One of the biggest questions new Labrador Retriever owners often have is, “What is the best dog food for Labs?”
This is a great question!
As experienced Lab owners will tell you, finding the right Labrador food isn’t always an exact science.
However, with persistence and a little help from your veterinarian, your efforts will pay off.
In this article, we will take a look at the best dog food for Labs in different categories, including food for adult Labs, Lab puppies, senior Labs, and Labs with food allergies.
Our goal is to help you choose the best food for labs that most closely meets your Labrador’s unique health and dietary needs.
Products included in this article were carefully and independently selected by the Happy Puppy Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.
Choosing the best dog food for Labs
Labrador Retrievers are the number one most popular pet dog breed in the nation – and have been for the last 27 years in a row!
Part of the reason Labs are so popular is because they are smart, loving, and lively. Labradors come from a long line of working and hunting dogs.
This has made them incredibly attuned to “their” people – these are dogs that will want to be wherever you are, doing whatever you are doing, all day every day.
Sometimes new Lab owners wonder if the best dog food for black Labs might be different than the best dog food for chocolate Labs or the best dog food for yellow Labs.
The answer here is that the coat color of your Lab won’t influence food choice. What matters most in choosing the best dog food for Labs is your Lab’s age, activity level, and health.
Best dry dog food for Labs
One of the big perks of choosing such a popular dog breed for your canine companion is that many dog food manufacturers have created recipes tailored directly to a Lab’s health needs!
EUKANUBA Breed Specific Adult Dry Dog Food.*(paid link) This breed-specific adult dry dog food is designed to meet the particular health needs of Labradors.
This food is also formulated to help keep your Lab’s teeth clean and tartar-free and to support healthy joints.
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Adult dry dog food.*(paid link) This is another breed-specific adult dry dog food that is appropriate to feed a Labrador aged 15+ months.
This food is designed to support a healthy coat and skin and to ease joint and mobility issues.
Iams ProActive Health Adult Breed Specific Dry Dog Food.*(paid link) This breed-specific adult dry dog food is created with the individual needs of the adult Lab.
It supports a healthy heart, healthy joints, and healthy muscles.
Best wet dog food for Labs
Wet dog food can be an awesome addition to your Lab’s regular menu, both because it is very tasty and because it is a great source of hydration.
Purina Beyond Grain Free Adult Wet Dog Food.*(paid link)
With three recipes to choose from, you can always keep the weekly menu interesting for your Lab with this high-quality wet food.
Merrick Grain Free Wet Dog Food*(paid link)
Going grain-free can often help when your Lab is suffering from seasonal, skin, or food allergies.
Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Natural Wet Canned Stew Dog Food.* (paid link)This is another tasty and popular grain-free wet dog food.
It comes in several different recipes for meals, snacks, and treats.
Best dog food for senior Labs
Senior labs are often less active in their golden years, which can lead to issues of canine obesity if you aren’t careful! By choosing the best dog food for older Labs, you can work with your veterinarian to keep your Lab at a healthy weight.
Blue Life Protection Formula Senior Dry Dog Food.*(paid link) This senior dry dog food is designed to meet daily caloric and nutrient needs.
It’s tailor-made for senior large breed dogs like Labs.
Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Mobility Dry Dog Food for Joint Health.*(paid link) If your senior Lab is starting to suffer from mobility or joint issues, this food is designed to help.
It can ease discomfort and actually restore healthy movement.
Nutro WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Senior Large Breed Dry Dog Food.*(paid link) This large breed senior dry dog food can be fed alone or with wet food.
When mixed in with wet food it can help senior dogs chew and digest more easily.
Labrador dog food for Lab puppies
Choosing the best dog food for Lab puppies is easy once you know that puppies need more calories and a different nutrient blend than adult dogs.
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food.*(paid link) This breed-specific dry puppy food is appropriate to feed when your puppy is at least 8 weeks old.
This food is packed with nutrients to support healthy bone, joint, coat, and skin development.
Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food for Large Breed Puppies.*(paid link) This large breed puppy formula is designed to offer complete and balanced nutrition to your Lab puppy.
The kibble is larger so your large pup has an easy time grasping it to chew.
Diamond Naturals Real Meat Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food.*(paid link) This large breed puppy food formula is full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients.
The formula helps to support healthy bone, joint, and skin development.
Best dog food for Labs with food allergies
One of the most common treatments for food allergies or sensitive stomach issues is to switch the patient to a limited ingredient diet (L.I.D.) or a grain-free diet (or both).
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food – Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula.*(paid link) This limited ingredient diet is designed to meet the nutritional needs of large breed dogs with food allergies.
The larger kibble is also good for helping to keep teeth clean and tartar-free.
BLUE Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food*(paid link)
This large breed limited ingredient recipe helps to ease digestive difficulties and minimize your dog’s exposure to potential allergens.
Honest Kitchen The Limited Ingredient Chicken Dog Food Recipe.*(paid link) If your Lab is really suffering from sensitive stomach or allergies, this human grade dehydrated recipe can help him.
It helps by adding ingredients your veterinarian recommends.
Best dog food for Labs
We hope you have enjoyed reading through this carefully curated article on the best dog food for Labs!
Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
References and Further Reading
- Yuill, C., DVM, MSc, CVH, “Nutritional – General Feeding Guidelines for Dogs,” VCA Animal Hospital, 2011.
- Beitz, D.C., et al, “Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs: A Science-Based Guide for Pet Owners,” National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, 2006.
- Freeman, L., DVM, PhD, DACVM, et al, “What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Food Allergies,” Tufts Clinical Nutrition Service at Cummings School, 2017.
- Moriello, K., DVM, DACVD, et al, “Allergies in Dogs,” Merck Veterinary Manual, 2018.
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