Honestly, most dog experts and veterinarians may not agree about what the best diet for Labradors are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are so many different kinds, and each kind of dog diet has its own benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, most experts will agree that a diet high in protein and has enough vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats is great for dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that you should never give your Lab a new diet out of nowhere since the chances are that it will upset their stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should only gradually introduce them to any new diet while decreasing the amount of the old one so that their body will have time to adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a quick guide to the pros and cons of some common diets that your Labrador Retriever could try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Dry food (Kibble)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A huge benefit of kibble is that it is convenient. You can easily store it and feed it to your dog. There are also different brands and formulas that you can choose from for your Lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you need to steer clear of most cheap brands for dry kibble. Those dry kibble brands are usually full of additives, preservatives, and even ingredients that could harm your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, it is vital that you always look at the ingredients of your dog food and to do your research before making a decision to purchase any dry dog food brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, you need to make sure that your dog gets enough water. Dry dog food has little to no moisture in it, so you may have to increase their water intake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try adding wet food to their diet and giving them lots of water every now and then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Wet (canned) food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Compared to kibble, wet dog food usually has fewer carbohydrates in it. This makes it likely for your Lab to become overweight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, wet food is usually convenient in that all you have to do is just to open the can and put the food into their bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of canned food uses frozen or fresh veggies and meat. Plus, it may be enough to give your Lab the nutrients they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet dog food usually smells great for your dogs but is terrible for humans. So, you may have to grin and bear the stench every time you feed your Labrador Retriever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, canned wet food is usually more expensive, especially when you have to feed a big Lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is also important to be very wary of cheaper wet food because cheap canned food brands for dogs can have low-quality meat byproducts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Home-cooked food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Homemade dog food can be a mixture of raw and cooked food, or only cooked food. It is up to you, but it usually takes some planning to make a good plan for the best foods or diets for your Lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home-cooked dog food usually has way more nutrients than store-bought food. Add to that the fact that you know exactly what you are putting into your dog\u2019s body with home-cooked dog food, it\u2019s no wonder why Labs usually love its taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making a home-cooked dog food can be tricky, though, especially for first-timers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to create a balanced diet by yourself and make sure that the ingredients are fresh and safe for your Lab. You will also have to put aside time to prepare, cook, and store the food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Raw diet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A type of diet for dogs that has recently gone trending is the raw food diet. The idea is to make your dog\u2019s diet go back to their \u201cnatural\u201d diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is some debate about whether this diet is ideal, your dog may be fine if you choose natural, organic ingredients and store them properly. Additionally, it would be best to consult a veterinarian for help on whether your Labradors like to eat raw food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One good thing about the raw diet for your Lab is that it could help keep your Lab at a healthy weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also keep track of what they eat even when you buy some raw options from the store if you do not always have the time to make a food plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, one disadvantage of this type of diet also is that your Labrador Retriever could get problems like diarrhea or infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are not careful, the ingredients you buy may contain parasites and bacteria. In fact, dog experts strongly recommend that pet owners of dogs with conditions like cancer, avoid giving their canine companions a raw diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much should I feed my adult Labrador?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It mostly depends on your Lab\u2019s age, dietary needs, health concerns, weight, and how active they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people agree that you should feed your Labrador 3 cups of food a day if they are 60 pounds. You can add roughly \u00bc-\u00bd cups more to that amount for every extra 10 pounds they weigh. For example, they can eat 4-4 \u00bc cups of food a day if they are 90 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much should I feed a Labrador puppy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The answer to that depends on your pup\u2019s age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, your one-month-old puppy will not be fully weaned, so you will slowly introduce them to dog food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can do this by mixing small amounts with water. For example, you can give them \u00be cup of water with \u00bc cup of dog food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Labrador puppies will need to eat at least 2-3 cups of food a day after they are fully weaned from their mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can increase or decrease that amount slightly as needed. Just remember not to increase it suddenly because Labs are prone to obesity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n