Labrador Food Recommendations

[GTO Scott]

When I first got my lab I carried on feeding him on what the breeder used - Gusto puppy kibble, which he seemed very happy with. At the six-month point I switched him to James Wellbeloved Junior, which hasn't agreed with him - he farts much more and his dog mines are very hard and much smaller. He also isn't particularly enthusiastic about eating it, though he doesn't leave any at mealtimes.

I've bought a small sack of Skinners puppy kibble to try him on, but is there anything else I should be considering?

Thanks in advance.

[Tyre Smoke]

Dr Johns Gold Kibble. It's what all the local farmers feed their dogs on. £9.99 for a sack at my local Farmers Cooperative.

I feed my Springer on it and he's fine. He likes a bit of a change every now and again - but then so would you if you were fed the same thing day in day out. He's 8 months by the way.

Arden Grange is another good kibble, but loads more expensive.

[Rouleur]

I can't advise on puppy feed but my Springer does very well on Skinner's Field & Trial, and he does a fraction of the number of farts that he did on JWB. Half the price too

[pikeyboy]

I use arden grange both my pointers love it well one isnt with us anymorr but you know what I mean. Also costco own brand is supposed to be good.

[SHutchinson]

We feed ours on Eukanuba, if it's not available we get a sack of Iams instead.

No complaints from him and it keeps him in particularly good shape.

[jj333]

As mentioned on another thread, our lab is on Beta which the breeder had used successfully for quite a long time. Usually get it when it's on offer at PAH (it is at the moment), 30kg for £44 which lasts about 2 1/2 months.

[racing green]

Raw mince (frozen in blocks) of Beef or tripe, small amount of duck and rice kibble for extra vitamins, natural yoghurt, cooked vegetables, gravy, raw eggs, occassionaly fresh bones from the butcher, some fruit. Obviously not all this together but regularly mixed to keep my dogs happy, healthy and interested. They also supplement this with chicken and horse poo, grass and any mice, rabbits or pheasants they catch. Both are Springers and have a happy healthy life. I work on the basis of trying to keep their diet to as near as possible what would be available in the wild (ok not the yoghurt or kibble).

[bexVN]

Or the rice, gravy and cooked veg

[otolith]

GTO Scott said:

He also isn't particularly enthusiastic about eating it

Didn't think there was such a substance - wonder if you could make furniture out of it?

[pikeyboy]

Not sure if anyone else does this but I boil up all the chicken carcass bones left over spuds and veg from sunday dinner. Then I boil for a good few hours,. strain off and end up with a lovely stock. Then I use this to soften the kibble with over the next week. I keep it in the fridge, mine goes bannanas for this.

[GTO Scott]

otolith said:

Didn't think there was such a substance - wonder if you could make furniture out of it?

He's never bothered with the furniture in all fairness. Now the render and plaster on the walls, that's a different matter .

He seems happier on the Skinners - much reduced farting.

[nick_j007]

Do bare in mind that Field &Trial is designed for the energy needs of a working dog. I would avoid sacks that are cheap...just cheap ingredients that may have health effects later on. I favour a brand called Nature Diet. Free from additives, made in UK, and dogs love it!
Hth,
Nick.

[bexVN]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

nick_j007 said:

Do bare in mind that Field &Trial is designed for the energy needs of a working dog. I would avoid sacks that are cheap...just cheap ingredients that may have health effects later on.

very valid - our lab is very very active these last few months and I feel comfortable that with Seraquin (for his puppy OCD) and a decent food with good nutrition, vitamins and supplements are investing in his future as an active healthy dog.

Small cost for the good stuff really

Would have to agree, tried to save money recently by putting Jimmy on Chappie dry (just a temporary measure until the bank balance recovered!) always had Pro Plan adult dog, he's been ok on it but subtle differences noted..more poop and not quite so firm and he is defintely not as keen to eat it, as a result I have just bought a bag of his trusted Pro Plan. Chappie may work for many (I know it does) but obviously not for my pooch. He's 7 now but looks 2 and I want him to stay that way even if it means double the cost, he's worth it