Are you looking for the best puppy food for Labs?
Welcome to our complete guide to the best puppy food for Labs! We’ll help you choose the right Labrador puppy food for your little bundle of fun!
The Labrador is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world—energetic, intelligent, loyal and loving, they make the perfect family pet.
And there is nothing more adorable than a Labrador puppy!
However, deciding on the right Labrador puppy food to feed your small pup is the most critical decision an owner can make to ensure your puppy grows into a healthy adult dog.
There are many brands of dog food on the market making it even harder for owners to choose the best puppy food for Labs.
In this Labrador puppy food guide, we’ll look at your puppy’s nutritional requirements and consider a number of potential feeding methods.
We’ll also point you in the direction of the best brands out there for your new furry companion.
Let’s find out what the best dog food for lab puppies is!
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.
The Top 5 Puppy Foods for Labrador
Jump straight to one of our best food for labrador puppy options below.
- Hills Science Puppy Formula
- Blue Wilderness
- Instinct Raw Boost
- Purina Pure Plan Focus
- Royal Canin Health Nutrition
Best Puppy Food for Labrador Contents
The links below allow you to jump straight to specific sections of our content. You can find the best food for labrador puppy based on your specific needs.
- How much should a labrador puppy eat?
- Dietary requirements
- Wet food for labrador puppies
- Dry food for labrador puppies
- Grain free food for labrador puppies
- Best food for labrador puppies with sensitive stomachs
How Much Should A Labrador Puppy Eat?
How Much Should You Feed Your Labrador puppy?
Most puppy foods have a food chart on the packaging.
You should follow these feeding guidelines but remember every puppy is different and will grow at various rates.
Some puppies are more energetic than others, so if your dog looks thin or overweight, make sure to adjust their food accordingly.
It’s best to split your puppy’s food intake into several smaller meals throughout the day.
As a rough guide, a Labrador puppy under three months old should have four feeds per day, reduced to three between the ages of three to six months.
Then after six months, you can reduce this to two feeds per day.
Feed your puppy at precisely the same times each day and remove any food that isn’t eaten.
Labrador puppies grow to full adult size between the ages of 12 and 18 months, at which point you can switch them from puppy food to adult food.
Labrador Puppy Dietary Requirements
A Labrador puppy’s nutritional needs are different than those of an adult dog. The best dog food for lab puppies is a food which can support their development.
Puppies grow fast and since their organs, muscles, and bones are developing they require extra nutrients, whereas fully-grown dogs are only fed to maintain their bodies.
Giving adult dog food for Lab puppies before they are a year old is not a good idea as it contains a different balance and mixture of nutrients
This could result in your young pup becoming malnourished.
Also, dry puppy food has smaller pieces to make digestion easier and prevent the possibility of choking.
Best Wet Labrador Puppy Food
Although wet food is more appetizing for a puppy, many canned food products are low in nutritional value and contain high quantities of water and by-products.
Plus, the quantity of food your Labrador puppy will require makes wet food an expensive choice. And once opened, the food doesn’t last very long.
Only an owner can choose the right Labrador puppy food and feeding method.
If you’re unsure what to feed your new pup, it’s best to consult your puppy’s vet or a canine nutritionist who can design a diet specific to your puppy’s requirements.
You need to be careful with choosing wet food. So there are no wet foods which make our list of the best dog food for lab puppies.
Best Dry Dog Food for Labrador Puppies
When looking for the best puppy food for Labs, choose a puppy formula specifically designed for large breeds.
Consider the reputation of the feed manufacturer and thoroughly do your research.
Here is some of the best food for labrador puppy with all the correct nutrients and high-quality ingredients.
Hills Science Puppy Formula
Hills Science Large Breed Puppy formula*(paid link) offers a complete balanced diet in an array of flavors, providing all the nutrients necessary for a growing Labrador puppy.
Produced in the USA, it’s made with imported ingredients including high-quality proteins.
The brand boasts that it contains 18% fewer calories than other options to prevent your puppy from becoming overweight.
The best dry dog food for lab puppies also contains controlled levels of calcium for optimal bone growth and clinically-proven antioxidants blended with Vitamins C and E for a healthy immune system.
Hills Science kibble is reasonably priced. Many reviews say their puppies thrive on this feed, making it an ideal choice for those on a budget.
Best Grain Free Labrador Puppy Food
Many dogs are intolerant to grain. Eating it in their food can make life pretty miserable. Your dog can get quite unwell. For this reason, you should look for the best grain-free labrador puppy food.
Blue Wilderness
The Blue Wilderness chicken recipe*(paid link), inspired by the diet of wolves, is grain-free and high in protein with limited carbohydrates—perfect for growing Labrador puppies!
The formula contains quality protein from deboned chicken, chicken meal, and fish meal as the main ingredients.
Moreover, it has plenty of DHA to help your Lab puppy’s cognitive development.
Sweet potatoes and potatoes provide healthy carbohydrates, along with cranberries, blueberries, and carrots for a strong immune system.
The kibble shape is designed to remove plaque from your puppy’s teeth so they maintain excellent dental health.
Thus, making this one of the best dry food for Lab puppies on the market.
Instinct Raw Boost
The Instinct Raw Boost Kibble*(paid link) is a unique grain-free formula made from the finest ingredients.
The formula will provide your Lab puppy with a nutrient-rich diet for healthy growth and development.
The high protein content comes from cage-free chicken the right balance of other meat and fish proteins from freeze-dried raw meats.
The food is packed with natural DHA from chicken eggs. This aids healthy brain and eye development—so your Lab puppy will thrive!
The unique formula combines two feeding methods— kibble and raw meat—which your puppy will love!
However, this top-quality product is also a bit pricey.
Wellness Large Breed Puppy Complete Health
The Wellness Large Breed Puppy Complete Health is a healthy and natural food that uses carefully selected ingredients for optimal growth and development of your Labrador puppy.
Wellness has specifically designed this food for the of the large breed puppies.
The recipe has 20% less fat than their regular puppy foods and precise calcium and phosphorus levels for healthy bone growth.
This food has controlled mineral levels.
The formula contains large amounts of proteins consisting of deboned chicken, white fish, and chicken meal.
Along with DHA-rich salmon meal for healthy brain and eye development, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables are also on the ingredients list.
Some of the other high-quality ingredients include flaxseed to nourish your puppy’s coat and skin, Yucca Schidigera extracts to reduce stool odor, and taurine for a healthy heart.
This high-quality product is considered one of the best puppy food for Labs around.
Best Food For Labrador Puppies with Sensitive Stomachs
Labradors eat their food very quickly. They’re known for their love of food and not always knowing when they are full. Sometimes, they can suffer with sensitive stomachs.
Purina Pro Plan FOCUS
This food has been designed for both sensitive skin and sensitive stomachs. The Purina brand is very well known. The FOCUS*(paid link) brand of food contains no artificial ingredients.
This food contains antioxidants as well as prebiotic fibers to help with digestive health. Many dogs have found it their solution to sensitive stomachs.
Royal Canin Health Nutrition
Royal Canin has specially designed this formula as Labrador Retriever puppy food to ensure they meet this breed’s unique nutritional requirements with a taste most dogs enjoy.
This dry food can be fed to Labrador puppies from eight weeks up until 15 months old.
It contains the correct amount of protein, calcium, and phosphorus for healthy growth for ensuring an ideal weight.
The donut-shaped kibble will encourage your puppy to chew properly and slow down ingestion—Labradors are renowned for being fast and gluttonous eaters!
Many owners have noticed improvements in their puppy’s coat and skin after feeding their puppy this brand.
The only downside is price—this product is quite expensive.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food
Another option for the best food for labrador puppies with sensitive stomachs is the Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food*(paid link). It has improved many dogs’ digestion by using natural ingredients and avoiding additives and GMO ingredients.
This dog food contains Omega 3 and fatty acids to help with development and the immune system. It’s suitable for puppies and ideal for those who have experienced sensitivity.
Raw Feeding Labrador Puppies
Although most veterinarians prefer kibble since it provides more of a balanced diet, many vets suggest the BARF diet may be the best and only way to feed your dog.
There are two types of raw diet—home prepared and commercial.
Home-prepared diets include raw meat and bones along with additions like vegetables, fruit, raw eggs, and yogurt.
Commercial BARF diets can come either fresh or frozen. They supply your dog’s needs in the form of a meat-based patty.
Raw food diets have become increasingly popular with dog owners and experts, particularly since there have been recalled on some commercial dog foods over the last few years.
But is raw meat the best puppy food for Labs?
A recent study of 35 commercial raw dog and cat foods reported that 86% contained bacteria potentially dangerous to both pets and humans.
In addition, many health benefit claims made by experts are anecdotal and not backed by evidence or case studies.
For puppies, there is the additional potential risk of choking on whole bones, broken teeth, or even an internal puncture.
Also, with both raw food and home cooked diets, it’s unlikely your puppy will receive all the nutrients necessary to properly grow and develop.
Best Puppy Food for Labradors
Your Labrador puppy has unique nutritional requirements that can make them prone to dietary imbalances if not fed appropriately.
So it’s essential to feed your puppy the best food option you can afford.
Give your new Lab pup the best start in life! Choose a food that is formulated specifically for large breed puppies and uses high-quality ingredients.
Most of the well-known brands provide all the nutritional requirements your Lab puppy will need, creating a well-balanced diet so they can grow into a healthy, adult dog.
Consult your puppy’s veterinarian or a canine nutritionist if you need further advice on the best puppy food for Labs.
Which Puppy Food Do You Use?
Which food have you chosen for your Lab puppy? Let us know in the comments.
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
van Bree FPJ. 2018. Zoonotic bacteria and parasites found in raw meat-based diets for cats and dogs. Veterinary Record.
Newman SJ et al. 2007. Aflatoxicosis in Nine Dogs after Exposure to Contaminated Commercial Dog Food. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation.
Lust G et al. 1993. Joint laxity and its association with hip dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers. American Journal of Veterinary Research.
Sallander MH et al. 2006. Diet, Exercise, and Weight as Risk Factors in Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Arthrosis in Labrador Retrievers. The Journal of Nutrition.
Jeanna Wilkins says
I am going to get a labrador puppy, and I am thinking of Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. I myself don’t really like chicken, which is why the Blue Buffalo one listed isn’t one I want my puppy growing up with. I want to also give her Puppy Chow Healthy Start Salmon Flavor Training Dog Treats. Can a professional please give me feedback on these choices? Thank you so much!
JHouse says
I need help, I have switched my now 4 month old Labrador puppy almost 4 times. The vet said I needed to slow her growth, so I switched her to a expensive large breed puppy with grain. I bought the very best recommended by our trainer with grain from Italy. Both vets made switch and one recommended Royal Canine. All breeders recommended Purina Pro Plan. I need help and recommendations I so concerned and want to make sure may 4 month 40lb Labrador has the right nutrition and calcium. Please help. She is a pure bread English Labrador
Lbk says
Hi. I have a 3 month old Pure Breed English Lab and am struggling with her food requirements. She acts like she is always hundry and eats so fast at time she chokes. I’m freaking out and would like to know if you found a solution for you English Lab. Any advice will be so appreciated!
Jeff Whitman says
I have a 4 month old blk lab I feed him blue diamond natural large breed.
Ashlesage07 says
Thank you for sharing this nice and helpful information. I have one small pomsky puppy and i feed him always protein rich and high fiber food. I have also Labrador dog and also him feed same food. Thank you for sharing the ideas of caring tips and proper diet that how to feed a dog.