The Labrador was always one of the breeds that dog owners most frequently choose, and it is easy to understand why. There are 6 fur colors that Labrador comes in, and black is the most common. Black Lab is frequently used in hunting but is also popular as a non-working dog. This article discusses the best dog food for a lab that gives him an active, healthy life.
There are a lot of pros that draw people to fall in love with this dog. They are gentle, loyal, devoted to their family, playful, and they are great to have around the kids. Labs are also great for outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, camping, or when you want to go on an active vacation in the countryside. They have a professional side because they are also used in the military and police force.
Due to their sheer number and popularity, veterinary dietitians had to find the solution how to keep Labradors happy and healthy for as long as possible. Food is one of the most important elements when it comes to the health and life expectancy of a Lab. Keeping a dog happy, healthy, and with long life, duration is not that easy as you may think, so knowing how to feed your Lab is essential.
Let’s have a quick loo on our recommendations:
| Image | Brand | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Top | Taste of the Wild | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 Top | Nulo | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 Top | Purina Pro Plan | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 Top | Blue Buffalo | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
There is no such thing as the recipe “best food for a Labrador”. That would be too easy. Every dog has its characteristics, so you would need to adjust the type and quantity of food to them. But some ingredients about food for Labs is universal, and those are:
- High in fat and protein
- Low in carbohydrates
- Meat as a primary ingredient
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
When it comes to quantity, it is all based on the size of the Lab, so be sure to know how much your lab weights before you start applying these food tips:
- 40 to 45 pound Lab – around 220 grams per day
- 50 to 55 pound Lab – around 250 grams per day
- 60 to 65 pound Lab – around 285 grams per day
- 70 to 75 pound Lab – around 320 grams per day
- 80 to 85 pound Lab – around 350 grams per day
- 90 to 95 pound Lab – around 370 grams per day
We did a little research and compared some of the most popular foods recommended for black Labs and other large breeds. We made a shortlist of 4 dry food products that we would feed our Labs. We thought about all these weak spots that Labs have, like weaker joints, which include elbow and hip dysplasia, eye and endocrine problems.
Older black labs have different needs; bad teeth or few teeth are a common problem; Soft Dry Dog Food for Dogs with Bad Teeth is a complete informational resource that helps you to understand what food suitable for older black labs.
1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Grain-Free Recipe
If we talk about the best dog food for a black lab, these meaty bites are amongst the best. Its main ingredient is pure meat, and in this case, meat is taken from the healthiest bison. It is combined with other types of high-quality meat from a game animal, making it a premium source of protein. That way your Lab will have enough energy to be active and happy while playing outdoors.
Labs are known as a very active breed of dogs, so these meaty chunks will keep them energized. Besides meat, other ingredients include several types of vegetables, like sweet potatoes and peas. With those, your Lab will have enough antioxidants that will help in keeping overall vitality.
A healthy digestive system is very important for the overall health of your black Lab, so with this dry food, it will get plenty of active cultures. Those cultures will keep the Labrador’s whole digestive system healthy and in good shape.
That way you are also keeping the Lab fit, not allowing it to become obese.
Pros
- Completely grain-free
- Natural bison meat rich in protein
- Source of vitamins and minerals
2. Nulo Adult Lamb Grain-Free Dry Food
This 100% grain-free food is maybe not so popular as food from some larger company, but don`t doubt, because this is one of the best foods for a black Lab. What makes it so great? For starters, it is 100% grain-free. Why is this important?
Because, most of the cheaper pet foods add grain to their list of ingredients, making them cheaper to make. But, with that comes lower quality. When food is grain-free, that means that your Lab will get more nutrients through their meals. They will not become obese and sickly. They will be playful and happy.
Nulo Adult Dog Food is made of pure lamb meat that will keep your Lab filled up with good protein and fat. It doesn`t contain any additives, artificial flavors, or fake food coloring. It is made of purely natural ingredients. Besides that
Among other beneficial ingredients, you can mention omega 3 and omega 6 acids that will help your black Lab to have a shiny coat. It will also keep the triglyceride levels low and help in regulating the work of all the muscles and joints.
All in all, with this premium dry food your black Lab will get a well-balanced diet.
Pros
- Rich in amino acids for building muscle mass and keeping a healthy heart.
- Full of vitamin B6 and niacin which is an energy generator, provided by lamb meat.
Cons
- A bit pricey compared to some products of the similar quality.
3. Purina Pro Plan the Best Dog Food for a Black Lab
Another great food for a black lab comes from Purina. They have many types of food for all breeds, sizes, and ages of dogs, and in this case, the food is specially adjusted for breeds like Labrador.
This tasty meal has everything needed for a Labrador to grow and remain healthy. The whole meal formula is planned for large dogs, with special attention on keeping their joints and muscles flexible and healthy. The most important thing is the meat. It is real chicken meat, and with it, your Lab will get the right amount of protein and fat.
With this kind of diet, your Lab will always be up for some physical activity, either a run around your home or something more demanding, like a hunting adventure.
Another important feature is glucosamine and EPA, which are there for the prevention of dysplasia. Dysplasia can affect a lab’s quality of life, so be sure to keep an eye on their legs to be sure that they are healthy and active. Besides all this, your Lab would get a great probiotic that will help in preserving their digestive system and building up a great immune system.
This Purina food is a pack of great and all-around healthy ingredients for your Lab to being happy. Great dog food for a black lab for sure!
Pros
- Made out of a real chicken.
- No added artificial flavors or coloring.
- Omega 6 acids keeping the coating silky.
Up next is our bonus suggestion for a little diversity in a diet for your black Lab!
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wolf Creek Stew High Protein
A good diet also requires diversity. Always feeding your black Lab with dry food is not good for his overall health and fitness. Dogs in the past were fed with meat from cans, so adding here and there some canned food is a must.
This Blue Buffalo Stew proved that it is one of the best foods for a black Lab for canned food. It is made purely of natural products. They are made with different meat to choose from, but we recommend this pure chicken option. It is made without any added flavors, fake coloring, soy, or grain.
This stew is packed with natural protein, and your Lab will feel an energy boost after this meal. It doesn`t matter if your Lab a puppy or an adult dog, this chicken bites will help it develop and maintain healthy muscles and joints, keeping it energized.
There are 3 ways in using canned food:
- It can be mixed with regular dry food to keep the Lab’s interest in it.
- It can be a great treat! If you are training your Lab there is no better way to tell him “Good dog!” than feeding him with one of these delicious chicken meals.
- Canned food can be feed as a regular meal replacement for dry food.
Pros
- Most of the protein is derived from animal sources.
- It doesn`t contain any artificial coloring and preservatives.
Cons
- The main ingredient is beef, which contains around 60% of moisture.
We highly recommend awarding your black Lab with this great dog food!
Final Thoughts
Having a black Lab is a gift of its own. Rarely a creature can attach to a human-like a Lab, and at least we can do in return is to try and do our best for their better being. That includes giving them the best food, and with that keeping them with you as long as possible.
You want your black Lab to greet you every day with a happy bark, and you can accomplish that only by taking good care of them.
There are a lot of products on the market that include low-quality ingredients and are cheap. If you want the best for your Lab, check the back of the packaging, and see the ingredients. If you don`t like what you see, your furry friend will surely not enjoy eating it. Don`t be fooled by the commercials and ads that are everywhere.
Not even workers at the pet stores guarantee that your dog will get the best food it needs. Keep yourself informed because that is the only way to help your four-legged friend enjoy his life to the fullest.
We publish three new resources to educate dog owners about what human foods their four-legged friends can eat: Can Dogs Eat Mayo 2nd one is Can Dogs Eat Salami, and Can Dogs Eat Scallops. So you can have information either you can share these foods with your fluffy friend or not.