This updated guide lists all of the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers.
Sometimes I think ignoring “sad puppy face” is one of the most difficult things on the planet…But if we want our dogs to be healthy, it’s something we have to do.
Scraps of even the healthiest foods on your table can be outright toxic for your pup. While it is acceptable to give your dog treats now and then, making the right food choices for your pup are an important part of being a pet parent.
Unfortunately, feeding a Labrador can be a little more complicated than you might think. Striking the perfect balance between protein, carbohydrates, fats, and other essential nutrients for your lab’s optimal health isn’t as straightforward as you might like. And that’s why we have covered these important details in this guide.
I use a 40 point inspection list to evaluate all of the dog foods I recommend… And considered things like ingredient analysis, customer reviews, brand repute, and more.
Let’s dive in…
The Best Dog Foods for Labradors
Top Picks Category
1. Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food Best For Adult Labradors
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy Dog Food Best For Puppy Labradors
3. Wellness Complete Health Senior Dog Food Best For Senior Labradors
4. Purina Pro Plan Specialized Large Breed Canned Food Best Wet Food For Labradors
5. Nom Nom Turkey Fare Best Fresh Food For Labradors
6. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult Dog Food Best Premium Food For Labradors
7. Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dog Food Best Budget Food For Labradors
How to Switch Dog Food Without Getting Your Pup Sick
How to — Change your pet’s food
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1. Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food — Best For Adult Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Whole Grain Brown Rice, 4. Whole Grain Sorghum, 5. Whole Grain Barley
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Large, Giant Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,566 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 22% | Fat (min.) 13% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
A holistic diet composed of the finest ingredients and nutrients to help adult dogs maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. That’s what Nutro Ultra’s Superfood Blend Dog Food is all about. It includes three different premium proteins sources, including chicken, lamb, and salmon, to provide all of the essential amino acids required for optimal muscle growth and nourishment.
More than that, the Superfood Blend uses a number of fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, blueberries, and carrots to deliver antioxidants and vitamins that support the immune system and organ functioning. Nutro Ultra also prides itself on producing high-quality dog food that’s completely free from grains, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy Dog Food — Best For Puppy Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Oatmeal, 5. Barley
Life Stage: Puppy
Suitable for: Large, Giant Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,642 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 26%, Fat (min.) 15%, Fiber (max.) 5%, Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
The superior quality of this life-protection formula guarantees the optimal health and well-being of your lab. It features real meat, garden fruits and vegetables, and a precise blend of essential nutrients to fulfill all of your dog’s nutritional requirements. Give your large-breed dog the best dietary support for great health and development.
3. Wellness Complete Health Senior Chicken & Barley Dog Food — Best For Senior Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Oatmeal, 4. Ground Barley, 5. Ground Brown Rice
Life Stage: Senior
Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,585 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 22% | Fat (min.) 10% | Fiber (max.) 4.25% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Labradors and their dietary needs start to change as they become older. And for that stage of life, we recommend Wellness Complete Health Senior Formula. It’s precisely balanced to keep your senior dog in top-condition while retaining weight and functionality. The recipe uses chicken meat for muscle maintenance and oatmeal/barley to fuel your dog’s daily activities.
It also caters to age-related needs, such as worsening joint health, with glucosamine and chondroitin. The food is fortified with antioxidants that destroy free-radicals and probiotics that promote gut flora while improving stomach health. Overall, it’s a premium-quality food made in the USA and contains zero wheat, corn, or soy.
4. Purina Pro Plan Specialized Adult Large Breed Entree Canned Food — Best Wet Food For Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Water, 2. Chicken, 3. Liver, 4. Wheat Gluten, 5. Rice
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Large, Giant Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 857 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 9% | Fat (min.) 2% | Fiber (max.) 1.5% | Moisture (max.) 82%
Form: Wet
Keep up with your Labrador’s high energy and finnicky eating behaviors with the Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Entrée. This dog food is designed for working breeds with boneless chicken chunks that offer decent amino acids and rice to stay fueled throughout the day. All of this is dipped in a lip-smacking gravy that is guaranteed to attract the pickiest Labradors.
Apart from that, the food is also enriched with omega fatty acids to give your lab’s shiny fur and calcium to strengthen their bones. It’s 100% balanced and features 23 essential micros that perform various body repair and maintenance functions. The calorie count is decent for most Labradors and will keep them adequately active throughout the day.
5. Nom Nom Turkey Fare — Best Fresh Food For Labradors
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Ground turkey, 2. brown rice, 3. eggs, 4. carrots, 5. spinach,
Life Stage: All
Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
Caloric content (per kg): 1,479 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 10%, Fat (min.) 5%, Fiber (max.) 1%, Moisture (max.) 72%
Form: Frozen
A fresh food diet from professionals like Nom Nom is the answer to all of your dog’s diet-related dilemmas. Our favorite is the Turkey Mash recipe, which is made from the finest-quality whole foods such as ground turkey, brown rice, carrots, eggs, and spinach. It’s also perfect for building muscle blocks while charging your labrador with tons of energy.
But the best thing about Nom Nom is that their meal plan is customized according to your unique dog. The company uses their age, breed, activity, and health information to make a personalized diet plan for optimal weight and zero allergic reactions. Even though the subscription fee isn’t affordable by any means, it’s the most wholesome diet you can find out there.
6. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult Dog Food — Best Premium Food For Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken By-Product Meal, 2. Brown Rice, 3. Oat Groats, 4. Corn Gluten Meal, 5. Brewers Rice
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,478 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 28% | Fat (min.) 11% | Fiber (max.) 5.4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
This blend is specifically crafted for your Labrador, keeping their super-active and athletic nature in mind. The nutrients are not only balanced for this magnificent breed, but the detailing to kibble processing makes it all the more unique.
Rich in high-quality protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, this is the right diet to support your lab’s bone and health maintenance without compromising on the delicious flavors. This Royal Canin formula is a favorite among lab owners, and it certainly deserves its place in the top 5 foods for Labrador Retrievers.
7. Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dog Food — Best Budget Food For Labradors
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Lamb, 2. Lamb Meal, 3. Sweet Potatoes, 4. Egg Product, 5. Lentils
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
Caloric content (per kg): 3,611 kcal
Analysis: Protein min. 25%, | Fat min. 15%, | Fiber max. 5%, | Moisture max. 10%
Form: Dry
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the variety of options available in the market for your Labrador, but when you see the name “Taste of the Wild” on the label, you can relax. This high-quality formula is rich with the flavors of roasted lamb.
It contains highly digestible proteins along with peas and sweet potatoes to give your large breed dog the fuel they need to stay active throughout the day. The grain-free formula also works great for dogs with allergies and other food sensitivities and is one of the best dog foods out there for labs.
8. VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food — Best Weight Gain Food For Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Beef Meal, 2. Grain Sorghum, 3. Chicken Fat, 4. Pork Meal, 5. Chicken Meal
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,815 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 30% | Fat (min.) 20% | Fiber (max.) 3.8% | Moisture (max.) 9%
Form: Dry
Turn your underweight Labrador into a lean and muscular canine with the high-protein Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula. It’s designed for athletic dogs and derives protein from beef, chicken, and pork to promote muscle mass and energy returns. Fibrous grains are also present in the food to boost activity levels and keep the digestive system in proper condition.
Your dog will also benefit from omega fatty acids and various minerals in the food that promote fur health and improve body regeneration. Victor’s proprietary VPRO blend will enhance digestive efficiency and make your Labrador resilient against diseases. Even with all these properties, the food is free from corn, wheat, soy, and other fillers that add no value to your dog’s health.
9. CANIDAE PURE Healthy Weight Real Chicken & Pea Dog Food — Best Weight Loss Food For Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Turkey Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Peas
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,300 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 28% | Fat (min.) 9% | Fiber (max.) 5% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Your precious pooch is naturally prone to obesity, which puts him at greater risk for health problems. If you are looking for a recipe that helps maintain a healthy weight for your Labrador, look no further. CANIDAE grain-free formula is the solution to your problem. This balanced diet features real chicken and pea to keep the blend nutritionally rich and highly digestible to keep your dog at a healthy weight.
10. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Fish Grain-Free Dog Food — Best Food For Labradors With Sensitive Stomach
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Salmon, 2. Menhaden Fish Meal, 3. Sweet Potatoes, 4. Tapioca Starch, 5. Potatoes
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,450 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 24% | Fat (min.) 10% | Fiber (max.) 4.5% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
This blend is ideal for a Labrador with food intolerances and other stomach sensitivities. Feed your large breed hound with a limited-ingredient diet, so you know what you are feeding them. This formula by the Natural Balance gives you the satisfaction of handpicked ingredients that the nutrition needed to help your lab stay healthy and active.
11. Brothers Complete Advanced Allergy Care Grain-Free Dog Food — Best Food For Allergic Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Turkey Meal, 2. Whole Eggs Dried, 3. Pea Starch, 4. Cassava/Tapioca, 5. Pumpkin
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,780 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 36% | Fat (min.) 16% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Give your dog a natural diet free from ingredients that could be possible allergens for your pooch. The meal is crafted with care and is grain-free and loaded with the nutrients your Labrador needs. This excellent combination of ingredients features high-quality protein derived from chicken and turkey. Great for labs with sensitive tummies, this grain-free offering is a good choice for the overall health and vitality of your lab.
12. Blackwood Whitefish Meal & Oatmeal Large Breed Dog Food — Best Tasting Food For Picky Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Whitefish Meal, 2. Oatmeal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Pearled Barley, 5. Ground Grain Sorghum
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Large, Giant Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,449 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 24% | Fat (min.) 12% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Dogs can lose interest in eating when they are suffering from a stomach problem. That’s why we recommend Blackwood Whitefish & Oatmeal Dog Food. The food is made from easily-digestible ingredients such as whitefish meal that build muscle. It also features multiple grains that offer probiotics to protect your lab against diarrhea and stomach infections.
Each batch is slow-cooked and filled with veggies like celery, beet, apples, and lettuce that gives the food a nutrient boost. It also contains spices like thyme, rosemary, and yellow mustard that give the food a succulent taste enough to drive Labradors from any corner in the house. Still, the food is free from artificial colors, wheat, soy, and corn so your dog doesn’t suffers from any digestive problems.
13. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Field Dog Food — Best Food For Active Labradors
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Brown Rice, 3. Oatmeal, 4. Dried Beet Pulp, 5. Chicken Fat
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,869 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 28% | Fat (min.) 13% | Fiber (max.) 3% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Dr. Gary’s special formula is a high-protein, high-energy recipe popular with Labrador owners. Among the various significant nutrients, this blend of kibble is rich in iron proteinate and other chelated minerals that support absorption. The recipe derives maximum animal protein from chicken meal to ensure only a high-quality diet for your luck lab.
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