogs will eat less. But if a dog’s appetite shifts, especially if it happens all of a sudden, this may be an indication that they are not feeling well.

Do not assume that old age is the only explanation if you find that your Labrador no longer enjoys eating his favorite food. Before you decide on anything hastily, it is imperative that you take your pet to the veterinarian first.

As a result, we hope that our guide to feeding Labradors has demonstrated that there is no clear-cut answer to the question of what is the best dog food for Labs.

Despite the fact that there is a wealth of information as well as a variety of perspectives regarding how to feed a Labrador.

Determine which method of feeding will work best for your family and go with that. If you are going to feed kibble, you should steer clear of the very affordable options. Find brands that are high in meat and low in grain fillers and see if you can buy those.

Keep in mind that maintaining a healthy weight for your Lab is the single most important thing you can do for him. Be careful not to let your dog consume an excessive amount of food.

 

Overview of feeding a Labrador

 

Do you now have a better understanding of how to properly feed a Labrador?

Understanding the basics in dog feeding

• Feeding your Labrador puppy
• Feeding an overweight Lab
• Allergies in dogs
• Bloat
• Dog bowls
• Toxic food to dogs
• How much water do dogs drink?

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