To ensure your Labrador Retriever stays as healthy and happy as possible, you’ll want to give him a nutritious and delicious dog food that is well-suited to the Lab’s specific dietary needs.
We’ll try to help you do exactly this below, as we break down the best dog food for Labs.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Our Top Recommendation for Dog Foods for Labs!
The USA-made Hill’s Science chicken and barley flavored kibble are 18% lower in calories than the adult variant. The presence of natural fibers, omega fatty acids, and L-carnitine helps maintain body weight and a rich coat for small breeds.
*We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We’ll start by reviewing the overall best dog food for adult Labs, and then we’ll talk about those with specific dietary needs. This includes the best puppy food for Labs, senior Labs, as well as those who are overweight or suffer from food allergies.
We’ll even discuss the best all-natural, grain-free food brands for Labrador owners inclined to go that route.
We’ve got a lot to cover so let’s get started!
Best Dog Food for Labs
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food | • Normalises bowel movements through ingredient diversity • Small bites make it a comfortable chewing experience for smaller dogs • Healthy alternative for weight reduction because of its dietary formulation | |
 | Blue Buffalo BLUE Life Protection Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | • Deboned chicken is the first listed ingredient • Contains Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits, which contain a patented blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants • Made in the USA | |
 | Wag Dry Dog-Puppy Food 35% Protein | • Variations in beef, lamb, turkey, and salmon are available • Free of preservatives, flavors, artificial colors, and gas-inducing grains • Pet nutritionists are involved in the ingredient composition | |
 | Wellness CORE Puppy Grain-Free Recipe | • In addition to deboned chicken, this recipe contains chicken meal and turkey meal too • Full of healthy antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables • Made in the USA | |
 | Wellness CORE Grain Free Senior Recipe | • Deboned turkey is the first listed ingredient • Made with peas, potatoes and lentils, rather than corn or other grains • Made in the USA | |
 | BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food | • Deboned lamb (a novel protein for most dogs) is the first ingredient listed • Made with fish oil to help improve your dog’s skin and coat condition • Made in the USA | |
 | Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice Formula | • Salmon, which is easy for most dogs to digest, is the first listed ingredient • Neither barley nor ground rice – the two primary carbohydrates in the recipe – rarely cause digestive problems • Made in the USA | |
 | Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food | • S. farm-raised turkey is the first listed ingredient • A portion of the proceeds from product sales support Rachael’s Rescue a non-profit shelter for dogs in need • Made in the USA | |
 | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight Formula | • Deboned chicken is the first listed ingredient • Brown rice is a fantastic, low-calorie carbohydrate for dogs • Made in the USA |
#1. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
This canine food stands out from the rest due to smaller kibbles and 1/5th lower calories than Science Diet Adult. It’s fortified with natural fibers, omega 6 fatty acids, and the ever-essential vitamin E, along with chicken meal – all for the betterment of your Labrador’s lifestyle.
The manufacturers have ensured to eliminate space for any filler ingredients. Instead, they’ve curated a nutritiously-rich ingredient list boasting chicken meal, pearled barley, and pea fiber as the top ingredients.
Notable Features and Characteristics:
- Intelligently distributed nutrients take care of hunger between meal intervals
- Science-led nutrition is used to curate these recipes at pet nutrition centers
- Provides dental care through a clinically proven interlocking fiber technology
- Expert dog food testers guarantee your pet’s food bowl is always left finished
Top 15 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Pea Fiber, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Dried Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Pork Flavor, Potassium Chloride
Customer Reviews: Almost 99% of customers are delighted to watch their doggos gob down this food with absolutely no post-meal side effects. The small bites make it ideal for pups, and dog owners with puppies struggling with heart problems have continuously spoken about how their pet’s cardiovascular health has noticeably improved.
Apart from more stamina, they notice comfortable breathing and more extended walking capabilities.
Bottom Line: With so many manufacturing positives, disease treatments through diets, and research-backed picking of global ingredients, this dry dog food by Hill’s Science can do wonders for Labradors, irrespective of their age, height, and comorbidities. Amongst the multiple positives, tasty meals, coat shine, healthier teeth, and fewer digestive problems are a sure-shot benefit!
#2. Blue Buffalo BLUE Life Protection Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe
One of the leading dog food brands in the marketplace, Blue Buffalo manufactures a number of very high-quality foods, which are very popular with dog owners. But while all of their product lines are impressive, Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection line – specifically their Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe — is the best dry food for most Labs.
Notable Features and Characteristics:
- Deboned chicken protein is the first listed ingredient
- Contains LifeSource Bits, which contain a patented blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Made in the USA
- Formulated for adult dogs
Top 15 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Tomato Pomace, Peas, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Potatoes, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Potassium Chloride.
Customer Reviews: The majority of owners who tried this formula rated it very highly. Several owners reported that their dog’s coat condition improved after trying the food, and a few also noted that it ended paw-chewing behaviors. Most dogs seem to like the taste too.
Bottom Line: Life Protection Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe is a fantastic dry dog food choice for many Labs. It is made with a number of excellent ingredients, including everything from deboned chicken, flaxseed and sweet potatoes, to pomegranate, pumpkin, and kelp. Additionally, it is quite affordable for such a high-quality dog food.
#3. Wag Dry Dog/Puppy Food 35% Protein
Made in California, USA, Wag’s lamb & lentil canine food is formulated through the research and expertise of expert veterinarians. The Aussie-sourced lamb and nutritiously dense veggies bring the health benefits of phytonutrients and additional macronutrients to ensure your Labrador continues to glow. Further on, the salmon oil and flaxseed enhance the food’s quality while also allowing your pet friend to cherish the joy of delicious meals.
Tip: Ensure to let your Labrador transition into consuming this food, or else dietary upsets can ruin their experience.
Notable Features and Characteristics:
- Top three ingredients are lamb, lamb meal, and lentils
- Protein composition boosts your Labrador’s activity levels and strength
- All batches are tested through quality assurance to deliver premium standards
- Grain-free ingredient list works wonders
Top 15 Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Lentils, Pea Protein, Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Brewers Yeast, Potato Protein, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine
Customer Reviews: Not every pet parent will agree to the combination of peas, pea protein, and dried plain beet pulp, but many would praise Wag’s ability to diminish their Labrador’s gas issues. What’s best, no customers have complained about any allergic reactions or stool problems.
And for the dog owners with picky eaters? They’re relieved to see their pets munching away happily and showcasing shiny coats and higher energy levels within a few weeks of beginning consumption.
Bottom Line: When you have a dog food mixing 35% protein and a fairly optimum amount of veggies and supplements, positive results on your doggo’s health are inevitable. Also, they put in significant efforts in sourcing ingredients from across the world, performing quality control measures, and testing batches before delivery.
Don’t forget, finding proven quality canine food for Labradors can be a hectic affair, and that too at affordable prices. With Wag, you have it all neatly packed and nutritiously prepared.
#4. Wellness CORE Puppy Grain-Free Recipe
[Best Food for Labrador Puppies]
Like all of the other recipes in this brand’s product line, their puppy food recipe is a grain free food that relies on potatoes and peas for the bulk of its carbohydrate content. And like most other premium puppy foods, this manufacturer’s puppy food lists a premium protein – deboned chicken – as the first ingredient.
Notable Innovations and Characteristics:
- In addition to deboned chicken, this recipe contains chicken meal and turkey meal too
- Full of healthy antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
- Made in the USA
- Formulated for puppies of all sizes
Top 15 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Potato Protein, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Ground Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Natural Chicken Flavor, Salmon Oil, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Beta-Carotene, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyroxidine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Biotin, Folic Acid].
Customer Reviews: This dog food for puppies received positive feedback from the majority of owners who tried it. Most reported that their puppy gobbled up the food, and several mentioned that their dog exhibited better energy levels and a shinier coat after switching to this brand. A few owners even reported that it reduced their dog’s anxiety level.
Bottom Line: Wellness CORE Puppy Grain-Free Recipe is a very nutritious food, which will help your Lab puppy start life on the right foot. It is packed with just about every type of ingredient owners could want, including a whole protein, nutritious (and grain-free) carbohydrates, four probiotics, salmon oil (which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids) and a litany of fruits and vegetables. It is definitely a premium dog food for Lab puppies.
#5. Wellness CORE Grain Free Senior Recipe
[Best Dog Food for Senior Labs]
Notable Features and Characteristics:
- Deboned turkey is the first listed ingredient
- Made with peas, potatoes, and lentils, rather than corn or other grains
- Made in the USA
- Contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
Top 15 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Dried Ground Potatoes, Peas, Turkey Meal, Lentils, Tomato Pomace, Ground Flaxseed, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Chickpeas, Natural Chicken Flavor, Salmon Oil, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Spinach.
Customer Reviews: Most of this brand’s formulas receive stellar reviews from owners, and their Senior Recipe is no exception. Several owners reported that this recipe helped to improve their older dog’s energy level and coat condition. A few even felt that it helped reduce their dog’s joint pain. Most dogs appear to love the turkey-based recipe.
Bottom Line: Wellness CORE Senior is, like most of the manufacturer’s other dog foods, is very impressive. It provides exactly the kind of nutrition your senior Labrador Retriever needs to make the most of his golden years, and it is priced pretty affordable given the quality of the ingredients it contains. Therefore, we rate it is one of the best dog foods for senior labs.
#6. BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
[Best Food for Labs with Skin Allergies]
BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Formula is designed to help eliminate your Lab’s food allergies and eliminate the itchy skin that can drive him crazy. Made with a novel protein and no grains, this recipe is a great choice for Labs that suffer from skin allergies, as well as owners who’d simply like to feed their dog a relatively simple diet.
Notable Features and Characteristics:
- Deboned lamb (a novel protein for most dogs) is the first ingredient listed
- Made with fish oil to help improve your dog’s skin and coat condition
- Made in the USA
- Formulated for adult dogs
Top 15 Ingredients: Deboned Lamb protein, Tapioca Starch, Potatoes, Peas, Lamb Meal, Pea Protein, Canola Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Potato Starch, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Fish Oil (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Alfalfa Meal, Choline Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride.
Customer Reviews: Most owners who try BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Formula love the recipe and appreciate the way it has helped address their dog’s food allergies. Many owners were not only happy that it put an end to their dog’s itching and improved their coat condition but surprised at how fast these changes occurred after making the switch.
Bottom Line: BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Formula is typically quite effective at eliminating problems associated with dog food allergies. It doesn’t work in every case (some dogs, for example, may be allergic to lamb), but this dog food brand has designed their recipe to help the vast majority of dogs with food allergies to feel better.
#7. Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice Formula
Purina’s Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula is made with a number of easily digested ingredients to help promote proper digestion and elimination. Additionally, this recipe is made with glucosamine to help your Lab’s joints and without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Notable Features and Characteristics:
- Salmon, which is easy for most dogs to digest, is the first listed ingredient
- Neither barley nor ground rice – the two primary carbohydrates in the recipe – rarely cause digestive problems
- Made in the USA
- Formulated for adult dogs
Top 15 Ingredients: Salmon, Barley, Ground Rice, Canola Meal, Oat Meal, Fish Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols, Brewers Dried Yeast, Salmon Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Natural Flavor, Sunflower Oil, Chicory Root Inulin, Salt, Fish Oil, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement.
Customer Reviews: Most owners raved about Pro Plan’s Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula. It appears that most owners purchased this food to treat their dog’s food allergies and itchy skin, but there were also plenty of owners who purchased this recipe to relieve their dog’s intestinal distress. Not only did most report that the food worked, but they praised its ability to do so quickly too.
Bottom Line: Pro Plan’s Sensitive and Skin Formula is a good choice for Labs that have trouble digesting typical dog foods. It is made with high-quality ingredients, and it even has a few nice “extras,” like glucosamine-rich ingredients. We would prefer if the recipe contained probiotic strains to further support intestinal health, but you can always purchase a stand-alone probiotic supplement.
#8. Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food
[Best Grain Free Dog Food for a Lab]
Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food is all-natural dog food, made with only the finest ingredients available. It uses ingredients like peas, tapioca, and potatoes instead of corn or wheat, and it also features three excellent proteins – turkey, turkey meal and chicken meal – right at the beginning of the ingredient list.
Notable Features and Characteristics:
- S. farm-raised turkey is the first listed ingredient
- A portion of the proceeds from product sales support Rachael’s Rescue a non-profit shelter for dogs in need
- Made in the USA
- Formulated for adult dogs
Top 15 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Dried Peas, Tapioca Starch, Whole Dry Potatoes, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Whole Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Flavor, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Choline Chloride.
Customer Reviews: Most owners who tried Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Adult Dog Food were happy with their purchase. It appeared to help alleviate skin problems for some dogs and stomach issues for others. Most dogs appear to like the flavor, but a not-insignificant number of owners reported that their dog didn’t like the taste. However, this is probably easy to fix by adding a tasty topper (such as a teaspoon of olive oil or a bit of shredded cheese) to the kibble.
Bottom Line: Some owners may scoff at the notion of a celebrity-endorsed food that is supposed to be all-natural. But if you simply look at the ingredient list it becomes apparent that this is a very high-quality pet food, and Lab owners looking for an all-natural, grain-free food for their dog would be wise to give it a try. Additionally, this brand is much more affordable than many of the other dog foods in the grain-free category.
#9. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight Formula
Blue Buffalo makes another appearance on our list, with its Life Protection Healthy Weight Formula. It is especially important to choose a healthy recipe when selecting a pet food to help manage your dog’s weight, as many economy-priced weight-loss dog food formulas have questionable ingredient lists. However, this recipe – like all other of its Recipes – is packed with only the finest ingredients available.
Notable Features and Characteristics:
- Deboned chicken protein is the first listed ingredient
- Brown rice is a fantastic, low-calorie carbohydrate for dogs
- Made in the USA
- Formulated for adult dogs
Top 15 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Pea Fiber, Pea Starch, Oatmeal, Peas, Potato Starch, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Pea Protein, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal.
Customer Reviews: Like most of the brand’s other formulas, their Healthy Weight Formula has received very good reviews from owners. Several owners reported that it helped their dog shed a few pounds, while still appearing to please their dog’s taste buds. A few owners experienced shipping or packaging problems, but this issue can occur with any product.
Bottom Line: You’ll rarely regret trying one of Blue Buffalo’s recipes, and by all accounts, their Healthy Weight Formula appears to work exactly as intended. It has a very impressive ingredient list, includes probiotics to help ease your dog’s food transition, and it contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids for coat health.
Things You Want in Any Food for Your Labrador
No matter what breed your dog is, you’ll want to select a dog food that satisfies a few basic criteria.
Below, we’ll explain some of the things that you’ll want to search for when picking a good dog food for your Lab.
Just look for foods that exhibit the following characteristics:
1. Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are important components of any dog’s diet, but they can be especially helpful for helping your Lab to feel his best. Fish oils help support coat health, reduce the body’s inflammatory response, and help protect your dog’s joints.
2. Fortified with Glucosamine, Chondroitin or (Preferably) Both
Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the safest and most effective joint supplements for dogs. Most foods incorporate glucosamine and chondroitin by including ingredients rich in one of the compounds (such as cartilage), while other foods use pure supplements to fortify their recipes.
3. Fortified with Probiotics
Probiotics for dogs are beneficial bacteria that help promote intestinal health, exclude pathogenic bacteria, and assist your dog in digesting his food. Many of the best foods incorporate several different probiotic strains, as this is thought to be more beneficial than a single bacterial strain.
4. Feature whole meat protein at the top of the ingredient list
Dogs may be omnivores, who also need plenty of healthy carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and fats in their diet, but protein is undoubtedly the most important factor owners should consider when picking a food. Accordingly, you’ll want to stick to foods that feature deboned chicken, roasted venison or other whole proteins.
5. Only include properly identified meat meals
Meat meals (such as chicken meal) may be off-putting to many owners, but they are actually very nutritious, possess higher protein per unit of weight than whole proteins do, and delicious to most dogs. However, it is imperative that you only feed your dog foods made with safe meat meals, made from a single protein, such as poultry, beef, pork, lamb or an identified fish.
6. Be made in a country with high safety- and quality-control standards
All owners want to make sure that their dog receives only the healthiest, safest food available – you never want to find out that you’ve fed your dog a food contaminated with some kind of toxic substance. One of the best ways to do so is by purchasing foods made in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Western Europe, which all have high safety standards.
7. It shouldn’t contain artificial additives
Artificial additives, including colors, dyes, flavors, and preservatives, are completely unnecessary in dog foods made with high-quality ingredients. The color of your dog’s food is unimportant, and tasty ingredients will make for a delicious food, rendering artificial flavors unnecessary. And most dog foods can be preserved with vitamins and naturally occurring tocopherols, so artificial preservatives aren’t necessary either.
8. Have plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables – such as blueberries, cranberries, kale, spinach, carrots, pomegranate, and pumpkin – are not only full of vitamins and minerals, they also provide your dog with plenty of immune-system-boosting antioxidants. Additionally, most of these items taste great, so your dog will love them too.
Common Health Problems of Labrador Retrievers
To determine the best food for your Lab, you’ll want to start by narrowing down your choices and excluding any dog foods that don’t satisfy the basic criteria described in the preceding section. Then, you’ll want to select a food that addresses the specific health concerns that are common to Labs.
But to do this, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with some of the most common health problems labs face. We’ve listed a few of the most notable health problems that are common to the breed below.
1. Joint Problems
Despite being relatively athletic in their youth, many Labrador Retrievers suffer from joint problems as they age. There are a number of joint issues that can afflict the breed, but osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are the two most common (and impactful). Arthritis typically results from overuse and natural wear and tear, while hip dysplasia is usually the result of congenital defects in the hip joint.
2. Food Allergies
Food allergies can occur in any breed, but they seem to be pretty common among Labs and Lab mixes. Whether this is because of a genetic predisposition to food allergies or simply the result of the number of labs in the world is not clear. In either case, Labs frequently suffer from itchy skin and poor coat health caused by ingredients in their food.
3. Weight Gain and Obesity
Labs are at very high risk for weight gain, which can cause or exacerbate joint problems and reduce your dog’s energy level. Accordingly, it is important to feed your dog the proper quantity of food, avoid giving him too many treats, and be sure that he gets plenty of activity and exercise. It’s a lot easier to keep your dog from gaining weight than it is to help him shed extra pounds.
4. Bloat
Bloat is a serious and acute medical problem that occurs when your dog’s stomach fills with air and then twists. This traps the air inside the stomach, leading to crippling pain and – if not corrected quickly – tissue death. Left untreated, bloat is almost always fatal.
Veterinarians disagree on the best way to avoid bloat, but most agree that encouraging your dog to eat slowly and avoiding exercise for at least 30 minutes after meals is a good idea.
Summing Up Lab Dog Food
For the most part, Labs are healthy, active, and happy dogs who don’t present many special dietary requirements. However, that doesn’t mean you should just pick the first dog foods you see or select the cheapest one you can find. Your buddy deserves better than this, so try to select a dog food that is well suited for his needs.
Any of the first three Lab dog foods we reviewed should make a good choice for the average adult Labrador, and those with specific diet requirements should thrive on the recipes recommended in each category (Lab puppies, overweight Labs, etc.).
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.