FOOD FOR YOUR LOVABLE
LABRADOR*

Every dog has a different sweet spot due to things like age, genetics, lifestyle, digestibility and quality of their food, and any health issues. There are formulas that we and your vet use to estimate where to start, taking these things into consideration. After that, the ultimate answer comes from this question: Is your dog maintaining a healthy, lean body weight? If the answer is YES, you are feeding the perfect amount! If the answer is NO (they are getting a little too skinny or too chubby), then we need to make some gradual adjustments.

For most adults, splitting their daily recommended kibble amount into two meals is perfect.

To transition your Labrador over to BARK Food, we generally recommend transitioning food over the course of one week, gradually phasing out the old food and introducing the new. For the first two days offer a meal that is 25% new food and 75% old food. After that, move to 50% and 50% for two days, then 75% new food and 25% old food for two more days. After that your dog should be ready to eat only their new food! During this transition you will monitor for any vomiting, diarrhea, or appetite change that would indicate your dog is having trouble with the new food. For more on transitioning dog foods see our guide here.

All dogs can get all dog diseases. That said, Labradors generally have phenomenal appetites and are known to be prone to becoming overweight or obese. This is the most common disease you need to be aware of, as it can not only shorten their lifespan, but may also make other diseases worse. Labradors are also one of the most frequently studied dogs in research, so there is a long list of issues that have been studied in this breed. Some conditions that Labradors are predisposed to (based on research studies) include but are not limited to: allergies (which usually manifest as skin issues), some heart conditions, chronic hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, cranial cruciate ligament rupture, elbow and hip dysplasia, some muscle disorders, epilepsy, some kinds of cancer, juvenile onset cataracts, entropion, ectopic ureters, laryngeal paralysis, and low B12 levels.

Also, swimming-related conditions like limber tail (sprained tail from swimming or wagging too much), and attraction to water—no joke, there was a study about this. It's hereditary in Labs, and they were shown to be more attracted to water than to humans or other dogs.

It's important for dogs to chew their kibble before swallowing, as this aids in proper digestion, helps avoid tummy upset, and decreases choking and bloat risks. Making it harder to just inhale food is a good start—this can mean using a slow feeder bowl, scattering kibble on the kitchen floor (if you don't mind slobber), or splitting their dinner into 2–4 smaller meals.

For the most part, Labradors have bottomless stomachs and will rally to beg or eat, even after consuming a full meal. So don't take their word for it. Is your dog maintaining a stable weight? If the answer is YES, you are totally feeding enough. If the answer is yes, but your Lab is still begging intensely, it could be due to a number of things, like not feeling full (this is a volume issue rather than a calorie issue) or a health issue that may require a check-up with your vet. If your dog is losing weight, food could be the issue, but it's always a good idea to talk to your vet. If they're gaining weight, the same applies.

There isn't sufficient evidence to confirm that elevating bowls is beneficial to a healthy adult dog. However, if your dog has neck or back pain, it can be more comfortable to eat from an elevated bowl so they don't strain their neck as much.

Regarding the risk for gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV, or bloat)—to our knowledge there are only two relevant studies, and their findings conflict with regard to varying heights vs risk of GDV. However, in both studies, feeding from an elevated bowl did not reduce the risk of stomach torsion relative to feeding from the floor. The safest option without further evidence is to feed otherwise healthy, at-risk breeds from the floor. This may not reduce the risk of GDV, but there is no evidence to suggest that risk will increase.

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