Best Puppy Food for Labrador Retrievers (2024)

As a pet owner, it can be challenging to find the best puppy food for your Labrador. However, with guidance from the information provided in this article, you can confidently select a nutritious food that will help your puppy grow strong and healthy from the start.

Our Pick:Purina ProPlan Large Breed Puppy

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Food is our top recommendation for feeding your Labrador puppy. This is the food that has been used successfully for one of our Labradors, and it has received high praise from our team of veterinarians. Your puppy is sure to love the nutritious formula of Purina Pro Plan puppy food, and it will help them grow strong and healthy.

Best Puppy Food for Labradors

According to our veterinarian, Dr. Amanda Jondle, DVM, Purina Pro Plan Large Breed and Royal Canin Labrador Puppy Food are the two best options for feeding your Labrador puppy. Both of these brands offer complete and nutritious meals that will support your puppy’s growth and development.

Best Overall Puppy Food: Purina ProPlan Large Breed Puppy Food

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed is a top-rated choice for feeding your Labrador puppy. Its formula is complete, nutritious, and made with high-quality ingredients, including chicken as the main protein source. This food is highly recommended by our team of veterinarians and is sure to provide your puppy with the nutrition they need for strong muscles and optimal body function.

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed puppy food includes added minerals like calcium and phosphorus to support strong bones and teeth. It also contains natural sources of glucosamine to promote joint and cartilage health.

This food contains added omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and antioxidants to support the immune system, brain development, and vision. It is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of individual puppies and is a well-rounded choice for supporting their overall health and development.

Top Ingredients:

1. Chicken
2. Brewer’s Rice
3. Corn Gluten Meal
4. Whole Grain Corn
5. Poultry By-Product Meal

Product Features:

• Purina Pro Plan Large Breed puppy food is a high-quality option within the Purina brand, aside from their prescription diets.
• It comes in the flavor of chicken and rice, with chicken as the main ingredient.
• This food is designed to support the immune system, brain development, and vision of your puppy.
• It is available in two sizes: 18lb. and 34lb.

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed puppy food is formulated with natural ingredients that provide numerous health benefits for your Labrador. It is designed to support their growth and development during the critical first few years of life, helping them to grow up strong and healthy.

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Our Second Choice: Royal Canin Labrador Puppy Food

According to our veterinarian, Dr. Amanda Jondle, DVM, Royal Canin Labrador Puppy Food is the second-best choice for feeding your Labrador puppy. This food is formulated specifically to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Labradors aged 8 weeks to 15 months. It includes added vitamin E to support the immune system and protect the skin, as well as nutrients that help to reinforce the skin barrier and promote a healthy, shiny coat.

Royal Canin has designed their kibble specifically for Labrador puppies, taking into account their unique facial structure and biting habits. The kibble is shaped to be easily grasped by a Labrador’s straight muzzle and scissor bite, encouraging chewing and supporting healthy oral development.

One potential downside to the Royal Canin Labrador Puppy Food formula is that it lists chicken by-product meal as the first ingredient, rather than whole chicken. Some pet owners may prefer a brand that uses whole chicken as the primary ingredient in their food.

Top Ingredients:

1. Chicken By-Product Meal
2. Corn
3. Wheat Gluten
4. Chicken Fat
5. Wheat

Product Features:

• It is only available in dry kibble form and comes in a single bag size (30lbs).
• It is formulated to support the immune system and protect the skin with essential nutrients.
• It is designed specifically for Labrador puppies.

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Our Third Choice: Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy

Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Food is a high-quality option that is made in the USA. It uses high-quality chicken as the primary protein source and lists it as the first ingredient. This food is a good choice for providing the protein that your Labrador needs to power through their day.

Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Food is formulated to support the growth and development of active puppies. It contains optimized levels of calcium and phosphorous to support healthy bones and muscles. Additionally, it contains clinically proven levels of DHA to support healthy brain development and make your Labrador more trainable.

If you are not satisfied with the previous two options, this is another excellent option to consider for your Labrador. You can feel confident that you are providing your Lab with the nutrients they need by choosing Eukanuba.

Top Ingredients:

1. Chicken
2. Chicken By-Product Meal
3. Corn
4. Chicken Fat
5. Wheat

Product Features:

• Consists of high-quality chicken.
• It also includes added omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E to support overall health.
• This food is available in three bag sizes: 5lb, 16lb, and 33lb.

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Our Fourth Choice: Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy

Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Food is formulated with an optimal level of calcium to support controlled bone growth in your Labrador. It is made with high-quality protein to help them build and maintain lean muscle.

This food is made in the USA using ingredients sourced globally, so you can trust that you are providing your puppy with a high-quality product.

Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Food is held to high standards of nutrition. It meets or exceeds guidelines set by both the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

The company employs a team of highly qualified professionals, including veterinary nutrition specialists, PhD nutritionists, food scientists, flavorists, and veterinarians, to ensure that their products are of the highest quality.

Top Ingredients:

1. Chicken Meal
2. Whole Grain Wheat
3. Whole Grain Oats
4. Whole Grain Sorghum
5. Corn Gluten Meal

Product Features:

• Uses a balanced blend of minerals to support strong bones and teeth in large puppies.
• It meets and exceeds nutrient guidelines
• Is available in two flavors: chicken meal & oats and lamb meal & rice.
• The lamb formula comes in a 33lb bag size, while the chicken formula is available in 15.5lb and 30lbs.

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Best Budget Puppy Food: Purina One Large Breed Puppy

Purina One Large Breed Puppy Food is formulated to be easily digestible for a young puppy’s sensitive stomach. It contains rice and chicken as the main ingredients and is high in protein to support strong muscles and a healthy heart. It also contains DHA to support brain health and natural glucosamine to support healthy joints.

Top Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Rice Flour
• Corn Gluten Meal
• Chicken By-Product Meal
• Whole Grain Corn

Product Features:

• Chicken is #1 ingredient
• Consists of added calcium and phosphorus minerals
• Contains vitamins A & E
• Comes in two bag sizes – 16.5lb and 31.1lb

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2nd Best Budget Puppy Food: Iams Large Breed Puppy

Iams Large Breed Puppy Food is a budget-friendly option that still provides high-quality nutrition for your puppy. Real, farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient, and it includes 22 key nutrients that are found in a mother’s milk. This food is specifically formulated to meet the wellness and nutritional needs of large breed puppies.

Top Ingredients:

1. Chicken
2. Ground Whole Grain Corn
3. Ground Whole Grain Sorghum
4. Chicken By-Product Meal
5. Corn Grits

Product Features:

• Chicken is the 1st ingredient
• Added DHA for brain health
• Contains calcium and phosphorus for bone health
• Comes in two bag sizes – 15lb and 30.6lbs.

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 Related: Best Dog Beds For Labradors

What to Look For in Puppy Foods?

When selecting a puppy food, it is important to look for certain ingredients that will provide your puppy with the nutrition they need to grow strong and healthy.

Some key ingredients to look for include high-quality protein sources, such as real chicken or lamb, essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega 3’s

Including Omega 3 fatty acids in your puppy’s diet can provide numerous health benefits. These fatty acids support brain, heart, and vision development in puppies, as dogs are unable to produce them on their own. If your chosen puppy food does not include Omega 3s, you may want to consider adding a fish oil supplement to their diet to ensure they receive these important nutrients.

In addition to supporting heart health, adding fish oil to your puppy’s diet can provide several other benefits. It can help to reduce itchy and flaky skin, promote a shiny coat, and alleviate allergies and joint pain. Fish oil may also boost the immune system and potentially help to prevent cancer.

Key Nutrients

Calcium, Phosphorous, Chondroitin, and Glucosamine are nutrients that are recommended for a Labrador puppy’s diet.

Calcium and phosphorus are essential nutrients that support healthy joints. Chondroitin and glucosamine are also important for joint health. These nutrients can be found in protein-rich foods like chicken. Incorporating these nutrients into your diet may help prevent joint problems later in life.

So, the best puppy foods for Labradors will also have good sources of calcium, phosphorous, chondroitin, and glucosamine – whether that be added to the food or derived from protein sources like chicken.

Quality Protein Sources

It is essential for all dogs to have a diet that is high in protein and of good quality. Adult dogs should consume at least 18% protein, while puppies have a higher protein requirement of 22%.

Protein and fat are important nutrients for growing puppies, as they help support muscle development and provide energy. To ensure that your Labrador puppy is getting the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy, it is important to select a puppy food that is high in protein and fat, and that derives these nutrients from high-quality sources.

When choosing a puppy food for your Labrador, it is important to pay attention to the protein sources used in the formula. Many dog foods feature by-products of protein sources like chicken meal, but the best puppy foods will use whole meat as the primary source of protein.

Ensuring that your puppy gets off to a good start nutritionally is important for their long-term health and development. If you have any concerns or questions about the best puppy food for your Labrador, it is a good idea to consult with your veterinarian. They can help you select a high-quality puppy food that meets your puppy’s specific needs and can provide guidance on how much to feed and how often.

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How Much to Feed a Labrador Puppy

Proper feeding is an important aspect of caring for your new Labrador puppy. It is important to feed your puppy the right amount of food in order to support their growth and development. Overfeeding or underfeeding can have negative consequences on your puppy’s health. As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your puppy is receiving the proper nutrition they need to live a comfortable and healthy life.

Labrador Puppy Feeding Chart

According to Purina, for the average Labrador using our recommended Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Food you should use the following amounts:

Age	Daily Feeding Amount
1-1/2 – 3 months	1/2  – 1-2/3 cups
4 – 5 months	1-1/2  – 2-3/4 cups
6 – 8 months	1-1/3  – 2-2/3 cups
9 – 11 months	2-1/3  – 3-1/3 cups
1 – 2 years	2-1/2  – 4-1/3 cups

When to feed your puppy

Instead of feeding them two or three large meals, try dividing their daily food allowance into 3 to 4 smaller meals. This will help prevent their energy levels from fluctuating too much throughout the day. To determine the appropriate amount of food to feed your puppy and how often to feed them, refer to the feeding guidelines on the back of the puppy food bag or consult with your veterinarian.

They can help you determine the right feeding schedule and portion sizes based on your puppy’s age, size, and activity level.

Pay attention to your puppy’s behavior during and after mealtimes to get a sense of how much and how often they need to eat. If your puppy seems to lose energy quickly after a meal, it may be a sign that they are not getting enough food to sustain their energy levels. On the other hand, if they seem lethargic or sluggish after eating, it may be a sign that they are being fed too much.

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Are Grain Free Diets Safe for Labradors?

Grain-free diets are not necessarily recommended by veterinarians, as some studies have linked certain grain-free diets to Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has conducted research on this topic and has found a potential association between grain-free diets and DCM in certain dogs.

Why High Quality Food is Important

Labradors have a shorter lifespan compared to some other dog breeds, so it is important to take steps to help them live a long and healthy life. One way to do this is by feeding them a high-quality dog food. Unfortunately, Labradors are prone to several serious health issues, such as joint problems, various forms of cancer, and allergies.

Here is a list of the most common illnesses Labradors face:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Skin Diseases
• Luxating Patella
• Cancer
• Von Willebrand Disease
• Cataracts

Feeding a Labrador quality food from a young age helps ensure they will grow into, and continue living, a healthy life.

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Conclusion

Bringing a new puppy into your home is a thrilling and joyful experience. To give your puppy the best start in life, it is important to provide them with a high-quality diet that meets their nutritional needs.

A food that is high in protein and contains essential nutrients will help support your puppy’s growth and development, and provide them with the energy they need to thrive.

If you are unsure about which puppy food to choose, consider consulting with a veterinarian or using a puppy food list like the one provided here. This can help you make an informed decision about the best food for your new furry friend.