For the past 30 years and counting, the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular breed of dog in America. He is affable, contagious with joy, entertaining, obedient, affectionate, and more.
But he needs to be given the necessary care if he is to develop into the classic Labrador that we all know and adore. Providing him with the optimum nutrients is crucial.
However, providing the best nourishment is only part of the solution. Additionally, you undoubtedly have some queries in mind.
How much food should you give your puppy? How does it alter as he gets older? And how can you be certain that you are giving him the proper food? Although puppy nutrition can be a little confusing, this guide provides comprehensive answers to all of them.
You’ve come to the perfect place whether you’re getting ready to adopt a Lab puppy or you’re feeling a little lost and unsure of how to properly feed your puppy. Let’s begin your journey of feeding a Labrador puppy.
How Much To Feed A Labrador Puppy
Your puppy is developing quickly, just like a newborn infant, and will require a regular supply of nutrients to develop properly. It’s time for dog food once your puppy has weaned off of mom’s milk.
Puppies normally require three meals a day, though this might vary depending on where they are in the Labrador growth chart cycle.
Your puppy is likely to consume all of the food on hand, which could result in an excessive weight increase that may later develop bone problems.
Because of this, it is advised to adhere to a lab puppy feeding chart to ensure that you are doing it correctly. You should only give them the best dog food for Labradors.
| AGE | TYPE OF FOOD | CUPS A DAY | MEALS A DAY |
| 0-30 days | Mother’s milk | n/a | Unlimited |
| 4-6 weeks | Mother’s milk & Softened Kibble | n/a | Unlimited |
| 8-12 weeks | Puppy Kibble | 2-3 | 3-4 |
| 12 weeks – 6 months | Puppy Kibble | 2-3 | 2-3 |
| 6-15 months | Puppy Kibble | 2-3 | 2 |
Similar dietary charts are frequently provided by food producers on the packaging or their websites. To ensure that your puppy receives the ideal amount of food to grow up strong and healthy, you can also consult a veterinarian or dog nutritionist.
Dietary guidelines are usually helpful when deciding which dog food brand is best for your puppy.
The Different Types Of Puppy Foods
- Fresh (human-grade)
- The Kibble (dry food)
- Cans or pouches (wet food)
- BARF or raw (biologically appropriate raw food)
- Homemade food
Dog food of the highest caliber, such as kibble or human-grade, has undergone extensive testing for both nutritional value and safety.
Therefore, you can be confident that every meal contains everything your Lab puppy needs to grow healthily. One of our favorite grain-free meals is one that Ollie creates.
Foods that have been processed or from can frequently include more fat, which is not good for pups that need to grow steadily. For sensitive puppy stomachs, especially the greedy Lab.
Raw diet (also known as BARF) is frequently overly rich and is not always nutritionally balanced. And unless you are out of food or following a doctor’s order, we advise against giving your dog home-cooked meals.
It has not undergone nutritional value or safety testing, which could result in nutritional deficiencies.
Human Foods That Should Not Be Given To Your Lab Dog
Some human foods are harmful, dangerous, or can have an impact on your Labrador’s health. You should not feed the following foods to your puppy:
- High-sugar diets like candy and ice cream can lead to heart disease, obesity, joint pain, dementia, and diabetes. Chocolate includes theobromine, a toxin for dogs.
- Raw salmon and wild boar both have parasites that can be lethal.
- Your puppy may experience heat, tremors, and vomiting after consuming macadamia nuts.
- Kidney failure can result from consuming raisins, alcohol, or grapes.
- Alcohol, coffee, tea, and foods containing xylitol such as sodas, toothpaste, and candies are some further examples.
Required Nutrients For Lab Puppies
You may be sure that your Lab puppy’s meal contains all the nutrients they require if you stick to high-quality food.
But it’s also helpful for you to be aware of the nutrients he requires and the ingredients to avoid. Let’s examine the essential elements of a diet for a well-balanced Lab puppy.
Protein
Amino acids, which are the building blocks of life, are abundant in protein. His body and muscular mass wouldn’t have the necessary power to grow effectively without these. Animal meats contain proteins.
Ingredient lists for puppies should always start with a named animal protein. Meat meals, including chicken meals, are concentrated sources of high-quality, glucosamine-rich protein that are ideal for his joints. At least 22% of the protein in puppy food is required.
Carbohydrates
Your dog needs more than protein to be energized throughout the day. Carbs can help in this situation. Grains, including oats, barley, and rice, are a good source of healthy carbohydrates. Or you can find them in vegetables like peas, sweet potatoes, and lentils.
Fiber
Despite technically having no nutritional value, fiber is crucial to your Lab puppy’s diet. His feces are firmer and healthier thanks to fiber, which also helps to regulate canine digestive systems.
Additionally, it contains fewer calories, which keeps your Lab puppy feeling fuller for a longer period. Look for items that are high in fiber, such as chicory root, spinach, sweet potatoes, and beet pulp.
Omega Fatty Acids
Even though we continually emphasize how important it is to keep your Lab slim, necessary fatty acids are crucial for a puppy’s healthy development.
They support healthy brain and eye development, nourish his skin and coat, aid in vitamin absorption, and improve general health.
Such ingredients as meat meals, fish, fish oils, flaxseed, and canola oils should be sought.
Minerals and vitamins
Dogs require vitamins and minerals to grow into healthy adults, just like people do. Without them, they are more susceptible to illness and disease because their immune system does not grow properly.
Real fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries and cranberries, as well as additional nutrients, are found in many premium dog diets. Additionally, search for components rich in nutrients such as dried kelp and seaweed meal.
How Often A Labrador Puppy Should Be Fed
Puppies require more frequent feedings than adult dogs do like most young animals do. Your puppy is currently developing at its fastest rate ever. He requires the proper nutrients, as well as a lot of calories, to support that growth.
His digestive tract will be overworked if you feed him his entire day’s ration at once, and he’ll end up with diarrhea. Therefore, you must ensure that your puppy’s daily food allowance is divided into multiple little meals and given three to four hours apart.
Feeding your Labrador puppy frequently and in small amounts is an excellent method to avoid upset stomachs. Try splitting your puppy’s three daily meals into four smaller meals if he has particularly loose feces.
Kibble-fed puppies typically need:
- Four meals each day from eight weeks to three months
- From three months to six months, three meals every day.
- Two meals per day after that
All of this is done to help your puppy become adjusted to the feeding schedule. Puppies typically like predictability and regular feeding schedules.
When And How To Switch From Puppy Food To Adult Food
Your puppy’s height will help you decide when it’s time to transition to adult food. He should cease eating puppy food and switch to adult food if his upward growth has stopped. This occurs in lab animals around the age of twelve months.
To avoid stomach distress while changing foods, you must gradually incorporate the new food into the old food for many days.
What To Do If Your Puppy Is Still Hungry After Feeding It
What if my puppy is still hungry? is among the questions people ask most frequently. Despite following the instructions on the packet, the dog doesn’t seem to be satisfied with the food.
Don’t freak out if your puppy finishes his food quickly and asks for more. This is very typical and natural.
Your puppy should eat as much as he can right now because he doesn’t know for sure when his next meal will come.
Puppies are also quite skilled at winning you over by employing every trick in the book.
Be steadfast!
You might try feeding your dog on a slow-feed plate or bowl. These can help prevent a puppy from eating their food so quickly that it makes her sick and work effectively for certain dogs.
Additionally, as an extra benefit, your dog will enjoy pulling the kibble out from between the “blades of grass” with great gusto. For your dog, solving problems can be incredibly enriching.
What To Do If Your Puppy Refuses To Eat
Puppies require more frequent feedings than older dogs do. They require fuel because they are expanding quickly and expend a lot of energy. Once a day has passed and your puppy has abruptly stopped eating and you have not changed the diet, you should call your veterinarian.
Through growth cycles, their appetites will rise and fall, but they should never cease entirely. You need to take your lab puppy to the clinic if he completely refuses to eat.
What Quantity Of Water Should You Give Your Lab Puppy?
A puppy who has been weaned from his mother’s milk will want continual access to water to make up for the dehydration. Every two hours, younger puppies will drink around half a cup of water.
An ounce of water is consumed by older puppies per pound of body weight. You should take away the water bowl at night when housetraining your puppy.
Be consistent about when you take it out, and make sure it’s two to three hours before night so he can get some fresh air before going to sleep.
Making Sure Your Lab Is At The Right Weight At All Times
If you don’t believe us, scientific evidence truly supports the assertion that Labradors are among the most materialistic dog breeds on the planet.
Labradors have a defective gene that causes them to feel hungry even after eating. So, you are responsible for deciding how much they eat.
It can be just as difficult to feed a puppy as it is to feed a human infant. It also carries the same level of accountability.
An abundance of health issues, including weak joints, cardiac disorders, diabetes, and an even higher chance of cancer, are brought on by being overweight. And because the Lab is already at risk for joint dysplasia and heart issues, it’s crucial to reduce hazards as much as you can.
Conclusion
Puppy feeding is a difficult process, but for the majority of us who welcome them into our life around week eight, the breeder or previous owners have already finished the majority of the hard work and late nights.
However, it is your job to decide what to feed your Lab, how frequently to feed him, and to monitor his growth. Although not difficult, it does demand routine and careful attention.
When eating something sinful, you must also withstand your Lab’s puppy dog eyes since he will want a piece of the action. Overall, your Lab will have the best start to life by following our puppy feeding instructions and selecting high-quality food.
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