WHEN OWNERS WANT TO KEEP THEIR LABRADORS HEALTHY THEY MAKE SURE THEIR PETS EAT THESE FOODS…
The Right Foods to Keep Labrador Retrievers Healthy
Most dog owners may not be aware of it, but there is more to feeding your dog than meets the eye. If you want your dog to get the optimal benefits from eating, then you need to make sure it’s eating right. The main factor to consider when feeding your dog is its breed, which usually has a bearing on its size.
Smaller dogs are not usually prone to health problems that plague larger dog breeds, so they tend to live a longer life even if you are not too concerned with what they eat. Larger dog breeds, like Labrador retrievers, are prone to poor eyesight, OCD, hip dysplasia, and other health conditions, and that’s why they need to eat foods rich in vital minerals and nutrients.
Dietary Needs of Labrador Retrievers
Like humans, dogs have dietary needs, too. A Labrador retriever needs a variety of foods to ensure that all its dietary needs are met. These include:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Proteins
- Amino acids
- Fats
- Carbohydrates
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The Right Foods for Your Labrador Retriever
There are many commercial-grade kibbles for your lab. In fact, even your dog’s veterinarian may suggest particular brands. Nevertheless, if you start noticing problems with your lab such as hyperactivity, poor coat quality, various skin conditions, or listlessness, then maybe you need to check the label of the food you’re feeding your dog.
You need to avoid store-bought dog foods that contain corn or wheat and excessive amounts of chemical preservatives. You also need to check the protein content of the food. Lowest amount of protein present in the kibble should be about 21%.
On the other hand, perhaps it would be better if you served your Labrador retriever homemade dog food.
Foods to Keep Your Dog Healthy
A healthy diet for your Labrador retriever should include 50% animal protein, 30% complex carbohydrates, and 20% fruits and vegetables. To give you a better idea, here are seven foods you can combine to create the perfect meal for your furry friend:
- Animal meat – this should include “real” food that people eat like chicken, beef, bison, venison, turkey, and lamb.
- Organ meat – this includes liver, kidneys, and heart.
- Fish – more particularly, choose fish with high omega-3 content like salmon.
- Poultry and dairy products – this should include eggs, cottage cheese, and low fat, natural yogurt.
- Carbohydrates – among these are brown rice or sweet potato.
- Fruits and vegetables – good choices include carrots, cauliflower, green beans, pumpkin, pears, and apples.
- Bones
On the other hand, make sure to avoid feeding corn and grains to your Labrador retriever, which are difficult to digest and cause arthritis or hip dysplasia. You should also avoid raisins, macadamia nuts, and grapes. Chocolates, avocados, onions, garlic, salt, chives, yeasty dough, alcohol, and caffeine are a no-no, too.
Keep all these in mind to ensure a healthier, happier, and longer life for your Labrador retriever.
Here is a very informative video that will provide more information: