In the early 1800s, the popularity of “water dogs” spread across America and eventually right across the globe to England. These water dogs were working closely with hunters. They were praised for their unmatchable retrieving abilities, particularly when in water. Their services were not dependent on weather conditions so they could perform all year round.

Eventually, they became known by the name we call them today: Labrador retrievers or “Labs” for short.

Today, Labradors are some of the most loved domestic pets on the planet. Because of their interesting pasts and the consequences of breeding, their lifestyles require a bit more thought than other dogs. This affects everything from exercise patterns to dietary requirements.

This guide will break down the ins and outs of Labrador existence. You can see what matters when looking after your four-legged friend. We also listed our top five best dog foods for your Labrador retriever along with pros, cons, and reviews of each.

You’re about to improve your bond with your Lab and with these special animals that are something worth investing in. So, read on…

Raising Puppy Labradors 

In spite of originally being bred for water retrieving, Labradors are today’s family dog of choice. They are fiercely loyal, energetic, and loving creatures.

Labs particularly love having jobs to do. Whether it’s retrieving something thrown or playing watchdog, they take their tasks very seriously. This is not to underestimate their playful nature. And, in spite of being of incredible muscular stature, they are unbelievably gentle when need be. This makes them the perfect family dog.

They are popular worldwide as their anatomy allows them to thrive in all weather conditions. From the coldest cold to the warmest corners of the globe, Labs can fit right into your home dynamic without much fuss.

Because they are so strong, however, there needs to be a distinct balance between diet and exercise. A lack thereof and you’ll notice their energy shift beyond their own control in sporadic outbursts.

Labradors are also prone to becoming overweight if food portions are out of balance.

A few statistics also help to understand them better:

Lifespan: Between 10 and 12 years

Coat: Short and thick

Colors: Black, yellow, chocolate brown

Maturation Rate: Fully-grown between 6 to 12 months

Ears: Medium-sized and floppy

Attention Needs: Low to moderate

Grooming Needs: Low maintenance

Diet Requirements For Young Labs

Regardless of the breed, dogs across the board need a balanced diet when it comes to feeding time.

By balanced diet, we refer to the compound nutrients that make up your everyday dog foods. In order for a brand of dog food to be considered “balanced,” there needs to be a few criteria present:

The first and most notable ingredient is that of carbohydrates. Carbs make up 50% to 70% of most dog foods. Manufacturers typically source their carbs from wheat, corn or barley-based grains. On occasion, you’ll find potato-carb-based dog food.

Carbs are imperative for the digestion of your Labrador. They’ll also get most of their expendable energy from these. Carbs are solely responsible for the active nature and energy levels of an animal.

Dog food also needs a significant amount of protein in order to constitute as balanced. Protein is solely responsible for the building of muscle and tissue within your pet. Because Labradors are naturally such muscular creatures, sufficient protein is extremely important. It’s also important that the added protein comes from a natural source of meat such as chicken, beef, or fish. Labradors need 18 to 20% of protein per meal.

Lastly, a combination of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids should make up the rest of the food mix. These are all responsible for your Lab’s immune system upkeep. They ensure the body continues to function normally and prevent illness. Enough vitamin A and zinc are essential for Labradors due to the dense nature of their coat & skin. The vitamins and minerals found in dog foods are taken from fruits & vegetables. This is the same way in which human beings receive their vitamins and minerals.

Most people go through life remaining blissfully unaware about the difference in foods when it comes to bigger versus smaller dogs. The misconception that dog food is dog food is dog food can be detrimental to the health of your pet.

In actual fact, dog food requirements are vastly different for different breeds and sizes.

Bigger Dogs

Labradors would be categorized as a large breed when it comes to dietary habits.

Unlike their smaller counterparts, bigger dogs need more of the aforementioned nutrients per meal serving. Their physical anatomy requires more in order to function properly.

That being said, bigger dogs also tend to consume larger portions of food during meals; usually, up to three times compared to that of smaller dogs. This means that the nutritional value per kibble pellet needs to be proportionate to the size of the serving they’ll consume.

High-quality dog food manufacturers carefully balance the nutrient values of each pellet targeted at bigger dogs. Because more quantity will be consumed, nutrients per pellet are significantly less than in food targeted at smaller dogs.

Smaller Dogs

Because smaller dogs can’t eat as much as bigger ones, the nutrient value needs to be much higher. This ensures that the animal gets enough per serving to maintain their health and well-being.

Smaller dogs also need smaller pellets since their jaws and teeth can’t manage the same sized pellets that bigger dogs would consume.

This contrast in food is so important to be aware of if you are a dog owner. Feeding your small dog (or puppy) food that was designed around the needs of bigger dogs can lead to deficiencies quickly.

In the same way, feeding your bigger dog food targeted at smaller dogs can see them receiving too much of certain vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbs, which can be bad for their health.

Making oneself aware of the repercussions that come with bad dietary management and making adjustments can mean the difference between a healthy, thriving dog and a deathly ill one. It’s all in the food!

Labs

Falling under the category of “bigger dogs,” Labradors need a higher amount of nutrients per serving.

Labs should ideally be fed twice a day. This is a lot when you consider the idea of eating dry food so frequently. Their digestive tracts can take some strain.

It is, therefore, encouraged that dry food occasionally be mixed with a topper of sorts. Broths and meaty chunks are a great way to spice things up. Throwing in some raw meats on occasion is also a nice change which will keep mealtimes interesting so they actually WANT to eat and you don’t have to force them.

Important Benefits of Dog Food

Taking an interest in the dietary requirements of your Labrador poses many advantages to everyday life.

Some of the quality dog foods on the market have the ability to transform your pet’s life quite dramatically. If your dog could talk, we guarantee he would thank you.

Happiness

It might sound like a cliché, but if a happy pet isn’t the long-term goal then what are you actually doing? Selecting the best dog food for your Labrador can set this path in motion.

With dogs, life is really about the simple pleasures—meal times are one of them. Each one should be as tasty and enjoyable as possible. Eating a quality, balanced food source will show instant results in your Lab. Their exterior and interior will be in peak performance & their mood will match.

Did you know Labradors are prone to depression? This is easily managed, however, with enough exercise and sufficient nutrients entering their systems each day.

Health

Hand in hand with happiness, great Labrador health is probably the most worthwhile benefit of a proper feeding regime.

No one wants to think about their dog no longer being around. Something as simple as investing in quality dog food can significantly increase the lifespan of your pet. What’s more, while eating nutrient food they’ll be less prone to illness and disease, meaning less time in the vet’s office. This gives valuable peace of mind that is worth the price tag of properly designed food alone. However, this large breed is prone to food allergies, hip dysplasia, and even obesity in adult dogs. Therefore, dog food for Labradors that is specially formulated to controls the number of calories in the dog's diet, and provides a wellness core, such as raw food, grain-free dry dog food, a balanced fat content, probiotics, and so on will make for a happy, healthy pup.

Lifespan

In order to keep certain breeds of dogs in a thriving state of existence, there needs to be thought and care from the owners in question.

The nature of dog breeding sometimes sees the emergence of flaws within the development of certain breeds over time. A good example would be the slow deterioration of breathing ability in pugs throughout the years. It’s believed that problems like these arose over time as a direct result of poor nutrition.

In order to prevent the same kind of changes in Labradors, it’s the public’s responsibility to become acutely aware of the dietary requirements of these boisterous creatures.

Meat vs. Kibble Dog Food - Which Is The Best?

There is much debate on whether or not it’s better to feed Labradors a diet of kibble or a diet of solely raw meat.

We believe the answer lies in a healthy balance between the two. A raw meat-based diet can be sustainable for Labradors; however, there are certain nutrient groups that would then need to be given via supplements.

A piece of meat has more than enough protein to keep an animal going. It does not, however, contain any of the necessary carbs and minerals that contribute to a balanced existence. This is why alternating between both meat and kibble-based feeding can be most beneficial.

Too much dry food can also be harsh on the stomachs of Labradors. Their digestion can weaken if meals are not regularly offered in variation.

Kibble is perfectly suitable with the addition of a raw piece of meat thrown into the works every few days. The meat piece doesn’t necessarily always need to constitute a full meal; even a bone to snack on is sufficient.

Now, to make sure the food you provide adheres to the guidelines mentioned above, consider these options.

Final Thoughts

Raising a Labrador is both a challenge and a privilege.

By simply selecting a well-designed, balanced food regime you can guarantee years of happiness and loyalty from your best friend. We trust that this guide has put you on the right path in doing so.

Allow yourself to reap the benefits of a healthy Labrador as your companion. Education on food groups and intake is the first step to a better relationship with your dog. A little bit of research goes a long way and there are ample dog food brands out there to help you along.

As within, so without. Take care in what you’re putting into your Lab. They’re worth it!