What’s the Best Dog Food for
a Labrador Retriever?
Finding the best dog food for your Lab’s age is far more important than it is for most other dogs.
That’s because Labs are large breed dogs.
Which is not a concern for adult Labs.
However, unlike adults…
Labrador puppies have an increased risk of acquiring a crippling form of canine hip dysplasia… unless they’re fed a diet that’s specially designed to be safe for large breed puppies.1
For this reason…
The Dog Food Advisor has selected the 10 brands listed below because they meet or exceed AAFCO2 nutrient profiles for adult Labs… and they’re made by some of the best companies in the industry.
A few (where marked on the list) are safe for Labs of all ages.
It’s important to remember…
Some Lab puppies keep growing and aren’t ready to eat adult dog food until they reach 12 to 24 months of age.3
Got a puppy? See a list of our most recommended large breed puppy foods.
We’ve intentionally included a few of our best grain-inclusive dog foods along with our best grain-free recipes to meet your feeding preferences.
Buying tip: Some 4-star recipes may actually be superior to 5-star brands when you also consider the companies that produce them… and their pricing.
The Best Dog Food for Labs
Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s top 10 best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers for April 2021.
Wellness Core Large Breed Dog Food
Wellness Core Large Breed is one of 12 recipes included in our review of Wellness Core Dog Food.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, potatoes, peas
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
Wellness Core Large Breed derives most of its animal protein from chicken and turkey. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the product contains 38% protein, 13% fat and 41% (estimated) carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 35%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Balanced grain-free design. No corn or wheat |
| Specially formulated for large breed dogs |
| Safe, antioxidant based preservatives for lower cancer risk |
| Contains lignan-rich flaxseed to help lower cancer risk |
| Contains probiotics with healthy bacteria to aid in digestion |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Sport Dog Active Series Field Dog Formula
Sport Dog Active Series Field Dog Formula is one of 5 recipes included in our review of Sport Dog Active Series.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, whole ground sorghum, dried sweet potato, whole grain millet, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-containing
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Adults and puppies
Sport Dog Active Series Field Dog Formula derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 15% fat and 45% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 48%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| High-energy formula popular with sporting dog fans |
| Contains no pea-based meat substitutes |
| High-protein chicken and fish meal to promote lean muscles |
| Iron amino acid chelate and other chelated minerals for superior absorption |
| Traditional, nutritionally balanced grain-inclusive design |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Taste of the Wild High Prairie
Taste of the Wild High Prairie is one of 9 recipes included in our review of Taste of the Wild dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Buffalo, lamb meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
Taste of the Wild High Prairie derives the bulk of of its meat protein from buffalo, chicken, and lamb meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Multiple recipes ideal for rotational feeding |
| Zinc proteinate and other chelated minerals for optimal health |
| Nutritonally balanced grain-free recipe |
| Contains antioxidants like blueberries and raspberries for healthy arteries |
| Balanced nutrient design ideal for adult dogs |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Nutro Ultra Adult Dog Food
Nutro Ultra Adult is one of 10 recipes included in our review of Nutro Ultra Dog Food.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole brown rice, brewers rice, rice bran
- Type: Grain-containing
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
Nutro Ultra Adult derives the majority of its animal protein from chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 16% fat and 49% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Balanced combination of protein, fat and carbs |
| Contains beet pulp fiber to promote healthy stools |
| No high-risk chemical additives for lower cancer risk |
| High-protein chicken and salmon meal to promote lean muscles |
| Contains grain. No legume-based meat substitutes |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult
Large Breed Chicken and Rice is one of 19 recipes included in our review of Purina Pro Plan.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal
- Type: Grain-containing
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken and poultry by-product meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 14% fat and 49% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Special formula ideal for dogs over 50 pounds |
| High-energy, high-protein recipe popular with sporting dog owners |
| Contains glucosamine for healthy joints |
| Omega-3 rich fish oil for lustrous skin and coat |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
AvoDerm Natural Large Breed Adult Dog Food
AvoDerm Natural Large Breed Adult is one of 9 recipes included in our review of AvoDerm Natural dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, ground brown rice, ground white rice, oatmeal, salmon meal
- Type: Grain-containing
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
AvoDerm Natural Large Breed Adult derives the bulk of its animal protein from chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 11% fat and 52% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 38%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Glucosamine and chondroitin for large breed joint health |
| With omega-rich avocados for improved vacular health and healthy skin |
| No plant protein concentrates for superior amino acid profile |
| High protein, low carb formula for superior nutrient balance |
| Low fat-to-protein ratio means quality meat |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete is one of 12 recipes included in our review of Diamond Naturals dry dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, chicken, ground white rice, chicken fat, cracked pearled barley
- Type: Grain-containing
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete derives the majority of its animal protein from chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 28% fat and 29% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| High-energy recipe specially formulated for active sporting dogs |
| Affordable yet high-quality recipe |
| Includes inulin from chicory root for healthy digestion |
| Contains lignan-rich flaxseed with omega-3 fats to help lower cancer risk |
| Generous quantity of meat based protein |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Orijen Original Dog Food
Orijen Original is one of 8 recipes included in our review of Orijen dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, atlantic flounder, cage-free eggs, whole atlantic mackerel
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Adults and puppies
Orijen Original derives the bulk of its animal protein from poultry and fish. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 21% fat and 28% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Multiple high-protein animal sources for optimal nutrition |
| Contains no plant-based protein concentrates |
| Omega-rich pollock oil to promote a healthy heart |
| No BHA or other toxic chemical preservatives |
| Kale and other fiber-rich fruits and veggies for healthy digestion |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula
Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula is one of 5 recipes included in our review of Canidae All Life Stages.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, brown rice, white rice
- Type: Grain-containing
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Adults and puppies
Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula derives most of its animal protein from poultry meal and lamb meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 16% fat and 49% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| High-protein recipe from multiple animal sources for lean muscles |
| Copper proteinate and other chelated minerals for optimal absorption |
| Safe natural preservatives. No BHA |
| All animal ingredients clearly identified |
| Grain-inclusive design without corn, wheat or soy |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Gather Free Acres Organic Free Run Chicken
Gather Free Acres Organic Free Run Chicken is one of 3 recipes included in our review of Gather dry dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Organic chicken, organic dehydrated chicken, organic peas, lentils, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
Gather Free Acres Organic Free Run Chicken derives the bulk of its animal protein from organic chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 17% fat and 42% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Nutritionally complete grain-free recipe |
| Cranberries and other safe antioxidant-rich preservatives |
| Fiber-rich, low glycemic carbohydrates |
| Contains no anonymous meat ingredients |
| No risky chemical additives for lower cancer risk |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
More Top Picks
You May Also Like
The Best Dry Dog Foods
The Best Puppy Foods
Best Grain-Free Dog Food
Best Dog Food with Grain
Best Dog Foods by Type for April 2021
The Best Senior Dog FoodsA Final Word
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Important FDA Alert
The FDA is investigating a potential link between diet and heart disease in dogs. Click here for details.
References
- Lauten SD, Nutritional Risks to Large Breed Dogs: From Weaning to the Geriatric Years, Vet Clin Small Anim 36 (2006) 1345–1359. ↩
- AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2018 Official Publication, pages 155-159. ↩
- IAMS: Is Your Puppy Ready for Adult Dog Food?, IAMS ↩