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In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers.
We’ve compared the quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money.
Our top recommended Labrador Retriever dog food is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free.
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Whilst many diets formulated for large breed dogs would be suitable for your Labrador retriever there are a couple of things that this is especially prone to. The first is a joint disease and the second is weight issues.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common complaints veterinarians see in Labradors. It describes a degenerative condition that causes pain and stiffness in one or more joints.
Over a period of time, cartilage (the cushioning buffer in the joint) becomes worn, which leads to inflammation and friction.
The joint no longer glides smoothly causing mobility issues. The right diet can be helpful for dogs prone to joint problems.
Labradors are known for their keen appetites and can gain weight if fed incorrectly, so factor this in when choosing their diet.
Ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin can be found in diets that are specially formulated for joint health.
These antioxidants are derived from green-lipped muscles and can help maintain healthy cartilage, improving your Labrador’s mobility.
Having them pre-mixed into the diet saves you from having to remember to administer joint supplements separately.
Look for ingredients like fish oil or linseed oil which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. These act as natural anti-inflammatories, which in the right concentration can help soothe painful and stiff joints.
They will also help with your dog’s skin and coat condition, perfect for keeping your Labrador looking his best.
If your Labrador is overweight, then you should look for a diet with reduced calories to help shift those excess pounds.
A lighter dog will be putting less pressure on their joints, which in turn will help improve mobility and fitness. Speak to your vet for advice on your dog’s ideal weight.
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie offers families the ultimate in excellent nutrition at a price point that provides great value.
Rated one of the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers, Taste of the Wild High Prairie selects novel meat-based proteins such as buffalo and lamb as the basis of their food.
These exceptional quality proteins offer excellent nutritional value while being unlikely to cause any allergic reactions in dogs with sensitivities.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie is a grain-free food that also contains no corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. A probiotic blend has been supplemented to ensure support for good digestion.
Halo Holistic Adult is a top quality that delivers big on the nutrition that Labrador Retrievers need to enjoy an active lifestyle.
A diet that prioritizes high-quality proteins, the main ingredients in Halo Holistic Adult are chicken and chicken liver, two types of meat that offer a powerhouse punch of amino acids to fuel healthy muscle development.
A diet that includes whole grains as the basis of its carbohydrate content, each carb selected was chosen for its rich antioxidant profile and high fiber profile.
These ingredients encourage a strong and healthy immune system and optimal digestion. Halo Holistic Adult, a premium diet considered to be among the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers, contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
To boost digestive processing, this exceptional quality food includes Dreamcoat, a supplement blend that encourages coat and skin health.
Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult, considered to be one of the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers, is a high performance that meets all the high points large breed dogs need from their diet to enjoy optimal health and wellness.
A diet that is based on chicken and chicken meals, this recipe is rich in amino acids to support a strong and healthy body.
A diet that includes whole grains in its formulation, each ingredient was selected for its ease of digestibility.
For families looking for the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers, it’s hard to go wrong with Sport Dog Food Active Series Field Dog.
This diet is considered to be high-performance nutrition that has been designed to fuel active breeds like the Labrador Retriever. Sport Dog Food Active Series Field Dog is based on a singular protein: chicken meal, a meat that is both lean and easy to digest.
This diet prioritizes a formulation that contains no legumes, an ingredient that has been linked with lowered fertility rates in breeding dogs. Taurine has been enriched to help support heart health.
Made from the highest quality ingredients that have been certified by the USDA, Sport Dog Food Active Series Field Dog is completely from gluten.
One of the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers on the market today, Gather Free Acres offers all of the premium quality nutrition large breed dogs need to thrive.
As an organic food, the ingredients for this exceptional diet are taken from the best sources and are GMO-free and raised sustainably whenever possible.
The main ingredient in Gather Free Acres Organic is a whole chicken which is certified to be organic and is also free-range. It is the only protein source in this diet and was selected for its ease of digestibility and high nutritional value.
A grain-free food, this recipe includes vegetables and fruits that have not been genetically modified. Among the superfoods found in this diet are peas, lentils, blueberries, and cranberries.
Krill oil has been added to this food formulation to enrich the EPA and DHA content to support cardiac health, cognitive function, and excellent quality skin and coat.
Gather Free Acres Organic contains no antibiotics, added growth hormones, by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Canada’s Labrador Retriever is a breed that enjoys immense popularity as a cherished family companion.
A dog that traces its roots to a fisherman’s assistant in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, the Labrador is a versatile and athletic dog that excels at many different pursuits.
The Lab puppies are highly intelligent, making them well-suited to many different sports including field trials, obedience, Rally, agility, scent detection, and more.
A breed that is very friendly and affectionate, the Labrador Retriever is an excellent choice for families with children with whom it is gentle and kindly disposition.
Labrador Retrievers have a lot of energy to expend, so they are best in a family that enjoys an active lifestyle. However, if kept well exercised, this dog breed will not be prone to becoming obese. Exercise is also essential for the dog’s healthy joints, helping to maintain healthy joints as it ages.
A hearty eater, the Labrador Retriever will eat far past the point of satiation if free-fed. It is recommended that the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers be measured and all intake monitored to prevent the dog from becoming overweight.
Selecting the best dog food for a Labrador Retriever can be a daunting task. Once an owner has decided on the right diet, it is then necessary to determine how much the dog needs for each meal.
The best course of action to ascertain this is to use the suggested serving size printed on the bag as a starting point. These amounts can be adjusted until the proper amount has been found.
Labrador Retrievers can be predisposed to a condition known as bloat. Though experts do not yet know what factors must combine to result in this life-threatening medical condition, it is generally believed that eating too much and too quickly should be avoided.
The ideal diet for an adult Labrador Retriever should consist of a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Since the Labrador Retriever is a natural athlete, this dog type requires a high-performance, well-balanced diet to thrive.
The best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers base themselves on lean meat. Whole meats are the preferred option, but meat meals are also an excellent concentrated source suited to this energetic and lively breed.
Corn gluten meal is also an excellent source of protein, as well as being high in fiber.
By-products and plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are inferior in nutritional quality and can trigger food sensitivities in some dogs. Diets that include these ingredients should be avoided.
Additionally, additives, chemicals, flavoring agents, and artificial colors offer no benefits to the Labrador Retriever. Foods containing these items are best left on the shelf.
Carbohydrates can come from fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. Dogs that have displayed food sensitivities in the past may do best on a diet that is free. Whole-grain brown rice, sweet potatoes, and oats are suitable for Labrador Retrievers.
The primary importance of any ingredient selected for a diet for the Labrador Retriever is its ease of digestibility and high antioxidant content.
Healthy fats play an important role in the Labrador Retriever’s nutritional needs. It is from these ingredients that the dog’s energy levels are stoked and coat and skin health are achieved and maintained.
The best sources for these ingredients are animal-based and include such items as fish meal and chicken fat. Canola and safflower oils can also boost the omega fatty acids profile of a food.
Supplements can help excellent quality puppy food to be even more effective for dogs. The ideal supplements to look for in an active Labrador Retriever are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Labrador Retriever:
The Labrador Retriever needs a diet that takes a lean, meat-based protein as its primary ingredient. Whole meats are the best option, but meat meals are also acceptable.
Among the proteins that are best avoided are soy, corn, wheat, and any meat by-product.
Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients provide no nutritional benefit to the Labrador Retriever. Foods containing these items are not suited for the needs of this breed.
Supplements help a diet to be it’s most effective. The best supplements to support the Labrador Retriever’s health include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
All foods appropriate for the Labrador Retriever should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.
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