It is also a low-calorie component that helps to keep your Lab puppy feeling fuller for longer. We recommend you do this during a week-long transition using the following proportions: Day 1 and 2: 75% previous food + 25% new food. And its a dead cert that a vet does. However, larger Labs may take up to 18 months to reach their adult size. You can if you wish, simply feed your puppy from one of your own plates or bowls. Canned or processed foods are often higher in fats, which is not ideal for puppies who need to grow steadily. Then see how their body develops. !Please E-mail me also, if you can help !!!! The main alternatives are: One problem for puppy owners is that even the experts disagree on what is the best food for puppies. For more information on the BARF diet and raw feeding, please see the following two links: Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Its still hotly debated but might be true that raw feeding is the best possible and most natural way of feeding, but it requires a lot of specialist knowledge and time to prepare meals. If not, hell have to make do with the smaller food allowance. Be firm and resist the temptation. If your pup is doing well on the new food mixture without experiencing any adverse effects, its time to change it. Just to complicate things, not every puppy in each age group will fall within the weights displayed on the chart above. Without these, his body and muscle mass would not have the right power to grow efficiently. As a Chewy Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Mothers milk is full of colostrum, which provides the pups with the infection and germ-fighting protection their immune system needs. For instance, if you are raising an adult Lab but is not an active one, then it is suggested not to feed him more calories. And youve probably got a few questions on your mind. I have never been able to get her to eat it all at once, she takes a few bites and then walks around. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. Please speak to your vet. If you want to, all the rest of the puppys food can also be hand fed. This means that theyll need extra fuel as they are now moving more. Most dog foods fall within the acceptable range set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. If you need more than that, then divide the daily amount by two until you reach a full meal size again. He needs plenty of calories to fuel that growth, as well as the right nutrients. The protein content in puppy food should be at least 22%. If you buy a bowl that is too big, then it is easy to give your puppy too much food accidentally. However, dont worry, because our cuddly Labrador pups vary so much. But never, ever force them. Kindly let me know. Pick a good quality brand that is specially formulated for puppies. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. After the 12 th week and up to the 6 th month, the puppy should be fed on a strict schedule of 2 or 3 meals a day. Hi Pippa! Puppy food is already enriched with extra nutrients compared to adult food, so you shouldnt need to feed him any extra supplements. And considering that the Lab is already at risk of joint dysplasia and cardiac concerns, its really important to minimize the risks as much as you can. My breeder voiced her concerns about the high protein and said to change his food to a lower protein, around 26%. If you feed his entire days ration in one go, his digestive system will be overwhelmed and hell end up with diarrhea. Its also a good idea to keep an eye on his poop, as this can give you a good idea about what extra bits he is eating and shouldnt be. Labrador Feeding Chart: Feed Your Lab Like A Pro - PupVine Its also important to consider your puppys unique dietary needs. I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall. If you are worried about esthetics, there are plenty of much prettier bowls on the market if thats what appeals to you. When he is playing he starts growling and becomes aggressive, how am I to handle this situation?He is also into biting habit,how am I to stop this? Feeding Your Labrador Puppy: How Much, Diet Charts And The Best Food But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. If youre yet to get your puppy, its best you ask the breeder what they are feeding and stick to exactly the same food and brand. We also like Natures Variety Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Food*. At two weeks of age, Lab puppies are still completely dependent on their mothers. So start by mixing a small amount of the new food with the old, then over the next few days, increase the ratio of new food to old by about 10% to 15% each day until finally, 7 to 10 days later a complete switch has been made. Also her attitude is changing shes not listening as she use to Im worried because shes getting older, Follow the instructions for recommended portions that come with the food you have purchased. Part of this always comes down to the cost, because the healthiest foods are usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. At nine weeks, youll be able to feed your pup cooked meats. If your pup leaves his food, take it away after 10 minutes. Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Profile | Purina Others like to mix in some commercial tinned dog meat, which is another healthy alternative. we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. It makes taking care of a puppys diet extremely easy for an owner to get right. Just dont fall into the bad habit of feeding him from the table. Maintain this for 4 months. Based on his age, how much and how many meals should you feed your pup each day? 9-12 Months Old - 1 cups per meal. Sometimes, it is just a matter of increasing the amount of food or changing the brand to a more nutritious option with fewer fillers. Eating dried kibble also helps alleviate the discomfort, so dont be tempted to water down his food. Why Does My Puppy Snore? He seems to be doing very good on it and I personally think the ingredients are the best. It is also very natural to want to give milk to a baby animal, and it sometimes feels like the right thing to do. It will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Puppies tend to like predictability and feeding at set times. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. Choosing a brand and how much to pay is a very common question and it has to be said you do get what you pay for. This is particularly important during a puppys periods of high growth. Most people feed puppies with commercially produced dry dog food also known as kibble. Some dogs and some families are better suited to raw feeding, and many dogs and their families are probably better suited to feeding kibble. For a Labrador puppy, Ive seen some people switch at 6 months, food labels that say 12 months, and articles and forum answers that say wait until 18 months old. Remember, adding your own extras, like cereals or milk, to kibble might make you feel caring, but it will only unbalance the whole diet. I have a 14 month yellow lab which I have been feeding kibble to since I brought her home at 8 weeks. Both of these brands receive good ratings on Dog Food Advisor, an independent dog food review site where you can find lots more information on the ingredients of different brands of dog food. Labradors and other larger breed dogs are particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The Labrador Retriever is the nations canine sweetheart. She is very active and tends to bite at times, we would like to teach her how to sit and be better behaved at times. 4-6 Months Old - cup per meal. Meat meals, such as chicken meal, are concentrated forms of protein that are high-quality and full of glucosamine for his joints. Information on biting is here: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppies-biting/ feeding instructions in the article above, let us know if there is anything you dont understand good luck with your puppy, I have 3 months old Labrador retriever puppy I give her a ALPO brand of dog food which is the ingredients are meat (Beef) and Vegetables only I was wondering if its okey too feed her a dog food with Beef??? Four feedings a day are usually adequate to meet nutritional demands. He is clean in the house all the day. A Labrador puppy needs to be fed 3 cups a day. These work very well for some puppies and can help to prevent a puppy eating its food so quickly that it makes her sick. Sometime between 6-12 months, you can begin feeding twice daily. The $$$$ is/has been adding up FAST for repairs.Cha-Ching,Cha-Ching !!!!!!! Labrador Retriever Feeding Guide | Dog Feeding Guide | ProDog Raw However, this chart is a guideline and should not be regarded as an absolute, each Labrador is different, and the amounts fed need to honor their . A typical eight-week-old Lab pup consumes around two cups of food a day, split across four different meal sittings. Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. This article contains lots of useful advice: https://www.labradortraininghq.com/labrador-behavior/how-to-stop-a-puppy-or-dog-from-chewing/. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build . Feeding Your Dog: How Often Should Dogs Eat And How Much? However, he always poops in the house at around 5.00.a.m. The key word here is balanced.. And hunting about the floor for any leftovers. As soon as one mealtime has passed I open the pot for the next mealtime, and over the next few hours I hand-feed pieces of the kibble in the pot to the puppy whenever the puppy does something that I like and want to encourage. If youre feeding your Labrador puppy at 6am, because he has woken you and was hungry, the chances are hell wake you at 5:45 the following day! But only if he is active, healthy, and you can see his waist. FEEDING GUIDE FOR YOUR Labrador Puppy: AGE OF PUPPY WEIGHT OF PUPPY QUANTITY PER DAY MEALS PER DAY QUANTITY PER MEAL; 2-4 months : 15-18 Ibs (7-8 kilos) 7/8 - 1 1/8 cups (200-250) 4: . But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. But its best to let their mother continue nursing them for a little bit longer. Please click here for our advice on The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Labrador Retriever Feeding Chart. For example, if your pup is allergic to chicken, youll need to find a chicken-free recipe. Best Labrador Feeding Chart By Age Of 2023 | Biggest Savings, Detail Guides They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. Labrador Retriever Growth & Weight Chart: Everything You Need To Know What Should You Expect from an 8 Week Old Puppy? One of the most important parts of puppy care is feeding. But for him to grow into the typical Labrador that we all know and love, he needs to be cared for properly. There are many kibbles aimed at Labrador puppies so you wont struggle to find something suitable at your local pet store. She is the founder of the Labrador Site and a regular contributor. Have a coffee and wake up before filling the bowl. what should i do? Just to help you on the way, here is an example puppy feeding schedule. Some owners may worry that there is something wrong with their puppy. On the other hand, adult Labradors require 3 to 4 cups per day, while seniors may be given 2 to 3 cups. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Its important to let the mother nurse their pups as much and for as long as possible. The "labrador feeding chart by age" is a great resource for all things related to your Labrador. Hi Rakesh, 40 days is very young for a puppy, they should really still be with their mother. Large dogs grow at a much quicker rate compared to smaller dogs, and this can lead to skeletal abnormalities and joint issues. Although we have made the world of Labrador puppy feeding as simple as possible for you, we agree, its not as simple as ABC. Bill. However, dogs thrive on kibble, it has everything they need and is extremely easy and convenient for an owner. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. How much do you need to feed your puppy? Plus, two cups of food in one go might cause stomach upset for sure. By the time they reach adulthood, they'll be able to cope with one or two meals daily. The specific nutrients that are optimized are calcium, phosphorus, fats, and vitamin D. Dog food designed for small or medium-sized pups does not control bone growth. Even switching slowly you should still expect some tummy upset, but it will be considerably less severe. How a puppy's feeding schedule changes Initially, during weaning, your puppy will need four meals a day spread evenly from morning to evening. To make things even more complicated, dog breeders also tend to be divided into those that feed a natural raw diet and those that feed kibble. There is a huge difference between basic store-branded and high-quality dog food brands. At 12 weeks-6 months: 2-3 cups per day (total) over two meals. However, like most things these are only guidelines. Cheap foods are low quality and you need to feed more of it which can soon mean the gap in real term prices all but disappears. Already, youll probably be able to see the difference between the strongest and weakest pups in the litter. Stick with this same routine until around 12 weeks. You can feed your pup 3 times a day during the third month ( 3100 grams (3.5 oz)) before switching to 2175-200 grams (6-7 oz) servings after the fourth month.