A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Puppy : A growth diet for a large breed helps support harmonious development without excessive growth rate.
Adult : The ration should aim for a stable ideal weight with an energy density adapted to the dog's actual activity.
Senior : A more digestible formula that is well controlled in calories is preferred, with monitoring of weight, muscle mass, and joint comfort.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
Good-quality kibble for medium to large dogs, formulated according to life stage, generally suits the Labrador very well. In neutered, very food-motivated, very active or sensitive individuals, an adjustment of the formula with the veterinarian may be useful in order to better cover energy, digestive or joint needs.
Amounts
How much should you give?
The daily amount depends mainly on the ideal weight, the actual activity and the energy density of the food. It must always be adjusted to the observed body condition rather than to the dog's appetite alone, often very pronounced in this breed. Training treats must be deducted from the total ration.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 25 - 30 kg | 280 - 350 g | 2 |
| 30 - 36 kg | 330 - 420 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any change of diet must be gradual over about one week in order to limit digestive upsets. The old and the new food are gradually mixed by increasing each day the proportion of the new one, with particular vigilance in sensitive or very greedy dogs.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Clean, fresh water must remain available at all times. After exercise, swimming, in hot weather or during a long trip, hydration must be monitored particularly closely and calm recovery periods should be encouraged.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats can be very useful for training the Labrador, but they must remain modest and be deducted from the daily ration. Simple rewards are preferred, low in fat, easy to consume quickly and truly motivating without increasing the quantities.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Weigh the ration rather than estimating it by eye.
- Split it into two meals per day.
- Limit rich treats and table scraps.
- Reassess the ration if weight or activity changes.
Never give
Chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, avocado, cooked bones, alcohol, xylitol, macadamia nuts and very fatty foods should be avoided because they can cause poisoning, severe digestive disorders or pancreatitis.
