The 11 Best Puppy Foods For Labs

Reviews

Nutro Ultra ‘Large Breed’ Puppy Food – Overall Winner

 

 

• Type: solid food
• Weight: 30 pound bag
• Caloric Content: 3604 kcal/kg, 350 kcal/cup
• 1.5:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio

Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy is the finest overall puppy food for Labs, in our opinion. This meal is not only formulated for large breed puppies, such as Labs, but it is also healthy, reasonably priced, and compliant with the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile criteria.

Nutro promises products free of genetically modified organisms and includes no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.

It provides all the vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids essential for optimum growth, a robust immune system, and general health and wellbeing. Glucosamine and chondroitin derived from natural sources offer your puppy a head start on healthy joints.

There were several reports that certain puppies refused to consume the meal. This is usual, as not all dogs will tolerate every meal well. This is a well-liked and positively regarded option for many owners.

Pros

• Promotes healthy development and immunity
• Non-GMO
• No artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors

Cons

• Some puppies could turn up their noses at it

 

Purina ONE SmartBlend Large Breed Puppy Formula – Lowest Price

 

 

• Type: solid food
• Bag of 31,1-pound weight
• Calories: 3,759 kcal/kg, 361 kcal/cup
• 1.2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio

We recommend Purina ONE Large Breed Puppy Food as the most cost-effective option. This formula’s primary component is chicken, which cannot be stated by some of the most costly brands on the market.

This dry food provides natural supplies of glucosamine, omega-6 fatty acids, and DHA to maintain healthy joints, skin, coat, and cognitive function in big breed puppies.

This meal is protein-rich and easily digestible. This recipe has no synthetic colors, flavors, or preservatives.

This cuisine is far cheaper than the majority of its rivals, however several reviewers complained of loose stools after switching to it. This can occur with stomach sensitivity and dietary changes.

This diet may not be the highest-quality puppy chow on the market, but it is well-liked by many dog owners and has superior ingredients than some expensive feeds.

Pros

• There are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Fair price
• Easy to absorb

Cons

• Given some puppies loose feces

 

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Puppy – Puppies’ Favorite Wet Food

 

 

• Type: Wet Food
• Twelve packs of 12.5 oz. cans
• 1,200 kcal per kilogram and 425 kcal per can

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Puppy is an excellent option if you are searching for a premium wet food for your Lab puppy. This canned, moist meal contains DHA to promote brain and eye development.

This food does not include grains, gluten, by-product meals, maize, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. However, it should be remembered that grain and gluten allergies in dogs are quite uncommon, thus the majority will not require a grain-free diet.

The first four components consist of turkey, chicken broth, chicken, and chicken liver. Wet foods are often used as toppings, although they can also serve as the main course. Blue Buffalo also provides dry chow of superior quality for large-breed pups.

This wet food has received rave reviews and is highly recommended to other pet owners. Some owners grumbled about the texture of the canned food, while others experienced problems with their dogs rejecting it.

Pros

• The first four components include turkey, chicken broth, chicken, and chicken liver
• No grains, gluten, by-product meals, maize, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives are present
• May be used as a topping or main dish

Cons

• Unattractive texture
• Some puppies refused the food

 

Puppy Formula with a Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream

 

 

• Type: solid food
• Weight: 28-pound bag
• Caloric Content: 3,600 kcal/kg, 408 kcal/cup
• 1.3:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio

The ingredients of Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy include fresh salmon and ocean fish meal. Salmon oil is a high source of DHA-rich omega-3 fatty acids, which promote brain and eye development.

Taste of the Wild is fairly priced relative to its competitors and maintains a high level of quality.

This food has no grains, maize, wheat, or artificial colors or tastes. The vitamins and minerals are extracted from natural fruits and other superfoods.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidants are also added in the recipe to promote healthy digestion and immunological function.

The most common criticism among reviews was that some dogs refused to consume the meal. Taste of the Wild is a highly recommended, high-quality dog food that is beloved by dog owners.

Pros

• Reasonable in cost
• Rich in proteins and nutritionally balanced
• Supports good digestion and a robust immune system

Cons

• Some canines refuse to consume it

 

Large ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

 

 

• Type: solid food
• Bag weighing 25 kilos
• Caloric Content: 3760 kcal/kg, 451 kcal/cup
• 1.2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio

The bulk of the animal protein in Orijen Puppy Large comes from deboned poultry and fresh fish. Numerous reviewers praise this premium, high-quality cuisine highly.

This cuisine contains a favorable ratio of fat to protein, and the first five components are fresh or uncooked animal protein. The first five components in this kibble are deboned chicken, turkey, yellowtail flounder, whole eggs, and Atlantic mackerel.

This formulation features a freeze-dried coating that imparts many alluring tastes to the kibble. This food is a fantastic source of necessary proteins, vitamins, and minerals for your developing Lab puppy or any other large breed dog.

As previously said, only a small percentage of dogs are sensitive to grains or gluten, so opting grain-free is a matter of personal taste.

The disadvantage of this dish is that it is rather expensive, but the quality more than makes up for the cost.

The producer notes that the meal contains 85 percent premium animal components, which is a high percentage compared to certain rivals. Overall, this is an outstanding option for Lab puppies!

Pros

• Five of the first five components are fresh or raw animal protein
• Excellent ratio of fat to protein in analysis
• Contains 85 percent premium animal ingredients

Cons

• Expensive

 

Large-Breed Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy

 

 

• Type: solid food
• Weight: 28-pound bag
• Caloric Content: 3,518 kcal/kg, 367 kcal/cup
• 1.2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio

The Chicken Soup for the Soul series Large Breed Puppy is formulated with DHA, calcium, and phosphorus as well as glucosamine and chondroitin to promote healthy joints in large breed puppies.

Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids maintain healthy skin and coats. Meanwhile, this food has no fillers such as wheat, maize, or soy. Another advantage is that chicken and turkey are the first two components listed.

This meal is reasonably priced and much praised by dog owners. A few canines refused to consume this dish.

Overall, many owners praised the excellent value for the money, and many dogs actually enjoy this dry food. Some owners even mentioned the healthy coats on their puppies.

Pros

• No wheat, corn, or soy
• Reasonable in cost
• Turkey and chicken are the primary components

Cons

• Some pups did not like it

 

Wellness Complete Health Large-Breed Pup

 

 

• Type: solid food
• Weight: 30 pound bag
• Caloric Content: 3,533 kcal/kg, 367 kcal/cup
• 1.3:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio

Wellness Total Wellness Large Breed The majority of a puppy’s protein comes directly from chicken, along with chicken meal and salmon meal.

Wellness is a well renowned brand in terms of quality, and this large-breed puppy food is at the top of the list when it comes to providing balanced and healthy nutrition for developing puppies.

This food contains no genetically modified organisms, meat by-products, fillers, or chemical preservatives. This solution contains important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and glucosamine. It is an all-inclusive dog food that is beloved by many.

Wellness Total Wellness Large Breed Puppy is quite expensive, although this is not uncommon for high-quality meals. Some owners saw itching in dogs with chicken allergies, and some dogs had stomach distress during the switch.

Pros

• No genetically modified organisms, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives
• The majority of the protein comes from chicken
• Balanced supply of nutrition for puppies of huge breeds

Cons

• Expensive
• Not for dogs allergic to chicken
• May induce gastrointestinal discomfort during meal transition

 

Dry Labrador Retriever Puppy Food by Royal Canin

 

 

• Type: solid food
• Quantity: 30lb bag
• Caloric Content: 3,584 kcal/kg, 308 kcal/cup
• 1.18:1 Calcium to phosphorus ratio

This Royal Canin breed-specific puppy food is an excellent option for Lab owners. In any case, this formula is specially formulated for Labrador pups.

This dry food is developed to suit the nutritional requirements of developing Labrador retrievers between the ages of 8 weeks and 15 months.

Owners adore this meal and have submitted a variety of testimonials noting that their pets’ coats were silky and lustrous, their activity levels were high, and their growth rates were healthy.

In addition, this meal is formulated to encourage optimum nutritional absorption and to reduce your puppy’s eating pace by encouraging chewing and digesting. Large-breed dogs sometimes suffer from bloat, therefore this can be quite useful.

Royal Canin is extremely pricey, and although being created expressly for Labrador Retrievers, its price places it at the bottom of the list.

However, being one of the most reputable brands and one that is recommended by veterinarians worldwide, it is a wonderful option for individuals with the appropriate cash.

Pros

• Aids digestion
• Promotes healthy development
• Made just for Labrador Retrievers

Cons

• Expensive

How to Choose the Finest Labrador Retriever Puppies Foods

Different stages of a dog’s life have different nutritional requirements, which is why so many pet food manufacturers have specific recipes for each life stage. Your Lab puppy will require a different nutritional balance than an adult Lab.

Why Does Breed Matter When Selecting Dog Food?

The size and breed of a dog play a significant role in picking the finest food, which is why we’ve compiled this breed-specific list. Different dog breeds are prone to certain hereditary diseases.

Labrador Retrievers and other large breeds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia. Diet has an essential part in preventing some health problems.

In recent years, there has been concern regarding a possible relationship between grain-free and non-grain-free diets with a high proportion of legumes and heart disease. This may be significant for labradors, who are more susceptible to cardiac issues than other breeds.

Studies have revealed that feeding practices, the dog’s pace of growth, food consumption, and particular vitamin and electrolyte balances in their diet have a significant impact on these disorders.

In order to make the most educated decision, owners of any huge or gigantic dog breed, not only Labs, should be aware of this vital information.

Selecting the Finest Food

While having a list of the finest puppy meals is a good starting point, you must still choose one. So, how does one select from a selection of excellent options? Prior to making a final decision, we will discuss some of the most crucial factors.

What Would Your Veterinarian Suggest?

First and foremost, you should address the nutritional needs of your new puppy with their doctor. A veterinarian will be the first to emphasize the significance of a healthy diet for a pet’s general health and wellbeing.

Your veterinarian has probably worked with purebred Labrador Retrievers several times before. Do not be hesitant to seek their guidance on the finest food for your dog, and be sure to address any dietary changes or queries with them if you are uncertain.

Dog Food Manufacturer

You must verify that the dog food brand you choose is trustworthy. Ideal would be discovering a brand that is formulated by veterinary nutritionists and supported by scientific studies.

If a firm promotes its participation in AAFCO feeding studies, it has conducted research to assure the product has no nutritional inadequacies. A balanced food is essential for a puppy’s development, and not all products offer the same level of quality.

Ingredients

Protein, fat, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and water are the most essential nutrients for your puppy’s diet. The quality of any pet food may be determined by its constituent components.

Look for dishes that have meat as the primary element. Below is a list of items to avoid at all costs:

Ingredients You Should Avoid

• Propylene glycol
• Corn sugar
• BHA
• BHT
• Sodium nitrite
• Nitrate
• MSG
• Artificial colors
• Ethoxyquin

Quantity

Since your Lab is a large-breed puppy, you may want to go for larger bags so that you are not constantly making excursions to the pet store. Quantity will also play a significant effect in determining price.

Cost

When making purchase selections, cost is a significant factor. Consider that higher-quality dog food may be more expensive. It is crucial not to sacrifice quality for cheaper, more budget-friendly food options.

There are economically cost, high-quality meals available; simply read the label and evaluate the reputation of the brand. Ultimately, the health of your dog is of the highest significance.

Conclusion

Although we enjoy every puppy on our list, the Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy is our top selection overall. Not only does it meet AAFCO’s stringent quality requirements, but it is also economically priced.

Purina ONE Smartblend Large Breed Puppy Food is an excellent choice if you’re looking for high-quality food at a reasonable price.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) would like to thank our visitors for visiting our website to learn about and research the best puppy foods for labs. Best of luck discovering your Lab puppy’s new favorite meal!