Best dog food for a Labrador
The best food for a Labrador is a complete diet matched to their size and life stage that helps manage two things the breed is genuinely prone to: putting on weight easily, and eating so fast that portion control matters more than it does for most dogs. There is no single best brand; there is a best fit for your dog's age, activity level and waistline.
Why Labradors need thinking about differently
Labradors are widely recognised as one of the breeds most prone to obesity, partly because of a genuine appetite for food and partly because many owners underestimate how little exercise a laid-back Labrador actually gets through in a day. A food that is easy to overfeed by accident is a real risk for this breed specifically.
They are also a larger breed prone to joint wear over a long life, particularly the hips and elbows, which is why a food built for their size category, and a body kept at a healthy weight throughout life, both matter more for a Labrador than for many smaller breeds.
What to look for on the label
A complete food labelled for large or medium-large breeds is generally the right starting point for an adult Labrador, since these recipes are built around the calorie density and mineral balance suited to a bigger-bodied dog. A working or active-dog recipe suits genuinely active working Labradors better than a sedentary house pet.
For a Labrador carrying extra weight, or simply prone to it, a lighter or weight-management recipe with a lower calorie density lets you feed a satisfying portion without the calories creeping up. Reading the feeding guide on the bag against your dog's actual weight, not their ideal weight, is the honest way to use it.
Managing the famous appetite
A dog who eats fast is more likely to gulp air along with food, which can contribute to bloat and general discomfort after eating, on top of simply eating more than they need before their body has registered being full. A slow feeder bowl is one of the simplest, cheapest changes an owner of a fast-eating Labrador can make.
Splitting the day's food into two or more smaller meals rather than one large one also helps, both for slowing the pace of eating and for keeping a Labrador's mood more even between meals. Treats and training rewards should be counted as part of the day's food rather than added on top without adjustment.
Joints, and what a diet can and cannot do
Keeping a Labrador at a healthy weight throughout their life is one of the most meaningful things an owner can do for their joints, since every extra kilogram is extra load on hips and elbows over years of walks. This matters more than any specific ingredient on the label.
A joint supplement can be a sensible addition for an older or working Labrador, but it supports rather than replaces the basics of weight and exercise, and a supplement is not a substitute for a vet's opinion on a dog who is already showing signs of stiffness or discomfort.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Common questions
- Do Labradors need a special large-breed food?
- A food formulated for large or medium-large breeds is a sensible choice for an adult Labrador, since it is built around the calorie density and joint-relevant mineral balance suited to a bigger dog. It is not compulsory, but it is a reasonable default unless your vet advises otherwise for your dog specifically.
- How do I stop my Labrador eating too fast?
- A slow feeder bowl or a snuffle-style feeding mat is the simplest fix, since both make a dog work for each mouthful rather than gulping a bowl in seconds. Splitting meals into smaller, more frequent portions through the day also helps reduce the speed and volume of any single sitting.
- Why do Labradors put on weight so easily?
- It is a widely recognised trait of the breed, thought to relate partly to a strong food-driven appetite and partly to how easily an owner can underestimate a Labrador's actual daily activity. Regular weighing and adjusting portions to match, rather than feeding a fixed amount indefinitely, is the most reliable way to stay ahead of it.
- Should I feed my Labrador a working dog food?
- Only if they are genuinely active in the way a working dog food is designed for, since these recipes are calorie-dense to match real physical output. A pet Labrador who mostly walks and plays does not need that level of energy, and feeding it regardless is a fast route to unwanted weight gain.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.