The 11 Best Dog Foods For Labs
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
When it comes to canine nutrition, we are discovering how important it is to provide our beloved dogs the best food possible for their general health. A well-balanced diet is vital for a big breed, like a Labrador, to promote optimal development and lifespan.
These dogs are virtually always the most popular breed in the United States and many other nations throughout the world. They enjoy playing and cuddling, but they also enjoy eating, so we must ensure that we provide the proper food in the right amount to ensure that they have a long and happy life.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) gathered some of the best dog foods for Labs we could locate for your convenience. Hopefully, our evaluations will save you a lot of time and effort.
Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Best Lab Food
Labrador retrievers are often athletic canines with exuberant personalities. Because kids are so active, finding the correct food plan may be difficult. Here are some things to think about while looking for a diet for your Labrador Retriever.
Types of Dog Food
- Everyday Health: Everyday health recipes strive to provide your dog with the nourishment they require without being overly complicated. It covers the fundamentals of canine nutrition in order to offer a well-rounded diet to any ordinary, healthy canine.
-
Diet with Few Ingredients: A restricted ingredient diet tries to decrease the amount of potentially irritating components in order to prevent the occurrence of sensitivity and allergy-related disorders.
- Grain-Free: Grain-free diets were developed particularly for dogs that are gluten intolerant. These diets are not required for individuals who are healthy and capable. Even while grain-free diets are popular, there is some debate around them. If you are thinking of feeding your dog a grain-free diet, consult with your veterinarian first.
- Sensitive Stomach: If your dog has a sensitive stomach, he or she may be more sensitive to particular food components. If your dog is experiencing difficulty, readily digested foods such as pumpkin, oats, and barley may be beneficial.
- Protein-rich: Labs are often quite active. Extra protein may be required if you have a high-energy young adult. This protein aids in the replenishment of your dog’s muscles.
- Active Lifestyle: Recipes for an active lifestyle may be an excellent choice for your Lab. These dogs are typically employed for hunting and agility training. If your dog fits the bill, look into active lifestyle formulations.
Texture of Dog Food
- Dry Kibble: Dry kibble is a type of bait dog food that is perhaps the most popular on the market. While it is meant to give appropriate nutrients for your dog, it is dry. On the plus side, it has a very long shelf life and a vast range to pick from.
- Wet Food: Wet food was the first type of dog food ever invented. These canned dog meals are intended to fulfill the dietary requirements of your beloved canine. Wet food contains a lot of iron and calories. It’s also simpler to consume for elders or pets with damaged teeth.
- Moist Food: Moist food is a mix of wet and dry kibble. It’s manufactured in the same way as dry kibble, but with a higher moisture content and a shorter shelf life.
- Combination diets are ones that incorporate two or more types into a single meal. Many owners combine dry and wet food to reap the nutritional advantages of both.
- Raw Food: Raw food diets are growing more popular as time goes on. These diets, as the name implies, contain entirely of raw food sources, allowing your dog to consume the most natural, nutrient-rich components available.
- Lightly Cooked: Fresh dishes that are lightly cooked are made in the kitchen and cooked just enough to ruin important elements in the recipe. Light cooking aids in preserving the inherent benefits of each food item.
Conclusion
We still recommend Nom Nom Dog Food as our top option. Its human-grade quality and fresh ingredients make it an excellent choice for keeping your dog happy and healthy for many years.
If you want to get the most bang for your buck, Rachael Ray Nutrish is a carefully created meal that is both healthy and tasty. The pricing for the quality is unbeatable.
Regardless matter which of these dog diets piqued your interest, maybe you’ve discovered a new choice for your Lab. If you’re doubtful about the advantages of a diet adjustment, see your veterinarian.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes our evaluations and guide assist you in finding the best dog foods for Labs.
Reviews
Best Value: Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Dog Food by Rachael Ray
- Rachael Ray Nutrish’s brand
- Species: Dry kibble
- Calories: 340
- Protein: 25%
- Fat: 14%
- Fiber: 4
- Moisture:
If you want to save money without sacrificing nutrition, choose Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies. It’s made by a genuine chef, so you know she put some consideration into the ingredients. You get a lot for your money here, and we believe it’s the best dog food for Labs money can buy.
Each serving has 340 calories. This dog food has a guaranteed analysis of 25% crude protein, 14% crude fat, 4% crude fiber, and 10% moisture. There are several vitamins and minerals added, including omega fatty acids, zinc, phosphorus, and ascorbic acid.
The first component is real chicken, delivering a nutritious protein source. There are no fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives in the kibble, which contains active probiotics for digestive health. It also contains easily digested starches and carbohydrates, such as peas and brown rice.
Overall, we were impressed with the value for money. If you’re on a tight budget, we strongly suggest this dog food. It does, however, contain soy and corn components that may aggravate certain Labs.
Pros
- Affordable
- There are no unnatural components.
- Recipe that is easily digested
Cons
- Corn and soy are present.
Science Diet by Hill’s Dry Dog Food that is Light
- Hill’s Science Diet brand
- Species: Dry kibble
- Calories: 271
- Protein: 20%
- Fat: 5%
- Fiber: 14%
- Moisture: 10.5%
The Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Light Dry Dog Food is not cheap, but it may be quite beneficial to Lab owners. Labrador retrievers tend to acquire weight as they age and their exercise levels decline. This dog food allows your Lab to convert fat into energy, resulting in lean muscle in big dogs aged 1 to 5.
This dog food has 18% less calories than regular kibble. There are just 271 calories in one serving. This dog food has a guaranteed analysis of 20% crude protein, 5% crude fat, 14% crude fiber, and 10.5% moisture.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are components in this recipe. These two supplements operate in tandem to strengthen joints and protect cartilage. It’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help you produce a well-balanced diet while keeping your calorie consumption under control.
We like that this dog food is particularly intended for dogs like Labs, which sometimes have difficulty maintaining their weight. However, it will not be essential for all Labs, especially if you have a high-energy dog. They’ll require a high-protein, high-fat diet.
Pros
- Weight management for big breeds
- Joint and cartilage support
- It has 18% less calories than dry kibble.
Cons
- Not suitable for energetic canines of normal weight.
- Pricey
Best for Puppies: Tender & Crunchy Purina Puppy Chow
- Brand: Purina
- Species: Dry kibble
- Calories: 387
- Protein: 27.5%
- Fat: 12%
- Fiber: 4%
- Moisture: 14%
If you want to provide the best nourishment for your adorable fluffy Lab puppy, we propose Purina Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy. It provides precisely the perfect texture, flavor, and vitamin balance to help your child develop normally.
Each serving of this dish has 387 calories. This product’s guaranteed analysis comprises 27.5% crude protein, 12% crude fat, 4% crude fiber, and 14% moisture. It also includes DHA, which is essential for brain development.
This formula uses the same nutrients as mother’s milk to encourage optimal development throughout critical phases. It provides far more protein than many competing puppy chows, ensuring lean muscular mass.
One thing we didn’t enjoy about this dog food is that the first component isn’t meat. In fact, meat isn’t listed until the third ingredient—poultry by-product—and many chefs avoid gluten flour and whole grain maize.
Pros
- DHA is present.
- High protein content
- Puppy-specific formulation
Cons
- Ingredients that may cause irritation
Complete Essentials Purina Pro Plan
- Brand: Purina
- Species: Dry kibble
- Calories: 389
- Protein: 26%
- Fat: 16%
- Fiber: 3%
- Moisture: 12%
Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials is one of our favorite dog foods for Labs. It has amazing components that meet your dog’s nutritional requirements. This recipe’s major ingredients are lamb and rice, resulting in a tasty experience that is also quite healthy.
There are 389 calories in this dish. This dog food has a guaranteed analysis of 26% crude protein, 16% crude fat, 3% crude fiber, and 12% moisture. It also has 600 million live bacteria to improve digestive health and a high fiber content for regularity.
This bag has both dried kibble and sensitive bits to provide your dog with a variety of textures. Overall, this formula offers exactly the proper quantity of omega fatty acids and protein to promote good bowel motions, a lustrous coat, and optimal muscular performance.
Because this product includes gluten, maize, wheat, and soy, it is not suitable for all dogs.
Pros
- High in fiber
- The main component is lamb.
- Nutritional balance
Cons
- Certain dietary requirements are incompatible.
Senior Formula Diamond Naturals
- Diamond Naturals is a brand.
- Dry kibble is the species.
- 347 calories
- 24% protein
- Fat: 11%
- Fiber: 3%
- 10% moisture
We recommend Diamond Naturals Senior Formula if you are transferring your older Lab to a senior meal that is more appropriate for their life stage. This dry kibble is particularly developed to help seniors maintain muscular tone and bone density as their bodies age.
Each dish of this dog chow has 347 calories. This recipe’s certified analysis comprises 24% crude protein, 11% crude fat, 3% crude fiber, and 10% moisture. It contains guaranteed-live probiotics to help digestion.
Because it contains superfoods like kale, coconut, and blueberries, this cuisine is actually perfect for seniors. These antioxidant-rich substances nourish their bodies while also boosting their immunity.
The number one element for providing a strong protein supply to your older pet is real cage-free chicken.
Pros
- Ideal for the elderly
- Probiotics that are alive
- Superfoods abound.
Cons
- Not for other periods of life.
Best High Protein: Formula Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus
- Brand: Victor
- Species: Dry kibble
- Calories: 406
- Protein: 30%
- Fat: 20%
- Fiber: 3.8%
- Moisture: 9%
Try Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula if you’re searching for a high-protein meal to provide your dog a more natural diet. It has a good amount of protein, fat, and just the necessary nutrients to keep your body in balance.
This dog chow contains 406 calories per serving. If your dog problems with weight, this may not be the best dish for them. This product’s guaranteed analysis comprises 30% crude protein, 20% crude fat, 3.8% crude fiber, and 9% moisture.
This dish is amazing since it is appropriate for all phases of life. This implies that your puppy, pregnant, nursing, or geriatric dog can all benefit from this sort of diet. You’d never have to transition them again unless you changed their diet for another reason.
Victor provides a one-of-a-kind VPRO Blend that enhances immunity and aids digestion. We are confident that you will enjoy all of the advantages of this dry kibble. There is, however, no complete protein supply. The menu begins with a beef supper, which may not be enough for some owners.
Pros
- VPRO combination that is unique for immunity and digestion
- For all stages of life
- Excellent source of protein
Cons
- There is no complete protein in this product.
Grain-Free Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo brand
- Species: Dry kibble
- Calories: 377
- Protein: 32%
- Fat: 13%
- Fiber: 7%
- Moisture: 10%
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Large Breed is an excellent choice for dogs that are gluten intolerant. It is designed to meet the nutritional requirements of wild dogs, with a focus on animal-based proteins, flaxseed, and potatoes.
This dog chow contains 377 calories per serving. This product’s guaranteed analysis comprises 32% crude protein, 13% crude fat, 7% crude fiber, and 10% moisture. This recipe is free of toxic fillers and grains, resulting in a more natural approach.
Blue Buffalo’s unique LifeSource Bits, which are antioxidant-packed nibbles rich of goodness and nutrition, appear in every Blue Buffalo dish. There are no byproducts or harmful substances that might harm your Lab’s health.
Keep in mind that you should only choose a grain-free diet if your veterinarian recommends it.
Pros
- There are no grains or other potentially dangerous additives.
- LifeSource Bits with Antioxidants
Cons
- Grain-free diets are not required for all Labs.
Choice Cuts of Pedigree in Gravy Steak
- Brand: Pedigree
- Type: Wet
- Calories: 332
- Protein: 8.5%
- Fat: 3%
- Fiber: 1%
- Moisture: 82%
Pedigree Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Steak is a tasty alternative for your Lab if you’re looking for a boost of water and protein, whether as a solitary diet or topping. It includes large pieces and a powerful scent that will whet your dog’s hunger.
There are 332 calories in one serving. This product includes 8.5% crude protein, 3% crude fat, 1% crude fiber, and 82% moisture, according to the guaranteed analysis.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Comment
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.