Ideal Diet for Labrador Puppies

Labrador puppies cannot eat adult Labrador food. As they are still growing, the little puppies need different nutrients and portions. You can find out what you should do to ensure that your puppy grows strong and big.

Joint problems can develop if Labrador pups grow too quickly because of improper nutrition. Follow the tips below to avoid this.

Why do Labrador puppies need special food?

As they age, Labradors are susceptible to developing hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, which can cause joint pain. Labrador puppies can reduce the risk by feeding them a diet that is appropriate to their age. It is important to ensure that the nutrients are balanced so your four-legged companion gets all he needs for healthy development, without getting too many nutrients.

The dog’s bones and joints would grow more quickly than they should. The more rapid the growth rate, the more instabile the joints and bones become. This increases the likelihood of problems sooner or later. The digestive system of young dogs must also adjust to the change from mother’s milk solid food. You can ask your breeder for more information or consult your veterinarian if you are uncertain.

The right nutrition for puppies

To feed your Labrador puppy correctly, you should follow the instructions of the breeder or vet. You should always use a kitchen scale to measure out the exact portions. It should not be overdone. Labradors can be greedy and may even beg. It’s important to not be influenced by their cute puppy look when dealing with Labrador puppies. You will lose track of how much food to give your puppy, but he will also get used to being rewarded when begging.

You will find on the packaging of pre-made foods a note indicating which age or phase of life is appropriate and how much to feed each day. To be safe, limit yourself to the lower limits. Divide the food into small portions and feed it daily. Labrador puppies require protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and very few carbohydrates. Labrador puppies are fed less protein because the food would otherwise be too nutritive. Calcium to phosphorus ratio should be 1.5 to 1 or close to that. It is possible to barf your dog, but it will be more difficult to get the right balance of nutrients. Although it isn’t impossible, it does require extensive planning and knowledge.

Adjust feeding to growth

You will need to adjust your Labrador’s food amount and frequency as it grows. You will notice that the portions of food will increase, and the frequency of feeding will decrease. Labrador pups need between nine and 15 months to reach adult size. They can then be fed once or twice daily.

Consult your veterinarian or breeder for the correct amount of food and portion size. You can feed a small Labrador puppy that is about two months old five small meals throughout the day. You can start increasing the amount of food at four months. Give only four portions a day. Five-month-old labradors will get only three servings per day. From six months, you can gradually introduce two daily servings.