5 Best Dog Foods for Labradors (2024)

AATU 80/20, a diet often recommended as one of the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers, is a high quality food formulation designed to support the nutritional needs of active breeds. The primary ingredients in this recipe are wild salmon and herring, two powerful meat proteins that are lean, easy to digest, and rich in essential fatty acids. Each meat included in this recipe is slow roasted to ensure maximum flavour and nutritional value.

An extremely high protein diet, AATU 80/20 contains no grains, taking fruits and vegetables as the basis of its carbohydrate content. These ingredients were selected for their high amounts of antioxidants and dietary fibre to provide a vital boost for good digestion and a healthy immune system.  A proprietary blend of botanicals is present in this food to promote optimal joint health.

AATU 80/20 is free from artificial flavourings, colourings, and preservatives.

Pros:

• AATU 80/20 contains L-carnitine, an important nutrient that supports cardiac health and fluid metabolism in the Labrador Retriever.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin have been added to boost joint functionality.
• Salmon and herring are two powerhouse proteins that deliver big on the essential fatty acids required for excellent coat and skin health and strong reserves of energy.

Cons:

• AATU 80/20 is an expensive food formulation; however, since it is concentrated, less of this food is required for dogs to reach eating satisfaction, increasing the value of the food.
• The lack of grains may be problematic for some dogs since the fibre content is a little low in this particular formulation.
• The high protein amounts contained in this excellent quality food may be too much for older dogs that are no longer as active as they used to be in their youth.

For a top shelf food formulation that delivers big on both nutrition and value, it’s hard to go wrong with Vitalin Natural Grain-Free Adult. One of the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers on the market today, Vitalin Natural Grain-Free Adult lists duck meat meal as its primary ingredient. This lean and concentrated meat meal is easy on the Labrador Retriever’s digestive system and contains ample servings of the amino acids required for a healthy body.

A high performance food considered to be hypoallergenic, this diet contains no wheat, grains, or cereals in its recipe, all ingredients that have been linked to allergies in some dogs. Burdock root has been included in this recipe, a botanical believed to assist with relief from inflammation. Several superfoods also play a starring role in this diet including spinach, seaweed, and carrots.

Blueberries and rosemary have been added to boost the overall antioxidant content of this exceptional quality diet. Prebiotics have been supplemented, laying a foundation for good digestion.

Pros:

• This diet is free from wheat, grains, and cereals, making it an excellent choice for Labrador Retrievers with skin or stomach sensitivities.
• Glucosamine, MSM, and prebiotics have all been added to support joint and digestive system health.
• The antioxidant content has been boosted through the addition of superfoods to promote a thriving immune system.

Cons:

• Chicken digest has been added to this recipe, a less desirable ingredient that is typically added to dog food to improve overall flavour.
• Potato and pea starch are the foundation of this diet’s carbohydrate content, two ingredients that cause blood sugar levels to spike and that can be common allergens for some dogs.
• Since the Labrador Retriever can be predisposed to cardiac issues, this food could benefit from the addition of taurine to boost hearth health.

Edgard and Cooper Adult is a high quality diet that is jam packed with top tier nutrition and available at a reasonable price point. The main ingredient in this diet is Norwegian salmon, included in its whole form. This lean protein is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to keep the Labrador Retriever’s energy levels piqued and to promote optimal coat and skin health.

A diet designed to be hypoallergenic, Edgard and Cooper Adult is free from the most common allergens dogs react to including wheat, cereals, and grains. This recipe is enriched with a probiotic blend to encourage optimal digestive processing.

With so many nutritional benefits to its credit, it is not difficult to see why Edgard and Cooper Adult is considered to be one of the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers available for purchase today.

Pros:

• Norwegian salmon is the primary ingredient in this food, a powerhouse protein that keeps the Labrador Retriever primed for performance.
• A grain-free diet, antioxidant and fibre-rich fruits and vegetables provide the fuel this breed needs for good digestion and a healthy immune system.
• Edgard and Cooper Adult is available at a reasonable price point, making it affordable for most families.

Cons:

• This diet places a heavy emphasis on potatoes, peas, and pea proteins, vegetables that are less ideal than a more nutrient-dense vegetable such as sweet potato.
• The dietary fibre contained in this diet is a little low to support optimal digestion in the Labrador Retriever.
• Edgard and Cooper Adult does not contain any supplements to support joint health.

Arden Grange Sensitive Adult Grain-Free offers premium shelf nutrition to assist Labrador Retrievers with sensitivities to certain food-based allergens. Whitefish is the basis of this exceptional quality diet, a lean meat that is easy on the Lab’s digestive system while still delivering bountiful amounts of the essential fatty acids required for coat and skin health.

A diet that prioritizes the use of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables in its carbohydrate content, Arden Grange Sensitive Adult Grain-Free is often recommended as one of the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers with digestive issues. The addition of cranberries ensures a vital support for optimal kidney and urinary function.

Pros:

• The ocean fish and ocean fish meal found in Arden Grange Sensitive Adult Grain-Free contribute bountiful amounts of essential fatty acids to improve coat and skin health in dogs with allergies.
• Several prebiotics have been added to help establish optimal gut flora.
• MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin are all present to encourage healthy joint functionality.

Cons:

• Potato is included in this recipe, a less than ideal carbohydrate linked to spikes in blood sugar in dogs.
• The amount of protein found in this diet may make this formulation too rich for some dogs.
• Fish digest has been included in this recipe, an ingredient of questionable value that is typically included in foods to boost the diet’s overall flavour.

Wellness CORE Original Adult Grain-Free is often recommended as one of the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers available for purchase today. A top shelf food formulation, Wellness CORE Original Adult Grain-Free places a high emphasis on lean, easily digestible meat proteins to ensure their formula is as nutritionally viable as possible. The main ingredients in this diet are turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal, three protein sources that are lean, nutrient-dense, and exceptionally flavourful to encourage hearty eating in the Labrador Retriever.

A lower carbohydrate food, Wellness CORE Original Adult Grain-Free utilizes fruits and vegetables in its carbohydrate base to ensure support for optimal digestion and a thriving immune system.

Pros:

• Chicken and turkey are the two foundation ingredients, lean meats that are easy to digest and that are rich in amino acids to support strong muscles.
• The addition of glucosamine and chondroitin promotes optimal joint health.
• The absence of grains makes this diet an excellent choice for Labrador Retrievers with grain sensitivities.

Cons:

• Peas, potatoes, and potato protein are all included in this diet’s carbohydrate content.
• Though rich in fruits and vegetables, neither prebiotics or probiotics have been added to this diet.
• The high protein content of this food may be too much for older Labrador Retrievers that no longer enjoy a highly active lifestyle.