Want the best food for your Lab? Labradors are the most popular dog breed in the world, universally adored for their gentle nature and goofy personalities – and well-known for their appetites!
Every dog deserves the best, and we all want to love our dogs for as long as possible. Delicious, healthy food is not only a great way to spoil your dog, but it’s also the best way to lay the groundwork for a long, healthy, active life.
So, what is the best dog food for Labradors? Keep reading for everything you need to know, as well as our top product picks for different needs and preferences. For more cool stuff for Labs, check out our best beds for Labradors, too.
Nutritional Needs of Labradors
Labradors are a large, active breed, so they need to eat foods that are high in protein (22-30%) and low in fat (8-9%) for sustained energy, lean muscles, and a healthy weight.
Adult Labs should eat 3-4 cups of food per day split between two meals, whilst young pups need smaller more frequent meals and seniors should eat less as they slow down. Age-tailored foods are also important for puppies and seniors, who require different nutrients and densities as their bodies develop/slow down.
Every dog should eat nutritionally complete and balanced with natural, high-quality meats, grains, fruits, and veggies, without additives or fillers. However, certain nutrients are more important for bigger dogs. Omegas and minerals like taurine, chondroitin, and glucosamine, for example, are crucial in supporting strong hearts and strong joints, which are essential as Labradors age.
Another thing to consider is your dog as an individual; whilst Labs don’t tend to be picky eaters, those who are fussy need flavorful formulas. Wet, soft, fresh, and slow-cooked or freeze-dried foods are best for this!
You should also take food allergies and sensitivities into account. For example, grain-free formulas, hypoallergenic foods, and high-fiber recipes with added probiotics. Now we know what to look for, let’s get into our top picks!
Top Picks
Best Slow-Cooked Food: ButcherBox For Pets Premium Nutrition Slow-Cooked Fresh Dog Food
If you want to feed your Lab proper home-cooked style meals, ButcherBox For Pets Premium Nutrition Slow-Cooked Fresh Dog Food is the way to go! They’re a subscription service that tailors your dog’s meal plans to their needs, with dry and slow-cooked foods to choose from, as well as supplements, toys, and more, but their slow-cooked food is our top pick for Labs.
Key features:
- Chicken and grass-fed beef recipes
- Slow-cooked to lock in flavor and nutrition
- All natural and certified organic
- 50% meat 50% superfoods
- Fruits, veggies, oats, and more
- Enhanced with pre and post-biotics
- Developed and tested by vets
- Sustainably sourced
- Gluten-free
- Hormone and antibiotic-free meat
- No artificial additives or fillers
- Variety packs available
- Customized meal plan subscriptions
- Made in the USA
What we like:
It comes in two flavors; organic chicken and grass-fed beef, with variety packs for dogs who like to switch it up. All of the ingredients are natural and certified organic, sustainably sourced, and slow-cooked to lock in taste and ensure none of the benefits are lost.
Each formula has been developed and tested by vets, with 50% meat and 50% superfoods like oats, dried kelp, blueberries, and sweet potato for whole-body health and wellness. They’re also enhanced with pre and post-biotics for healthy digestion and contain no additives, fillers, hormones, or antibiotics.
What to consider:
While both recipes are gluten-free, they do contain oats, which aren’t suitable for extra-sensitive tummies that can’t handle grains of any kind.
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Best Raw Food: We Feed Raw
Raw feeding is booming in popularity among dog owners. If you’re looking to raw feed your Lab, check out We Feed Raw. They are the #1 pre-made raw dog food delivery company in the US and tailor your dog’s meal plan according to their breed, age, and more.
Key features:
- #1 pre-made raw dog food delivery company
- 100% raw and minimally processed
- Tailored meal plans
- Six protein source options
- Human-grade meats
- Cold-pressed to eliminate bacteria
- Formulated by PhD animal nutritionist
- Nutritionally complete and balanced
- Optimal protein and essential nutrients
- Improves whole body health
- Highly digestible
- No fillers or additives
- Safely prepared, packaged, and shipped
- AAFCO and USDA-compliant
- Biodegradable packaging
- Subscription service
- Free cold-shipping nationwide
What we like:
All of their meals are 100% raw and minimally processed with no cooking for maximum digestibility, just a cold pressure treatment to remove harmful bacteria. In fact, they’re the most minimally processed foods of their kind, with no fillers or additives, and more variety than any of their rivals.
There are six protein sources to choose from, including chicken, beef, venison, and duck, all of which were formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist using human-grade meats. They’re designed to be nutritionally whole for your dog, with optimum levels of protein and essential nutrients.
Benefits include better weight control, higher energy levels, and healthier skin and coat, as well as fewer allergy symptoms, improved digestion, and more mealtime excitement. They’re safely shipped in well-insulated, biodegradable packaging and the brand offers free shipping worldwide.
What to consider:
It’s a subscription-only service, which isn’t for everyone, but they offer a variety of plans and payment options, so be sure to have a look if you’re interested.
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Best Budget Raw Food: Raw Paws Pet Food Rolls
If you want raw on a budget, we recommend Raw Paws Pet Food Rolls. Available in 1lb and 3 lb rolls, they come in several flavors, including beef with mackerel and lamb for a fabulous price.
Key features:
- Available in 1 and 3-lb rolls
- Several flavors including beef and mackerel
- 80% meat, 10% organ, and 10% bone
- Free range Indiana sourced meat
- No hormones, steroids, or antibiotics
- No artificial ingredients, additives, or fillers
- Easily portioned
- Must be stored in the fridge
- Delivered frozen
- Made in small batches in the USA
- Strict quality and safety standards
- Charitable family-owned business
What we like:
All recipes contain 80% meat, 10% organ, and 10% bone from free-range meats sourced in Indiana and raised without the use of hormones, steroids, or antibiotics. There are zero artificial ingredients, additives, or fillers, and they’re made in small batches in a licensed and inspected US facility with strict quality and safety standards and protocols.
The brand is also a family-owned business that supports animal-related charities, so you can feel extra good about your buy!
What to consider:
The rolls are delivered frozen and must be stored in the fridge, but come neatly and compactly designed to take up minimal space and slice cleanly at meal times.
Raw Paws Signature Blend Pet Food – Duck Recipe
- Consists of a natural blend of 80% muscle, 10% organ, and 10% bone, reflecting a diet similar to wild ancestors, with no artificial ingredients, additives, or fillers.
- Available in 3 lb rolls, this raw dog food is easy to portion out.
- Each batch is freshly prepared weekly using locally sourced ingredients from the Midwest.
- Ethically raised ducks, no antibiotics, steroids, or added hormones.
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Best Fresh & Baked Food: Ollie
Ollie is a truly comprehensive service that tailors your dog’s diet to improve or maintain their health, according to their breed, age, and more. They offer a variety of subscription plans including fresh, baked, and mixed plans, as well as treats, supplements, and health screenings on the app.
Key features:
- Fresh and baked foods
- Tailored subscription service
- Variety of flavors and plans
- Vet-designed formulas
- Minimally processed
- Human-grade ingredients
- Responsibly sourced
- Gut health and allergy relief
- High energy and weight control
- No fillers or additives
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- App management
- Health screenings
- Welcome kit
- Made in US facilities
- Hassle-free packaging
What we like:
After a simple one-minute quiz, you’ll be sent a starter box containing a 2 week supply of food and a welcome kit. The kit contains a feeding guide, a handy puptainer with a scoop, plus access to the app to manage your subscription.
You’ll also get a free digestion screening for personalized advice from their health team via the app to help you build a tailored, long-term routine.
With five fresh flavor options and two baked options including chicken and beef to choose from, all of their meals are minimally processed for healthy digestion and energy levels, as well as allergy relief, weight control, and better overall health and wellness.
They’re also designed by vets and made using high-quality, human-grade, and responsibly sourced ingredients, without the use of hormones, fillers, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial additives.
What to consider:
Subscriptions don’t suit everyone, but they do offer a variety of plans, including the budget-friendly mixed plan, which provides half fresh food for half of the price.
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Best Tasting Food: Sundays For Dogs
Sundays For Dogs is our top pick for fussy Labs, as it comes picky-eater-approved according to the brand. Their customer research found that dogs were 40% more excited to eat their food, winning a third-party taste test 39-0.
Key features:
- Created by vets
- Natural and human-grade
- 83-91% meat recipes
- With fruits, veggies, seeds, and grains
- Complete and balanced nutrition
- Beef, chicken, and turkey flavors
- Free from fillers and synthetics
- Noticeably improves health
- Picky-eater approved
- Easy to store and serve
- 36% cheaper
- Made in the USA
- Subscription service
What we like:
Founded by vets, the brand offers three flavors with all-natural, human-grade ingredients; beef, turkey, and chicken. Each of the recipes contains over 80% meat with real fruits, veggies, seeds, and whole grains for complete, balanced nutrition, without fillers or synthetics.
They’re super easy to store and serve and they’re made in the USA for ensured quality. The brand’s customer survey also found that dogs who ate their food regularly saw improved overall health and well-being, including 40% softer coat, 41% more energy, and 30% improved weight!
What to consider:
It’s a subscription-only service, which won’t suit everyone. However, they offer tailored and customized plans at 36% cheaper than competitors offering similar products.
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Best Hypoallergenic Food: RedBarn Air Dried Gut Health & Digestion Fish Recipe
If you’ve got a sensitive pup, try RedBarn Air Dried Gut Health & Digestion Fish Recipe. It’s free from all common food allergens, including wheat, poultry, and soy, and it’s designed to be suitable for all breeds and life stages, making it a great choice for seniors, too.
Key features:
- 85% ocean whitefish
- Free from common allergens
- Air-dried kibble
- All-natural ingredients
- Packed with superfoods
- Essential nutrients
- High protein content
- Immune support
- Gut health
- Suitable for all breeds and life stages
- No fillers or additives
- Made in the USA
What we like:
The high-protein formula is powered by 85% ocean whitefish and a blend of sunflower oil, miscanthus grass, coconut flour, and flaxseed for essential vitamins and minerals, immune support, and gut health. It’s also air-dried for maximum flavor and free from fillers and additives.
What to consider:
There’s not much to consider with this food, but it is on the pricey side, considering the smaller bag sizes.
Air Dried Gut Health and Digestion Fish Recipe
Redbarn’s Gently Air Dried Powerfood is made in the USA in small batches with the world’s finest ingredients. They use real, honest-to-goodness ingredients you can trust. Absolutely no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives – and free from grain, gluten, GMOs, corn, wheat or soy.
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Best Air-Dried Food: Spot & Tango Unkibble
Spot & Tango Unkibble uses 100% fresh, natural ingredients that have been air-dried to lock in taste and nutrition. It’s available on a subscription service, but if you’re not sure whether or not a delivery service is right for you, they offer a 2-week trial to try it out.
Key features:
- 100% fresh and natural
- Air-dried to lock in flavor and nutrition
- Vet developed
- Nutritiously whole & balanced
- Limited ingredients
- Real meats and fish
- Healthy fruits, veggies, and grains
- Variety of flavors
- Hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and grain-free options
- Supports multiple areas of health
- Free from fillers & GMOs
- Easy to store
- 40% less expensive
- Customized and flexible subscriptions
- 2-week trial offered
What we like:
Plans are extremely flexible and customized to your pup, with hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and grain-free options and a variety of flavors to choose from. All of the formulas are also developed by vets to be complete and balanced, with limited ingredients, including real meat and fish, whole grains, and nutrient-rich fruits and veggies.
They’re free from fillers and additives and conveniently packaged for mess-free serving. Unkibble formulas also aim to provide whole-body nutrition that supports the joints, muscles, skin, coat, and more. Perfect for Labs!
What to consider:
The freshness means that once refrigerated, it must be eaten within 4 days. However, they last up to 6 months in the freezer and are 40% less expensive than fresh-frozen dog foods.
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Best Food For Puppies: ButcherBox For Pets Premium Puppy Nutrition Dog Food
ButcherBox For Pets Premium Puppy Nutrition Dog Food is our top pick for puppies, with a wholesome formula developed and tested by board-certified veterinary nutritionists to support every step of your puppy’s development.
Key features:
- Organic free-range turkey
- Sweet potatoes and peas
- Supports healthy growth
- Minimally processed
- Grain-free
- No additives or fillers
- No hormones or antibiotics
- Zipper seal for freshness
- Minimal waste production
- Customized subscription
- Made in the USA
What we like:
Tailored to the unique nutritional needs of growing puppies, you can trust that your four-legged family member is being nourished from head to tail with top-quality natural ingredients like bioavailable organic free-range turkey, high-fiber sweet potatoes, and antioxidant-rich green peas.
It’s made in the USA and comes in a handy zipper bag that can be properly resealed to maintain freshness, with no grains, additives, fillers, hormones, or antibiotics. The brand is also conscious of waste, ensuring every bit of the meat source is utilized.
What to consider:
It’s poultry-based, so it’s unsuitable for pups with poultry allergies.
ButcherBox for Pets Premium Puppy Nutrition Dog Food
A carefully crafted recipe developed and tested by board-certified veterinary nutritionists, tailored for the unique nutritional needs for puppies’ growth. With the #1 ingredient being organic, all-natural turkey, you can trust that your four-legged family member is being nourished with top-tier ingredients.
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Best Breed-Specific Food: Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever
If you want something that’s truly tailored to your Lab, Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food is our top pick. It’s perfectly designed to meet the needs of Labradors over 15 months of age, right down to the size and shape of the kibble pieces.
Key features:
- For Labs over 15 months old
- High-quality protein
- Essential nutrients
- Exclusive complex of antioxidants
- Omega fatty acids
- Glucosamine
- Added probiotics
- Whole body health
- Immune support
- Sustained energy levels
- Designed for Labrador mouths
What we like:
The special formula promotes the whole-body health of your precious pup, with essential nutrients like glucosamine and Omega fatty acids for joint health, brain health, and healthy coat and skin.
It also contains an exclusive complex of antioxidants for a strong immune system, supporting gut health and sustained energy levels with high-quality proteins and added probiotics. As mentioned above, the kibble itself is even specially designed for the mouths and bites of Labradors, with a satisfying texture and delicious smell to entice fussy eaters.
What to consider:
It’s a bit on the pricey side, but it’s well worth it if you’re looking for tailored daily care.
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
This Labrador retriever food features a specialized donut-shaped kibble designed to help your fast-eating Lab slow down and actually chew. Not only that, but this complete and balanced adult dog food provides nutrition to help your best friend thrive. A precise amount of calories and fat helps maintain your Labrador retriever at a healthy weight, while nutrients like EPA, DHA, and glucosamine support bone and joint health.
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Best Budget Pick: Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is our top pick for buyers on a budget, with a naturally delicious high-protein formula inspired by your dog’s ancestral diet that’s free from grains, fillers, and additives.
Key features:
- Roasted bison and venison #1 ingredients
- 32% protein for lean muscles
- Real fruits and vegetables
- Legumes and superfoods
- Essential vitamins and minerals
- Amino acids to optimize absorption
- Omega fatty acids
- Species-specific K9 probiotic blend
- Supports strong bones and joints
- Strong gut and immunity
- Skin and coat health
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- No artificial additives
- Made in the USA
What we like:
Roasted bison and venison are the first listed ingredients, with real fruits and veggies like dried chicory root and sweet potato that are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. It also contains high-fiber legumes like peas and garbanzo beans, plus Omega fatty acids for strong bones and joints, healthy skin, and shiny coats.
It’s the perfect pick for active dogs and working dogs, with a 32% protein content for sustained energy levels and lean, strong muscles. It’s also rich in essential minerals chelated with amino acids to optimize nutrient absorption, and like all of the brand’s formulas, it contains their special species-specific K9 blend of proprietary probiotics, with prebiotics and antioxidants for optimal digestion and a strong immune system.
What to consider:
This product has little to consider, but the high protein content might be too much for less active Labradors.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food,
Formulated with novel proteins including buffalo and bison, this grain-free recipe includes peas and sweet potatoes that deliver the highly-digestible energy your active pup needs, along with natural antioxidant support from real fruits and vegetables and dried chicory root for prebiotic support and healthy digestion.
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FAQs
Is wet food or dry food better for Labradors?
It all depends on what you want; dry foods are lower in fat, but wet foods tend to be more flavorful. However, there are some great wet foods out there and some super tasty kibbles, too. It’s all about the cooking method and the quality of the ingredients!
Are Labradors-allergy-prone?
Yes, Labradors are especially likely to develop food allergies, which can cause changes to skin, coat, mood, and digestion. If you think your Lab has a food allergy, you should change their food or look into elimination diets if you’re not sure what’s causing it.
Are Labradors picky eaters?
Labradors are famously not picky eaters, but they still deserve the best. That said, every dog is different and some Labs are fussier than others. High-flavor formulas, interesting textures, and variety are key!
Do Labradors have sensitive stomachs?
Whilst Labs are not especially reactive (allergies aside), any dog can have a sensitive system. It’s best to stick to clean, balanced diets with lots of fiber and added probiotics.
Final Thoughts
Those are our best dog foods for Labradors! Which one are you going to try? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to transition them gradually to their new food if you’re significantly changing their diet. For more fun facts about Labs, check out our article on why Labradors make great service dogs.
