8 Best Puppy Food for Labs and Other Large Breed Pups: Buyer’s Guide and Reviews 2023

Finding the right food is without a doubt one of the most common challenges faced by dog owners. And it’s even more difficult when choosing and purchasing the best puppy food for labs since Labrador puppies are more vulnerable to nutritional imbalances.

When welcoming a new Labrador puppy into your home, you should be prepared to shower your canine buddy with tons of love and comfort, especially during this time when he is still adjusting to his new living environment and new family away from his canine parents and siblings.

And while caring for your new pup can be challenging with a lot of things to learn and unlearn, it can also be one of the most exciting and rewarding times of your life.

As mentioned earlier, finding the right diet for your pup can be a recurring challenge for every dog owner. One day, your choice suits your pup very well, and the next day, he won’t eat it anymore. So, the secret is to always be keen on your dog’s response to every food or drink that you offer.

Lab owners should be mindful of their canine buddies’ nutritional needs and should be extra careful in spotting ingredients to avoid. They should also be wary of the percentage of certain nutrients in a food’s formula to prevent health issues in the future.

Again, choosing the best puppy food for labs can be overwhelming. Good thing, we’ve assembled a list of the best puppy foods to guide you in finding the best fit for your dog.

We will talk about what we like about these best dog food formulas, and what are some areas that can still be improved. And our rating is based on what the food has to offer, as well as its satisfaction rating from pet owners on Chewy and Amazon.

On top of our list, we’ve also added a buyer’s guide to give you a detailed run-through of what to look for when shopping for the best Labrador puppy kibble, wet food, or fresh dog food online and in stores today.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR BEST PUPPY FOODS FOR LABRADOR

Does Your Lab Puppy Need a Specific Dog Food?

Sticking with a lab puppy food that is specially formulated for purebred Labrador retrievers is not really necessary, but it’s one of the best options out there.

What matters most is that you feed your Labrador pup with an age-appropriate diet that also suits the size of his breed. Since a Labrador is a large-breed dog, it’s more important to purchase your pup with kibble and/or wet food that is formulated for his size. This way, you can be sure that he is receiving complete and balanced nutrition essential for his body’s healthy development.

Having said this, it’s worth adding that small-breed dogs like a Chihuahua have different nutritional and health requirements than medium and large-breed dogs like your Labrador. Apparently, this is due to their eventual size and body structure once they are adults.

Also, large breed dogs grow faster and their bodies have more room for growth than smaller breed dogs. This means that their body undergoes dramatic growth from their puppy size to their adult size, going as large as 75 times their initial weight.

This is also one of the reasons why large breed puppies are prone to nutritional imbalances, especially if they are not eating healthy foods. Perhaps, one of the most important to avoid with Labrador puppies is giving foods with too much calcium.

This may sound counterproductive considering that calcium is important for healthy bone growth. However, too much calcium in your Labrador puppy’s diet can increase his risk of having musculoskeletal deformities, specifically hip and elbow dysplasia.

This can happen because, like what was said earlier, large-breed dogs grow fast. So, their bones grow faster. And the presence of excess calcium in their diet can negatively influence their bones’ growth and development.

On the other hand, a lack of calcium is also not healthy and can result in different health problems, too. Hence, purchasing a Labrador puppy food or a food that is specially formulated for large-breed puppies can help ensure that your growing dog is receiving a safe amount of essential nutrients.

Additionally, excess calories can also cause weight-related issues in the future. And for a growing pup, excess weight can put unnecessary strain on their growing bones.

To prevent this from happening, large-breed puppy foods contain lesser calories and fats compared with kibbles that are intended for smaller breed dogs.

Best Puppy Food for Labs

1. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food
2. Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy
3. Purina ONE Natural High Protein +Plus
4. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
5. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Puppy Food
6. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Formula
7. Orijen Puppy Large
8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy

 

1. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food

First 5 ingredients: Varies on the recipe you choose

Rating: 5/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Nom Nom is a pet food delivery service that offers restaurant-grade fresh foods in an easy-to-serve single-sized portion packaging.

The company was founded in 2014 in a 5×10 San Francisco apartment, and since then, its growth has been unstoppable. Nom Nom has delivered more than three million boxes of fresh food to date to their ever-growing clients of pet parents and satisfied furry friends.

If you’ve been planning to start your pup on a fresh food diet but you are not that confident about how to make it or you’re too busy to prepare batches of fresh food every day, then, Nom Nom can just be the solution you’ve been waiting for.

Currently, Nom Nom is offering four tasty recipes: Beef Mash, Chicken Cuisine, Pork Potluck, and Turkey Fare. All of their recipes are crafted using high quality ingredients and slowly cooked to preserve their nutrients.

What’s more, these nutritious and delicious meals are made by their in-house board-certified veterinary nutritionists. So, you can breathe very well knowing that your pup’s health is in good hands.

Best of all, once you purchase an order, or sign up for their subscription service, you will also be asked to make your pet’s profile. They will use this to make a custom-meal plan for your pup based on his breed, age, weight, activity level, dietary restrictions, and other special needs.

Pros:

• Convenient, single-serve packaging
• Made from fresh, organic ingredients
• Formulated by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists
• Prepared, mixed, and packed with care in their own USA kitchens
• Balanced recipes that exceed AAFCO standards for all life stages
• Pre-portioned custom meal plans based on your Labrador pup’s dietary needs

Cons:

• Expensive
• Needs to be refrigerated

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2. Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oat Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Oats, Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal

Rating: 4.8/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Made by the #1 recommended brand by U.S. veterinarians, Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy food provides complete and balanced nutrition to keep your Labrador puppy healthy, strong, and thriving each day.

And prepares his body for the demands of adulthood by ensuring his healthy muscle development, healthy brain development, healthy skin, and strong immune system.

This savory meal features wholesome ingredients, such as chicken meal and oats, and it is specially formulated to meet your pup’s nutritional needs, support healthy weight gain, and healthy bones, and promote his overall growth and development.

All of the ingredients in this nutritious recipe meet strict requirements for purity and nutrient content which exceed industry standards.

This recipe also features controlled levels of calcium to support your dog’s optimum bone growth and prevent malformations. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and mobility, balanced minerals for strong bones and teeth, as well as DHA from fish oil for healthy brain and eye development.

What’s more, this large-breed puppy food features great-tasting large kibbles that are perfect for your lab’s jaw. It is also packed with antioxidants, and vitamin E and vitamin C to support your growing dog’s immune system.

Best of all, it is made in the USA using natural, high-quality ingredients without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.     

Pros:

• Resealable package
• DHA from fish oil
• With antioxidants, vitamin E and C
• Controlled calcium levels for optimal bone growth
• High-quality protein for healthy muscle development
• Zero artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Cons:

• Strong smell
• Some dogs experienced diarrhea while on this diet

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3. Purina ONE Natural High Protein +Plus Large Breed Puppy Formula

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Rice Flour, Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal

Rating: 4.7/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

In 1987, Purina ONE is the first pet food brand in the grocery and mass retail stores to offer tasty pet foods that contain real meat, poultry, or fish as the first ingredient. Over the years, they’ve maintained its position in the industry as a trusted brand that offers optimum nutrition for dogs and cats.

Purina One+ Natural Puppy Formula for Large Breed Dogs features real chicken as the first ingredient, along with added vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. This high-protein puppy food is specially formulated to meet the needs of large breed dogs.

It contains purposeful ingredients, that don’t simply act as fillers or unhealthy additives. And this recipe’s appetizing combo of crunchy kibbles with meaty morsels is a sure-hit to growing pups.    

This natural pet food for Labrador pups contains DHA for healthy brain and vision development, omega-6 fatty acids for healthy coat and skin, and four sources of antioxidants for a stronger immune system.

What’s more, this recipe also features natural sources of glucosamine to support your dog’s appropriate growth rate while keeping his joints healthy. Best of all, each crunchy bite of this tasty kibble is made in the U.S. without artificial flavors or preservatives.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Packed with calcium and antioxidants
• Zero artificial flavors or preservatives
• Real chicken as the #1 ingredient
• High protein and glucosamine
• Made especially for large-breed dogs
• DHA for healthy brain and vision development
• Crunchy kibbles for strong teeth and healthy gums

Cons:

• Contains corn and chicken by-product meal
• May have issues with picky eaters

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4. Ollie

First 5 ingredients: Varies on the recipe you choose

Rating: 5/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Ollie believes that a pet’s food is the foundation of his health, longevity, and happiness. And that’s why, with the help of their team of pet health authorities, they’ve created pet foods that are made using premium ingredients and cooked in human-grade kitchens in certain ways that preserve their nutrients.

Just like Nom Nom, Ollie is also a fresh food subscription and delivery service that offers pre-portioned custom meal plans for pets.

They believe that pet parents know their furry buddies more than anyone, so, to start one’s journey with them, dog owners are asked to make a profile of their pets online.

Hence, each recipe that comes out of their kitchen is not only made using human-grade ingredients but it’s also tailored to suit the needs of every dog.

As of writing, they have four vet-crafted recipes that you can choose from, but in the meantime, their Turkey Recipe is not available due to the national turkey shortage and supply chain disruption. Nonetheless, your dog will surely enjoy all or either of their Beef, Chicken, and Lamb recipes.

Pros:

• 60% Off first order
• Flexible delivery dates
• Vet-crafted pre-portioned meals
• Cancel your subscription anytime
• Money-back guarantee for your first order
• No fillers (corn, wheat, or soy,) and no artificial flavors
• Made in the USA using human-grade ingredients

Cons:

• Pricey
• Needs to be thawed
• You need to measure out each meal

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5. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Puppy

First 5 ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat Gluten

Rating: 4.8/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Having been at the forefront of pet health nutrition since 1968, Royal Canin is without a doubt one of the most trusted pet food brands worldwide.

They have great attention to detail, which propelled them to deliver precise, and effective nutrition for specific breeds, sizes, lifestyles, and health concerns.

Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Puppy Food is also the only breed-specific puppy food on this list, which is one of the strengths of this company.

Being a pioneer in the industry, the brand has the resources and expertise to make more specific formulas that target a variety of breeds and health issues.

This Royal Canin puppy food is specially formulated to meet the nutritional requirements and activity level of purebred Labrador Retrievers.

Whichever color you have: yellow, chocolate, or black, this special diet provides your pup with tailor-made nutrition to help your growing Labrador pup grow and thrive happily each day.

What’s more, the donut-shaped kibble is designed to help your Lab pup eat slowly, chew his food, and savor its taste with every bite.

This recipe is also formulated using easily digestible high-quality proteins and enriched with prebiotics to support digestive health. It also features precise calcium and phosphorus content to support strong bones and healthy joints, and balanced energy intake to promote a healthy weight.

Also, as your puppy grows and explores the world around him, he will experience big changes that can influence his overall health, growth, and development.

And that’s he must have a strong immune system, which is possible with a complete and balanced diet with just the right mix of essential nutrients.

Pros:

• DHA for healthy skin and coat
• Precise mineral content
• Exclusive blend of antioxidants
• With Taurine and Lutein for eye & heart health
• With glucosamine and chondroitin
• Highly-digestible proteins and prebiotics
• Unique kibble design to encourage dogs to chew their food slowly
• Formulated for purebred Labrador Retrievers 8 weeks to 15 months old

Cons:

• Contains Chicken by-product meal and corn
• Some dogs experienced loose stools while on this diet

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6. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Formula

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Poultry By-Product Meal

Rating: 4.7/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Nourish your large breed pup with this nutritious and delicious Purina Pro Plan Puppy Food. This formula is packed with all the nutrients that your Labrador pup needs, no more, no less.

Made with real chicken as the first ingredient, this high-protein diet is geared to provide your pup with the essential nutritional building blocks needed for his body’s growth and development.

Every high-quality ingredient in this large breed puppy formula was carefully chosen to support your growing pet’s growth and development.

Each crunchy kibble is packed with DHA from omega-rich fish oil to support your dog’s brain and vision development, as well as promote his skin and coat health.

This recipe is also fortified with guaranteed live probiotics for better digestive health and a stronger immune system. It is also enriched with glucosamine for your dog’s joint health, as well as controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus to promote optimal bone growth and prevent malformations.

Pros:

• High-protein formula
• No artificial flavors or colors
• Crafted with glucosamine & DHA
• Real chicken as the #1 ingredient
• Fortified with live probiotics
• Promotes appropriate growth rate for large breed puppies

Cons:

• Contains corn and chicken by product meal
• Some dogs experienced itching and diarrhea

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7. ORIJEN Puppy Large

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver

Rating: 4.7/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Orijen acknowledges the fact that dogs are ancestral carnivores, and that’s why their pet food formulas are based on this tenet.

By sticking with this principle, they are able to provide optimal canine nutrition using fresh or raw meat from a variety of Whole prey animal protein sources. This includes meat, organs, and bones to ensure that your growing pup can make the most out of these nutrient-dense and luscious parts of the prey.

Nurture your growing pup’s overall health and development with Orijen Puppy Food for Large Breed Dogs. This biologically-appropriate high-protein diet is crafted with 85% premium animal ingredients, including fresh or raw free run chicken and turkey, wild-caught or sustainably-farmed fish, and cage-free eggs.

It’s enriched with DHA for your pup’s healthy brain and vision development. What’s more, it is packed with EPA, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids to support your dog’s immune health, skin and coat health, and overall health in general. Its freeze-dried coated kibble is exploding with flavors with every bite. Your pup will definitely wag his tail towards his food bowl comes meal time.

This premium puppy food is also enriched with glucosamine to support your pup’s joint health and mobility, as well as precise levels of calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone growth and development.

This tasty recipe is also gluten-free and grain-free, which makes it an exceptional choice for Labrador pups with sensitivities. Best of all, it is also free from corn, wheat, or soy, and it is made in the USA.

Pros:

• Made in USA
• Precise levels of calcium and phosphorus
• Rich in Omega fatty acids & DHA
• Freeze-dried coated for a burst of flavors
• High-protein diet crafted with 85% premium animal ingredients
• First five ingredients are always fresh or raw animal protein

Cons:

• Expensive
• May have problems with picky eaters

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8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy 

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley

Rating: 4.6/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

With Blue Buffalo, your pet’s health and wellness always come first. That’s why all of their recipes always feature real meat as the first ingredient followed by healthy fruits, and wholesome whole grains to ensure that your pup receives a complete and well-balanced diet.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for Large Breed Puppies features a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help support your pup’s immune health, life stage requirements, and healthy oxidative balance.

It is packed with high-quality protein and L-carnitine for lean muscle development, and it’s enriched with an optimal blend of calcium and phosphorus for stronger bones and teeth. What’s more, its special kibble is just the right size for large breed puppies and is shaped to help prevent tartar from chewing.

This sumptuous recipe also prides itself on healthy amounts of DHA and ARA, an important fatty acid found in mother’s milk, along with choline, to help promote healthy brain and vision development. Best of all, it doesn’t contain chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy.

Pros:

• DHA , ARA & Omega fatty acids
• Made with real meat as the first ingredient
• High-quality protein and L-carnitine
• No corn, wheat, soy, or chicken (or poultry) by-product meals
• Healthy blend of calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins
• Enriched with essential vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants
• “Small-bite” kibble that is specifically designed to fit the jaws of large-breed puppies

Cons:

• Formula inconsistency

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Labrador Puppy Food Buyer’s Guide

 Like most large-breed dogs, you need to pay extra attention to what you feed your Labrador pup to ensure that he gets the right amount of nutrition to build strong bones and muscles, a strong immune system, healthy digestion, and promote optimal brain and vision development. Take a look at some vital ingredients that you should watch out for when shopping for the best food among all the puppy food brands in the market today.

 

What to Look For When Buying Labrador Puppy Foods?  

Proteins

Protein is one of the most essential ingredients that should be considered in a holistic manner. Puppy foods that are rich in high-quality protein help keep your puppy in shape. Some protein-rich items include chicken or beef, but sometimes beef or lamb. Known meat always makes up the primary ingredient of food for dogs.

Reduced Fats

The fat content in a pup's food is crucial but certain dog foods contain unhealthy levels of fat that can put your dog at risk for obesity and weight-related problems. Most brand labels containing reduced fats are safer alternatives. Fiber can also help your pet to lose weight by promoting good digestion and making him feel full longer.

Calcium and Phosphorus

These are two essential minerals that help ensure that your pup develops healthy, and strong bones and teeth. However, as mentioned earlier, too much calcium can also be bad for your pup as it can cause bone deformities that can come along with his rapid growth rate.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

These two ingredients help ensure good bone and joint health and reduce joint deficiency, which are some of the major problems that large-breed dogs can encounter later in their lives.

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid that plays a major role in protein synthesis. It is essential in promoting heart health in dogs and consequently preventing heart disease, as well as developmental deficiencies. It can be found naturally in meat, so, you need to find high-quality puppy food with an adequate amount of meat.

L-Carnitine

Just like taurine, l-carnitine also plays an important role in supporting your pup’s heart health and preventing heart disease. Also, along with high-quality protein in your dog’s diet, it can also help promote the development of lean muscles.

Antioxidants

Growing pups still have a developing immune system. Hence, as they explore the world around them, they need to have strong immunity to help fight infections and other health issues. And this can be done with the help of antioxidants, which can be derived from fruits and vegetables like apples, blueberries, carrots, broccoli, spinach, and pumpkin.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 (often labeled as DHA) and omega-6 fatty acids are essential nutrients that help with your pup’s healthy brain and vision development. These healthy acids also support the liver and the heart, as well as help prevent cancer and reduce your dog’s chances of getting arthritis later in life.

Conclusion

This might be a long read, but we hope you gained some insights and helpful bits of information in choosing the best food for your pup. Nonetheless, remember that this as a general suggestion, so, feel free to take it with a grain of salt. As always, you have to pay attention to your dog first.

Look at your pup’s overall health, consider his activity level, take his weight regularly, and watch out for any unusual changes. Generally, your pup’s weight and activity level can help you gauge his nutritional and caloric requirements. Also, don’t hesitate to consult with your veterinarian and ask for recommendations as to what would work best with your pup.

Once you’ve made your decision, remember to slowly transition your dog to his new diet to prevent digestive upsets. Also, observe your dog’s reaction and monitor the progress of his health while on this diet. If your dog has been spayed or neutered, his energy consumption will also be reduced. So, you have to adjust his food intake accordingly as recommended by your veterinarian.

And remember, you don’t have to overthink. You can always shift to another puppy food.