Finding the best feed for your overweight Labrador is no easy task. Generally, excess weight in dogs is a common problem that affects about 56% of the dogs in the United States. (Be sure to check our resource on the signs that your Labrador is overweight) Overweight cases lead to numerous health complications, which is one of the reasons why searching for the best feed is the ultimate way forward.
This leads us to the most important question. What should you feed your overweight Labrador? If you own a Labrador retriever, then don’t panic. You can provide the dog with a nutritionally balanced fresh-food diet to cater for the excess weight gradually.
In this article, we have prepared a comprehensive guide to help you find the right feed for your overweight Labrador, ensuring that you keep your dog healthy and active.
Weight loss foods for your Labrador
Naturally, Labs are genetically predisposed to weight gain. That’s why overweight labs need to take foods with low calories. Luckily, there are foods specially formulated for weight loss. In most cases, these foods have labels on the outer cover like “less active,” “weight control,” and many more. However, these products are not associated with specific nutritional standards, which can be misleading for anyone looking for weight loss foods.
If you are looking for an accurate product, you can go for prescription weight loss foods. The type of foods that tend to contain more protein, vitamins, and minerals compared to over-the-counter foods. Moreover, prescription weight loss foods tend to reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies since they come with all the necessary ingredients to promote growth.
Here are some feeds for your Labrador.
Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie Food
This weight loss feed contains 1-15 pounds bag of dry dog food. Its high-quality protein help preserves lean muscles and keeps the dog healthy. Moreover, the product is formulated for overweight adult dogs featuring a blend of premium proteins for maximum efficiency.
In terms of calorie content, the metabolizable energy (ME) is calculated as: (ME)=3,025kcal/kg or a 300kcal/8 oz cup. The Metabolizable energy can vary with time due to variation in the ingredients. Your Overweight Labrador will certainly enjoy this product.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
This product offers weight loss management helping your dog maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Moreover, it supports muscle maintenance and encourages growth. The product is composed of fiber, which is estimated at 1.7%, Calorie weighted with 25%, Fat 39%, and Carbs 36%. It has product ingredients like chicken meal, wheat, barley, sorghum, and chicken fat.
It is also ideal for choosy overweight Labradors that love chicken meat.
Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Dry Dog food
Composed of grade deboned beef, this product is a low-fat source that delivers high protein levels. Merrick grain-free is the best product for all life stages and breed sizes; hence, your Labrador can enjoy this meal too. The product also promotes leading levels of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, promoting healthy skin and coat. It also has approximately 334 calories per 100g.
Blue Buffalo Life Dog food
Featuring real meat as the first ingredient, this product has high-quality protein from chicken, which helps your dog build and promote healthy muscles.
It’s formulated with reduced calories from fat, providing a satisfying meal without an excessive amount of calories. You can have your Labrador in shape within no time.
Purina One Smart Blend
Having real Turkey as the main ingredient, this product offers the best weight loss feature to promote health. It contains 25% less fat, 15% fewer calories to help promote weight loss in dogs. Moreover, the product is designed for all dog types. This means your Labrador can eat this meal with no side effects.
For a strong immune system, it contains an antioxidant blend, which is highly effective in the dog’s body.
Other ingredients that make up the product include rice flour, soybean meal, oatmeal, corn germ meal, whole grain wheat, Vitamin A supplement, among many others.
The Nutro Wholesome Essentials
This product is mainly composed of Vitamins, Minerals, and other nutrients. It is also well formulated to support healthy joint and natural fiber for healthy digestion.
Generally, the product is made of non-Gmo ingredients with only trace amounts of genetically modified material. In terms of calories 2,943kcal/kb, 227 kcal/cup is the accurate calculation of metabolizable energy. This way, no matter how much your overweight Labrador eats, you can cut down on its weight at the same time.
The Canidae all life stages
This product offers optimal protein for all dogs, especially your overweight Labrador. It is crafted with 27%less fat and 10% less protein. In addition to this, the product is created without any wheat, corn, or soy, which makes it ideal for any type of dog. Your labs will certainly enjoy taking this meal.
Wellness complete health Natural Dry healthy weight Dog food
Offering a complete and balanced nutrition, this product will support your Labrador’s healthy weight. The product is formulated with reduced calories, containing 3,430kcal/kg or 405 kcal/cup of metabolized energy.
It is made of only premium natural ingredients with no wheat, corn, or artificial flavors, which makes it a great choice for your Lab.
The Nutro Ultra Weight Management Adult Dry Dog food
This product contains chicken as the main ingredient. This means your Lab will enjoy this meal fully if chicken is his favorite meal. It also features balanced nutrition for adult dogs and no chicken by-product meal, corn, soy, or wheat.
Racheal Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Dog food
Containing 1-28pounds bag of dry dog food, this product is one of the weight-efficient products that can help with your overweight Lab. The product is composed of natural prebiotics, which help support healthy digestion. Furthermore, the product has no artificial flavors or preservatives that may harm your dog.
Its calorie weighted basis is composed of 26% protein, 34% Fat, and 41% carbs. Other ingredients that make up the product include beef, beef meal, dried peas, soybean, chicken fat, and many more.
Every Labrador deserves the best treats to promote their growth and also maintain their overall weight. Other than the products mentioned above, you can also accompany every meal with supplements like grass, seeds, poops, nuts, and even berries. You should also learn to resist your dog’s charm when he or she is begging for food with more calories.
Take your time and select a product that suits your overweight Labrador perfectly. Also, ensure that you keep in touch with your vet to know exactly the reaction of your dog to the products. Check out more resources on what’s best to feed your Labrador, and what foods to avoid feeding them.
