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title: "Labrador Retriever - Feeding and nutrition | Pedibase"
description: "Complete Labrador Retriever feeding guide: portions, food types, meal frequency, and age-specific advice, from puppy to senior."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+10
Feeding
# Feeding your Labrador Retriever well
United Kingdom
The Labrador needs a complete and well-balanced diet, adapted to its age, its ideal weight, its activity level and its physiological status. Protein quality, control of energy density and splitting meals help to limit weight gain, support muscle mass and preserve the joints.
A menu for every age
## Their needs change as they grow
- 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 homemade meals?
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.
Portion sizes
## How much should you feed?
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 per day |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 25 - 30 kg | 280 - 350 g | 2 |
| 30 - 36 kg | 330 - 420 g | 2 |
Changing food
## How to switch foods successfully
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
## Don't overlook water
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.
A little extra
## 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
## Make mealtimes count
- 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 feed these foods
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.
## Ready to welcome your Labrador Retriever?
Find a verified breeder near you and get off to a great start, right from the food bowl.
[Find a breeder](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-labrador-retriever)
## Compare Labrador Retriever with other breeds
- [Golden Retriever vs. Labrador Retriever](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare/golden-retriever-vs-labrador-retriever)
- [Labrador Retriever vs. German Shepherd Dog](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare/labrador-retriever-vs-german-shepherd-dog)
## Discover other breeds
[Golden Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/golden-retriever)
[Flat-Coated Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/flat-coated-retriever)
[Curly-Coated Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/curly-coated-retriever)
[Chesapeake Bay Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/chesapeake-bay-retriever)
[Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/nova-scotia-duck-tolling-retriever)
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