How Much Do Labradors Eat and How to Feed Them Properly

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Posted Oct 15, 2024

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Selective Focus Photo of a Black Labrador Retriever Lying on Green Grass
Credit: pexels.com, Selective Focus Photo of a Black Labrador Retriever Lying on Green Grass

Labradors are known for their hearty appetites, and it's essential to feed them properly to ensure they stay healthy and happy.

Labradors typically weigh between 55-80 pounds, and their daily caloric needs range from 1,000 to 1,500 calories.

To determine the right amount of food for your Labrador, consider their age, weight, and activity level. Puppies, for example, require more calories than adult dogs.

Labradors are medium to large breed dogs, and their food intake should be adjusted accordingly.

Diet and Nutrition

Labradors aren't typically picky eaters, but they can be susceptible to food allergies and obesity. To avoid these conditions, start your Lab on a low-calorie and wholesome diet when they reach adulthood.

A good starting point is to feed your Lab between 2 and 2.5 cups of kibble daily if they're smaller, and up to 4.5 cups daily if they're larger. You can also consider splitting their meals into 2 or 3 smaller servings to prevent hunger and reduce their risk of bloat.

Some high-quality foods that are well-suited for adult Labs include Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight, Orijen Fit and Trim Adult, and Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight. These foods are all low in calories and fat but high in protein.

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A Diet

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Labradors aren't typically picky eaters, but they are susceptible to food allergies and obesity. To avoid these conditions, it's essential to start your Lab on a low-calorie and wholesome diet when they reach adulthood.

Smaller adult Labs will need between 2 and 2.5 cups of kibble daily, whereas larger adults need as much as 4.5 cups daily. Experts suggest splitting a Lab's meals into 2 or 3 smaller servings to prevent hunger and reduce their risk of bloat.

A high-quality food that is well-suited for the complex needs of an adult Lab includes Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight, Orijen Fit and Trim Adult, and Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight. These foods are annual costs that can vary by retailer, typically ranging between $325 and $1,128 a year.

Labradors are prone to obesity, so it's beneficial to keep a track of their feeding ratio from the initial stage. You can refer to a Labrador puppy feeding chart, which is bifurcated into the younger and older stage, to select the feeding ratio for your puppy as per his age and weight.

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A diet high in protein and has enough vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats is great for dogs. However, introducing a new diet should be done gradually to avoid upsetting your Lab's stomach.

Here are some high-quality dog foods that are suitable for Labradors:

  • Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight
  • Orijen Fit and Trim Adult
  • Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight

Remember to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best diet for your Lab, especially if they have other medical conditions.

Best Puppy Food

Choosing the right puppy food is crucial for your furry friend's growth and development. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Puppy dog food is a popular option for Lab puppies, suitable for them from 2–15 months old.

Lab puppies need a lot of protein to keep them energetic and healthy. Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy is a budget-friendly option that provides plenty of protein and helps manage weight.

If you're looking for an affordable dog food for your Lab, consider checking out our post for more recommendations.

Weight Management

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Labradors are prone to obesity, so it's essential to monitor their weight and diet. A common weight range for Labradors is between 55 to 85 pounds.

To prevent obesity, it's crucial to feed your Labrador the right amount of food based on their weight and activity level. For example, an adult Labrador weighing 31-32.5 kg should eat 572 grams of food daily with a total calorie intake ratio of 1685 kcal per day.

Labradors have a voracious appetite, and they need to be in good physical condition to play and work well. Overfeeding, especially of human food, contributes significantly to obesity in Labradors.

Here is a rough guide to daily food intake for Labradors based on their weight:

Remember, it's always best to consult with a veterinarian before selecting commercial dog food for your Labrador.

Senior Feeding Proportion

As your furry friend ages, their feeding needs change significantly. At the age of 7, your Labrador turns to seniority, where their activity level and appetite decrease slowly.

Credit: youtube.com, No Fat Dogs! How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

Their body becomes less immune and infected with several health issues, requiring different nutrients at different proportion levels. This is why it's essential to adjust their feeding ratio accordingly.

For senior Labs, a moderate activity level is common, and their weight can range from 33-34.5 kg. In this case, feeding 405 grams of food daily with a total calorie intake ratio of 1372 kcal per day is suggested.

If your senior Lab is not active, it's recommended to cut down the calorie ratio to prevent weight gain issues and other severe health problems in the future.

Here's a rough guide to help you determine the correct feeding ratio for your senior Labrador:

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and the best way to determine the correct feeding ratio for your senior Labrador is to consult with your veterinarian.

Prone to Obesity?

Labradors are notorious for their voracious appetites, which can lead to obesity if not managed properly. They have a genetic predisposition towards overeating.

Portrait of a Labrador
Credit: pexels.com, Portrait of a Labrador

You may worry about your Labrador's ability to run, jump, and retrieve if he is overweight. They need to be in good physical condition and free of excess fat to play and work well.

Labradors are prone to obesity due to their love for food and lack of self-control. It's essential to monitor their food intake and ensure they get regular exercise.

A Labrador's optimal weight will vary greatly based on several factors, including whether he or she is field or bench bred, how tall he or she is, how stocky or thin he or she is, and whether he or she is male or female. Adult Labradors typically weigh between 55 and 80 pounds.

A male Labrador retriever will typically weigh 5 to 10 pounds more than a female. After performing the aforementioned self-checks, if you are still concerned about whether or not your lab is at a healthy weight for his or her frame, it is recommended to see your local veterinarian.

Labradors are at a higher risk of developing severe health issues if they become overweight. These include diabetes, cardiac conditions, and joint issues. It's crucial to keep track of their weight and adjust their diet accordingly.

A different take: Female Yellow Labrador

Photo of Labrador Biting Yellow Ball
Credit: pexels.com, Photo of Labrador Biting Yellow Ball

Here's a rough guide to the average weight of Labradors:

Labradors are prone to obesity, and it's essential to monitor their food intake and ensure they get regular exercise. By doing so, you can help prevent weight gain issues and keep your Labrador healthy and happy.

Feeding a Labrador

Labradors are prone to obesity, so it's essential to monitor their food intake carefully.

You can start by introducing your puppy to dog food at around one month old, mixing small amounts with water. For example, you can give them ¾ cup of water with ¼ cup of dog food.

Labrador puppies typically need to eat at least 2–3 cups of food a day after they are fully weaned from their mothers.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Do Labradors like Water

Feeding a Puppy

Feeding a puppy is a crucial part of their development, and Labradors are no exception. For at least 4 or 6 weeks, they rely on their mother's milk diet to boost their immune system and strengthen their joints.

Credit: youtube.com, Feeding a Labrador Puppy - When, How much, Transitioning food, Core Wellness Brand

Labradors can start adapting to puppy-formulated food after the 6th week, so it's essential to feed them high-quality food with no fillers to prevent obesity. Overfeeding can lead to weight gain issues in Labradors, which is why monitoring their feeding ratio is vital.

Labrador puppies need to eat at least 2-3 cups of food a day after they're fully weaned from their mothers. You can adjust this amount slightly as needed, but be careful not to increase it suddenly as Labradors are prone to obesity.

A good place to start is by checking your puppy's weight and referring to a Labrador puppy feeding chart. For instance, if your puppy weighs around 10-14 kg, 300 grams of food daily is a suitable amount, with 1354 kcal per day.

You can also mix small amounts of dog food with water to introduce your one-month-old puppy to solid food. For example, start with ¾ cup of water and ¼ cup of dog food.

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My Adult

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My Adult Labradors need to eat the right amount of food to stay healthy and happy.

You should consider your Labrador's age, dietary needs, health concerns, weight, and how active they are when deciding how much to feed them.

Most people agree that you should feed your Labrador 3 cups of food a day if they are 60 pounds.

For every extra 10 pounds they weigh, you can add roughly ¼–½ cups more to their daily food intake.

For example, if your Labrador weighs 90 pounds, they can eat 4–4 ¼ cups of food a day.

Food Portions for 75 lb

If your 75 lb Labrador is an adult, you'll want to make sure you're feeding them the right amount of food. Smaller adult Labs need between 2 and 2.5 cups of kibble daily.

To prevent hunger and reduce their risk of bloat, experts suggest splitting a Lab's meals into 2 or 3 smaller servings. This is especially important for larger adults, who can eat as much as 4.5 cups of kibble daily.

Labradors are prone to obesity, so it's crucial to monitor their food intake and adjust as needed.

On a similar theme: Adult Lab Dog

Sources

  1. Labrador Feeding Chart – How Much to Feed? (wewantdogs.co.uk)
  2. Food portions for 75 lb lab (lab-retriever.net)
  3. Dr. Sophia Yin’s website (drsophiayin.com)
  4. How Expensive Is It to Own A Labrador Retriever? (wagwalking.com)
  5. love food (lovelabworld.com)
  6. Labradors (lovelabworld.com)
  7. human food (lovelabworld.com)
  8. here (lovelabworld.com)

Shannon Stamm

Senior Copy Editor

Shannon Stamm is a meticulous and detail-oriented Copy Editor with a passion for refining written content. With a keen eye for grammar, punctuation, and syntax, she ensures that every article shines with clarity and precision. Shannon's experience spans a range of topics, including Dog Training and Behavior, where she has honed her skills in distilling complex information into accessible, engaging pieces.

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