Best dog food for Labradors
Introduction
Given the fact that how popular Labradors are, you would think there will be at least decent if not high-quality guides that are enriched with dietary information that matters and not random balderdash. But we were sorely disappointed with the junk that we came across. Sorry for the harsh word there, but there is no other word to describe it. Seeing how bad things are, we decided it was about time Labrador masters learned what their adorable pets need the most in their diet. And we figured out that the best way of doing that was to discuss the best dog foods for Labradors that are currently a hot pick in the market. Oh, and we have thrown in some bonus tips about purchasing the best dog meal out there in the market! So, without further ado, let us embark on a journey that will make your lab woof-woof with joy.
The Buyer’s Guide
Here is an idea. Why not let’s first discuss the factors that you need to keep in mind when you are purchasing the best dog food product for your lab? That way, you will be spared from a lot of confusion that might get the better of you during the product analysis phase of this discussion. Sounds good? Alright, let’s get going.
1- Whole grain vs. Grain-free
If you are not a novice to this arena, you will know already that dog meals are supplemented with carbohydrate sources like sweet potatoes and peas. But do you know that once grains were used for this purpose? Well, we say once because the practice has been almost abolished by dog food manufacturing companies. And the reason is a strong one, even though it needs some further backing at the scientific level. Grains pose an allergy risk to your canine friend. So, you need to be mindful of this fact when you are shopping for munchies for your adorable lab. We have got nothing against whole grains, but we will still advise you against the idea. Why put your best friend’s health at a risk, so casually?
2- Protein
There are several reasons why protein is important for your Labrador. For one, the amino acids that are essential for your lab’s muscle growth are furnished by the protein breakdown. For another, proteins are what provide the maximal energy to your bouncing canine friend. So, when you are shopping for dog foods especially for Labradors, you need to focus on only those formulas which feature proteins as their primary/first ingredients. Some of you must be wondering about the optimal protein content percentage, so let us answer that as well. Anywhere between 20-30 percent of the total ingredient composition should be composed of protein. Anything less or more than that is not ok.
3- Probiotics
We could have talked about fats or vitamins here as well. But we think probiotics are something not many have talked about at length. They are super important, you can note that down in capital letters. Prebiotics are what will keep your dog’s digestive system running smoothly, without any disruption that might give you headaches. So, to facilitate the canine digestive processes, you need to go with a product that is enriched with probiotics, and prebiotics, which is the food for probiotic bacteria.
4- Preservatives
There shouldn’t be any. That’s alright. Any chemical, artificial preservatives, or additives simply add more to the probability of your dog getting ill because of food positioning. So, we will ask you to go to preservative-free dog food for your Labrador. However, we have got nothing against natural preservatives like tocopherols. These are commonly found in dog food formulas that feature ingredients like chicken fat.
Top five dog foods for Labradors
It is time. Now that the foundation of basic knowledge has been laid, let us talk about the real stuff here. Here are our top five picks in the category of best dog food for Labradors.
We know we have been harping about the protein content a fair bit already during this discussion. So we guess you are expecting us to start with a dog food formula that is enriched with proteins. We thought otherwise, let us start with a complete package like the Diamond Natural dog food. So, what is it that fascinated us the most about this dog food? First, the fact that it features decent proportions of vitamins and antioxidants. Second, the formula is supplemented with enough vegetables and fruits (we are talking about the real ones here) so that your dog’s digestive system continues to metabolize nutrients efficiently. But we know most of you are curious about the primary ingredients, so presently, we will talk about them. Well, the primary ingredient in this dog food is chicken. But that’s not all, a chicken meal sprinkled complemented with chicken fat ensures that the total protein content percentage is somewhere around 22-23 percent. Not too high but decent nevertheless!
Some of the finer features of this dog food have been discussed in the pros and cons section. Do check them out as well.
1- Won’t beef up your lab with excessive calories.
2- Glucosamine addition, which is great news for your lab’s skeletal health.
3- Chondroitin.
4- A very economical price tag/
1- Protein content not as high as you might have been expecting it to be.
2- Grains, which can pose an allergy risk to your Labrador.
2- Brothers Complete Advanced Allergy Formula
The second dry kibble in this discussion provides a solution to the problem that we just discussed. Allergies. Canine species are prone to allergic reactions, and if that is news to you, you seriously need to read this discussion till the very end! Now then, let us talk about the ingredient composition of this formula and you will understand exactly what we mean here. The primary ingredient in this formula is a turkey meal, which provides the maximum protein content. But don’t go thinking of it as the only protein source. Rather, there are whole eggs, chicken fat, and chicken liver as well. This description must have given you an idea about the high protein nature of this dog feed. But will it surprise you very much to know that there is a decent quantity of carbs on offer as well? The source of carbohydrates in this dog food is less talked about cassava roots. The big plus with these roots is that they don’t pose a high risk of allergy to your lab.
Wanting to know more about this dog food? Jump to the next sections for a summary of key features.
1- Immunity boosters
2- No diabetes threat
3- Low glycemic index
4- A solution for allergen sensitive Labradors
1- Meals and not meat are the protein sources.
Some of you might have heard about this one already if you have been feeding dogs for some time now. Such is the fame of this fascinating dry dog food product. What makes it so fascinating is the question that you should be asking right now. Well, for us, it was the protein sources that added the much-coveted touch of uniqueness to this dog food. Good thing that they listed their primary ingredient which is buffalo meat. But what pleasantly surprised us was the addition of roasted bison and venison, well complemented with lamb and chicken meals. Chicken fat sealed the deal for us. But we see some of you want to know more, so let us jump into the pros and cons of this dog food.
1- Grain-free
2- Probiotic addition
3- Fat enriched
4- Rare protein sources e.g. venison
1- Too fatty, your lab might become an addict and obese.
4- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
Grain-free, so get that question out of your mind straight away. Now, coming towards the composition of this dry kibble food, the first ingredient is deboned chicken. But you are wrong if you are thinking that is what provides all the protein content. No sir, a nice dash of fish meal and chicken meal boosts the protein content satisfactorily as well. We are aware of the fact that we have not had an opportunity to lay more stress on the importance of fatty acids in the canine diet during this discussion. Will “please go for a product with them” suffice for now? The Blue Buffalo dry dog food under discussion features omega-3-FA. We don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t opt for this dog food.
1- LifeSource Bits: This is a useful little blend of vitamins and antioxidants with a dash of minerals.
2- Enriched with amino acids like L-creatinine, which are essential for metabolism.
3- No allergens like corn or soy
4- Contains real fruits and veggies.
1- The addition of eggs is objectionable, your dog might not like it at all.
5- Wellness Core Natural Grain Free
More protein than you could hope for. We have been saving the best one till the last, and to save you from the redundancy of facts, we are going to mention only those specs that make Wellness Core Natural Grain Free a top choice for your Labrador. Deboned turkey is the primary protein source here, broccoli and berries are added to provide the much-needed vitamins that are crucial for your lab’s health. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also key features of this dog food for Labradors.
Read more about this dog food in the pros and cons section.
1- Grain-free, as the name suggests.
2- Ideal for labs suffering from bone and joint deformities.
3- Carrots added which can improve your good boy’s vision
4- Chicken fat provides the required fat content.
1- Too expensive
FAQs
You have got questions and we have the answers. Curiosity is bound to get the better of some of you, so to spare you from the inconvenience of Googling answers to some of the basic questions that might have popped in your mind while reading this discussion, we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Labrador dog food. Scroll down and see if you got lucky!
1- What do Labradors love to eat?
From the Labrador point of view, anything that is meaty. However, we will recommend you to choose a dog food formula that features a decent fat percentage as well.
2- What should I not let my Labrador eat?
We know some of you are thinking chocolate which is true as well. However, there is plenty more that you need to keep your Labrador away from. Some of the items on this list are onion, garlic, fat loaded cream, and alcohol-containing products.
3- How much can Labradors eat?
If you still are any under illusion or deception, know this. Labs love to eat. But you need to maintain a check on them as well. So here is how you can go about things. Divide your lab’s meal according to their weight. Sounds a little strange, right? It is very simple. All that you have to do is allocate 30 calories for every pound of your pet’s total body weight.
4- Which dog food discussed in this discussion is the best?
No one favorite here, and we are being very honest with you here. It depends on your dog’s taste.
5- What does the vet recommended food mean?
It means that a majority of vets, and not just one vet think that a particular dog meal is an ideal choice for your Labrador. Be sure to check this label when you are buying dog food for your dog, irrespective of the breed.
Final Words
Well, folks, that would be all for now. We hope that you learned something if not everything new from this discussion. One last piece of advice before we bid you farewell from this discussion: don’t rush it with the labs, don’t be rash with the labs. Your canine friend, no matter pup or big boy, can take some time adjusting to new feed/diet. It is natural, so be patient. However, we believe that if you play your cards smartly, your Labrador will be barking with joy sooner than you expect.
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