Owners of Labrador Retrievers find themselves with a dilemma on what to feed their dogs. Initially, many newbie owners will feed them table scraps, only to discover that foods eaten at the dinner table may be toxic to their pets.
While dry foods or kibbles are considered the most convenient and healthful option, because of the number of brands available, you don’t know which specific brand of dry food to buy.
Considerations When Buying Dry Foods for Your Labs
The perfect dry foods for your Labradors should be balanced in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Proteins are of greater importance to Labs as they promote growth, especially in puppies and adolescent dogs, and lean muscle mass maintenance.
The ideal percentages of proteins in a Lab puppy’s diet are 22 percent while, in adult dogs, it is 18 percent.
Check out the ingredients list of the dry foods you intend to buy. The best sources of easily digestible protein are poultry, lamb, and beef, so your dry food should contain these proteins.
They can also be supplemented with fish, fish meal, eggs, and plant-based proteins.Grains provide good sources for carbs. In dogs with food allergies, grain-free foods are often recommended.
However, in 2018, the FDA started an investigation into a potential link between grain-free dry food – in particular, those containing peas, lentils, legumes, and potatoes – and a potentially lethal disease called Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
While the FDA has not advised Lab owners to stop feeding their dogs grain-free dry food with the investigation still ongoing, they are recommending that dog owners should consult with their veterinarians on the best dry foods to give their dog.
Labradors have a tendency for obesity, so the fat content in their dry food should only be between 10 to 15 percent. Because Labs are prone to bone and joint problems, it would be best to buy dry goods that contain glucosamine, chondroitin, and other healthy supplements.
Make it a point to check for fillers in their dry good. Check for fillers. These are unhealthy carbs which serve to bulk up kibbles. Fillers, like corn and wheat gluten, meat and grain meals, and by-products cause smellier dog poop.
It is highly recommended that dogs fed on dry food be given daily teeth cleaning. Because there is a slight increase in susceptibility for bloat, you may consider rotating your dog’s dry foods with raw meat.
Top 10 Best Dry Foods for Labs
Now, let’s take a look at the 10 best dry foods for Labs:
1. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Peas
This dry food contains high quality animal proteins from chicken and turkey. It also contains supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, for healthy bones and joints.
2. Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Lentils
It contains easily digestible proteins from lamb. It is the ideal dog food for Labs with allergies and other food sensitivity problems. Peas, lentils and sweet potatoes are added to provide energy for an active dog.
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
This is a well-balanced dry food with real meat, fruits and vegetables, and essential nutrients for your Lab’s overall health and well-being.
4. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Corn Gluten Meal, Brewers Rice
Created by Royal Canin, a world leader in dry dog food, this product was especially formulated for the Labrador Retriever breed. It contains high quality protein, vitamins and minerals, and fiber to ensure the optimal health of your dog. This dry food also contains the essential nutrients for bone and joint health.
5. Earthborn Holistic Large Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Peas, Tapioca, Ground Flaxseed
Earthborn Holistic is ideal for Labs that weigh 50 pounds or more upon maturity. Because of its combination of lean meat, moderate carbs, and low fat content, it is helpful in maintaining a healthy weight in your dog, as well as in strengthening bones and joints.
6. Brothers Complete Turkey Meal & Egg Formula Advanced Allergy Care Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Whole Eggs Dried, Pea Starch, Cassava/Tapioca, Pumpkin
Another grain-free option, Brothers Complete contains turkey meal and dried whole eggs which are ideal for Labs with food allergies.
7. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas
This dry food aims to maintain your Lab’s weight while providing balanced nutrition. It also aids in building up and maintaining lean muscle mass in your dog.
8. Chicken Soup For The Soul Classic Large Breed Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, whole grain brown rice
Touted as a holistic diet, this dry food is a rich source of all-natural nutrients and supplements for optimal health. It is also rich in chondroitin and glucosamine for bone and joint health and Lactobacillus for improved digestion. Omega fatty acids help to maintain healthy skin and a silky, shiny coat.
9. CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Healthy Weight Real Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, peas
CANIDAE is specifically formulated to maintain healthy weight in your Lab so that they are less prone to obesity.
10. Orijen Regional Red Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Deboned beef, deboned wild boar, deboned goat, deboned lamb, lamb/wild boar/beef liver, whole Atlantic mackerel
Orijen is the one brand that Lab owners recommend and with good reason. It contains easily digestible proteins from a variety of sources, including beef, wild board, goat, lamb, and mackerel. It also contains all the essential nutrients for maintaining optimal health.
As you can see, there are many brands of dry foods available in the dog food market today.
If you are still uncertain on the best dry food for your Lab, always ask your veterinarian. They can recommend the ideal dry food for your Lab’s current health status.
