Are you the proud owner of a Labrador retriever? Do you know the best foods suited for this breed? Read on to learn more about the best dog food for Labs.
Introduction
For the 26th year in a row, the American Kennel Club ranked the Labrador as the most popular dog breed in America. So, have Labrador retrievers had it easy for too long or do they actually deserve this streak of success? If you ask me, I’d say go with the second school of thought. Labradors do make the best pets. For one, they are excellent listeners. Do you have a new business idea, which you don’t want to share with colleagues because you fear that they will steal it? Get yourself a lab. Apart from making perfect listeners, the Lab is loyal, enthusiastic, and gentle.
If you own a Lab, and have found it to be a good pet, you should return the favor by giving him the best. By this, I mean buy him a nice exercise pen, provide him with shelter and groom him well. And, don’t forget to invest in high-quality dog food for Labs. Giving him a quality diet is your best bet at maintaining his delightful and sweet nature. In this article, we will look at the best dog foods for Labradors.
Dietary Requirements for Labradors
As with most breeds, pet owners spend hours researching the right foods to feed their doggies. Labradors are prone to excessive weight gain. The unfortunate bit is that, once they gain these pounds, they find it difficult to shed. Again, Labs are also high-energy dogs, which means they need adequate amounts of energy-giving foods.
Pet owners find it challenging to balance between the fat, protein, and carbohydrate content. It is where we come in. We have reviewed a number of high-quality dog food brands for Labs.
At a Glance: Our Choices for Labradors Dog Food
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*Note: The links in the table above, as well as several links in the remainder of the article below, will take you to over to Chewy.com where you can find out more information about the products, such as current prices and customer reviews.
Reviews of the Best Food for Labs
The following dog foods are highly recommended for Labradors.
Our Rating
Eagle Pack Natural dog food deserves a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Review
Eagle Pack is an all-natural recipe that is formulated for Labrador puppies. The key highlight of this product is that it has dual protein sources namely chicken and lamb. The dog food is also enriched with DHA, a core ingredient that supports brain and eye development. Thanks to the presence of calcium and phosphorous, you rest assured that your pup’s bone structures will grow properly.
Eagle Pack is our pick for the best puppy food for Labs because it is void of the undesirable by-products, corn, wheat, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives. To add to all this, this dog food is supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Young puppies can benefit from the elements, which are particularly essential for a healthy immune system.
Pros
- Product meets AAFCO nutritional standards
- Committed to quality of the ingredients
- Affordable
Cons
- As a result of the ingredients, some Labradors have stool issues
Our Rating
After researching and comparing it to other dog foods, we gave Blue Buffalo Rocky Mountain a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Review
If you have a pet, the chances are that you have heard of the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Brand. Aside from being an excellent dry food choice, this product has kibble tailored for your Labrador. The manufacturer claims that their recipes are formulated for the ‘Wolf that lives in every dog.’ Rocky Mountain Adult Dog food has a wealth of proteins, which are mainly obtained from the deboned beef, lamb, venison, and bison.
And while this kibble incorporates a few grains, these grains are 100% gluten-free. Also, you will not find any traces of wheat, soy, or corn. But, more importantly, this food is hypoallergenic, meaning that your dog will not experience any gastrointestinal issues. Instead, he will have enough energy to keep him active all day long.
Pros
- The red meat is great for maintaining your mutt’s lean muscles
- Uses only fresh ingredients
- The grain-free recipe makes it a low-calorie dog food option
Cons
- The low-calorie aspect may be undesirable if your Lab is underweight
Our Rating
We gave the Wellness CORE Reduced Fat Recipe a rating of 4.6 out 5 stars
Review
The Labrador is one of the dog breeds that are prone to overeating. If your Lab has gained too much weight, you may want to consider a low-fat canine diet such as the one offered by Wellness Core. Ideally, a full-grown lab should weigh between 55 and 80 pounds.
Aside from having zero grains, another perk that comes with this best dog food for Labs is its low-fat content. Bundled together, these features aid in weight management. Also, it has about 80% higher meat content than conventional dog food. It’s also fortified with omega fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidants. If you’ve been desiring to trim a few pounds off your lab, you should give Wellness Core Reduced Fat Recipe a try.
Pros
- Perfect for dogs with itchy skin
- Helps with weight management
- Enriched with energy-giving carbs
- Controlled levels of calcium and phosphorous
Cons
- Slightly pricier than most dog foods
Our Rating
We gave Holistic Select a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Review
One of the reasons why the Labrador remains a popular choice for most pet lovers is because it’s not susceptible to allergies. Nonetheless, if you see your pooch itching or licking his paw excessively, it’s highly likely that he’s reacting to some sort of allergen. Fortunately for you, the pet food industry offers a variety of hypoallergenic foods. But, we find Holistic Select to be the best.
It’s designed to provide support to your dog’s digestive tract. The essential elements that help with this are digestive enzymes, probiotics, digestive botanicals, and fiber. For the best outcome, you should feed a bag of Holistic Select Natural Grain-Free Formula to your pooch for no less than one month.
Pros
- Powerful ingredients perfect for your Labrador
- Available in different capacities
- Suitable for labs with food sensitivities
Cons
- May result in side effects
Our Rating
We gave Purina Wet Dog Food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Review
Wet dog food is not the first choice that dog owners consider. It’s because portioning out the correct amount of wet food is challenging. But, if we’re to be honest, dogs really love wet food. Often, pet owners choose to mix wet foods with dry food. They do this with the aim of providing their labs with nutrient-packed and tasty diets.
With beef, chicken, or salmon as the first ingredient, Purina Beyond has been offering significant amounts of nutrients in just a small serving. With this wet food, you won’t have to worry about artificial fillers, wheat, or soy.
Remember to feed your lab just the correct amount of this food. Otherwise, he may end up overeating. Purina Beyond is an excellent choice for pet owners feeling that dog food is not enough.
Pros
- Features high-quality protein
- 100% balanced for a complete diet
Cons
- Some customers complained that they were not pleased with the shipping process
For a more detailed review by Chewy.com, check out
Conclusion
As a large breed, the best dog for both the Labrador puppy and the adult Lab is one rich in micronutrients. Preferably, it should also have meat-based proteins to boost your Lab’s muscle growth. But, most importantly, this dog food needs to be void of fillers, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives. If anything, the dog food should be fortified with fruits and vegetables—the best sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
A major concern with Labs is their tendency to eat more than required. Subsequently, you have a responsibility to portion his food, making sure that he eats the right amount at any given time. Labradors give their owners unconditional love. The least you can do is provide him with the right foods.
