Homemade Food For Labrador Retrievers: Adult & Puppy Recipes & Guide

Are you considering preparing homemade food for Labradors? Labradors have different nutritional requirements than other dog breeds, so cooking for them is not as simple as replacing commercial pet food and substituting it with steak and veggies.

Whether you’re interested in cooking homemade food for Labrador puppies, adults, or seniors, this guide will provide you with all the necessary information to prepare well-balanced meals for your Labs. It covers nutritional guidelines, homemade Labrador recipes, breed-specific nutritional advice, and cooking tips, encompassing all the essential aspects of home-cooked food for Labradors. Let’s get started!

Chapter 1: Nutrition, Benefits & Risks

Ch 2 

Labrador Retriever Homemade Dog Food Benefits

Here are some of the main benefits of cooking for your Labrador Retriever

Board-certified veterinary nutritionists and diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, MS, Ph.D., and Joe Bartges, DVM, Ph.D., also agree that switching to homemade dog food comes with significant advantages, such as diet management, appeasing picky eaters, bond-building, combatting food intolerance and allergies issues, and avoid concern over dog food recalls.^[1]

Further benefits include preventing many conditions associated with a poor diet, such as obesity, poor skin, coat condition, pancreatitis, diabetes, and reduced immunity.

Food And Labrador Retriever Health: Why Feed Homemade?

Labrador Retrievers generally live between 10 to 12 years. This breed’s most common health problems include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia cancer and arthritis. Diseases like allergies, bloating, laryngeal paralysis, hypothyroidism, and obesity are also common in the breed. Other minor and less common health problems this breed suffers include progressive retinal atrophy, patellar luxations, ear infections, and heart disease.^[2]

How Can A Homemade Diet Help Heart Labrador Retriever Health Issues?

Labrador Retriever Homemade Dog Food Risks

Here are some of the risks you need to keep in mind.

Research by the University of California Davis, School of Veterinary and two studies published in The Journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine and The Journal of Nutritional Science found that most homemade dog food recipes lack key essential nutrients, and other recipes used dangerously high levels of some nutrients.^[7][8][9]

Here are the findings:

Labrador Retriever Nutritional Guidelines to Follow

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO), the entity that supervises the nutritional value of commercial dog food, there are six essential nutrients all dog meals must contain to ensure a balanced and healthy diet for dogs.

A homemade diet should also consider your pup’s weight, health conditions, size, and activity level.

Below is a breakdown of each nutrient and its importance.

Nutrient	Food	Description
Protein	Chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish, yogurt and cooked eggs	Builds and repairs muscles and other body tissues. Needed to make new skin cells, grow hair, hormones, enzymes and more.
Carbohydrates	Oats, brown rice, potatoes, and whole wheat	Source of energy for dogs and supplies glucose needed by the brain, nervous system and other critical organs for normal function.
Fat	From meats and oils such as olive or sunflower oil, fish oil, canola oils among others	Responsible for providing quality energy, growth and development. Supports the function of body cells, nerves, muscles, and tissues.
Minerals	Calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc.	Common functions include the formation of bone and cartilage, nerve and muscle function, fluid balance regulation, the transportation of oxygen in the bloodstream and hormone production.
Water	Water	Hydration is critical in dogs. A dog that loses too much water (10% to 15% of the water in his body) can get very sick and even die. Ensure they have water available throughout the day.
Vitamins	A, B, C, D, E, and K	Keeps skin and coat healthy, strengthens bones and teeth, and gives them the overall energy that they need to function.

Recommended Supplements For Labrador Retrievers

Here are the top recommended supplements for Labrador Retrievers based on their main health susceptibility issues.

Health Dietary Changes In Labrador Retrievers

Labrador Retrievers experiencing the issues below might benefit from the dietary adjustments outlined in this table.

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 or 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 a food that has added zinc
Dandruff and Crustiness	Add Zinc and Vitamin A levels

If your Labrador Retriever suffers from skin allergies or joint pain, adding dog fish oil may help bring relief. The AKC states that fish oil promotes healthier coats by reducing itchiness and flakiness in the skin due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. Other significant effects include promoting improved immunity (especially against cancer) while strengthening heart health in dogs.

Labrador Retriever Calorie Requirements

The caloric needs of dogs are based on their weight. An adult Labrador Retriever usually weighs between 55 and 80 pounds, which means most Labrador Retrievers need between 1248 and 1656 calories a day.

Ensure you adhere to the 10% guideline when giving treats to your dog. Food should account for 90% of calories, while treats comprise 10%. For example, if your Labrador Retriever weighs 60 lbs., he would require 1334 calories daily. With treats included, that’s 1201 calories from food (90%) and 133 from treats (10%). Typically, most adult dogs have two meals a day. Hence, you should divide 1201 into two meals of 600 calories each.

Pregnant or lactating Labrador Retrievers may need up to 2 to 4 times the food they usually need as the mother’s energy requirements increase after delivery and during lactation. Be sure to talk to your vet.

You can use our dog calorie calculator to find the exact caloric needs of your dog based on his weight.

Homemade Dog Food For Labrador Retriever Puppies

A Labrador Retriever puppy’s dietary requirements differ from an adult’s Labrador Retriever.

Compared to adult dogs, puppies require higher protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus levels. Inadequate or excessive amounts of these nutrients can lead to deficiencies, hindered growth, or lifelong health complications.

However, many assume puppies require more food and calories daily because they grow quickly. This is not necessarily true. Dr. Justin Shmalberg, DVM, a veterinary nutritionist at Nom Nom, advises that to promote normal growth, most puppies need a similar number of calories and the same type of food from 4 to 12 months of age. Labrador Retriever puppies should be fed 3 to 4 times per day. As your puppy ages (between 6 and 12 months), you can switch to 2 to 3 meals daily at scheduled intervals.

Skipping meals is not advisable during your puppy’s growth and development. As previously stated in our nutritional guidelines, a puppy’s diet should include a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, water, and vitamins to ensure proper growth and development.

Homemade Dog Food Delivery Service

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Our readers can access 50% off their first The Farmer’s Dog order. Use this link to get your Labrador Retriever’s first homemade meal.

Best Homemade Food For Labrador Retrievers

Chapter 2: Recipes, Cooking Tips & More

Ch 1

Labrador Retriever Homemade Food Tips

Before sharing our favorite Labrador Retriever homemade food recipes, follow these best practices when preparing your dog’s next meal.

How To Cook Homemade Food For Labrador Retrievers ( Video)

Watch this video and learn how to cook homemade meals for Labrador Retrievers.

Best Labrador Retriever Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Browse the best homemade dog food recipes for Labrador Retrievers that will make your pup beg for more.

Note: Consult your vet before adjusting your dog’s diet. The recipes below don’t specify serving sizes since they depend on your dog’s breed, weight, age, activity, and health. As a guideline, consider feeding the equivalent amount you’d give in kibble, but always consult your veterinarian for proper portioning.

Blueberry-Banana CBD-Infused Dog Treats

Treat your Labrador Retriever with these nutritious, therapeutic, and delicious homemade CBD dog treats. They are made with bananas, a great source of essential vitamins and minerals (like potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6). Banana also aids with digestion and energy. Coconut is added for skin and coat, digestion and helps reduce allergic reactions.

Remember to consult your vet to ensure CBD is safe for your dog and that you are giving the correct dosage. Alternatively, you can buy commercially available CBD dog treats so your pup can experience CBD’s benefits without the cooking.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Brush a dog biscuit baking tray with coconut oil.
2. Mash the ripe banana in a bowl until smooth. Ensure there are no large chunks left.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, blend the gluten-free flour and oats.
4. In another bowl, whisk the egg until it’s beaten. Add coconut oil, water, mashed banana, unsweetened applesauce, and fresh blueberries. Mix until well combined.
5. Gently pour the wet mixture into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Stir until you get an even consistency. Drizzle in the CBD oil and give it another stir to ensure even distribution.
6. Use a tablespoon measure to scoop out portions of the mixture. Press each scoop firmly into the dog treat baking mold.
7. Place the tray in the oven and bake the treats for 30 to 40 minutes. They should be firm to the touch and slightly golden when ready.
8. Once the treats have cooled, transfer them to an airtight container for storage.

Chicken & Rice Delight

Many dogs have a soft spot for chicken, making this dish a universal canine favorite. This easy-to-make recipe ensures your Labrador Retriever gets a nourishing and delightful meal. This batch yields approximately four servings, which can be stored in your refrigerator.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Chicken preparation. Cut the chicken into half-inch pieces. In a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, cook the chicken on medium heat for about 15 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove the chicken pieces and set aside the pan drippings.
2. Rice preparation. In a pot, cook the rice according to the package instructions or until it’s soft and fluffy. Once done, set aside.
3. Gravy creation. Over medium to low heat, warm the chicken drippings in the pan. Combine ½ cup of water or chicken broth with ½ cup of flour. Gently stir until it becomes a smooth mixture. Continue cooking until it evolves into a thick gravy consistency.
4. Combining ingredients. Add the cooked chicken, rice, peas, and carrots to the gravy. Simmer the mixture for approximately 10 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
5. Cooling. Let the stew cool down to room temperature before serving to ensure it’s safe for your dog.

Turkey, Vegetable & Quinoa Feast

As a lean protein, Turkey is excellent for Labrador Retrievers aiming for a healthy weight. This enhanced dog food recipe combines the richness of turkey with the nourishment of vegetables and quinoa – a superfood known for its protein and fiber content. A nourishing blend of lean protein and wholesome veggies, it’s the ideal meal for your Labrador Retrievers.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Cooking the turkey. Over medium heat, cook the ground turkey in a non-stick skillet until fully done. Ensure it’s crumbled well to make it easier for your dog to digest.
2. Preparing the feast. Combine the quinoa, cooked turkey, and water in a large pot. Bring this mixture to a boil.
3. Simmering. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for approximately 15 minutes or until the quinoa becomes soft and translucent.
4. Adding vegetables. Introduce the carrots, green beans, and spinach to the pot. Allow the mixture to cook for another 10 minutes, ensuring the vegetables are tender but not overly soft.
5. Finishing touches. Once off the heat, stir in the fish oil and sprinkle turmeric, ensuring it’s mixed well.
6. Storing. Let the meal cool to room temperature before serving. Extra portions can be refrigerated and consumed within five days.

Beefy & Veggie Medley

Packed with lean protein from grass-fed beef and fortified with the nutritional punch of veggies, this recipe is both delicious and nourishing. Adding eggs and beneficial herbs ensures your Labrador Retriever gets essential vitamins and nutrients.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Egg prep. Begin by boiling the eggs until they are hard-boiled. Once done, peel and finely chop them.
2. Beef cooking. Brown the ground sirloin over medium heat in a large skillet, ensuring it’s thoroughly cooked. Once done, drain off any excess fat.
3. Mix & combine. In a large mixing bowl or container, combine the cooked brown rice, browned sirloin, chopped eggs, diced or shredded carrots, peas or green beans, minced parsley, and the optional sprinkle of turmeric. Drizzle with olive or safflower oil.
4. Stir together. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently mix all the ingredients until they are evenly distributed and well combined.
5. Serve & store. Serve the mixture in your dog’s dish, ensuring it’s cooled to a safe temperature. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Best Dog Cooking Practices

These tips ensure that your Labrador Retriever’s meals are safe and nutritious.

Monitor Weight And Health

What Foods Should Your Labrador Retriever Never Eat?

Below is a list of the most common toxic ingredients dogs need to avoid.

Here is the complete list of toxic ingredients your Labrador Retriever should never eat. Please print it out and put it on your refrigerator as a reminder.

Labrador Retriever Raw Diet (BARF)

Read our “raw diet for dogs” article to discover its advantages and risks. Also, find the top raw brands for Labrador Retrievers in our best raw dog food post.

Homemade Dog Food For Labrador Retrievers — Conclusion & Alternatives

When cooking for your Lab, ensure all ingredients are safe and their meals meet the nutritional requirements. And remember that switching yourLabradors’’ food to homemade from kibble is a slow process, so patience is vital. Factors like your Labrador’s eating history, weight, and overall health should be considered before giving homemade food to your pet.

Read up on vegan dog food if your Labrador Retriever is prone to food allergies or food-related health issues. Plant-based diets are also becoming increasingly popular for dogs with food sensitivities and other health issues.

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