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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
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
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.”
Read more reviews on Sundays.
Image sourced from the Sundays Food for Dogs website. Copyright Sundays Food for Dogs.
A Pup Above Dog Food
Vet recommended
A Pup Above offers dry and fresh foods for adult dogs. Both types are made with human-grade ingredients in USDA-inspected kitchens using gentle cooking methods to preserve nutrients and flavor.
All recipes contain antibiotic-free meat and non-GMO veggies, as well as herbs like turmeric, parsley, and thyme for joint, immunity, and digestive support.
Additionally, dry recipes include salmon oil for healthy skin and coat, while the fresh recipes have bone broth for joint and gut health. All products also come in 100% recyclable packaging.
“A Pup Above offers human-grade dry and fresh food options that are cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutrients. Their recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and contain no GMO ingredients, antibiotics, or growth hormones found in many vegetable and meat products,” says Dr. Jeremiah.
A Pup Above dry dog food flavors:
- Beef Pot Roast
- Chicka Pupatouille
- Porky’s Porchetta
- Turkey Pilaf
A Pup Above fresh dog food flavors:
- Chicka Chicka Bow Wow
- Porky’s Luau
- Texas Beef Stew
- Turkey Pawella
A Pup Above Dog Food
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?”
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Image sourced from the A Pup Above website. Copyright A Pup Above.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Dog Foods
Best budget-friendly dry food
Diamond Naturals offers three dry dog foods for large breeds. The puppy formula has DHA to support your Lab’s brain and vision development, while the adult formulas include glucosamine and chondroitin to keep their joints healthy as they grow up. Meat or meat meal is the first ingredient in these large breed-specific foods, and all formulas are enhanced with superfoods such as kale, chia seeds, and blueberries for added nutrients, as well as guaranteed probiotics to assist the digestive and immune systems.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed dry dog food flavors:
- Large Breed Adult Dog Chicken & Rice Formula
- Large Breed Adult Dog Lamb Meal & Rice Formula
- Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula
Diamond Naturals Dog Food
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!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Dog Foods
Vet recommended
Blue Buffalo’s Wilderness line includes seven dry dog foods for large breeds. These high-protein recipes combine real meat such as chicken or bison with wholesome grains like oats, barley, and brown rice.
The puppy variant has DHA to aid in your Lab’s growth and development, while the adult variants are formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin to support their mobility and joint health.
All recipes also contain LifeSource Bits, Blue Buffalo’s exclusive blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed dry dog food flavors:
- Large Breed Puppy Chicken
- Large Breed Adult Chicken
- Large Breed Adult Salmon
- Large Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken
- Large Breed Adult Premier Blend with Chicken and Tender Meaty Cuts
- Large Breed Adult Rocky Mountain Recipe with Bison
- Large Breed Adult Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food
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!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
FAQ
Which food is best for a Labrador dog?
Do Labradors need large breed dog food?
How does Wag! determine paw ratings for pet food?