Feeding your Labrador correctly is important for your dog's health, happiness and longevity. Labrador Retrievers are among the most popular family dogs worldwide. They are friendly, intelligent and athletic, but unfortunately they can also be a little gluttonous. That's why it's very important to feed them correctly. But what does a Labrador really need? How much food is healthy and what should you bear in mind for puppies and older dogs? In this Labrador guide, you will learn how to feed your Labrador correctly – from puppyhood to old age.
Labrador Retriever Origin: From the Canadian coast to family's favourite dog
Imagine the rugged coastline of Newfoundland (Canada) in the 19th century: cold fog hangs over the Atlantic Ocean as fishermen battle the wind and waves in small boats. Alongside are strong, black dogs that jump into the icy water without hesitation to pull fishing nets ashore or retrieve escaped fish. This is how the history of the Labrador Retriever began. British sailors quickly recognised the enormous potential of these dogs and brought them to England. Because of their stamina, intelligence, retrieving skills and their love of water, they were specifically bred as hunting dogs for water work – powerful, eager to work and loyal. The name "retriever" perfectly describes the original purpose of this dog breed: retrieving game, especially during duck hunting.
This original task still characterises the Labrador Retriever today: it loves water, exercise and shows a pronounced enthusiasm for retrieving, but its large appetite is also striking. If you want to feed your Labrador Retriever correctly, you should therefore not only pay attention to the amount of food, but also understand its origin and history.
Breed characteristics of the Labrador Retriever that can influence the correct feeding of Labradors
The Labrador has characteristics that are typical of its breed:
- Enormous enthusiasm for fetching and high urge to move
- Strong appetite (often uncontrolled urge to eat)
- Robust physique, but prone to obesity
- High capacity for learning and adaptability – the Labrador Retriever requires not only sufficient exercise, but also mental stimulation
The original characteristics of the Labrador Retriever make it a popular family dog today, but also a reliable working dog – for example, as a rescue or therapy dog. In addition, these and other characteristics illustrate that our special feeding recommendations for Labradors can be useful – adapted to energy requirements, age and activity level.
What type of diet is best for a Labrador?
In the following, we would like to introduce you to the different types of feeding for Labrador Retrievers – it is important to note that every Labrador is an individual – even as a puppy, when, for example, the breeder switches them to their first solid meals, food imprinting begins, which can have a lifelong influence on their food preferences and also their food tolerance.
Dry food for Labrador Retrievers
Dry food has a long shelf life and is easy to measure out. This makes dry food very convenient for everyday use and also very practical when travelling with your Labrador or going on holiday. As it contains very little moisture, the nutrients it contains are in a "concentrated" form, so to speak – for this reason, the amount of food you need to feed is lower with dry food than with wet food. This can be a disadvantage when feeding Labrador Retrievers. Labradors are difficult to satisfy and the volume of a meal, among many other factors, influences their feeling of satiety. If a Labrador Retriever does not feel full after a meal, it will happily go in search of food on its own if it gets the chance.
Naturavetal® Info
Satiety in Labradors
It is believed that Labrador Retrievers are unable to feel full due to a genetic mutation. They lack the messenger substances that are responsible for feelings of fullness. They do not burn calories as efficiently and also have lower energy requirements when at rest. One in four Labradors is said to be affected – the consequences: many Labrador Retrievers are constantly hungry and gain weight easily.
Wet food for Labrador Retrievers
Due to its higher moisture content, the volume of wet food is greater than that of dry food. For a Labrador Retriever that is always hungry, this can make a big difference, as the volume of food, among other factors, influences the feeling of satiety. Also if the dog does not drink enough during the day, wet food is beneficial, as it can cover a certain part of the dog's fluid requirements.
BARF for Labrador Retrievers
The same principles apply to raw feeding as they do to wet food. Due to the higher moisture content, the food volume of the meal is greater, which can have a positive effect on satiety. With BARF, you decide on each individual ingredient and put the meal together yourself. This allows you to choose ingredients that are low in calories but high in volume, experiment with different meat proportions and decide how much and which vegetables and fruit you want to feed.
Would you like to feed your dog a BARF diet but don't know exactly how? Our guide "First steps to BARF for Dogs" shows you how to calculate the BARF portions for your dog, while our guide "BARF for Dogs. Which BARF ingredients are best suited for dog BARF?" shows you which ingredients are suitable for dog BARF and which you should avoid.
Feeding your Labrador correctly – what matters
Experience shows that Labrador Retrievers are happier with wet food or BARF than with dry food. For many Labradors, a bowl that looks full increases their zest for life and satisfies their hunger by filling their stomachs more.
However, this does not mean that wet food is the only right type of food for your Labrador. Every Labrador is unique, so the food they are fed as puppies and how they are trained to eat play a major role. Furthermore, not all dog food is the same. Manufacturing methods can differ, and the quality of the food is greatly influenced by the ingredients used by a manufacturer. In the following, we would therefore like to discuss food ingredients and their importance for the correct feeding of Labradors.
What role do proteins play in feeding your Labrador correctly?
Proteins form the basis of every dog's diet, regardless of breed and age. They are composed of amino acids. Dogs cannot produce some of these amino acids themselves, known as essential amino acids. However, they need them to form vital substances for their bodies, which is why they must be supplied through food. Animal protein contains more of these vital amino acids than plant protein. To put it simply, a small portion of meat provides about as many essential amino acids as a large portion of beans. In addition, the protein content of a meal can influence how full your dog feels – protein keeps dogs feeling full for longer, and this applies to both animal and plant protein – but the difference is that animal protein is usually easier to digest and can therefore be used more effectively by dogs than plant protein.
What role does fat play in the correct nutrition of Labrador Retrievers?
Fats are the nutrients in dog food that provide dogs with the most energy. By way of comparison, 1 g of fat contains approx. 9 kcal, while carbohydrates and proteins contain only approx. 4 kcal per gram. For a Labrador Retriever, which cannot break down calories as efficiently and does not need as much energy when at rest, the fat content of its food is therefore a fairly important issue. In terms of energy intake, it does not matter whether the fats are animal or vegetable fats, as dogs can utilise both equally well. However, there are differences in the fatty acids, which can affect health.
What role do carbohydrates play in the correct feeding of Labradors?
Carbohydrates are not essential for dogs, but feeding them has important benefits in canine nutrition: they provide quickly available energy, contain fibre that is important for intestinal flora and help regulate eating behaviour by contributing to satiety. However, not all carbohydrates have the same effect: Simple and double sugars (e.g. glucose, fructose, lactose) are digested quickly, causing blood sugar levels to rise and fall just as quickly – the dog soon feels hungry again. Complex sugars (e.g. from whole grains or vegetables) are digested more slowly, release energy more evenly and thus ensure longer-lasting satiety.
Naturavetal® Info
Achieving satiety with the best ingredients
The quality of the food is determined by the ingredients it contains, the quantities in which they are processed and the manufacturing method. Regardless of whether it is dry or wet food: carefully selected and properly processed ingredients ensure that the Labrador Retriever can absorb all the nutrients it needs. They also have an influence on the feeling of satiety, which plays an important role in the daily feeding of Labrador Retrievers in particular.
Canis Plus® cold-pressed dry food for Labradors
Our Canis Plus® Cold Pressed Dry Food is characterised by its natural composition and the processing of high-quality raw materials. Our gentle cold-pressing process ensures that the natural ingredients are preserved as much as possible, so that we do not need to use any synthetic additives such as artificial vitamins or preservatives. The pellets do not swell in the stomach, which can aid digestion and reduce the risk of gastric torsion (bloat) – this is an important factor, especially for larger dog breeds such as Labrador Retrievers.
A high meat content serves as a high-quality source of protein, while salmon oil, beef fat and coconut oil provide healthy fatty acids. The processed carbohydrate sources, such as millet, whole grain rice and buckwheat, are broken down using a unique cooking process involving hot steam to ensure that the valuable nutrients they contain are preserved as much as possible. The raw fibre structures are separated from each other without being destroyed. This makes them optimally digestible for Labradors, promotes healthy bowel movements and contributes to the Labrador Retriever's satiety.
Thanks to the balanced, natural composition of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, the musculoskeletal system is strengthened, the coat is kept shiny and vitality is promoted – important factors for the health of an active Labrador. Our wide range of flavours also allows you to feed your dog food that suits its individual needs.
Our cold-pressed dry food for Labrador Retrievers that gain weight easily or are difficult to satisfy
If your Labrador gains weight quickly, you need a dry food that does not contain too much fat and has a moderate calorie content overall. This ensures that the energy content per portion is not too high and reduces the risk of obesity.
For Labradors that are difficult to satisfy, a food with a lower energy density offers another advantage: the amount of food can be easily increased, which increases the volume of food and can create a greater feeling of satiety.
However, if your Labrador has both characteristics – a strong appetite and a tendency to gain weight quickly – you should carefully control the amount of food you feed them, despite the low calorie content, in order to avoid obesity.
- Canis Plus® Poultry
Particularly suitable for Labrador Retrievers that require strict weight control and, at the same time, easily digestible, lean food. - Canis Plus® Lamb
Lamb is considered particularly digestible and is therefore well suited for sensitive Labradors that suffer from intolerances or sensitive digestion. - Canis Plus® Salmon
Recommended for Labrador Retrievers that have sensitive stomachs and also benefit from omega-3 fatty acids for their skin, coat and joints.
That's what matters
Dry food for Labradors
Look for transparent labelling and high-quality ingredients, such as those found in Canis Plus®. A high meat content with highly digestible proteins of the best quality, an appropriate fat content with valuable omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as wholesome carbohydrate sources with healthy raw fibre, vegetables, fruit and herbs – these ingredients ensure that your Labrador is well nourished and feels satisfied after feeding.
For normally active Labradors, we recommend our Canis Plus® Poultry, Lamb or Salmon, while athletic or working Labrador Retrievers can also be fed our Canis Plus® Beef or Canis Plus® Working Dog - Sport.
Would you like to try our cold-pressed dry food? Then please contact our team of experts for a free food sample.
Canis Plus® Complete Tinned Meals: our complete wet food meals for your Labrador Retriever
Our natural Complete Meals can form the basis of a comprehensive, healthy diet for your Labrador. They are either completely grain-free or refined with valuable, gluten-free alternatives such as buckwheat or millet. Our meals contain a species-appropriate mix of a high meat content, healthy fibre and selected herbs. Raw meat, vegetables, fruit, herbs and oil are mixed together and filled into the tins cold. The meal is cooked in the tin for as short a time as possible. This production method is particularly gentle and ensures a long shelf life without the use of artificial additives.
Our gently cooked complete wet food meals for Labradors that gain weight easily or are always hungry
If your Labrador Retriever gains weight even on a low-calorie dry food or if you cannot satisfy its appetite even with increased amounts of dry food, we recommend switching to our Canis Plus® Complete Tinned Meals. You can choose from several varieties, but we particularly recommend the following:
- Canis Plus® Beef Complete Meal
Particularly suitable for Labradors who prefer strong flavours and classic meat sources, but at the same time require strict weight control. - Canis Plus® Turkey Complete Meal
Ideal for Labradors that need a lean, easily digestible food with low fat content. Particularly suitable for older and overweight dogs. - Canis Plus® Pollock Complete Meal
Recommended for Labrador Retrievers with sensitive stomachs, food sensitivities and older dogs. Contains pollock to support healthy joints, grain-free. - Canis Plus® Buffalo Complete Meal
Particularly suitable for Labrador Retrievers that suffer from food intolerances or allergies. Grain-free and with stomach-friendly vegetable side dishes such as fennel and pear.
That´s what matters
Wet food for Labradors
Our Complete Meals contain a species-appropriate mix of high meat content, healthy fibre and selected herbs. The wide selection of different meat varieties guarantees that there is a suitable choice even for Labradors with sensitive stomachs or allergies.
Naturavetal® Info
Combining Complete Meals and Canis Plus® Cold Pressed Dry Food
Although you can feed our Canis Plus® Complete Tinned Meals as ready-made wet food meals, they are also perfect for combining with our Canis Plus® Cold Pressed Dry Food.
For Labrador Retrievers with sensitive stomachs or fussy eaters, you should always feed the different types of food, i.e. dry or wet food, in separate meals. This is easier for dogs with sensitive stomachs to digest and, in the case of fussy eaters, it prevents them from only eating dry food when you mix wet food in with it.
However, if your Labrador shows no signs of being a fussy eater and also has a very robust digestive system, you can feed them dry food and also offer them some wet food to increase the volume of food and better satisfy your Labrador Retriever.
Canis Plus® Meat Pots & Meat Rolls: the basis for homemade meals for your Labrador
With our Canis Plus® Meat Pots and Canis Plus® Meat Rolls, you can tailor each meal precisely to your dog's needs. You can influence the energy content by adjusting the meat content and choosing side dishes that contain as much fibre and as little sugar as possible.
For a normal, healthy Labrador, 70% meat and 30% vegetable side dishes are recommended. However, if your dog tends to be overweight or is not satisfied, it may be advisable to reduce the meat content to 60% and increase the vegetable side dishes to 40%. You should then add a natural source of calcium and a high-quality oil to ensure that your dog is well nourished. For normally active Labradors, it is recommended that they receive 3-5% of their body weight in food per day, but if your Labrador is less active, it is quite possible that 2.5-3% will be sufficient.
It is common for dogs with sensitive stomachs to react to raw meat with heartburn and hyperacidity, especially as they get older. Our Canis Plus® Meat Pots and Canis Plus® Meat Rolls are a great alternative, as the meat is already cooked and is generally better tolerated by sensitive dogs. Our pure meat varieties are also a great BARF alternative when on holiday.
That´s what matters
Pure meat for Labradors
Our Meat Pots contain only high-quality animal protein. You can decide how much meat you want to feed your Labrador and what side dishes you would like to add. This allows you to put together individual meals that are tailored precisely to your Labrador's needs.
Suitable snacks for Labradors – healthy rewards without weight gain
Snacks and treats are simply part of training a Labrador: they support training, strengthen the bond and bring variety to everyday life. However, especially with Labrador Retrievers, which are prone to obesity, you should choose snacks carefully.
Opt for natural dog snacks without artificial additives that are rich in nutrients but moderate in fat content. Dried meat, chews such as beef scalp or beef lung pieces are particularly suitable.
However, it is important that snacks only make up a small part of the daily food ration – a maximum of 10%. This will prevent your Labrador from consuming too many calories. If you use training treats, you can slightly reduce the daily ration of the main food so that your dog does not consume too much energy.
Small snacks for training your Labrador
Small snacks are particularly practical for training Labrador Retrievers. They can be fed quickly without your dog consuming too many calories. Training treats for Labradors are ideal if they are low in fat, such as our Canis Plus® Mini Lung Treats made from beef, lamb, horse or goat. However, you can also use our Canis Plus® Starry Fish Treats or our Canis Plus® Cold Pressed Dry Food as a quick reward snack when training your Labrador.
Medium-sized snacks for between meals
Medium-sized snacks for Labradors are ideal if you want to reward your dog between meals or simply give them something to keep them occupied. Dried meat and twisted fish skins are nutritious and add variety to your dog's daily routine. Natural dog snacks such as Canis Plus® Fish Skin Rings, Fish Skin Sticks, Goldband Selar, Chicken Fillet Strips, Beef Lung, Beef Gullet or Buffalo Lung are rich in protein and have a moderate fat content, supporting your Labrador's balanced diet.
Large snacks and chews for Labradors
If you want to keep your dog occupied for longer, large, firm chews for Labradors are the best choice. Snacks such as the smaller or larger Canis Plus® Beef Scalp (12.5 cm or 25 cm long), Horse Scalp or Roe Deer Skin satisfy the need to chew, promote dental cleaning and ensure healthy jaw muscles. Especially for Labradors who like to chew, such large dog snacks are an ideal combination of activity and dental care.
Healthy snacks for Labradors
Canis Plus® Chews & Treats
Snacks for Labradors are a great addition to their diet when used in a targeted and moderate manner. Labradors in particular are prone to obesity, which is why low-calorie, natural and easily digestible snacks are ideal for them.
If your Labrador is already significantly overweight or you have to strictly regulate meat snacks because your dog gains weight very quickly, snacks made from fresh vegetables such as cucumber or carrots are also suitable. Their natural moisture content gives them volume, but they contain fewer calories than a dried meat chew.
Feeding Labrador puppies correctly
Labrador Retrievers are one of the larger dog breeds and also have a genetic predisposition to elbow dysplasia (ED). This makes feeding very important during puppyhood. Food that contains too much energy can cause unfavourable growth spurts, which can have a lasting negative impact on the development of the musculoskeletal system. To feed your Labrador puppy properly, you need a food that has a moderate energy content but contains all the important nutrients that Labrador puppies need during their growth phase. The dog's main growth takes place in the first 12 months, though generally it continues to grow and develop until it is two years old.
Whether you choose our cold-pressed Canis Plus® Puppies & Young Dogs, our gently cooked Canis Plus® Puppy Meals or a combination of cold-pressed dry food and wet food depends on your personal preferences and, of course, those of your Labrador puppy – with Canis Plus® Puppies & Young Dogs food, you can be sure that your Labrador puppy is getting all the nutrients it needs for healthy growth.
In our guide "Healthy Puppy Food: The Right Start in Life", you can learn more about feeding puppies and young dogs correctly.
What is elbow dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers?
Elbow dysplasia (ED) is a malformation of the elbow joint that occurs more frequently in large and fast-growing dog breeds such as Labrador Retrievers. Due to uneven growth, the individual bones of the joint do not fit together properly. This can lead to overload, cartilage damage and osteoarthritis.
Typical symptoms of elbow dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers:
- Lameness and limping, especially after exertion
- Relief posture or general reluctance to move
- Pain when getting up or climbing stairs
Feeding your Labrador puppy the right food plays an important role in prevention: food that is too high in energy or has the wrong nutrient balance during puppyhood can increase the risk of elbow dysplasia. It is therefore crucial that Labrador puppies grow at a controlled rate and do not become overweight.
Feeding Labrador puppies
How to feed your Labrador puppy correctly
Whether cold-pressed dry food, wet food, partial BARF or BARF – during the sensitive developmental stages of a puppy, it is important to ensure healthy organ development, muscle and joint formation, appropriate bone growth and harmonious hormone interaction with a balanced diet.
The most valuable thing you can give your Labrador puppy in its life is a natural, species-appropriate diet for holistic well-being.
Labrador puppies and giardia
Labrador Retrievers in particular often eat grass and ingest soil and other animals' faeces when outdoors. This often leads to them coming into contact with giardia. Symptoms such as soft stools or diarrhoea that occurs in waves, flatulence, a dull coat and weight loss can indicate giardiasis.
In our guide "Giardia in dogs", you can find out exactly what Giardia is, what symptoms it can cause in dogs and what options you have to support your dog through diet.
Feeding senior Labradors correctly
As your Labrador Retriever gets older, its needs change. Senior dogs are often less active, consume less energy and are therefore more prone to becoming overweight. At the same time, the risk of diseases such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular problems or kidney disease increases. An adapted diet is therefore very important.
Important aspects of feeding senior Labradors correctly
First things first: no dog automatically becomes a senior just because it has reached a certain age – if your Labrador Retriever is still healthy and active at 12 years old and enjoys exercising, then it would be wrong to feed it like a senior dog. Only when it actually becomes calmer or health problems arise it is time to adjust its diet accordingly.
- Controlling food intake: If your senior Labrador is less active, it will have lower energy requirements. However, this does not mean that you need to change its food if it tolerates its current diet well. If you want to prevent it from gaining weight, you should first try reducing the amount of food you feed. In many cases, this will be sufficient and you will avoid having to change its diet, which is not necessary at this stage.
- Low in calories but rich in nutrients: If your Labrador gains weight despite a slight reduction in food quantity, it is advisable to switch to a food with fewer calories. High-quality proteins play an important role in maintaining muscle mass, while you should ensure that the food is low in fat.
- Easily digestible: Many senior Labradors tend to develop sensitive stomachs as they age. Wet food, such as our Canis Plus® Complete Tinned Meals, is then more suitable for them. Also, make sure you feed them fish regularly, as it is easily digestible and contains particularly high levels of valuable omega-3 fatty acids.
- Intestinal health: With age, it can happen that nutrients from food can no longer be properly absorbed. Regular feeding of supplements that support the digestive system, for example Canis Extra Mineralmoor and Canis Extra Petflora, can help to relieve the digestive tract. Supplements such as Canis Extra Brewer's Yeast, Canis Extra Berry Power, Canis Extra Tausendgrün Organic Herbs for BARF or Canis Extra Aktiv provide additional nutrients and thus help to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
- Joint support: As Labrador Retrievers are one of the larger dog breeds, they are more prone to joint problems in old age. These problems become apparent very quickly, especially if they are unable to maintain their ideal weight and gain weight. Supplements such as Canis Extra Green-lipped Mussel Powder, Canis Extra Gelenkvital, Canis Extra Krill Oil or Canis Extra Organic Rosehip Powder can provide nutritional support for the musculoskeletal system.
- Additional exercise: Even if your Labrador Retriever is less keen to exercise in old age, exercise remains very important for them. It ensures a regulated metabolism, promotes muscle maintenance and contributes to their zest for life. Even light exercise or swimming keeps joints and weight in balance.
If you would like to learn more about feeding senior dogs, please take a look at our guide "Food for the Senior Dog and the Senior Cat".
What to do about allergies or food intolerances in Labrador Retrievers
Allergies and food intolerances can manifest themselves in many different ways in your Labrador Retriever: itching, recurrent diarrhoea, ear infections, eye discharge, problems with the anal glands, skin redness – all these symptoms can indicate an allergy or food intolerance. If your Labrador Retriever suffers from an allergy or food intolerance, it is important to find out exactly what they are reacting to so that you can avoid this substance in future. An allergy test at the vet or an exclusion diet can help you with this. In many cases, it is sufficient to choose a food that does not contain gluten and is free from traditional meat and grain sources. In addition, it should contain only one source of animal protein, ideally one that your Labrador has not previously been given as a snack or main food – for example, lamb, rabbit, buffalo, horse or goat.
If you would like to learn more about feeding dogs with allergies or food intolerances, please take a look at our guide "My Dog Is Allergic - What Now?".
Common problems with Labrador Retrievers and what you can do about them
Despite the best care, Labrador Retrievers can develop typical health and behavioural problems. Many owners face challenges such as overeating, obesity, joint problems or unpleasant body odour.
We show you what to look out for, what causes these problems and how you can effectively prevent them through appropriate feeding, exercise and preventive care.
Your Labrador Retriever is always hungry
We mentioned this earlier: it is believed that many Labrador Retrievers are unable to feel full due to a genetic mutation, as they lack the neurotransmitters that are supposed to make them feel satiated. One in four Labradors is said to be affected.
If your Labrador Retriever is one of these 25%, it is therefore impossible for them to ever feel truly full. The only things that can help here are consistent feeding training, anti-poison bait training and similar measures if you want to prevent your dog from constantly begging or eating everything they find outside.
However, there are still the remaining 75% of Labrador Retrievers who do not have this genetic mutation and still do not feel full – simply because Labrador Retrievers are generally quite fond of food. Of course, training and education play a major role here too, but a well-thought-out feeding plan can also help your dog feel fuller for longer. On the one hand, the volume of food plays a major role – the more volume the meal has, the more satiated the Labrador feels. For this reason, wet food, BARF and home-cooked meals are generally more suitable for Labrador Retrievers, as they have more volume due to their higher water content.
The fibre contained in the food also plays an important role: fibre promotes satiety, ensures that food remains in the digestive tract for longer, allowing more nutrients to be absorbed and also feeding the intestinal flora. You can therefore upgrade your Labrador's meals by adding ingredients that increase the volume and fibre content of the meal without adding too many calories. Our Canis Extra Vit/Min Variety Flakes are ideal for this, but you can also use psyllium husks or cucumber.
Labrador Retrievers & obesity – a common problem: Labradors are too fat
If your Labrador is overweight, it is important that they lose weight slowly. When following the feeding recommendations for the food, you should therefore not base this on their current body weight, but on the weight that your dog should ideally have. Important: If you find that there is a large gap between the current amount of food and the feeding recommendation for the target weight, you should reduce the amount of food in small steps. Under no circumstances should you feed 100g less from one day to the next, as your dog will certainly notice this. It is better to reduce the amount of food in small steps, by approx. 10-20g, so that your dog has the opportunity to get used to the smaller portions. To make the transition a little easier, you can also add supplements such as our Canis Extra Vit/Min Variety Flakes.
Is your Labrador drinking enough?
If your Labrador needs to lose weight, it is also important that it drinks enough during the day. When fed a dry diet, the water requirement for an adult dog with normal physical activity and a normal ambient temperature of 20°C is approx. 50–100 ml/kg body weight per day. If it is fed wet food, its requirement is approx. 20–50 ml/kg.
For a dog with a body weight of 25 kg, this means that its daily water requirement when fed a dry diet is approximately 1250–2500 ml of water per day. If it is fed wet food, its requirement is approximately 500–1250 ml of water per day.
Have you ever checked whether your Labrador is drinking enough? If you find that this is not the case, you can increase its fluid intake by offering it some water with its food.
Herbal mixtures such as Canis Extra Tausendgrün Organic Herbs for BARF or Canis Extra Aktiv provide valuable nutrients and can boost the metabolism, thereby also helping your Labrador Retriever to lose weight more effectively.
Your Labrador eats grass
Most dogs eat grass from time to time, but Labrador Retrievers in particular are often caught grazing extensively. Whether out of boredom, bad habit or simply appetite, eating grass carries the risk of the dog coming into contact with parasites or ingesting things that may be toxic to them, such as mushrooms that grow in the grass. Our Canis Extra Mineralmoor supports a healthy digestive system and can help reduce the amount of grass your Labrador eats. The variety of nutrients can boost the mineral balance, which can have a positive effect on your Labrador's habit of eating grass and dirt. The unique composition of the moor can boost the metabolism, contribute to an improvement in the intestinal flora and thus promote overall feed conversion.
You can find detailed information and many more tips on the subject of grass eating in dogs in our guide "My Dog Eats Grass – What Can I Do?". Feel free to take a look.
Your Labrador eats faeces and dirt
In addition to the widespread habit of eating grass, Labrador Retrievers unfortunately also tend to eat the droppings of other animals, as well as soil and dirt. The risk of them becoming infected with worms or giardia is very high. Our Canis Extra Mineralmoor can also help here, as the variety of nutrients it contains can boost the mineral balance. This can have a positive effect on the "dirt eating" behaviour of Labrador Retrievers and help to eliminate this behaviour.
You can find lots of tips and background information on faecal eating in dogs in our guide "My Dog Eats Faeces – What Can I Do?".
Labrador Retrievers and parasite prevention
Labradors love being outdoors and going on adventures with their owners. Whether romping in the woods, swimming or eating grass, your Labrador may come into contact with parasites such as worms, giardia, fleas or ticks, so you should take appropriate measures to protect your Labrador from them.
Worm prevention for Labrador Retrievers
As already mentioned, eating grass and faeces is common among Labrador Retrievers, and dogs can become infected with worms when they eat grass or the faeces of other animals. It is therefore very important that you regularly feed supplements that can promote an intestinal environment in which worms are reluctant to settle. Our Canis Extra Vermprevet® is a mixture of plants and herbs with coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, carrot granules, black cumin, propolis powder and walnut leaves, which naturally support an intestinal environment that is hostile to worms and can therefore make it difficult for worms to colonise.
If worm infestation does occur, our Canis Extra Vermcurat® can help. Vermcurat® can support intestinal cleansing, allowing parasites to be excreted in the faeces. This can help to prevent increased worm infestation caused by diet.
You can find more information on natural worm prevention in our guide "Natural Feeding in Case of Worm Infestation in Dogs and Cats".
Tick and flea prevention in Labrador Retrievers
There are various ways to protect your Labrador Retriever from ticks and fleas, which can be adapted to your dog's needs. Depending on whether your dog swims regularly, spends a lot of time in the woods or is more of a city dog, you can feed them supplements that promote a strong immune system or use care products that promote parasite defence through their scent.
You can find detailed information on ticks in our guide "Natural Help against Ticks", while our guide "Fighting Fleas in Dogs naturally - here's how!" provides information on the topic of flea infestation in dogs.
When your Labrador smells
Labrador Retrievers are dogs that were bred for water. To protect them from the cold in the water, their coat is denser and oilier than that of other dog breeds. This can be accompanied by a characteristic body odour, which is even more noticeable if the dog goes swimming regularly.
However, it is not only your Labrador's swimming behaviour that determines its body odour; the condition of its digestion and its diet also have an enormous influence on whether your Labrador smells unpleasant or not.
If you would like to learn more about dog odour, please take a look at our guide "Dog Odour - Causes and Measures for Unpleasant Body Odour in Dogs".
Labrador Retrievers and ear problems
If your Labrador Retriever often goes swimming and keeps its head under water, you should check its ears regularly and clean them if necessary. Moisture easily accumulates in the ear and the floppy ears ensure that there is little air circulation in the ears. The warm, dark and moist environment in the ears can promote the growth of bacteria, which can quickly lead to ear infections. Our Canis Extra Ear Care has been specially developed to gently clean and care for sensitive dog ears and support the natural balance of the delicate skin – without any artificial additives.
Labradors and soft faeces
If your Labrador Retriever goes swimming regularly, it is difficult to prevent them from drinking some water. Especially in summer, when it is hot, water quality can suffer and bacteria can spread – but you cannot see this immediately. If your dog swallows this water, various symptoms can occur, from flatulence to diarrhoea. Our Canis Extra Healthy Bowel can promote intestinal cleansing and thus help to quickly eliminate flatulence and diarrhoea caused by the ingestion of spoiled food or dirty water.
Labrador Retrievers with joint problems
As Labradors are one of the larger dog breeds, they are more prone to joint problems in old age. These problems become apparent very quickly, especially if they grew too fast as puppies or if they cannot maintain their ideal weight and gain weight. Supplements such as Canis Extra Green-lipped Mussel Powder, Canis Extra Gelenkvital, Canis Extra Krill Oil or Canis Extra Organic Rosehip Powder can provide nutritional support for the musculoskeletal system.
Labrador feeding: show line and working line in comparison
Many Labrador owners wonder whether the correct Labrador feeding differs fundamentally between show line Labradors (English type) and working line Labradors (American type). In fact, there are certain differences in physique and temperament that can also influence energy requirements.
Show line Labradors: These Labradors are usually more powerfully built and somewhat calmer in nature. They are more prone to becoming overweight if the amount of food does not match the dog's activity level.
Working line Labradors: These Labradors are usually slimmer, lighter in build and very eager to work. With regular training or athletic work, they have a significantly higher energy consumption and therefore benefit from a more energy-rich diet.
The activity level is more important than the line
Regardless of whether your Labrador comes from the show or working line, the following applies: the individual exercise and energy requirements are always decisive for the correct Labrador feeding. A show line Labrador that is kept active may need more calories than a working line Labrador that only goes on relaxed walks.
High-quality food as the basis for the right Labrador diet: that's Canis Plus®
For both lines, show and working, high-quality, natural food such as Canis Plus® forms the basis of a proper, balanced diet for Labradors. Protein and nutrient quality are the decisive factors. The amount of food is not determined by the breeding line, but by the age, activity and condition of your Labrador. This way, you can ensure that your Labrador is fed properly without gaining or losing weight.
You should regularly monitor your Labrador's physical condition – palpable ribs and a noticeable waist are the best indicators of whether your Labrador is being fed correctly.
Further information and frequently asked questions (FAQ) about feeding your Labrador Retriever correctly
The best food for your Labrador Retriever is a natural, high-quality food, such as Canis Plus®, with a healthy meat content and no hidden sugars or synthetic additives, such as artificial vitamins or preservatives. Whether you choose Canis Plus® Cold Pressed Dry Food or gently cooked Canis Plus® Complete Tinned Meals depends on your dog's preferences and, of course, your own wishes.
The amount of food your Labrador needs depends on factors such as its body weight, activity level and age. It also makes a difference whether your Labrador is overweight or can maintain its ideal weight. You can find more information on feeding recommendations and changing your dog's diet here.
If you want your Labrador Retriever to eat more slowly, there are a few things you can try, as only your Labrador can show you what works best for them. Some Labradors eat more slowly when they have smaller pellets in front of them, while others prefer larger pellets. If the pellet size makes no difference and your Labrador gobbles down its food at a fast pace, you can also try an anti-gulping bowl or a licking mat.
Under no circumstances should you let your Labrador Retriever eat whatever it wants. Some Labradors do not feel full and would continue to eat even when it is already dangerous to their health. But even aside from that, you should make sure that you do not feed your Labrador too many calories, at least if it cannot burn them off through sufficient exercise. Labradors tend to be overweight – their food should consist of natural ingredients, contain healthy fibre and have a moderate fat content. You can find out more about this further up in the guide.
Feeding your Labrador Retriever correctly depends on various factors. The food they are used to as a puppy, possible intolerances or allergies, but also your dog's activity level and age have a major influence here. When feeding your Labrador, it is important to ensure that the food consists of 100% natural ingredients and does not contain any synthetic additives such as artificial vitamins or preservatives. Would you like to learn more about natural dog food? Then take a look here.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone. We are here to help you with comprehensive advice. You can reach us Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by phone at 0208 - 531 7804 or mail info@naturavetal.co.uk.
