Even when our ancestors domesticated dogs, they were offered human food scraps, supplemented with what they had hunted. This provided a balanced diet for dogs. Today, this is no longer possible for domestic dogs. Their owners are entirely responsible for their feeding.
A nutritious and tasty diet is essential for a dog's well-being and health, especially for a Labrador. And since mealtime is a pleasant experience, it also helps strengthen the bond between dog and human.
Content
Balanced nutrition for a Labrador
Like their owners, Labradors need a balanced diet that contains the necessary amount of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, 20 minerals and 13 different vitaminsThese nutrients must be present not only in the correct quantities but also in the necessary proportions to ensure a balanced and complete diet.
A diet consisting solely of muscle meat is unsuitable for any dog. Our canine ancestors would have consumed the entire body of their prey, but not the muscles, including internal organs, bones, intestinal fur, skin, and contents. This would have provided them with all the necessary nutrients missing from a diet consisting solely of muscle meat.
Food for Labradors at home
To make food for a Labrador at home, you need to understand pet's nutritional needs, the amount of nutrients in different foods and how to combine them in food, as well as storage and preparation options.
Many owners like to prepare food for one feeding. If so, only certain foods should be gradually introduced into the dog's diet to allow the Labrador's digestive system to adapt to the new food. Eggs, meat, bread, and cheese are foods typically offered to all dogs. If these foods make up the bulk of the diet, minerals and vitamins should be properly supplemented.
Some owners add their own ingredients to foodBut it is advisable to add:
- vitamins;
- oils;
- vegetables;
- dairy products;
- mackerel/tuna;
- fruits;
- raw veal meat;
- prepared beef or chicken meat.
You can also add pectin to reduce the amount of copper in dog food, or apples and zinc supplements.
Into dog food bird beaks, add flour, intestines, ground bones, and fillers. If you decide to use supplements, buy cold-pressed oils such as canola or flaxseed oil.
Ready-made dog food for Labrador
Most high-quality dog foods (premium nutrition) have higher nutritional value, and you can feed your Labrador a smaller amount of this food. Premium nutrition is 95% digestible, while foods containing fillers and by-products are absorbed by 55-70%.
Labradors may also have problems maintaining the breed standard, as dogs grow larger due to a better nutritional diet.
Switching from one brand to another should be done gradually. Gut bacteria, which influence nutrient absorption, need time to adjust to the new diet. Sudden changes in your dog's diet can cause digestive upset. It takes 1-1.5 months to transition to a different food. It's also advisable to give your Labrador acidophilus tablets to help with digestion. Feeding dry kibble reduces the risk of tartar buildup in dogs. However, it's a good idea to give your Labrador a snack occasionally. canned food.
Generally speaking, high-quality human food is best to give your Labrador a balanced and healthy diet.
Milk and bones
Bones are a healthy source of calcium, but a dog on a balanced diet already gets enough. Labradors, however, enjoy bones immensely, as they:
- strengthen the jaws;
- delicious;
- keep the dog busy for several hours;
- keep teeth clean.
Don't forget that Labrador puppies need to be given only large brain bones, which are not split to avoid damaging the puppy's insides. Avoid feeding your puppy:
- rabbit;
- chicken;
- fish;
- lamb bones.
Although it is recommended to boil bones for 7-12 minutes, cooking them for too long can make the bones unusable and brittle.
Although milk is considered a beneficial source of trace minerals for puppies, it is not an important part of a dog's diet once a Labrador has been weaned from its mother's milk. Many dogs cannot digest lactose, found in milk, which can cause stomach upset. If you're unsure whether your dog tolerates milk, it's best to dilute the milk with water in a 1:1 ratio when introducing it for the first time.
Feeding a Labrador Retriever Based on Age
Puppies
Labrador puppies receive almost all their nutrition from their mother's milk until they're one month old. But eventually, the puppy is weaned and sent to a new home, where everything depends entirely on the new owner, who is responsible for providing the dog with a fully balanced diet.
Puppies grow quite quickly, so they need more nutrients than adult dogs. Puppies have small stomachs, so they need feed often, but little by little.
When you get a Labrador, consult with the breeder about feeding and ask them to provide you with a written diet. It should specify the types of food, feeding times, and the amount the puppy is accustomed to. Don't rush into changing the puppy's diet, as a change in home can be stressful, and it's important to maintain the puppy's usual diet.
When your puppy moves to a new home, they may develop diarrhea and signs of an upset stomach due to being in a new environment and leaving their mother. If they do have diarrhea, and it lasts for more than 24 hours or gets worse, consult a veterinarian.
Also, when you decide to change the diet, wait until your puppy gets used to the new home, and then gradually replace it within 6-7 daysA Labrador's feeding schedule varies significantly depending on the puppy's age and individual characteristics, but until a puppy reaches 5 months of age, it will require four meals daily. Subsequently, the puppy is fed three times a day.
Remember that all puppies are individuals, and some require more, while others require less, than is appropriate for their age. Your dog's condition is the best indicator of whether you're feeding her the right amount. By regularly recording her weight, you can ensure that her development is normal and she's growing healthy.
As a rule, the puppy is given 12-17 minutes per mealAfterwards, the remaining food must be removed.
A puppy should have its own water and food bowls, and fresh water should be available at all times. If you notice your dog is constantly thirsty, consult a veterinarian; this could indicate a health problem.
How much food should I feed a Labrador puppy?
The principle of nutrition is as follows:
- Puppies aged 9-17 weeks are usually given 1 cup of food per feeding (4 times daily).
- Between 17 weeks and six months, offer 1.5 cups per feeding (three times a day).
- From six months onwards, dogs receive 2 cups (twice a day).
This feeding schedule allows new owners to begin feeding and then use it later or add adjustments, taking into account the dog's requirements, activity and individual metabolic process.
When determining how much food is needed, it's important to evaluate the results based on the dog's appearance. Labradors experience very active growth between 5 and 9 months of age; they shouldn't be skinny. You should be able to feel their spine and ribs, but they shouldn't be visible.
Growing dogs
As your Labrador develops, you need to continue feeding him actively to complete his development and promote muscle growth, healthy body tissue, and strong bones. As the puppy approaches the weight and size of an adult, you can gradually transition your dog to adult food. Adult food can be used from six months of age. The transition to a different type of food should be done gradually.
Owners of puppies should be aware of their dogs' nutritional needs as they grow and feed them the amount of food they need. However, Labradors are prone to overeating, and overfeeding can be harmful. To prevent this, it's important to monitor the food intake of growing puppies.
Adult Labradors
Energy balance is essential for maintaining good health throughout a dog's life. Insufficient energy can lead to poor health, lethargy and weight loss, very large - to obesity and diseases associated with it.
A Labrador's energy needs depend on how active the dog is: whether it lives indoors or outdoors, whether it's still growing or older, or whether it's sick. Nursing or pregnant females also have higher energy needs. If the dog becomes less active with age, its diet should be slightly reduced to prevent it from gaining weight.
Commercial dog food labels indicate the amount of food to feed your pet. Keep in mind that this recommendation is only a general guideline, and you should adjust it according to your dog's needs. If your Labrador is very active, you'll need to feed more than the amount listed, but if your dog is sedentary, they'll likely need less.
The easiest way is to use visual and tactile indicatorsWhen a dog is active and clear-eyed, and neither thin nor fat, it is in good condition and benefits from a balanced and proper diet.
But if you notice your dog is starting to gain weight, you're likely overfeeding it. So try reducing the amount of food it's feeding.
Many adult Labradors, over 9 months of age, are offered one meal per day, but this amount of food can be divided into 2 or more meals if this is more suitable for the dog or more convenient for you.
Remember that puppies have smaller stomachs, so it's best to feed them several times a day. This also applies to sick dogs, nursing dogs, and pregnant dogs. They need more than one meal daily.
Labradors of age
As your dog ages, they become less active. Since they require less energy, you'll need to monitor their weight and, if necessary, reduce their diet to the dog maintained the desired weightThis is especially important to consider for older dogs, as obesity puts increased strain on the lungs and heart, as well as on joints and muscles. Overweight dogs can have a significantly shorter lifespan. If your Labrador is clinically obese, your veterinarian can formulate a special low-calorie diet.
Some pets' digestive systems begin to deteriorate with age. Dogs may have trouble absorbing all the nutrients in their food, leading to weight gain. In these cases, frequent, small meals are best. An ideal, balanced diet should be easy to digest. digestible, tasty and concentrated.
Dietary changes may be beneficial in certain clinical conditions, such as changes in protein and phosphorus levels in kidney disease and salt intake in heart disease.
Some older dogs may have neck arthritis and have trouble bending over to reach their food bowl. In this case, the bowl should be raised off the ground to a comfortable height for the dog.
It's very difficult to choose and balance a Labrador's diet on your own, so many dry food companies offer their products. It's important to note that the foods you choose must be premium class onlyEconomy class feeds may not correspond to the stated composition and may contain a large amount of preservatives and colorings.
All feeding instructions are listed on the packaging. It's not advisable to increase the amount, as all rations are calculated relatively precisely. However, it can be adjusted based on your dog's needs. By following the above tips, you can raise a healthy, cheerful, and beautiful Labrador, a true companion and partner.
