Best puppy food for a Labrador
Labrador puppies grow quickly into a large, heavy-boned adult dog, and they have a well-known reputation for being enthusiastic eaters. Both of those things matter when choosing a puppy food: large-breed puppies benefit from controlled growth rather than rapid weight gain, and portion control matters more with a Labrador than with a breed less inclined to beg for seconds.
Why growth rate matters for a large-breed puppy
Growing too fast as a puppy puts extra strain on developing joints in large breeds, which is why a puppy food formulated with controlled growth in mind is generally recommended over an adult food or a formula built for small breeds. This is a genuine, well-established consideration for Labradors specifically, given how large and heavy they become as adults.
A complete puppy food already accounts for this in its formulation, so the main job for an owner is following the feeding guide on the pack for your puppy's current weight rather than adjusting portions based on how eager they seem for more.
Managing a Labrador's appetite
Labradors are famously food-motivated, and that enthusiasm does not switch off just because they have already been fed. Sticking to the feeding guide on the pack, rather than topping up because your puppy is asking, matters more with this breed than most, since the tendency to overeat and carry extra weight follows many Labradors into adulthood.
A slow feeder bowl can help if your puppy bolts their food quickly, which is common in this breed and can contribute to digestive upset alongside the general risk of overeating.
Foods that suit this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Pedigree Tasty Minis Puppy Treats Chewy Cubes with Chicken
Soft chewy puppy training treats with 13% chicken and added calcium, 125g
£2.25
Forthglade Complete Puppy Chicken with Liver Grain Free — 18 x 395g Trays
Sold as a case: 18 x 395g trays. A complete grain-free wet food for puppies, built on 71% chicken and 4% chicken liver
£35.89
Bakers Puppy Superfoods Chicken with Vegetables
Bakers Puppy Chicken & Vegetables dry dog food, 12.5kg, complete food for puppies from 6 weeks to 24 months
£39.15
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Puppy/Junior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey and potato kibble for puppies and junior dogs, evenly balanced recipe
£12.75
Wagg Puppy Treats
Puppy Treats in a 120G pack, with 23.2% protein and 7% fat and full label detail
£1.49
Burns Puppy Junior Original Chicken Rice
A complete puppy and junior food with dried chicken 31% and controlled fat at 15%
From£14.99
Lily's Kitchen Puppy Chicken Recipe — 6 x 400g Tins
Sold as a case: 6 x 400g tins. Complete 400G wet puppy chicken recipe with 67% fresh chicken
£22.79
Pooch & Mutt Puppy Bite Size Beef Jerky
Bite-size beef jerky training treats for puppies, scaled by dog size
£3.99
Whimzees Puppy
Softer dental chews for puppies over three months old, grain free and gluten free
£7.99
Burns Grain Free Puppy Duck Potato
Grain-free duck and potato puppy food with a prebiotic, for starting a new litter on a novel protein
From£16.49
Common questions
- When should I switch my Labrador puppy to adult food?
- This depends on your individual dog's growth and is best confirmed with your vet, since large breeds like Labradors are often kept on a puppy or large-breed junior formula for longer than smaller dogs. Follow the guidance on the specific food you are feeding as a starting point.
- Why do Labrador puppies need a large-breed formula?
- Large-breed puppy foods are built around a controlled growth rate, which matters for Labradors because growing too quickly as a puppy puts extra strain on developing joints. It is a well-recognised consideration for this breed given how large they become as adults.
- My Labrador puppy always seems hungry — should I feed more?
- Not without good reason. Labradors are known for a strong appetite that does not always reflect what they actually need, and sticking to the feeding guide for their current weight is more reliable than judging portions by how eager they seem.
- Are Labrador puppies prone to putting on weight?
- Yes, this is a well-known tendency in the breed that often continues into adulthood. Keeping to recommended portions from puppyhood, rather than adjusting for their appetite, helps set a healthier pattern for later in life.
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.