What is the Best Dog Food for Labs?

So you just bought a beautiful Labrador puppy or a full grown lab, and now you are scratching your head on what kind of food to feed it. Worry not, we’ve got you covered. We love labs and sharing!

Labradors are an active breed. Their sweet nature, high level of intelligence, and adorable looks explain why this dog breed is so popular.

In fact, the Labrador Retriever has held on to the number one spot on the most popular dog breed in the US for twenty-six consecutive years, according to AKC registration statistics. They are truly America’s favorite dog.

But, with over one hundred different types of dog foods in the US market alone, deciding on what’s the best dog food for Labs might be a daunting task. But you want the best for your dogs, so you’ll want to feed them only the best food.

Every dog breed is unique, so you have to tailor the food you give your dog to its specific breed.

Labrador Retrievers, for example, have very specific nutritional needs to keep them healthy and active. You may need to alter your food choices based on your dog’s activity level.

Since Labradors are high energy breeds, your dog could benefit a lot from food that is rich in proteins.

In this post, we are going to enlighten you on the most important nutritional requirements for Labs.

Feeding your new Lab

Once you bring your new dog into your family, it’s advisable not to introduce him to his new food immediately.

The change of environment is odd enough for him, so adding a new diet into that equation might make things more complicated for everyone involved.

The best thing to do is to ask the breeder what type of food the dog has been eating and stick to it for a while.

Once your new best friend is settled, you can switch to the dog food of your choice.

General nutritional recommendations for Labrador Retrievers

If you are in the market for the best dog food for Labs, consider foods that are rich in proteins.

All dogs, Labradors included, require a decent food with plenty of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Protein is the most important nutritional recommendation for Labs. They need plenty of protein to maintain lean muscle mass that keeps their bodies active and in good health.

Your dog’s protein should come from named animal sources such as fish, poultry, meat, and eggs.

Animal based proteins are more valuable than plant-based nutrients because they contain all the 10 essential amino acids that your dog needs, but cannot synthesize them himself.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are also important in your Lab’s food to maintain a balanced diet.

Check to ensure carbohydrates in your Lab’s diet come from whole grains, legumes, beans or starchy vegetables. Avoid foods where carbs come from refined grains like wheat and corn as they are known to trigger food allergies in dogs.

It’s important to know that all dogs have the capacity to become overweight, but the Labrador Retriever is highly susceptible to dog obesity. These dogs are heavy eaters and will scarf down anything you feed them, even when not hungry.

If your Labrador is overweight, you might want to consider a reduced calorie formula that is also rich in protein. It’s also advisable to reduce the amount you feed him and engage him in more daily exercises.

The best dog food for Labs

In general, your Labrador friend should consume about 30 calories per pound of bodyweight.

However, if he is fairly lazy or less active, you should reduce that number to less than 25 calories per pound of bodyweight, then monitor his weight.

Here are some of the best dog food for Labs that you should buy.

1. Taste of the wild, canine formula

The Taste of the Wild Canine Formula is one of the best dog food for Labs that you can buy.

What most people like about this formula is that all ingredients are natural. This fish protein formula has no grains and is supplemented with fruits and vegetables to provide a highly digestible diet for your dog.

Made with smoked salmon, this formula delivers a sensational taste that makes your dog crave for more.

The Taste of the Wild is one of the best value dog foods that money can buy. It is reasonably priced and backed by over nine thousand positive customer reviews on Amazon alone.

2. Blue Wilderness Buffalo

The Blue Wilderness Buffalo is a meat-rich diet whose formula has been borrowed from the diet of the wolves, the true omnivorous whose endurance is legendary.

The Blue Wilderness formula is hypoallergenic. Though they don’t market it as such, a cursory glance at the ingredients used reveals it all.

First, it has no artificial preservatives or soy, and it’s also grain free. Avoiding these common allergens in the formula keep your Labrador free from gastrointestinal distress while maintaining a healthy coat.

Secondly, the salmon formula is a rich source of essential fatty acids. This grain-free formula provides the right balance of carbohydrates and calories to meet your dog’s daily dietary needs.

The Blue Wilderness formula is reasonably priced, making it one of the best dog food for Labs in the market.

3. Orijen Regional Red Dog Food

Though a bit more expensive, the Orijen Regional Red Dog Food is one of the best options for your Labrador friend.

Orijen has established itself as a premium brand for the manufacture of quality dog and cat foods rich in proteins, fruits, and vegetables.

Regional Red is one of their top-notch products made of wholesome red meat, similar to what dogs eat in the wild.

This blend contains fruits and vegetables that provide the oxidants required to boost your dog’s immune system. It also contains fatty acids that give your dog a beautiful coat and allows a healthy skin growth.

One of the benefits of Regional Red is that it provides the perfect balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. This gives your dog all the nutrients required for growth without the risk of obesity.

4. Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dog Food

Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dog Food is an all-natural formula perfect for Labrador Retrievers. Its protein sources come from delicious animals including rabbits, wild boar, turkey, lamb, and duck.

The absence of wheat, soy, corn, artificial colors, preservatives, flavors, and meat by-products make it the perfect food for Labs allergy sensitivities.

The Wellness Core also contains a healthy dose of useful carbohydrates like blueberries, carrots, beans, peas, and broccoli for energy production.

Conclusion

If you own a Labrador Retriever, consider feeding them one of these best dog food for Labs.

Poor diet and feeding habits will not only put your dog at risk but also incur medical expenses to find and fix the problems. Remember, your dog depends on you to keep him healthy and safe.

Loaded with this information, you can now make well-informed decisions on the best dog food for Labs that you should be buying.

If you have questions about the best food for your dog, be sure to get in touch. You can bookmark this page for up to date news and other useful dogs related content.

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