What to feed a Labrador - the best ready-made and natural food

The health of the pet directly depends on the quality and clear balance in food for Labrador dogs. In this connection, breeders give preference not to natural food, but to dry food. This trend is not explained by saving time and money, but rather by caring for your four-legged friend. And this decision can be optimal if you know how to choose really high-quality dog ​​food among all the variety of offers that exist today. Reviews from experienced breeders, as well as experts, given below will help you decide where to buy and what to pay attention to.

Rating of the 10 best dry food for Labrador Retriever

Dry food contains a range of vitamins and components for her active and happy life. Most breeders of these pets prefer dry nutritional granules and regularly pamper their pet with them, not forgetting to give him fresh water. Crackers consist of a complex of substances beneficial to animals - these are proteins, vitamins, minerals in the quantities that should be present for the proper development, growth, and good health of the animal. When purchasing similar food for their dog, each owner must adhere to the following criteria: age, size of the animal, its degree of physical mobility, class of nutritional granules.

Dry and wet food - food review

Modern super premium dry food is made from first-class meat and vegetables. It has a varied composition and contains essential vitamins. High-quality drying is a complete replacement for home-cooked dishes. Premium food is made from second-class meat and offal. Allergenic cereals act as fillers. Premium foods often contain flavor enhancers.

Economy class drying negatively affects the health of the dog. Manufacturers use by-products and waste from slaughterhouses as raw materials. Such products cause urolithiasis, poisoning and allergies.

Foods targeted at Labrador Retrievers include:

It is recommended to give preference to super premium food. They contain whole meat and a significant list of nutrients.

In addition to specialized lines, Labradors will benefit from high-quality food for large breeds. These include:

• Nutra Gold;
• Bosch;
• Fest Choice;
• Pronature;
• Go!;
• Naw!;
• Orijen;
• Grandorf;
• Innova;
• Hills;
• Eukanuba.

The amount of dry food is indicated on the packaging or the manufacturer’s website. It is calculated based on the dog's body weight. To prevent a Labrador from gaining weight, the owner must follow these recommendations.

Many owners pamper their pets with canned food. They can be given in parallel with dry food, but under no circumstances in the same bowl. In the morning the Labrador is given dry food, and in the evening wet food. You should not transfer your animal exclusively to canned food. This is done only as prescribed by a doctor.

Popular canned foods include:

1. Belcando. Made from whole chicken, horse meat and kangaroo meat. The composition also includes offal, rice, vegetables, fruits and berries. For dogs prone to food allergies, they produce grain-free lines. Price: 190 rub. per jar of 400 g.
2. Barking Heads. Known for its rich composition. Ingredients include whole meats and fish, a variety of fruits and vegetables, brown rice, herbs and seaweed. The manufacturer produces lines for dogs with sensitive digestion, overweight and coat problems. There are also lines that differ in the main ingredients. The downside of these canned foods is their high cost. Price: 250 rub. per can at 395 g.
3. Almo Nature. Made from fresh meat (at least 50%) and vegetables. Canned foods are known for their wide range of flavors and textures. The products are available in the form of pouches, jellies and pieces. An additional plus is the reasonable price (140 rubles per 300 g jar).

Premium and economy-class canned food has a high percentage of negative reviews, so it is better to buy a quality product for your dog from time to time than to feed it with cheap brands.

Feeding

When choosing, you should focus on premium products that do not contain by-products that cause allergies.
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Puppy food contains chondroprotectors, and to maintain the coat in good condition, the presence of prebiotics is necessary.

At the age of 6-12 months, muscle mass actively increases. Requires mineral complex.

An adult Labrador requires a stable diet, without changes in composition. With “dry” feeding, the dog receives a balanced complex, with the correct ratio of all necessary vitamins.

There are dietary foods that take into account the health and lifestyle of the dog. Eating fiber is important for bowel function. Sensitive skin needs regular replenishment of zinc, copper, iron and other elements.

Labradors are prone to obesity, eye diseases and dysplasia. To avoid this, a special mixture is selected in an individual dosage.

homemade food

By homemade food we never mean food from the human table . At home, you should not give scraps to dogs of any breed, especially such large and active ones. If you decide to feed your Labrador natural food, you will have to create a menu and prepare dog food.

The daily volume is calculated depending on the age, place of residence, condition and activity of the dog. For dogs up to 6 months – 6-8% of body weight; over 6 months – 3-4% of the animal’s weight. For older dogs, 2-2.5% of body weight is enough. The average serving for an adult healthy dog ​​is from 900 to 1400 grams.

The diet is based on fresh meat and meat (fish) products 60%, dairy products and herbal supplements 40%. Fatty meats are not suitable - dogs gain weight very quickly and obesity can develop. It is preferable to focus on the following varieties: rabbit, horse meat, chicken (breast), turkey, veal.

Meat can be taken with veins and cartilage - it is healthier for animals. Keep the tenderloin for yourself. There is no need to cook - just freeze thoroughly in the “deep-freeze” mode and pour over boiling water before serving directly.

What other products should be included when feeding “natural”:

• steamed offal;
• cheese and rye crackers - as a treat and encouragement;
• bifidok, fermented baked milk and yogurt;
• low-fat cottage cheese;
• vegetables – raw, finely chopped;
• raw quail eggs with shell;
• chicken eggs (omelet) 1-2 times a week;
• raw tripe;
• raw beef bone;
• boiled sea fish of low-fat varieties - cleaned of bones;
• complexes of vitamins and minerals.

Read: How to choose vitamins for dogs.

Important! Labradors are prone to obesity, so it is best to avoid cereals, bread and sweet, sugary fruits.

Belcando Junior Maxi for large and giant breed puppies from 3 to 18 months (15 kg)

Many experts recommend Belcando Junior, made in Germany, for large dogs. Its composition is rich in a high content of poultry meat, in addition to easily digestible rice, which helps good digestion and absorption of useful components. The recipe contains carob fruits, which contain tannins and substances important for life that have an effect on proper digestion. Belongs to the super premium class.

pros

• A complete, balanced complex of nutrients.
• Healthy pet.
• Convenient, economical packaging.
• A wide range of.
• Availability.
• German quality.

Minuses

• Causes an allergic reaction.
• Not all dogs like it.
• Not sold in all Russian cities.
• Composition with sodium chloride.
• Large granules of strange color.
• Poor combination with vitamins and other products.
• There is a minimum of meat, but a maximum of cereals.

Acana Puppy Large Breed, 11.4 kg

Acana Puppy appeals to every furry friend and turns into a favorite bowl. Transforms the animal's fur into smooth and silky, bones will be stronger, and more energy will appear. Thanks to these crackers, your beloved friend is provided with a balanced diet. Many breeders of our smaller four-legged brothers recommend them to everyone else. This is a holistic class.

pros

• Natural.
• Without smell.
• Large packaging.

Minuses

• High price.
• There is a fishy smell.

Feeding problems

Labradors are big eaters. They are not capricious, not picky about food, and will never refuse a supplement. Because of this, dogs of this breed are overly fat and require a low-carbohydrate, low-protein diet. But sometimes the puppy stops coming to his favorite bowl, doesn’t answer the call, and refuses to eat. He looks for a secluded place, lays down there, looks sad.

Reasons for refusing to eat

There are psychological reasons for refusing food. Usually the problem is solved quickly and goes away after the irritating factor is eliminated.

Why doesn't the puppy eat:

• changing food or switching to a different type of food;
• separation from mother and dog family;
• stress, fear;
• hot weather;
• staleness of food.

Repeated refusal to feed is a signal of a possible illness.

Royal Canin Maxi Adult dry for large breed dogs, 15 kg

The animal receives a complete diet thanks to Royal Canin. It is designed for individuals weighing from 26 to 44 kilograms, aged from 15 months to 5 years. Its dry granules contain a unique complex of nutrients that helps the digestive system function optimally. They contain a lot of protein, creating a balance with dietary fiber. Royal has natural taste properties with an aroma that evokes excellent appetite in our smaller four-legged brothers. Category: premium.

pros

• Balanced composition.
• High quality.
• Promotes good digestion.
• Maintaining optimal shape and weight.
• Healthy coat, skin, teeth.
• Convenient, practical packaging.
• The pet likes it.
• Gives activity.
• The crackers smell nice.

Minuses

• The packaging is made of paper and does not close after opening.
• Unattractive looking bag of granules.
• Possible only from 15 months to 5 years.

Characteristics of ready-made food

Typically, industrial food for Labrador retrievers is divided into 4 main groups.

1. Classic – including food for puppies as well as adult animals.
2. Diet for dogs with health problems and allergies.
3. Food for expectant mothers and nursing dogs.
4. Food for older dogs.

Based on the quality of the base material, there are several classes of factory feed:

• economy;
• extra - have a well-balanced composition and are affordable. However, they contain grade 2 by-products and chemical additives;
• super-premium class – contain the highest quality components;
• holistic – enriched with valuable natural ingredients, including medicinal herbs and vitamins. They are rarely found on sale and cost a lot.

It should be noted that young or adult Labradors should be given food of at least premium class from the best manufacturers, since these diets often contain:

• prebiotics – they normalize the pet’s digestive processes and stool;
• unsaturated fatty acids - improve the quality of skin and coat;
• the structure of the granules is designed so that the dog will not be able to chew them right away;
• the product is completely balanced and includes all the necessary ingredients for the proper functioning and strengthening of internal organs and the skeletal system.

However, in addition to dry food, canned and wet diets are also available on sale. The main difference between this finished product is the abundance of moisture - 50-90% to 8-12% typical for dry food. They have the following characteristics.

1. High fat content.
2. Abundance of easily digestible proteins.
3. The presence of microbes is excluded.
4. Convenient packaging.

And yet, it is advisable to use such food as a delicacy, and not make it the main thing.

Review of the advantages and disadvantages of a dry menu

A dog's diet, consisting of industrial food, has such advantages.

1. The ability to save hours spent on preparing food and determining the diet.
2. Compact packaging.
3. It's well balanced.
4. Can be stored for a long time.
5. Solid lumps of dry food simultaneously cleanse your pet’s fangs of plaque, serving to prevent tartar.

But the disadvantages of this type of nutrition include.

1. High quality food is rarely inexpensive.
2. In middle-class kits you can find many different additives that are not particularly useful for your pet.
3. Comprehensive information about the composition of feed is not always available.
4. Budget series are usually of low quality and consist of by-products of the latter category.

Almo Nature Holistic beef 12 kg (for large breeds)

Italian crackers of excellent quality with meat additives do not violate European standards. They have the aroma of real meat, causing an excellent appetite in your beloved pet. They contain protein, but in minimal quantities. The animal receives adequate nutrition by consuming it regularly. Almo Nature belongs to the super premium category.

pros

• Dogs love its taste.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Wide range of tastes.
• Fresh natural ingredients.
• There are no artificial additives, dyes, preservatives, or flavors.

Minuses

• Sometimes causes hair loss.
• The pet may refuse to eat it.

Purina Pro Plan Optiderma for Healthy Skin and Coat, Salmon with Rice, 14 kg (Large Breeds)

A healthy body and the well-being of an animal are the result of its optimal nutrition. Purina Pro Plan was developed by Russian veterinarians and nutritionists. The composition includes specially selected nutritional components for four-legged pets of different sizes, weights and ages. It suits even special preferences and keeps the animal in excellent condition. Belongs to the premium class.

pros

• Decent composition.
• Wide range for any age, size.
• Nutritious with all the vitamin complex.

Minuses

• Flavoring additive.
• Doesn't cause much appetite.
• Not available everywhere.
• Creates increased gas formation.

Bottom line

The above rating is based on many facts - cost, naturalness of the composition, as well as comments from the owners themselves, and so on. When deciding to get a cute puppy, you need to be aware of your responsibility, be prepared to care and worry about the life and health of your pet. That is why you should approach with maximum responsibility the choice of the right balanced diet, which will affect the physical condition and good spirits of your pet. Consultations from specialists and nutritionists from the world of dog breeding play a big role in determining which company’s product is better, but advice from experienced breeders and just amateurs is no less important. Nevertheless, the owners themselves will have to decide which one is better to buy, taking into account not only the popularity of the 2022 models, but also the preferences and needs of their dog, otherwise this may cause intestinal discomfort with all the accompanying problems.

Brit Care lamb with rice 12 kg (for large breeds)

The food is produced in the Czech Republic. It is rich in protein due to the significant amount of natural meat and fish in the recipe. Rice is used, enriching the body with carbohydrates, including fish and chicken oil, which produce fatty acids. Brit Care is most useful for large breeds, because its components prevent joint diseases - a problem for many large four-legged pets. Premium and super - premium class.

pros

• Vitamins and minerals in balance.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Nice smell.
• Causes a huge appetite.
• Optimal size granules.
• High quality.
• For a healthy pet's body.

Minuses

• It smells strong.
• Unpleasant color.
• Too dry.
• Not suitable for all breeds.
• Insufficient bag volume - up to 12 kilograms.

Dry and wet food - food review

Modern super premium dry food is made from first-class meat and vegetables. It has a varied composition and contains essential vitamins. High-quality drying is a complete replacement for home-cooked dishes. Premium food is made from second-class meat and offal. Allergenic cereals act as fillers. Premium foods often contain flavor enhancers.

Economy class drying negatively affects the health of the dog. Manufacturers use by-products and waste from slaughterhouses as raw materials. Such products cause urolithiasis, poisoning and allergies.

Foods targeted at Labrador Retrievers include:

It is recommended to give preference to super premium food. They contain whole meat and a significant list of nutrients.

In addition to specialized lines, Labradors will benefit from high-quality food for large breeds. These include:

• Nutra Gold;
• Bosch;
• Fest Choice;
• Pronature;
• Go!;
• Naw!;
• Orijen;
• Grandorf;
• Innova;
• Hills;
• Eukanuba.

The amount of dry food is indicated on the packaging or the manufacturer’s website. It is calculated based on the dog's body weight. To prevent a Labrador from gaining weight, the owner must follow these recommendations.

Many owners pamper their pets with canned food. They can be given in parallel with dry food, but under no circumstances in the same bowl. In the morning the Labrador is given dry food, and in the evening wet food. You should not transfer your animal exclusively to canned food. This is done only as prescribed by a doctor.

Popular canned foods include:

1. Belcando. Made from whole chicken, horse meat and kangaroo meat. The composition also includes offal, rice, vegetables, fruits and berries. For dogs prone to food allergies, they produce grain-free lines. Price: 190 rub. per jar of 400 g.
2. Barking Heads. Known for its rich composition. Ingredients include whole meats and fish, a variety of fruits and vegetables, brown rice, herbs and seaweed. The manufacturer produces lines for dogs with sensitive digestion, overweight and coat problems. There are also lines that differ in the main ingredients. The downside of these canned foods is their high cost. Price: 250 rub. per can at 395 g.
3. Almo Nature. Made from fresh meat (at least 50%) and vegetables. Canned foods are known for their wide range of flavors and textures. The products are available in the form of pouches, jellies and pieces. An additional plus is the reasonable price (140 rubles per 300 g jar).

Premium and economy-class canned food has a high percentage of negative reviews, so it is better to buy a quality product for your dog from time to time than to feed it with cheap brands.

OUR DIET WITH BEEF, 15 kg

OUR DIET, produced in Russia, provides the body of four-legged pets with the entire complex of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are so necessary for health. The composition contains natural ingredients, probiotics that support the immune system. The dog is healthy and active all day long thanks to fatty acids, chicken and salmon fat. The listed components are present in the specified diet. Considered economy class.

pros

• Qualitative.
• The dog eats with pleasure.
• Gives activity to the animal.
• The fur shines and shines.
• Well absorbed.
• Choice of flavors.

Minuses

• Large granules.
• Cats eat.
• Only for large representatives of the breed.

Daily norm

Strict requirements are imposed on Labrador cubs. Breeders also take care of feeding the one-month-old puppy.

The main element on which they rely when creating a diet for puppies of 2 months is protein. It is a building block and an essential substance for the body. Labrador is a fast-growing breed, so the dog needs high-calorie food.

For puppies

The main element on which they rely when creating a diet for puppies of 2 months is protein. It is a building block and an essential substance for the body. Labrador is a fast-growing breed, so the dog needs high-calorie food.

The main element on which they rely when creating a diet for puppies of 2 months is protein. It is a building block and an essential substance for the body. Labrador is a fast-growing breed, so the dog needs high-calorie food.

To meet the nutritional needs of a Labrador puppy, you need:

For Labrador it is preferable to cook porridge in broths; additionally add fresh fruit, 5 grams per 1 kg daily.

For Labrador it is preferable to cook porridge in broths; additionally add fresh fruit, 5 grams per 1 kg daily.

As the animal grows older, its activity decreases, the dog’s growth process stops, and its calorie requirement decreases. The norm and strict adherence are the key to the health of the Labrador. The owner must adhere to the recommendations for feeding natural food.

For Labrador it is preferable to cook porridge in broths; additionally add fresh fruit, 5 grams per 1 kg daily.

Pedigree for healthy skin and coat, beef, 13 kg (for large breeds)

PEDIGREE helps reduce the risk of tartar and plaque formation on your pet’s teeth. Provides him with normal digestion. It is preferable to feed your pet dry food in a container separate from wet food, and ensure the availability of fresh drinking water. This is quite healthy, tasty dog ​​food. It is produced taking into account the physiological needs of a large four-legged pet. The food is produced by a Russian company and is designed for the economy category.

pros

• Convenient packaging.
• Pleasant aromatic and taste properties.
• The pet eats with pleasure.
• No artificial flavors.
• High quality crackers.
• Comfortable in using.
• Lots of vitamins.
• The coat takes on a healthy, beautiful appearance.

Minuses

• Negative reputation.
• Missing useful components.
• Worse than normal nutrition.
• Doesn't do any good.
• Harmful to the health of the animal.
• The pet quickly gets used to this food and does not eat anything else.
• Increases salivation.

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Determining the dog's condition

Appearance is an indicator of health. By how a Labrador and whether its weight is normal, you can judge whether it is fed correctly and whether the food for it .

The Labrador Retriever is a swimming dog that can overcome several tens of meters of water to pick up game, so a dense build does not indicate an excess of food . A moderate layer of fat and a strong muscle corset means that the dog is fine. You should not rely on the advice of owners of hounds or greyhounds who say that your retriever’s belly is not tucked well enough or that its sides are protruding. Most likely, they will say this even about a perfectly built Labrador, because they are accustomed to animals of a different constitution.

In a retriever receiving normal nutrition, the ribs and spine should not be strongly palpable. There should be no pronounced waist. These signs indicate that the Labrador is eating less food than it should for its level of exercise. If you have any doubts about whether your dog is overfed or malnourished, study photos of breed champions or ask the canine community for advice.

Pay attention to the condition of your pet's fur. A healthy animal has no bald spots - the hair is thick and even. The guard hair should be shiny and shimmery if you walk your Labrador on a sunny day.

The second point of monitoring the condition is taking a biochemical blood test. It is recommended to visit a doctor once every year or year and a half for preventive purposes, even with a healthy-looking dog. If your Labrador is older (over 7 years old), you should visit the veterinarian even more often - once every six months to a year. If you suspect that your dog is unwell, contact the clinic immediately. Perhaps this will save your wallet from exhaustion, and your pet from serious difficulties.

CHAPPI MEAT ABUNDANCE WITH VEGETABLES AND HERBS, adults

CHAPPI is produced in Russia for economy class. It contains cereals, which are considered the best sources of carbohydrates. Proteins are present in the form of meat and offal. Use vegetables, for example, carrots, vegetable oils. CHAPPI is convenient because there is no need to add vitamins to it; they are already contained in sufficient quantities.

pros

• Wide availability.
• Nutritious food.
• Does not cause constipation in the animal.
• Decent quality.
• Promotes healthy appearance of coat and teeth.
• Doggies like it.
• There are no artificial flavors or flavor enhancers.

Minuses

• Treatment of the animal after eating these dry granules.
• Bad composition.
• Allergic reactions.
• Hair falls out.
• Bloating.
• Not suitable for all individuals.
• Unattractive packaging.

What should quality food be like?

Some of these signs are indirect. They are not directly related to the properties of the food, but circumstances have developed such that the presence of the sign indicates that the food is most likely in order.

You are more likely to choose food that:

• is not sold in a nearby supermarket, but is available in veterinary pharmacies, specialized stores or when ordering online;
• sold not only in small boxes, but also in large bags (3–10 kg);
• has a laconic informative design;
• contains in the description detailed information about the ingredients and their effect on the animal’s body;
• consists not of obscure “meat products” or “cereals”, but of specific ones: “chicken fat”, “alfalfa”, “pumpkin” and “rosemary”;
• contains phyto-additives, vitamins, minerals and natural preservatives (tocopherols) and has no artificial ones.

Economy class products have a free formula (the ingredients are not fixed and can change depending on fluctuations in prices for raw materials), the emphasis is on taste. Such dry food should be given to a dog (especially a Labrador , which has a delicate stomach) only as a last resort - it is better to choose a premium or super-premium class , although its price is higher.

Unlike economy feeds, which contain a certain “meat product” (in fact, meat production waste), holistic feeds contain full-fledged natural meat. The “middle class” includes high-quality brands that are not good enough for holistic practitioners.

Analyzing the composition of feed

Veterinary publications from time to time publish food ratings based on the results of their own research - when choosing a diet for your Labrador pay attention to them. Find a comparative analyzer on the Internet, the data of which is based on the declared composition of dog food. By clicking on the list of ingredients you will get information about how they affect your pet's health. It's so easy to know that:

• corn gluten and soybean grinding are cheap fillers with a high allergenic potential, although they are contained even in foods labeled as super premium;
• Cellulose powder is also used to make the food “gain weight” and does not have any beneficial properties for Labradors ;
• biotin is needed for a healthy coat and easier absorption of vitamins;
• chicory root is a good natural prebiotic;
• Lamb meal is complete ground meat, unlike chicken by-product meal, which contains skin, bones and connective tissue;
• Expensive food contains soybean oil, liver of an unknown animal and potato peelings;
• Cheap food is sometimes of better quality than we think, contains natural animal fats instead of plant analogues and does not contain anything as scary as the manufacturers of expensive ones want to make it out to be.

As you can see, everything is quite complicated. Besides:

• Having gained popularity, a company can reduce the cost of a product by adding undesirable but beneficial ingredients to the recipe;
• the brand may have a representative office and production in Russia, which is fraught with a deterioration in the composition of the Russian product relative to the European one.

In the latter case, the Russian manufacturer will nominally produce food with a composition similar to the original, differing in small details, but this little thing may be enough for a Labrador suffering from gastritis or an allergy sufferer.

The best advice that can be given a Labrador retriever is to carefully study the packaging of the food and use search engines when encountering an incomprehensible name. This is the only way we can be sure that our pets are eating healthy food, and not cake and potato eyes.

ALL DOGS (13 kg) Dry complete

ALL DOGS, according to many dog ​​breeders, is considered a complete diet for our smaller four-legged brothers of any breed, size, age and activity level. Each owner adjusts its portions according to the needs of their pet. Together with it, the pet receives a complex of essential nutrients for life. The food is produced in Denmark, based on the latest research on pet nutrition and international standards, which indicate recommended levels of nutritional content. It belongs to the economy class.

pros

• Suitable for almost all breeds.
• Quite popular due to its excellent composition.
• Induces pleasure while eating.
• Excellent oral hygiene and plaque removal.
• Does not contain GMOs, excess or artificial additives.

Minuses

• Not suitable for everyone.
• Insufficient amount of protein.
• You need to add vitamins and natural meat.
• Poor assortment from the manufacturer.

Most of the listed types of dry food, we recommend paying attention to Belcando Junior Maxi and Royal Canin Maxi Adult in the ranking of the best.

This food is based on natural ingredients. Proper nutrition is the key to a healthy body and excellent physical condition of any animal.

The price of these feeds is high, but it is worth it. Moreover, they contain all the useful components, including vitamins, and your beloved pet receives adequate nutrition.

What are the diets, description

Labrador is considered one of the most popular breeds for 2022. But the pet not only has a cheerful disposition, but also such a disadvantage as indiscriminate eating, so if the dog is not controlled, it will quickly gain excess weight. Today there are 3 popular feeding models for Labradors:

1. Natural diet. An option for owners who have a lot of free time required to create a dish.

2. Produced by food manufacturers. This is a great alternative for busy owners because it doesn’t require time spent planning a menu and preparing a dish, as everything is balanced.
3. Mixed nutrition. The basis of such a diet is made up of natural and ready-made (industrial) compounds.

Based on this, it is advisable to consider the following recommendations.

1. Fractional feeding is necessary, the number of meals is calculated taking into account the age of the animal.
2. Feeding is carried out only after a walk, otherwise problems with the gastrointestinal tract or bloat may occur.
3. It is advisable to exclude snacks.
4. If your pet's main diet consists of live foods, they should not be mixed with human food.
5. Natural food should be freshly prepared, but not hot, so as not to injure the walls of the esophagus or stomach.
6. The porridge should not be very hard or liquid, and it is advisable to make the soup thicker.
7. Food should not be salted too much, and for a growing body, spices should be completely excluded.
8. Since the breed is susceptible to allergic phenomena, each innovation should be added gradually, observing the body’s reaction.
9. Also, you should not mix the professional mixture with natural food; such a menu can lead to an imbalance in the digestive system.

What is welcome and what is not allowed to be given to a dog

Harmless products include:

1. Boiled fish - mainly sea or from coastal regions with a high content of iodine, phosphorus and protein. But it is better to exclude bony river species.
2. Lean type of meat - well-processed offal is also suitable.
3. Cereals, except oatmeal and pearl barley. During cooking, you can add a couple or three drops of vegetable oil.
4. Fermented milk products are calcium-rich foods.
5. Dogs cannot digest egg yolk and white.
6. Vegetable and fruit slices (the smaller the better) are good in any form. The presence of greens in the food will not hurt.
7. Sea salt in small quantities.

Such products are not recommended.

1. You need to avoid everything fatty, even those related to meat products.
2. Bones. They do not contain nutrients, harm teeth, and often cause constipation or intestinal problems. In particular, chicken and tubular ones are contraindicated, as they can simply split into sharp pieces when chewed.
3. Representatives of the legume family (except green peas), as well as semolina, provoke digestive system disorders.
4. Old potatoes and cabbage cause bloating.
5. Sausages, especially smoked ones. They affect the liver and can even cause the death of puppies.
6. Various kinds of sweets. They affect the lacrimal and salivary glands, spoil teeth and are harmful to digestion.
7. Various pickles, herbs, spices. They have a bad effect on the sense of smell and taste buds. Causes heartburn.
8. Dairy and bread products.
9. All types of citrus fruits, as well as grapes and broccoli.

Feeding recommendations for large breed dogs

Large dogs have no less appetite. Individuals with large dimensions have a slower metabolism, they need fewer calories and fat, and they require a higher protein content to maintain shape.

Dry food for large pets varies in granule sizes. For large animals, they are produced about one and a half centimeters in diameter. A smaller granule size will not provide the jaws with full function, which is important for the dog’s health.

Adult pets are fed twice a day, after morning and evening walks. Breakfast and dinner take no more than a quarter of an hour. The bowl is removed even if the food is not eaten. The animal should always have access to clean, fresh water.

The daily amount of food for animals is not the same for equal sizes. It depends on the load experienced by the pet since the last meal. If your pet actively trains or spends a lot of time walking outside, the serving size is increased by a third. If the load is reduced, the pet does not walk much, rests or sleeps more time, the portion is reduced by about 15 percent.

The main indicator of a proper diet is a healthy, well-fed, strong dog whose weight is within the normal range for its age.

Large active animals, service animals, workers, need high-quality nutrition. Suitable feeds marked “energy” or “active”, varieties of “super-premium” or “premium” classes. They contain enough calories, are nutritious, and help improve the digestive system. This diet includes vitamins, dietary supplements, proteins, and amino acids.

It is impossible to give the animal food before training, an active walk or immediately after. Large dogs are at much higher risk of developing volvulus or intestinal blockage than their smaller dogs. These situations are dangerous and require urgent veterinary intervention. After a significant load, you can give the animal to eat after about one hour.

What not to give to a Labrador

We found out what we can feed dogs of this breed, it remains to find out what not to give to Labradors.

The first thing you need to remember is that it is unacceptable to give dogs expired and low-quality products - this will cause digestive problems. In addition, there is a list of products that are not allowed to be given to a dog, even if they are not expired and of good quality.

List of prohibited products:

1. tubular bones - injure the intestines;
2. cow's milk - gastrointestinal disorder;
3. sweets, products with refined sugar;
4. chocolate - disruption of the cardiovascular system, provokes a heart attack, diabetes, leaking eyes and blindness;
5. too sweet vegetables and fruits – diabetes;
6. onions and garlic – hemolytic anemia;
7. radish – aggravates gastrointestinal problems;
8. sorrel and rhubarb - problems with the digestive and urinary systems;
9. legumes, potatoes, pasta, peas, bread - obesity;
10. raisins and fresh grapes – kidney failure;
11. spicy, salted, smoked, fatty lamb and pork, fried meat - disturbances in liver function;
12. spices, too salty foods - problems of the heart and genitourinary system;
13. coffee, alcohol, ice cream - disruption of the liver, kidneys, heart.

Important! The habit of Labradors to pick up everything on the street can lead to accidental poisoning of the dog - use a leash while walking and teach the dog the command: “Ugh!” After poisoning, you will have to switch the dog to specialized medicinal brands of food.

Read: How to teach your dog commands.

What vitamins are needed when feeding large breed dogs?

Vitamin complexes are an essential element of the diet of dogs fed boiled meat, offal and vegetables. But when feeding dry food, you may need to take additional vitamins. So that the supplement contains:

• Vitamin C is needed for the functioning of the immune system and ensures the full development of the muscular system, bones, joints, and teeth.
• Vitamin D - used for the formation of the skeleton, especially needed by puppies during the first year of their life.
• Calcium is absorbed along with vitamin D, used to form teeth, skeletal bones, and makes the coat beautiful and shiny.

For large dogs, vitamin complexes are suitable - Beaphar Top 10 Chondro Treat, Unitabs Immuno Complex and others.

Meat

A Labrador should eat both raw and boiled meat. Fresh ones are pre-frozen, then thawed and doused with boiling water. By-products are offered to dogs only with heat treatment (cooking).

A Labrador should eat both raw and boiled meat. Fresh ones are pre-frozen, then thawed and doused with boiling water. By-products are offered to dogs only with heat treatment (cooking).

How to Feed a Large Breed Dog Puppy as opposed to an Adult Dog

A young animal cannot be fed in the same way as an adult pet. If the size of the puppy exceeds the height of a medium-sized dog, its bones, teeth, and gastrointestinal tract are in the development stage.

This imposes restrictions on the diet:

• Overfeeding and underfeeding a puppy will be equally harmful. But feeds usually contain tables that can be used to calculate the required volume of feed depending on the weight and age of the pet.
• The number of feedings depends on age. At 2 months, puppies are fed up to seven times a day, distributing food evenly throughout the day. By the age of one year, the number of feedings is gradually reduced, bringing it to 2 or 3 times a day. Sudden changes in the amount of food should not be allowed.
• Regardless of whether the pet eats dry food or natural products, it must have access to clean water or milk around the clock. This is especially important for puppies; when eating dry food, there is a high risk of dehydration.

When purchasing a puppy, it is important to discuss with the breeder what the animal ate before the move. It is impossible to abruptly change the diet from natural food to dry food or vice versa. This leads to problems with the stomach, which is sensitive in the young individual.

In case of food intolerance, puppies experience diarrhea or constipation, and allergic reactions are possible. Small dogs are prone to them; large breed puppies do not yet have strong enough immunity. The transition from one type of food to another or changing the brand of food is carried out smoothly and accurately.

Main selection criteria

The Labrador is unpretentious in food, which is why the owner himself should pay special attention to his diet, guided by financial capabilities, but also by the preferences of the pet itself. A completely different approach can only be taken if the dog is sick or pregnant. In this case, it is better to consult a veterinarian.

• Before purchasing, you should carefully study the composition of the food on the packaging or on the website if you are going to order food online.
• Coincidence with the dog's age.
• Varieties of commercial food intended only for small children are usually designated “Puppy” (puppy) or Junior (junior).
• Optimal price and availability in the online store.
• As few contraindications as possible.
• Taking into account your pet’s food preferences will also help you avoid mistakes when choosing. In particular, his predisposition to obesity and food allergies.
• If, however, the dog has managed to gain excess weight, you should pay attention to special medicinal or preventive food.
• Due to the fact that the Labrador's menu changes with age, when deciding what the diet will be, it is worth taking into account the fact how much and how often it is necessary to feed a puppy and an adult dog, as well as what the volume of the daily diet will be.

How to feed pregnant large breed dogs

A lack of nutrients in a pregnant bitch's diet will harm her and her puppies, as will an excess of them. Before mating, the dog is given high-quality dry food for adult animals. Once pregnancy is established, there is no sudden change in diet. Portions remain the same while the dog is in the early stages of pregnancy. Excessive nutrition at this stage leads to obesity, which increases the risk of complications during childbirth and endangers the lives of the dog and puppies.

In the third week, the animal may refuse food for up to a week. Active development of the offspring begins in the fifth or sixth week, at which time the daily portion is increased. The serving size is increased by about one third.

As for the brand and class of food, there are groups of food for lactating and pregnant females. Some breeders replace them with puppy food. They contain many useful substances that the expectant mother needs: calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, E, C and D. It is acceptable to use food of the “holistic” and “super-premium” classes.

Supplements for pregnant bitches improve the well-being of the female and ensure the health of the offspring. Products such as “Quantum ICD Dog-Mama” relieve toxicosis, “Farmina Vit-Active for pregnant and lactating dogs” compensates for the lack of vitamins and minerals, “Unitabs MamaCare” is easily absorbed by animals thanks to its natural flavoring.

Mineral supplements

The decision on the need for mineral supplements is made together with the veterinarian after assessing the dog’s condition. Labrador retrievers that have problems with skin, fur, teeth, as well as puppies and pregnant bitches require additional saturation with useful substances.

Adherents of a natural diet or budget options for dry food should feed the animal.

Labradors eat with pleasure, so the dog’s refusal of his favorite foods should alert the owner.

Labradors eat with pleasure, so the dog’s refusal of his favorite foods should alert the owner.