Foods That Labrador Retriever Puppies Eat

Labrador retrievers are a popular breed because of their temperament, ease of training and overall look. Lab puppies require lots of exercise and a balanced diet. Diet is extremely important, because it affects the overall lifespan of the dog and its digestive health. Before purchasing this breed, investigate the dietary needs and costs of the breed.

  1. Read The Label

    • Check the ingredients listed on the back of the dog food you are purchasing. The first ingredient listed is majority ingredient in the dog food; however, this does not mean that this is the majority of the dog food's makeup. When dog lists its first ingredient as beef, for example, this means raw beef, before it has been cooked. Beef weighs more in its raw state than after it has been cooked, as does chicken. If the first ingredient is beef meal, then that has been weighed after cooking. Products with beef or chicken meal listed as the first ingredient have more meat and protein per volume than other foods that list only the meat.

    Calcium

    • Labrador Retrievers are large dogs that have the potential to grow to a height of 24 inches, and weigh up to 80 pounds. Lab puppies need high amounts of calcium to grow and sustain healthy, supportive bones. Large dogs often fall victim to hip dysplasia and back problems due to a poor diet. Glucosamine supplements are also recommended for puppies for healthy joints.

    Portions

    • A Labrador puppy should be eating three times a day up to eight weeks of age. The recommended amount is 2 to 2 1/4 cups per day, so split that amount by 3 for each feeding. After 8 weeks, reduce the food to twice a day and to 2 cups per day. During the first 12 weeks of the puppy's life, the food portions should be lenient and can be increased due to hunger or level of activity. Do not leave food out constantly through the day.

    Homemade Dog Food

    • If you prefer to make your own dog food, the portions should contain 30 percent chicken or beef and 70 percent grains. Add a multivitamin and an extra calcium supplement for the proper nutrients that a lab puppy needs. For a jumping-off point, try a recipe from Safe Dog Food. Fry 500 grams of chopped meat and remove the excess fat. Boil and then mash a medium potato. Add 2 cups of cooked brown rice, 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1/2 cup cooked barley, 1/2 cup raw carrot shavings, 1/2 cup of broccoli and 2 tbsp. olive oil. The broccoli can be replaced with spinach or beans.