Foods for a Labrador Puppy

Named the most popular dog in America for 20 consecutive years by the American Kennel Club, the Labrador retriever remains the top choice for dog owners. As puppies, Labradors are undeniably cute and playful, but Lab pups have specific nutritional needs that must be met if they are to grow up to be healthy adults.

  1. Labrador Puppies

    • Labrador puppies are known for being energetic and playful, and will remain so until they're 2 to 3 years old. Puppies, especially when they're young, are still babies, and require an exceptional amount of care. Choosing the right food for a Lab puppy requires some research, both in terms of determining which are the best foods for that particular breed, and how much and how often a puppy should be fed.

    Quantity Control

    • While some breeds are picky about which food they eat, Labrador retrievers are the exact opposite and will generally eat whatever is placed in front of them, regardless of quantity. That's why it's important to regulate the amount your puppy eats so it will become used to a specific amount of food at meal times. When fully grown, a healthy Labrador retriever should weigh between 65 and 80 lbs. Labs that exceed 90 lbs. could put strain on its joints over time because of its heavier weight, causing long-term health problems.

    Finding the Right Balance

    • Labrador puppies need a balanced diet that includes plenty of calcium during the first two to three years. Labs have a large bone structure that needs calcium to fully develop. A good rule of thumb when choosing a healthy puppy food is to buy it at a specialty pet food store as opposed to a general retailer. Bargain-priced puppy food should be used with caution, because a cheaper food may cause digestive distress for your puppy. Some puppy owners make their own dog food. A homemade food should be a mix of about 30 percent meat and 70 percent cereal, with the inclusion of vitamin and calcium supplements.

    Food and Training

    • In addition to the quantity and quality of your puppy's food, it's also important to establish a feeding schedule, because food is the ideal incentive when training a puppy. One thing a puppy should be taught early on is to not beg for food or table scraps. It's a good idea to train your puppy from the beginning that food that is eaten by humans is off limits. Not only will this decrease begging, it will also help ensure your dog won't eat something inappropriate that could lead to digestive problems or obesity.