Labrador puppies usually open their eyes at two weeks of age, but that doesn't mean that they can immediately start eating on their own. Four feedings a day are usually adequate to meet nutritional demands. 70-80 Lbs. How much and how often do you feed an 11 month old lab/golden retriever mix female. My labrador retriever is now 7 month older,today i purchase a another Drools maxi puppy diet for him and after that i call my dogs doctor but doctor ask me to buy adult diet for him now. Shell either let them or not, but they no longer need milk. You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. They help his brain and eyes develop healthily, keep his skin and coat nourished, assist with vitamin absorption, and boost overall wellness. This makes each meal easier to digest, your puppy gets more goodness from each meal and keeps their digestive system running smoothly, while ensuring a steady and stable flow of energy throughout the day instead of peaks and troughs. Labrador puppies should be given to 4 cups of dry dog food daily. This post may contain affiliate links. Ration this food into two or three separate portions and give it to your Labrador Retriever puppy over the day. On the other hand, adult Labradors require 3 to 4 cups per day, while seniors may be given 2 to 3 cups. Some breeders introduce their pups to softened kibble or fresh food at this point. However, knowing how much to feed a Labrador puppy is sometimes a matter of keeping an eye on her. Hello sir/Mam Check out this page for more information. My breeder voiced her concerns about the high protein and said to change his food to a lower protein, around 26%. Protein alone is not enough to keep your pup fueled for the day. Labrador Retriever Growth & Weight Chart Age Male Weight Female Weight 30 days old three to five lb two to six lb 2 several weeks old ten to fifteen lb five to ten lb 3 several weeks old twenty to thirty lb 20 - 25 lb 4 several weeks old thirty to forty lb 25 - 35 lb 9 more rows . This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. In the first few weeks of your pups life, he eats (or drink) his mothers milk. Feeding Your Labrador Puppy: What, How Much, How Often? Not when theyve fully matured which can be much later, but when theyve grown to adult height. Toy-breed puppies will need 4 to 6 meals per day for the first three months of their lives. This is perfectly normal. Hell soon learn to eat it when you place it down rather than go hungry for a few hours. Overall, by sticking to our puppy feeding guide and choosing a high-quality food, your Lab will have the best start to life for sure. The meals should be divided into equal amounts suitable for the puppy's weight. Sometimes, it is just a matter of increasing the amount of food or changing the brand to a more nutritious option with fewer fillers. Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. For large breed puppies, the advice is for under 3 months feed them 4 times each day, for 3 to 6 months old, feed them 3 times each day, and at 6 months and older you can feed them just twice each day. By all means give your puppy or dog the odd treat here and there, we all do it and Im certainly guilty of it myself, but its not a great idea so make this a rare event (and Ill give myself a good telling off later!). But dont try and cram all his meals into the evening. One of the most common examples with Labradors is people hear the risks of hip dysplasia, arthritis and other joint problems, think that calcium is good for strong and healthy bones and then supplement with calcium. 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. Finally, Ill include some reviews of the various brands, and will help you cope with the all-important transition to adult food. Another type of food, which has grown in popularity in recent years, is the raw food diet. 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. Otherwise though, its best to stay away from supplements. I also have pads just in case for indoors. We have an article all about coping with biting here https://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppies-biting/. Then if gaining too much weight scale back a little, if not putting enough on then up the portions a little. A battle which continues to each meal time. Labrador Feeding Guide The amount you feed your Lab will vary depending on his age and the type of food you are giving him. Hi Pippa! Personally I feed kibble myself. for professional safety or care advice. Hi there, your puppy isnt being aggressive, he is playing explanation here: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/help-my-labrador-puppy-is-aggressive/. She is passionate about helping people enjoy their Labradors and lives in Hampshire with her husband and four dogs. We have a complete food guide dedicated to the best foods for Labs in their every life stage. Some hungry pups might be still trying their luck with their mothers milk, but thats all down to mom now. And, puppies are very good at using every trick in the book to win you round. The nutrition inside each piece is optimized for controlled bone growth. Top choices 1. This is because around week 11 is the most dramatic growth spurt hell face. Your vet will tell you whether your pup is lacking behind, at a healthy weight, or becoming too chunky. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. hello, I have a Labrador. So if feeding kibble, you shouldnt feed anything else as this will upset the nutritional balance and possibly do more harm than good. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Look for fiber-rich ingredients such as sweet potatoes, spinach, beet pulp, and chicory root. what is the reason behind it? Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of several books on dogs. If you decide to change brand keep in mind that you should do so slowly over 7 days or more. Its not uncommon for puppies to lose interest in food. And When Should I Be Worried? The main types of dog or puppy foods are: High-quality dog food like human-grade or kibble has been rigorously tested for its nutritional benefits and safety. Lets take a look at the pros and cons of the many options available so you can make an educated decision. Labradors have three life stages; puppyhood, adulthood, and their senior years. In other words, dont be tempted to fix what isnt broken. The only disadvantage is that they can be a bit noisy when the puppy chases the empty bowl around the kitchen! Watch out for his surroundings, and keep all food out of reach. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. The complete and balanced description means it has everything in the right amounts. In most parts of the world, you can buy ready-made puppy food made into pellets. Its a great way to form a deep and lasting bond with your puppy. I recently switched my 3month black lab onto Lillys Kitchen puppy food as I was given a bag by my friend and her behaviour has become quite strange. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. Lab puppies are not fully mature until around the age of two years old. 3-6 months: Sometime during . . So, well now take a quick look at some of the pros and cons of the different puppy foods. Most importantly, dont feed your puppy just before you put her to bed for the night. It is not tested in terms of nutritional value or safety, which could lead to nutritional deficiency. 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. Many food manufacturers provide similar dietary charts on the bag of food or on their website. Please speak to your vet and ask for advice to make sue you arent given incorrect info. This teaches them to eat up what they need instead of trying to being picky and choosy, while keeping their bodies regular and making house training a little easier. However, dont worry, because our cuddly Labrador pups vary so much. From trainers, vets, breeders and other experienced owners, everybody has their own advice and favorite brands with two people rarely agreeing. 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. I just rescued a lab mix, 9 weeks old. Please speak to your vet. This means that theyll need extra fuel as they are now moving more. It will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Regarding not listening, shes effectively a teenager, they go through this stage of pushing the boundaries and perhaps getting a bit hormonal and testing things out like we do at that stage of life. what should i do? Puppyhood is arguably the most important nutritional life stage because it sets the foundations for a healthy life and body. If your are feeding your Labrador puppy kibble, there is no need to provide anything else apart from water. I also would like to train her to go outside as she was outside since birth in a grassy area under a car. At ten weeks, he should weigh around 20 pounds. Its important to give your little one food specifically designed for puppies, because they have different nutritional needs and their small teeth cannot handle large, hard dog biscuits. Last Updated: April 26, 2023 | 13 min read. Tks. The key word here is balanced.. Hi , I have a 40 days Labrador its weight is 2 kgs, I need some information about feeding . Its important to let the mother nurse their pups as much and for as long as possible. Feeding Your Labrador Puppy: How Much, Diet Charts And The Best Four meals a day from eight weeks to three months, Three meals a day from three months to six months, When the puppy is looking up into your eyes, If the puppy is keeping all four paws on the floor while you pet them, When the puppy is resting quietly on a blanket or cushion, If something new happens that might be scary (eg someone knocking at the door), When something new happens that is super exciting (eg children visiting). Already, youll probably be able to see the difference between the strongest and weakest pups in the litter. This can help prevent accidents inside. You can try giving your puppy her meal on a slow feed bowl or plate. 90-100 Lbs. Labradors are one of the greediest dog breeds on the planet, and if you dont believe us, science actually backs this claim up. Too small a bowl, and you might give her too little. This was informative This is my 1st lab mix she is 8 weeks I got her today thank you, You said at 12 weeks to feed him 2 cups of food and three times a day. Just like us humans, dogs also need vitamins and minerals to develop into healthy adults. It solely depends on your Lab's life stage, weight, and activity level. And how do you know if youre feeding him the right food? In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. This is a throwback to the days before we invented kibble. She wont starve in that short period of time, although she might make you feel like she is! So, like before, nothing else will do here. Too little or too much weight can lead to various health concerns, so its important to get it right. Everything needed is included in this one food. Kibble comes in sacks ranging from 3kg up to 15kg, with 15kg sacks ranging anywhere in price from $30 (or 20) up to $120 (or 75). 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??? Although we have made the world of Labrador puppy feeding as simple as possible for you, we agree, its not as simple as ABC. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Unfortunately, some mothers reject their pups, and some are simply unable to produce any or enough milk due to health problems. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Did you just get a Labrador puppy and are wondering how much to feed him? Ive always enjoyed my labrador although I had to miss him quite some time in the first years when I was still actively playing in Poker tourneys. So, the chances are, your puppy will be eating a good quality product if you choose one of these. Ultimately, what you feed is your decision and you should pick what best suits you, your puppy and your wallet. Of course, all dogs are different, and stronger pups grow faster than weaker pups. You should try playing with your dog. When looking for a brand, its important to choose a well-known and high-quality brand. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions relating to Lab puppies and their feeding schedules. Large breeds should be fed unmoistened dry food by 9 or 10 weeks; small dogs by 12 or 13 weeks. So try to avoid this. At eight weeks old, when you bring your puppy home, he is fully weaned. Hi,l have a 3months lab,i feed him 2 times a day on kibble(Royal canin maxi junior) and 1chicken neck with barly,is this good for him? How much do you need to feed your puppy? Please follow the advice in this article for basic treatment, simply explained:How to Treat a Dog with Diarrhea. A raw diet (aka BARF) is often too rich for sensitive puppy stomachs, and it is not always nutritionally balanced. If he always poops in the house at 5am you could try setting your alarm to wake you up at 4:30am and take him out to poop. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. If you choose high-quality dog food, everything your Lab puppy needs are in that. How much they need will vary depending on the heat, their recent activity levels and their diet (a puppy eating dry kibble needs more water than if eating wet food) and its rare for a puppy to drink to excess. 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. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. Your Lab weighs anywhere between 55 and 80 pounds at maturity, making him a large dog breed. The protein content in puppy food should be at least 22%. For further guidelines on feeding a Golden Labrador from puppyhood through maturity, refer to this feeding chart: *-- Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a bit of adult formula with the puppy formula. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. 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. All Right Reserved. Remember that all dogs are different, but here are the general rules of how much a Lab puppy should be eating week by week. If your puppy wont eat at all for more than four hours, then call your vet for advice. If youre unsure, as always your vet will have the best advice for your individual puppy. When feeding our young puppies 4 times a day our feeding schedule generally looks like this: 6am feed puppy 10am feed puppy 2pm feed puppy 6pm feed puppy. Its important to stick to the new schedule and not feed him in between mealtimes. Dont feed puppies the kibble sold for adult dogs. All Lab pups should be more interested in eating the new food mixture than their mothers milk at six weeks. Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall. Caring for your pup is hard work. Why You Should Use Pet Feeders for Your Lap Puppy instead of Brain Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. It gives you an idea of how much should I feed my Labrador puppy. He is now around 75 pounds. Although their diet still is predominantly milk, softened food should be introduced to their diet. You can also use this handy feeding chart to track, tweak and adjust your growing puppy's nutritional and caloric needs: HOW MANY CALORIES For example, an 8-week-old Labrador pup should be eating about 2 cups of food per day, but spread out to be around cup of food four times throughout the day. Certainly give it a try. But, like most other dog breeds, they should be switched to adult dog food between the ages of 12 and 15 months old. he couldnt be healthier or look better. This is usually the time that most puppies are sent off to their new homes. The milk contains all the required nutrients that the puppy needs to grow . If your going to switch food do it once or twice and re-introduce the previous food along the way. But, I do have a question about the high 38% protein, will this effect his growth in the way being too fast. The mixture should be gradually changed throughout the week until it becomes 3/4 food and 1/4 water. Call sooner if the pup is listless or showing any signs of being unwell. How many times a day should you feed a Labrador? The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Labrador Site is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. We recommend you do this during a week-long transition using the following proportions: Day 1 and 2: 75% previous food + 25% new food. But not only is there no need, its also not a good idea. Decide on their meal times and when you give them their food, allow 10 to 15 minutes for them to eat it and then take the bowl away. When Do Puppies Stop Biting And How To Cope With A Silver Lab The Facts About Silver Labrador Retrievers. If you have any concerns, please speak to your vet before adding anything extra to your pups diet. Feeding him the best nutrition plays a huge role. Stick with this same routine until around 12 weeks. How mush food does my 8 month chocolate lab need? Increase them slightly as they age, with 350-365 gms for a year-old dog. Plus, it avoids stomach upset or a drastic change in blood sugar levels. Its not difficult, but it requires careful attention and routine. 2023 Cover Story Media, Inc. All rights reserved. For example, an 8 week old Labrador puppy should eat about 2 cups of food per day, but split throughout the day. If your pup leaves his food, take it away after 10 minutes. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. Of course, you can adapt this to suit your own routine as long as you pay attention to the above advice. A lazy dog owner deserves the costly repairs that happen to them. Fiber helps to regulate doggy digestive systems and helps his stools to be firmer and healthier. But its important to stick with the routine and food allowance to ensure that he doesnt put on too much weight. rash on the skin. If like most people, youll be feeding your Labrador puppy on commercial dry puppy food, you should not feel that you are letting him down in any way. Age: Daily FoodQuantity (Cups) Kilocalories (Per day) Protein: Fats: 2 - 3 months: 1 - 1.5: 1050 - 1500: 22 - 25%: 8%: . How can you change the feeding routine to help your puppy transition to the next stage of its life. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Like you did when you introduced him to food from milk, you need to make the transition gradually to avoid stomach upset. But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. If your Lab pup is forever begging for food and seems completely unsatisfied by his mealtimes, you can up his daily food allowance to three cups a day. Snacks/treats are great for training. In fact, many older puppies are highly intolerant of milk and will simply get diarrhea if you feed it to them. As a final word: Theres not only raw food and kibble, theres also wet foods, tinned and some specialist diets to consider. last 1 month itching problem has been started at neck region. It works like this: I measure out the puppys daily food allowance and divide it into portions, but instead of putting those portions into a bowl, I put them in small airtight food containers labelled with a mealtime. an 8 week old Labrador puppy should eat about 2 cups of food per day. Once they reach this weight, they should be eating around 1,400-1,650 calories. 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. A great indicator for you to keep an eye on is his waist. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. 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. Changing brands can upset puppies tummy and make them sick. A good rule of thumb is to feed him/her twice as much as a smaller dog would eat. The big brands are widely available in many parts of the world, and they have a valuable reputation to maintain. For the first couple of weeks after bringing your puppy home, my advice is to ask the breeder what they feed their puppies and continue feeding this. I was feeding her Eukanuba lamb and rice before this. Most vets and breeders believe that kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador puppy. If you instantly switch, theres an extremely high chance your puppy will suffer an extreme digestive upset leading to stress and diarrhea. Hell be roughly half his expected weight at maturity by the time he reaches 18 to 20 weeks old. hi-tech and other medicine are injected. Feeding Guide. Puppy food is already enriched with extra nutrients compared to adult food, so you shouldnt need to feed him any extra supplements. Some breeders and experienced dog owners do switch their lab puppies on to adult food before this, but not usually before they reach six months of age. 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. In a balanced food, all the nutrients are in just the right amounts and if you add human foods on top, you are upsetting this balance. I like to leave at least a four-hour gap between the puppys last meal and her bedtime. Should I consider changing food? Sometimes described as the BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) the aim is to closely match what a dog would have eaten naturally in the wild. In addition, as an added bonus, your puppy will have a lot of tail-wagging fun getting the pieces of kibble out from in between the blades of grass. Labrador Puppy Growth Chart, When Can Puppies Go Outside: Guidelines For New Puppy Parents, 10 Week Old Puppy: Tips, Schedules, Care & What To Expect, 12 Week Old Puppy: Tips, Schedules, Care & What To Expect, https://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppies-biting/, https://www.thelabradorsite.com/help-my-labrador-puppy-is-aggressive/. She thinks he is growing too fast. Its important to mix the two at each meal, not one food type in the morning and the other in the evening, you need to mix the two for each meal, gradually switching over the course of 7 days or more. At this stage, your puppy is only feeding on the mother's milk as their source of nutrition. Its also important to consider your puppys unique dietary needs. Unnecessary weight leads to a whole host of health problems, such as bad joints, cardiac conditions, diabetes, and even higher risk of cancer, to name just a few. Thats fine and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Labradors and other larger breed dogs are particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. But read the instructions on your kibble bag to be sure this matches up, and check with your vet as well. The arrival of the fourth week brings with it an exciting time for Lab puppies because now they get the chance to experience something other than just their mothers milk. With modern training methods, youll find that much of your puppys food allowance will be used up in training. The first week is crucial for puppy development, and it determines just how healthy a pup he will become. The guidelines on the food you buy are just thatguidelines. Youll need to do some research on the nutritional needs of puppies in order to maintain a balanced diet during this period of rapid growth. Any drastic changes in their diet can upset their stomach, so its important to introduce it gradually. By now, youve probably visited your vet for his first check-up with you. If you stick to high-quality food, you can rest assured that all the nutrients that your Lab puppy needs are found in their meal. Please click here for our advice on The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. That's the reason we have prepared a Labrador puppy feeding chart, which is bifurcated into the younger and older stage.This will help you to select the feeding ratio for your puppy, as per his age and weight, and won't end up overfeeding him.. For instance, if you are raising a young Labrador puppy, it's suggested first to check the weight. If you havent been given advice or cannot source the same food the breeder was feeding, your best course of action is to buy some puppy kibble. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. She is the founder of the Labrador Site and a regular contributor. Dont be surprised if the pups turn their noses up at it the first few times. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. Healthy carbs can be found in grains, such as rice, barley, and oatmeal. 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. They continue feeding on mom as and when they want to. If you want to avoid weight gain after 12 months, reduce the amount of food your puppy consumes. Puppy Labrador Retriever Feeding Chart. 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. I recently received a 8 week old puppy (Golden Lab) for Christmas. Sir I want to know that what is the proper diet or food for my lab to be a healthy puppy. You can if you wish, simply feed your puppy from one of your own plates or bowls. If your puppy regularly has soft stools or diarrhea, feeding them a higher number of smaller meals instead of fewer large meals can sometimes help. Otherwise, a somewhat reduced appetite, to begin with, is probably nothing to worry about. However, dont forget that dogs are weaned at a younger age than many other mammals. You cant just leave a puppys food ration for the day down, because hell eat it all at once and this may upset his tummy. Your article is very informative! Weve been feeding all of our puppies Wellness Core for the the past few years. And its a dead cert that a vet does. Well, today Ill share everyone I have learned about feeding your Labrador puppy. This can make house training difficult because a puppy that eats at random times will poop at random times, whereas if they eat the same times every day they will poop the same times every day and you can make sure theyre at their toilet spot. Feeding puppies at consistent times each day helps them get used to the routine. I have fed her and taken her a few times outside but she hasnt gone to pee or poop. I was looking in the article if any type of occasional treats are good like banana, carrots, strawberries in an extremely small quantity for potty training and good behavior? For example, too much calcium can lead to skeletal problems. Kibble stores well provided that you dont get the food become damp. Then see how their body develops. If youre feeding your labrador puppy in a family room when she is small, she will soon become used to eating with people milling around her.
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