Best Dog Food for Labrador Retrievers 2024

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Best Dog Food for Labrador Retrievers 2024

Written by Aurus Sy

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 06/02/2023, edited: 03/07/2024

The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.

With their sweet faces and outgoing personalities, it’s easy to see why the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in America, holding the top spot for over three decades. Because they were originally bred to hunt, Labs are very energetic dogs who need plenty of exercise every day.

If you’ve welcomed a Lab into your home, you’ll want to make sure your active canine companion receives adequate nutrition. When choosing a dog food for your Labrador, it’s important to consider their breed size and current life stage, as these factors affect their nutritional needs.

With all the dog foods available on the market, it can be overwhelming to sift through all the options, so we’ve narrowed it down for you. Here are Wag!’s recommendations for the best dog foods for Labrador Retrievers! Many are even personally recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, member of Wag!’s licensed veterinary team!

Overview

Sundays Food for Dogs
A Pup Above Dog Food
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Dog Foods
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Dog Foods
FAQ

Sundays Food for Dogs

Vet recommended

Dr. Georgia Jeremiah says, “Sundays for Dogs is a convenient and affordable kibble alternative composed of 90% meat, human-grade ingredients, and has no synthetic additives.”

Sundays Food for Dogs makes air-dried dog food that combines “the health of fresh and ease of dry.” Each recipe is made with human-grade ingredients that are 90% meat and 10% superfoods, which are gently air-dried to kill germs and lock in nutrients and flavor. Blueberries, cranberries, and cherries provide healthy antioxidants, while veggies like carrots, pumpkin, and spinach offer essential vitamins and minerals.

The result is a jerky-like food that doesn’t need to be stored in a fridge. This makes feeding easy and hassle-free, especially if you and your Lab travel regularly. The beef and turkey recipes are suitable for all life stages, including large breed puppies.

Sundays air-dried dog food flavors:

Beef
Chicken
Turkey

Sundays Food for Dogs

Shop on Sundays for Dogs

Why Wag! Loves It

Offers complete and balanced nutrition without synthetic vitamins
Made in a USDA-monitored kitchen
Good for picky eaters and sensitive stomachs
Available without a subscription
Veterinarian founded

Considerations & Concerns

Comes in only three flavors
Available only on the Sundays website
More expensive than traditional kibble

What pet parents say about Sundays

“Toby used to barely touch his old food, and if he did, it wasn’t till late at night. Now that we switched to Sunday’s, I can barely put the bowl down before he’s going at it. It’s such a relief that he’s excited to eat now. It also seems like he’s more energetic (in a good way!) and I swear he’s been shedding less since the switch.”

Why Wag! Loves It

Formulated by veterinary nutritionists
Ingredients can be traced back to the source
Pet parents say their picky eater loves it
Comes with a 100% tail wags guarantee
Has a free recycling program

Considerations & Concerns

Cannot be fed exclusively to puppies
Can take up a lot of freezer space
Not pre-portioned

What pet parents say about A Pup Above

“The quality of the food is above all others! My dogs devour the frozen patties in minutes. As a dog mom, I appreciate the cooking techniques, locally sourced ingredients, veterinary formulated recipes, and the ability to track all ingredients! What more could I ask for for my family members?”

Why Wag! Loves It

Formulated for the needs of large breeds
Contains omega fatty acids for healthy skin
Made without corn, wheat, or artificial flavors
Affordable
Family-owned company

Considerations & Concerns

Limited selection of flavors
May cause tummy issues in some dogs
Some dogs won’t eat it

What pet parents say about Diamond Naturals Large Breed dog food

“Since being on this food, my almost 2 year old female German Shepherd has been doing great! She hasn’t had any issues with diarrhea, itchier than normal skin or any kind of vomiting. I’ve had to switch her food multiple times in the past and this food seems to be the best one yet!”

Why Wag! Loves It

Especially formulated for large breeds
Made with high-quality ingredients
Contains no artificial flavors or preservatives
Suitable for active lifestyles
Supports non-profit organizations

Considerations & Concerns

Doesn’t come in a smaller bag if you want to try it first
Some dogs won’t eat the LifeSource Bits
More expensive than other dry foods

What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed dog food

“As soon as I opened this bag of food, my dogs ran up to it. They were drawn to the salmon smell. They were so excited when I gave them a few kibbles to try. They ate them so fast. Even after a few weeks, they are still super excited when it’s time to eat. This may be our new food from now on."

"With my dog having skin issues and grass allergies I have been on the look for a high-quality Salmon food for him. My veterinarian recommend a Salmon based diet for him. I was pleased with the size bags available from Blue Buffalo. The food smells like a good high-quality food. Since switching my dog to higher quality food options his hot spots on his feet have healed and he doesn't spend all his free time scratching, licking, and biting his feet all day. He loved the taste of this food, gobbled it right up!"