Best Dog Food For Labrador Retrievers: A Complete Guide
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This is the ultimate guide to finding the best dog food for Labradors.
As a Lab owner, you want to ensure your Labrador Retriever gets the best nutrition possible. With so many options in the market, choosing the right dog food can be tough. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Our team of experts has extensively researched to find the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers. So, if you want to provide your furry friend with the best nutrition, keep reading!
Best Dog Food For Labrador — At A Glance
Scroll to the right to see all our recommendations for the best dog food for Labradors.
Best Overall
The Farmer´s Dog
Made with fresh, human-grade
ingredients to offer the most optimal
nutrition for your Labrador
Best Dry Food
Spot & Tango
A new kind of dry dog food
with the flavor and benefits of fresh
food with the convenience of kibble
Puppy Pick
Open Farm
Perfect for Labradors puppies.
Contains all the nutrients puppies need to
develop and grow healthy.
Best Value
Blue Buffalo
The cheapest option if you are
looking for budget-friendly dog
food for your Labrador
Best For Senior
Orijen
Complete and balanced nutrition
designed to meet the specific needs
of senior purebred Labradors
Best Raw
Instinct
For dog parents looking to raw-feed
their Labradors. Has all nutrients and
vitamins dogs need to thrive.
Sensitive Stomach Pick
Hill’s
Formula fortified with prebiotics
for healthy digestion for Labradors
with sensitive tummies.
Best For Allergies
Royal Canin
Made with hydrolyzed protein for adult
dogs & puppies with food allergies
that cause skin issues.
Best Grain-Free
Open Farm
For dogs with allergies or sensitivity
to grain. Made with premium-quality
beef, chicken & other meats.
Best Wet
JustFoodForDogs
Shelf stable fresh wet dog food
that offers a premium and delicious
stew-like texture.
You can click this link to go to the reviews, but we encourage you to keep reading to make a more educated decision about picking the best Labrador dog food.
Why You Should Trust Us
171
hours of research went into this review. Hands-on tests, our dog’s experience, competitive analysis and more.
30
dog food manufacturing companies were under consideration for the top ten.
5
experts’ opinions and research studies were used to provide accurate information and rankings.
What Is The Best Food For Labradors?
Providing your Labrador with the appropriate food from weaning to maturity is crucial for their overall health and happiness. Before we recommend the top dog food options for your Labrador, it’s important to understand how food affects their well-being.
Labrador is a medium to large breed with distinct nutritional needs that require careful consideration. The ideal food for your Labrador should be of high quality and tailored to their unique dietary requirements, taking into account factors such as:
Food & Labrador Health
Generally, Labradors are healthy dogs, but like any breed, they are susceptible to several health concerns.
Although certain health issues that Labrador may experience are congenital and beyond our control, others can be influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, such as their diet. To help maintain their health and prevent some health problems that may arise from poor nutrition, it’s essential to provide Labradors with a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
Some of the most common health issues faced by Labrador include the following:
Food & Labrador Activity Level
The relationship between food and Labrador Retriever activity level is significant, as the amount and type of food they consume can significantly impact their energy levels and overall activity.
If a Labrador Retriever consumes too much food, particularly food that is high in calories and low in nutrients. In that case, they may become overweight or obese, leading to a decreased activity level. This is because excess weight can put additional strain on their joints and make it difficult for them to move around comfortably.
On the other hand, if a Labrador Retriever does not consume enough food or consumes food that is not high enough in nutrients, it may not have the energy they need to be active and engaged. This can lead to lethargy, fatigue, and a lack of interest in exercise or play.
Therefore, Labrador Retriever owners need to choose high-quality dog food that supports their activity level. It is also essential to monitor and adjust their food intake as needed to maintain a healthy weight and activity level.
Food & Labrador Age
Labradors have specific nutritional needs at different stages of their life, and providing them with a diet that meets these needs is essential for their overall health and well-being.
Labrador-Specific Dog Food Qualities To Look For
Here are the desirable characteristics of Labrador dog food.
Other General Tips To Pick The Best Food For Labradors
Keep in mind that every Labrador has specific dietary needs. Seeking advice from a veterinarian can assist you in selecting the best food that meets your Labrador’s requirements.
Best Labrador Dog Food
Here are Canine Bible’s top picks for the best dog food for Labrador.
Our research team chose all dog foods listed below based on AAFCO’s nutrient guidelines, Labrador’s exclusive nutrition needs, customer reviews, price, and more. This Labrador food list also includes food for specific needs such as weight loss, allergies, and more.
Best Overall Dog Food For Labradors — The Farmer’s Dog
Why We Picked & Recommended It
The Farmer’s Dog wins the spot for the best dog food for Labrador. This brand stands out because they use human-grade ingredients to create recipes that are portioned and delivered straight to your door. Feeding your dog fresh food like The Farmer’s Dog offers many research-backed health benefits, including longer lifespans, better digestibility, higher energy levels, and more. It’s also ideal for dogs with food allergies, sensitive stomachs, or other dietary concerns because they avoid cheap fillers, additives, and harmful chemicals. Unlike traditional kibble, Labrador dog food is gently cooked from scratch, ensuring all nutritional integrity is retained. This means that your Labrador will receive the healthiest and most nutritious meal with every serving.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
The Farmer’s Dog stands out from other dog food brands by taking a personalized approach to nutrition. Many dog food brands offer one-size-fits-all recipes, but The Farmer’s Dog takes the time to create a custom formula for each dog, considering factors like age, weight, and activity level to ensure your dog gets the perfect balance of nutrients for their unique needs. You can tell them about your dog’s food allergies, tear stain issues, bad breath, joint problems and more and they will cook and personalize your dog’s meals to meet your pet’s needs.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Our readers have access to save 50% off your first The Farmer’s Dog order. Just use this link to get started. The discount will be applied automatically.
Our Video Review
Best Dry Dog Food For Labrador — Spot & Tango
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Spot & Tango Unkibble dog formula is our top pick for the best all-around dry dog food for Labrador. Unlike traditional dry dog food, Unkibble is less processed and has half the cost of fresh dog food. Think of Unkibble as freshly homemade dog food with the convince of kibble without the nasty preservatives, additives, and cheap fillers. It’s perfect for Labrador because it’s been formulated to surpass the specific nutritional requirements of most dry dog foods.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
UnKibble recipes are gently dried using our unique process, which gently dries out whole foods to preserve nutrients and flavor and maximize nutritional integrity. Some recipes use organ meats, one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can give your dog. In fact, entrails contain as many (or more) vitamins, minerals and other valuable nutrients as lean muscle meat.
Key Features
What We Like & Don’t Like
Pros
Cons
Our Video Review
Our readers have access to save 20% off your first order of Spot & Tango. Just use this link to get started. The discount will be applied automatically.
Best Labrador Puppy Food — Open Farm
Why We Picked & Recommended It
The Gently Cooked Open Farm puppy recipe is the best dog food for Labrador. This puppy-specific formula provides the necessary nutrients for the optimal growth and development of Labrador puppies, including prebiotic fiber like pumpkin and chicory root, supports healthy digestion and calcium iodate as a source of energy production, and also promotes muscular and cognitive development in puppies.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
This formula is designed specifically for Labrador puppies and has a purposeful blend of three proteins to help prevent allergies. It also has added collagen for healthy joint development.
Key Features
What We Like & Don’t Like
Pros
Cons
Our Video Review
Our readers get 20% off subscription orders with code CANINE20 + an extra 5% off for subscribing. Cancel anytime. Use this link to get started!
Cheapest Dog Food For Labradors — Blue Buffalo
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is great if you are looking for the most affordable dog food for Labradors. For a slightly lower price than other brands, this dry food is formulated to provide your Labrador pup with sustained healthy energy from high-quality animal-based proteins. This dog food helps build strong, lean muscles and maintain optimal body conditions. It is made with real meat, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, which are easily digestible and provide a balanced diet for adult dogs.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits are a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog’s immune system and overall health. It is made with real meat as the first ingredient, rare in most affordable dog food brands.
Key Features
What We Like & Don’t Like
Pros
Cons
Best Food For Senior Labradors — Orijen
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Most veterinarians consider a dog a senior once it reaches seven years old. If your Labrador is in that stage of his life, it might be time to switch to a high-quality senior dog food diet. If you’re concerned about keeping your Labrador healthy during his older years, Orijin Senior dog food will support long-life vitality. It’s crafted specifically for your senior Labrador to help them stay healthy by supporting lean muscle mass and weight maintenance.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
With rich inclusions of a whole prey diet, ORIJEN dog food is made with the most nutrient-dense, succulent parts of the prey to deliver the nutrition dogs need.
Key Features
What We Like Don’t Like
Pros
Cons
Raw Food For Labradors — Instinct
Why We Picked & Recommended It
As more dog parents opt to raw feed their dogs, it’s essential to understand the ins and out of a raw diet for dogs. If you are in the market for raw dog food for Labradors, Instinct Frozen Raw Bites Real Beef Recipe formula is one of our top picks for the best raw dog food delivery brands. This formula is protein-packed with 85% meat and organs and 15% non-GMO fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals to give your Labrador a complete BARF diet. It’s minimally processed, never cooked, pure, natural nutrition to keep your best friend strong.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Raw dog food benefits a shinier coat, healthier skin, cleaner teeth, more energy, and smaller stool. Instinct Raw states that raw dog nutrition can promote strong, lean muscles and energize your pup.
What We Like Don’t Like
Pros
Cons
Best Food For Labradors With Sensitive Stomach Hill’s
Why We Picked & Recommended It
If you are looking for the best food for Labradors with sensitive stomachs Hill’s Science Diet For Sensitive Stomach & Skin is a top choice. This kibble is formulated to protect sensitive tummies and skin. It’s made with easily digestible ingredients, including barley, beet pulp, and brown rice and contains no soy, wheat, or artificial that can cause upsets or skin flare-ups on your Labradors.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Specialized formula fortified with prebiotics fiber for healthy digestion, sensitive stomachs and immune health. Prebiotic fiber nourishes healthy intestinal bacteria.
Key Features
What We Like Don’t Like
Pros
Cons
Best Food For Labradors With Allergies — Royal Canin
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Whether your Labrador suffers from skin allergies, food allergies, or food intolerance to certain ingredients, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein is the best hypoallergenic dog formula you feed an allergic Labrador. This vet-exclusive prescription formula helps dogs with itching, hair loss, skin allergies and digestive upset. It’s also highly digestible and supports gastrointestinal and dermatological health.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
This formula uses hydrolyzed soy protein (non-animal protein). Hydrolyzed protein is made by a process known as hybridization, which breaks down proteins to a size less likely to be recognized by the immune system, effectively stopping allergic reactions.
Key Features
What We Like Don’t Like
Pros
Cons
Best Grain-Free Food For Labradors — Open Farm
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Does your Labrador dog suffer from grain allergies or intolerances? If so, Open Farm’s grain-free dry dog food is your best bet. We picked it because they skip the grain, corn, soy and wheat in favor of science-backed superfoods like non-GMO pumpkin, carrot, leafy greens and coconut oil for a balanced and complete diet that provide antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support Labradors nutritional needs. Open Farm grain-free recipes are specifically designed for dogs with grain sensitivities.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
It’s made responsibly from ethically sourced and sustainable ingredients free from antibiotics, hormones, and artificial preservatives, making it one of the most sustainable dog food brands.
Key Features
What We Like Don’t Like
Pros
Cons
Our readers get 20% off subscription orders with the code CANINE20 + an extra 5% off for subscribing. Cancel anytime. Use this link to get started!
Best Wet Dog Food For Labradors — JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Are you looking for the best-wet food for Labradors? JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh is our favorite choice. JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Dog Food is a convenient and healthy option for dog owners who want to feed their dogs soft-textured meals and keep them hydrated, especially those in warmer climates. Unlike traditional canned wet dog food, Pantry Fresh uses only ingredient fit for human consumption to ensure the highest quality nutrition. Additionally, they use a unique cooking process to make Pantry Fresh preserves the nutritional value and taste of the ingredients, making it a nutritious and tasty option for dogs.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Aside from traditional flavors, they have specialized wet food for targeting health problems including joint, skin, sensitive stomach, renal, appetite loss, metabolism and liver function.
Key Features
What We Like Don’t Like
Pros
Cons
Other Best Dog Food For Labradors
Labrador Food Calorie Requirements
The caloric needs of dogs are based on their weight. An adult Labrador usually weighs between 65 and 80 pounds, meaning most Labradors need between 1241 and 1449 calories daily. You can use our dog calorie calculator to find the exact caloric needs of your dog based on his weight.
How to Switch Labrador Dog Food
If you decide to switch your Labrador’s dog food to a new dog formula, it’s advised to adhere to the following recommendations by vets:
Pro tip: Never change your dog’s food abruptly. It could cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Only increase the weekly food percentage if your Labrador seems to be doing well during each transition. Monitor closely, and if you notice any adverse reaction to his new food, stop feeding it to your dog.
Health Dietary Changes In Labradors
If your Labrador is struggling with the following health conditions, adopting a new diet or adding supplements can be beneficial to get these dog-related issues under control.
| Condition | Dietary Needs & Adjustments |
|---|---|
| Coat Color Changes | Increase amino acids which can be found in protein (>75 grams per 1000 calories) |
| Concurrent GI Signs | Avoid foods with tryptamine and histamine, such as dairy, fermented vegetables, and meats (yes, this includes bacon); try a simple ingredient food trial. |
| Chronic Itching and Dermatitis | Fortify the diet with Vitamin E, B Vitamins, Zinc, omega-6, and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil; add a dog probiotic; try a simple ingredient food trial. |
| Dull Coat and Scaling | Adjust EPA and DHA levels in the diet (added fish oil being the most common way); try food with added zinc. |
| Dandruff and Crustiness | Add Zinc and Vitamin A levels |
Best Dog Food For Labrador Retrievers — Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the right dog food for your Labrador Retriever is essential to ensure optimal health and well-being. From our research and analysis, we recommend choosing high-quality dog food with premium ingredients and a balanced nutritional profile. Remember to check the label for the AAFCO statement, which indicates that the food meets the minimum nutrient requirements for dogs. Don’t forget to consult your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet.
Your dog’s diet is not something you should take lightly. It’s a crucial aspect of their health and well-being, and the wrong food could have serious consequences. That’s why we urge you to take action today and choose high-quality dog food for your Labrador Retriever. Please don’t wait until it’s too late to make a change.
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