Proper nutrition of oneLabrador would not be a problem if you let him decide for himself: the main thing is to have a large amount of food. Because the Labrador belongs to the breeds that are not exactly selective in terms of its food. Here we have summarized how you can prevent your favorite pet from eating too much, what is the right diet for the Labrador Retriever and what food is especially suitable for it.
The Labrador Retriever was originally used as a retrieval dog during hunting. He is now considered the ideal family dog, as he is kind and friendly and likes to be by people’s side. A Labrador’s diet depends on how active it is and how old it is.
Labrador puppies: Healthy diet for a strong skeleton
The Labrador Retriever belongs to the large breeds of dogs . Therefore, it is important not to feed the puppies of this breed with a food with a lot of energy, so that they do not grow too fast.
The consequences of oversupply of energy are higher than expected and the development of unstable bones. In addition, muscle tension and pressure caused by possibly higher weights can lead to limb displacements.
However, the diet of a young Labrador should contain a sufficient amount of nutrients for optimal growth, as the dog can reach a weight of up to 35 kg in a relatively short time. In order for a Labrador puppy to have an ideal start to a healthy life, attention must be paid to a balanced amount of energy, minerals, trace elements and vitamins based on the dog’s needs.
Special food for young Labrador Retrievers
It is therefore best to use onespecial food for puppies , as this usually ensures a balanced composition of nutrients. There is even food specially adapted for Labrador puppies.
The recommended quantities for puppies are based on the puppy’s current weight and expected weight as an adult dog. Here you can use the weight of the parent animal of the same sex as a reference value. In addition, the amount of food depends on the activity level of the puppy.
The diet of an adult Labrador
When the Labrador Retriever is fully grown, you should change his diet to an adult dog food. In the case of a very active dog, the food may contain more carbohydrates for energy.
On the contrary, in a calm dog you should be careful to have a moderate carbohydrate content, so that the dog does not become overweight. The fat content should also be medium.
Pay attention to the right amount of food
To avoid being overweight, you should also be careful about the amount of food you give your dog. Under no circumstances should the Labrador decide for himself how much to eat. Labrador Retrievers are quite greedy dogs and eat much more than is good for them and their stomachs. How much food is good, however, depends on the age, weight and activity level of your dog.
As a rule, one or two meals a day are enough for a Retriever and should always be given at the same time. If you give your dog treats between main meals, you should subtract this amount from the daily amount of food, ie fill the bowl with less food.
Ingredients that support the joints
Labrador Retrievers often have joint problems. Therefore, foods that contain ingredients such as green mussels which support the joints are particularly suitable. In addition, fiber such as carrots or apples in the diet are good for the intestinal flora.
Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult
- adapted fat and L-carnitine to stimulate fat metabolism
- with skin-hair complex in the form of fatty acids, zinc and biotin
- special complex of antioxidants for vision
- to support the joints with chondroitin and glucosamine
- omega-3 fatty acids to strengthen the skin, hair and joints
Labrador Retriever Diet: Choosing the right food
What else is important when it comes to the right food for a Labrador? A healthy, balanced diet is usually distinguished by the high percentage of meat. Meat is the most important source of protein for the dog.
Vegetables and fruits (about 20 to 30 percent) also provide important vitamins andnutrients in the food bowl . On the contrary, your dog does not need cereals, except in small quantities. So a very high percentage of cereals is more of an indicator of a lower quality food.
Whether you prefer to offer your Labrador Retriever wet or dry food is entirely up to you – and your four-legged friend’s preferences. Because both types of food have their advantages respectively:
Advantages of liquid food
- The dog already absorbs fluids from the food, as the liquid food contains about 70 percent moisture.
- It is usually tastier than dry food.
- Due to the moisture content, the amount of food is larger, which can be an advantage for the Labrador.
- It has a lower energy content than dry food. This can be especially helpful for dogs who are obese.
- It has a long shelf life and is prepared by heating without preservatives.
Advantages of dry food
- It is usually cheaper than liquid food.
- Dry food is divided into portions and stored more easily. Also suitable for walks and trips.
- A good energy supply is guaranteed for active dogs.
- Large croquettes prevent drowning.
- Reduced quantities of packaging than liquid food protect the environment.
- It usually already contains joint additives and other ingredients that can be beneficial to health.
In the west of dog life
Age-related physical changes pose different needs for the older dog’s diet. Above all, reduced mobility reduces energy needs. So you need to reduce the energy supply to the food so that the older dog does not gain weight.
Since some older dogs have a reduced sense of smell and taste, a particularly tasty food may be an advantage.
Discover also our variety of dog food especially for Labradors in our store.