When selecting dog food for Labrador puppies, it’s important to choose a food that is high in protein, calories, and essential nutrients to support their growth.
Protein is all about muscle development so you must look for dog food that has high protein content and has chicken, fish, lamb, or beef as the main source of protein. In the case of calories, we all know puppies, in general, require a diet that is higher in calories as compared to adult dogs and Labrador puppies specifically have higher energy needs so the dog food must also contain a good calorie count.
Looking for dog food that contains a blend of everything mentioned above can get tricky so We’ve tried and tested the best Dog food for labradors on market and picked the best ones according to our testing.
Made with no artificial flavors or preservatives, this Purina ONE Plus large-breed puppy dog food is deliciously crunchy for your Labrador puppy to enjoy every single bite of it. The number 1 source of protein in the product is real chicken which makes it very healthy helping the puppy in developing and growing strong muscles and also maintaining a healthy heart.
This Dog food contains Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which is an Omega-3 fatty acid found in the mother’s milk. This helps the Lab with good vision as well as solid brain development. It only has 4 antioxidant sources that help develop a strong immune system, as well as glucosamine that provides help with the joints, keeping them healthy and taking away pain if there is any.
The Purina One Plus dry dog food is quite affordable while being high in protein from high-quality sources, hence getting the recommendation from us.
If you are looking for a more premium option, the ORIJEN puppy dry recipe provides you with just that thanks to the very high-quality protein sourced from free-run chicken and turkey, cage-free eggs, and fish that is caught from the wild. Dissecting the whole meal, 85% of it is top-of-the-line animal ingredients satisfies the Labrador puppy’s all biological needs regarding muscle and organ development.
The glucosamine and the 6 fatty acids incorporated in the dog food formula to provide the dog with the best health in terms of joints, skin coat, and brain are all naturally sourced. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid is also a component of the meal that will provide your pup with all the required health and support to grow and develop.
The product is free from artificial colors and preservatives, and it is also grain-free which means no allergies and happy days. Although it is almost double the price of the Purina ONE plus above, it is still very well priced if we compare it to the market prices, and it is right up there when it comes to providing the best value for money.
Here’s a dog food that is famously said to provide so much at a price that is much lower compared to its competition. Chicken Soup for the Soul has real chicken as its primary source of protein ingredients and real turkey as its secondary source. The high-quality protein helps the Labrador puppy effectively when it comes to muscle development and growth.
It does contain grains in terms of whole rice but is free from wheat, soy, and corn which are usually the main sources of allergies in dogs. It is also free from any artificial colors or preservatives, or by-products in the meal.
This Dog food is heavy on calcium and phosphorous to provide strong bone and teeth development, and the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids keep that skin nourished and the coat healthy and shiny. This is also a high-quality affordable option, we highly recommend it.
Taste Of The Wild is a pioneer when it comes to dog food. The main source of protein ingredients in this dry dog food product is roasted bison and roasted venison. With 28% protein content, your Labrador puppy is bound to develop strong joints and muscles. The DHA in the product coming from Omega-3 fatty acids helps in vision and brain development. The vitamins and minerals are made part of the meal by adding superfoods to it.
It is grain-free so you don’t have to worry about the skin getting infected, the nutrition within the product helps develop a shiny coat and maintain good skin. The free-from-artificial-preservatives and colors product is available in a 28-pound packaging that costs about the same as all the other fairly-priced products we have discussed this far.
Royal Canin specializes in making dog food that is very specific to dog breeds. This Royal Canin dry dog food product is specifically made for Labrador puppies, instantly making it a very popular and attractive choice among Lab puppy owners. It has been created for Labradors aging between 8 weeks and 15 months.
By promoting chewing, this dog food slows down the puppy’s eating process allowing better nutrient absorption and good digestion. It is formulated to support the skin, muscle development, organ development, and joint health of your Lab puppy.
We all know Royal Canin is an expensive option to go for and this product is no different. You can get a 30-pound bag but it is undoubtedly for those who don’t care much about the price tag when they go shopping.
Purina Pro Plan is a dry dog food for Labrador puppy owners who require something that works and doesn’t cost much either. This formula has chicken listed as its main source of ingredient but it must be noted that these are mainly by-product meats.
There are all the required amounts of vitamins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as minerals and other nutrients to provide your Lab puppy with good health and muscular development. It also contains corn and Corn is not notoriously known for being easy to digest for many dogs so although it is not an event that happens 100% of the time, you would still have to be slightly careful with your Labrador puppy.
Purina Pro Plan large breed puppy formula is free from any chemical preservatives and also contains DHA that helps effectively in vision strengthening and brain development. Another good recommendation for your labrador puppy in my opinion.
Chicken is listed as the primary source of protein ingredient in the product which is very well balanced with nutrient-rich superfoods like carrot and broccoli which not only are great natural sources of good health but also natural sources of antioxidants that will your puppy develop a strong immune system.
Wellness CORE puppy also contains salmon oil which is a natural source of DHA that helps in vision and brain development. Flaxseed in the product helps with good skin development, and a calcium and phosphorous-rich diet also helps support good teeth and bone development.
The dog food is grain-free so say bye-bye to any fear of allergies but it also contains a good amount of peas which are said to not be good for the dog’s heart, so be slightly careful about that. Wellness CORE grain-free puppy formula is on the pricier side so it’s not recommended if you are looking for Dog food for your labrador on a tight budget.
With chicken listed as its main source of protein ingredient, the Eukanuba puppy dry dog food is a very good option for your Labrador puppy as it will help with good muscle development and growth.
The omega-3 fatty acids in the product contain prebiotics that is very good for a healthy digestive tract. Staying proactive is good for your dog’s health and this dog food provides nicely balanced nutrition to Lab pups who have grown up to the age of 15 months and have an average weight of about 55 pounds.
Providing your puppy with just the right amount of calcium and phosphorous, this dog food also helps with strengthening the teeth and bones of your Labrador puppy.
However, it must be known that the Eukanuba puppy dry dog food contains chicken by-products which do not make it a premium chicken meal product. And it also contains corn which is not considered to be good for a dog’s tummy.
As owners, it is our responsibility to look after our puppies and it is essential to provide them with the right quality and quantity of nutrition, taste, minerals, and vitamins for the healthiest growth.
I hope this post helped you in deciding and getting the most suitable dog food for your Labrador puppy.
For the smaller Labrador breeds, it is generally advised to keep feeding it puppy dog food till the age of 7 to 8 months. Whereas for the large breeds, it is recommended to keep it on the puppy dog food for 12 to 13 months.
The best way is to contact your vet for the most ideal diet plan. But the general rule of thumb is that if your Labrador puppy is about 8 weeks old, then you should feed it about 2 cups of dog food throughout the day divided into 4 meals evenly spaced out.
Ideally, you should set a fixed time and give it its food as per the set schedule. Be sure to not delay the meals or feed your puppy too early. So if you give your puppy its dinner meal at 7 p.m., make sure to give it its dinner every day at 7 p.m.
It will depend on how active the puppy is. If it is moderately or less active, a calorie count between 1300 to 1800 per day would be sufficient.
You must alter the size of the portion you give to your puppy depending on how many calories the dog food contains.
Here is a list of foods you should avoid feeding your labrador:
Some slightly lesser-known foods also be harmful to Labradors. These include:
