Feeding Tips
Try to keep your
puppy on the same food the Breeder has been feeding the puppies for a
little while. Some puppies are sensitive to food
changes.
If you decide to change food, do so gradually over a 10 to 14 day period. A sudden change can upset the digestive tract. Mix 3/4 with 1/4 of the new puppy food for several days. Then, 1/2 of the original food and 1/2 of the new food. After 3 or 4 days, use 1/4 of the original food and 3/4 of the new food. If the puppy has problems with mix, do not increase the amount of the new food until the puppy adjusts.
Keeping your Labrador slim throughout the growth phase helps reduce the risk of various orthopedic disorders. Overweight puppies are cute, but not healthy. The extra weight may contributes to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and OCD. You should be able to easily feel the puppy's ribs, but not see them.
At 8 weeks old, the puppy should be fed about 3/4 cup of food 3 times a day. Plan to increase the amount of food by 1/4 cup as needed. At 4 months old, start decreasing the midday meal. Six month old puppies can be fed twice a day, about 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups at each feeding.
Adult dogs should be fed twice a day. The dog should be fed twice a day throughout its life. Feeding a dog once a day may contribute to serious digestive problems such as gastric torsion.
Adult Labradors need between 2 1/2 and 4 cups a day, depending on size, activity level and the type of food. Water should be available at all times.
Select your dog's food based on protein and energy requirements as well as the quality of the ingredients.
There are many good quality dog foods on the market today. A food that is right for your friend's dog may not work well for your dog. If you are not happy with one food, try another. Discuss food choices and changes with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may recommend a specific food for you dog for various reasons.
I like the naturally preserved commercial dry foods with several protein sources such as chicken, chicken meal, turkey, turkey meal, lamb meal and fish meal. I prefer a premium quality dog food with approximately 25% protein, 15% fat and 1.2% calcium for puppies and young dogs. Older or less active dogs may benefit from a dog food formula with approximately 21 to 24% protein and 10 to 12% fat.
Some of the foods that I like are listed below in alphabetical order. I have also listed the protein and fat percentages for each food. There are many other good quality pet foods available.
Canidae
Canidae Maintenance- 24/14.5 for puppies and adults
Canidae Platinum Diet- 18.5/8.5 for seniors
Chicken
Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul
Puppy Formula- 28/17 for puppies up to 4 months of age
Adult Dog Formula- 24/14 for puppies and young adults
Adult Dog Senior- 22/12 for seniors
Eagle Pack
Eagle Original Adult- 25/15 for puppies and adults
Eagle Holistic Select Canine Formula- 24/15 for puppies and adults
Eagle Senior Care- 26/10 for seniors
Innova
Innova Puppy- 26/12 for puppies
Innova Dog- 24/14 for adults
Innova Senior- 18/8 for overweight seniors
Precise Growth Formula- 27/16 for puppies up to 4 months of age
Precise Chicken Meal & Rice Formula- 25/15 for puppies and adults
Precise Foundation Formula- 24/14 for adults
Precise Senior Formula- 18/10 for overweight seniors