Best Dog Food For Labradors: 5 High Quality Choices in 2017
When Labs are young they have a lot of energy. This fun loving dog is great for families. It is no wonder that the Lab is one of the most frequently registered pureblooded dogs in the United States.
Feeding your family dog the right type of dog food for their age and activity level is important. Here you will find some of the options for the best dog food for Labradors reviewed, as well as what types of issues your pet may have risk factors for.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison: Best Labrador Dog Food in 2017
| Dog Food | Quality | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Dry Dog Food | A | |
| Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food | A | |
| Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food | A- | |
| Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food | A- |
* click on the product name to be taken to Amazon where you can check the current price and read customer reviews.
Below you’ll find in-depth reviews of each of the above products.
Recommended Calorie Intake
The recommended intake of calories for your Lab depends on several factors. Generally speaking, a Lab needs 1500 and 1875 calories per day depending on body weight, according to the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. Pregnant and nursing dogs can need up to 50% more.
Age
Puppies have higher nutritional needs than regular adult sized Labradors. Older dogs often have a reduce activity level so need to be fed a reduced amount.
Activity Level
Exercise is important to any dog, but with an active breed like a Lab, it is easy for a dog to become overweight if fed too much for their activity level. For very active dogs, the amount of dog food fed may need to be increased as much as 25%.
Pregnancy and Nursing
Female dogs will need more food when pregnant or nursing. Quality dog foods will list these guidelines but it is important to be aware of your dog’s individual needs.
Common Health Problems of Labradors
Your Lab is prone to health problems. This can be caused by allergies that can stem from food, medicines, mites, fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Prescription medications such as Bravecto offers protection from these issues if bugs are the problem.
Hip and elbow dysplasia occurs regularly but can be prevented with a good diet and exercise. Dogs allowed to become overweight have a higher rate of problems according to Dog Scope.
Editor’s Choice – Best Dry Dog Food For Labrador Retriever
Here’s our pick of some of the best dog food brands for Labradors in the market.
1. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin is one of the companies that offers breed specific dog foods for the discerning pet owner. The adult formulation is suitable for Labs 15 months of age and over.
The special formulation is designed to protect the joints and bones of your Lab and offers optimum nutrition for a healthy coat with no skin problems.
If you have an itchy dog, it may be due to allergies. I specially formulated dog food like Royal Canin can reduce or even eliminate the allergies your dog suffers from.
Since Labs are prone to weight gain, Royal Canin has went the extra mile to even design the shape of the kibble to help reduce the amount and how fast your Lab eats.
2. Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food
While all Holistic Select dog foods are highly rated, we chose this flavor of adult dog food because it has a lot to offer for Labs that have skin and coat issues. Labs are water dogs and some fish oil in their diet goes a long way towards better skin.
Holistic Select has their own Digestive Support Formula that includes important Omega-3 Fatty Acids that help with joints, skin, and coat. The single protein based formula helps your adult dog have the lean muscle mass they need to be healthy.
Probiotics are a well-known immune system booster. They aid in digestion and maintaining a balanced level of beneficial bacteria crucial to great health.
At $54 for a 30 lb. bag this is not cheap dog food but for what you get it is a great deal. Many dog foods that are this nutritionally superb cost $75 or more for the equivalent size bag.
3. Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food
Eagle Pack comes in many different flavors but all have the levels of vitamins and minerals, and Omega-3s that help keep active adult Labs healthy.
A reduced fat formula is available for Labs that struggle with weight issues that can lead to joint and bone problems.
At under $43 for 30 lbs. this dog food is a great value. It contains no animal by products, wheat, corn, or soy so you are not getting a bunch of cheap fillers.
The first ingredients are Chicken Meal, Pork Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Dehulled Barley, Oatmeal, Rice, Peas, and Chicken Fat. In additional Eagle Pack includes other vegetables, vitamins, and beneficial probiotics.
This formula is a good choice for multiple dog households, especially those that have large and small dogs. Happy customers report that the size of the kibble is easy to feed all dogs.
Eagle Peak comes in various sized bags so you can let your dog try out a flavor before committing to a large bag. Just remember to allow your dog time to adjust to any food change.
4. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food
There cannot be enough emphasis on how important it is for a Lab puppy to have a complete and balanced puppy food that meets their unique needs.
This hearty chicken based puppy food will satisfy even the rare picky Lab. Brewer’s yeast and anchovy oil helps your Lab puppy have a coat that is shiny and beautiful.
When Labs are puppy’s they are sometimes even more susceptible to skin issues. Feeding a quality puppy food will make sure your pup stays happy and active.
At $54 for 30 lbs. this is an affordable premium puppy food that gets excellent comments from many satisfied customers.
Final Choice – Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Dry Dog Food
The prize for editor’s choice has to go to Royal Canin. They truly understand the need for individualized dog nutrition as evidenced by their adult and puppy formula’s.
The fact that they know how important probiotics and fish oils are to the diet of a Lab sets them ahead of many other dog foods.
Royal Canin makes it easy to get a puppy started and then switch to the adult formula. Sticking with a familiar brand can decrease the chances of your dog experiencing any food transition stress.