How to Feed a 6 Week Old Lab Puppy

Few things are as cute as a 6-week-old Labrador puppy: curious, playful and learning its environment. To ensure your puppy grows into a healthy dog, you will need to feed it the right amount and kind of food to ensure it gets the proper nutrients needed for development.

Things You'll Need

  • Puppy kibble
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin feeding your Labrador puppy kibble when it reaches 6 weeks old. Purchase puppy kibble, which is made up of smaller pieces of food for easy digestion, at a pet supply store or grocery store. Mix hot water into dry kibble to make it softer, if desired. Make sure the brand you choose has meat listed as the first ingredient on the label. Additives and fillers will not give your puppy the proper amount of protein or calcium necessary for development.

    • 2

      A puppy needs twice the amount of nutrients of an adult dog. A puppy's diet requires regular amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein, fats and carbohydrates. Manufacturers generally incorporate these things into their puppy foods. For the Labrador breed, protein is essential. Make sure your puppy consumes approximately 22 percent to 25 percent of its protein from meat not soy.

    • 3

      Feed your puppy three to four times a day: morning, early afternoon, late afternoon and evening. Feed it about 1½ cups of food for each meal. A puppy, because it is growing, will eat much more than it does when it is full grown. Consistency is key in dog training, including feeding, and adapting a consistent feeding schedule now can prime your Labrador puppy for further success in house and behavioral training.