If a small dog has appeared in your house, then you will probably be interested to know how to feed a new pet. That’s what we’ll talk about today. Regardless of what the labrador’s maintenance is planned: in an apartment or in a house with free access to the street, you need to properly consider the nutrition and diet of the animal.
First days at home and feeding
Of course, in the first days after a small lump appeared in your apartment, you need to feed him the food that he ate from the breeder. After a few days (or weeks), if you already have a desire, the dog can gradually be transferred to a diet acceptable to the new owner.
It should be noted that you need to prepare two bowls in advance: one for food, the other for water. The latter should constantly be filled. Make sure that the water in the bowl is always clean and fresh. Put the puppy food for 15 minutes (no more). Labrador food, regardless of age, should be warm, about 32 degrees. If the baby eats poorly, indulges, then after this time the food needs to be removed, and no matter how much food the dog ate. In no case do not try to persuade him, otherwise in adulthood you will also be begging. Why exactly 15 minutes? During this period, the puppy will have time to eat food if he wants to, while he will not have time for pampering.
It is advisable to place the bowls on the stands so that their incorrect placement does not lead to the curvature of the cervical vertebrae. The height must be adjusted depending on the growth of the puppy.
Number of feedings for dogs of different ages
How much to feed a labrador? The number of meals depends on age. For example, in the first two months the baby needs very frequent meals, about 6 times a day. Up to six months, five feedings per day will be sufficient, and after 6 months the dog should be fed 4 times. After seven months and up to a year, three meals will be enough. After that, you can feed the Labrador twice a day.
Mistakes when feeding a puppy and adult dog
After the puppy has eaten, do not bother him, in order to avoid inversion of the stomach. Labradors are very cunning dogs, they can manipulate their owners by asking for food, because they almost always want to eat. Between feedings, you should not feed your pet, otherwise the “poor, miserable, hungry” dog will always be at your feet when you have lunch, breakfast and dinner. It is better to send your pet to another room during the meal, so that he and you will not be tempted.
Now let's find out what to feed. Labrador is a mobile dog, therefore it needs a varied and balanced diet. Given the fact that this is difficult to do at home, many experts recommend dry food.
Ready meals
What products are suitable for a Labrador? Of course, this category includes the best dog food premium or super premium class. They need to be selected according to the size and age of the animal. Do not save on food using economy-class products. Such food will not be able to provide the growing body with the necessary vitamins. In addition, representatives of the breed are often allergic. Think about it, because subsequent treatment will cost more.
So what to choose for a Labrador? What are the best dog foods? The most acceptable products are companies such as Royal Canin, Hill's, Purina Pro Plan, etc. Manufacturers produce a wide range of feeds designed for dogs of different age groups.
First, pets can be given food for puppies, but you need to pay attention to the content of fats and proteins. It is very important. So what is better to choose and than to feed the Labrador? 2 months is the age when you can give ready-made feed, but their protein content should be small. After the puppy is six months old or more, products for juniors or young growing animals will be required. After a year, regular food is already needed (on each product, as a rule, the age category is indicated).
If you are overweight, you need to reduce the amount of food or switch to light products.
As mentioned above, labradors often suffer from allergies to a product. In this case, it is worth giving feed to the Royal Canin, Hills, Nutra Choice brands. These manufacturers produce a line of hypoallergenic products with sea fish, lamb, rice.
If you decide to feed your Labrador dry food, then do not add natural products to his diet, this can upset the balance, resulting in liver or kidney diseases.
Up to three months, it is advisable to soak solid food a little with warm water, gradually making it all drier. It is impossible to say exactly how much finished products to give a puppy - it all depends on the age and weight of the animal. This information is usually indicated on the packaging.
Natural products. What to feed?
Labrador - the animal is quite finicky. If you decide to feed the dog with natural food, then food for him should be prepared separately. The basis of the puppy's diet, of course, is protein products (eggs, meat and cottage cheese). First, the kids are given chopped meat. In addition, for full development, cereals will be required.
When composing the diet of an adult dog, you need to observe the following ratio: per 1 kg of body weight, you need 15 g of meat per day, 1-2 g of fat and 6 g of carbohydrates.
For puppies, the indicators are several times higher (two to three).
What kind of meat can Labrador? Of course, lean beef is best. You can’t give pork, it adversely affects the liver. From six months old, internal organs (heart, kidneys, scar, etc.) can be introduced into the diet.
What dairy products to give the dog? Of course, this is cottage cheese. Milk is poorly digested, it is less nutritious, and sometimes it weakens. Kefir and yogurt are especially useful to the puppy. These dairy products have a good effect on digestion.
Useful for puppies up to seven months and calcified cottage cheese. It is prepared simply: put milk on the fire, before boiling, add a solution of calcium chloride (based on 1 liter of liquid 2 tablespoons), and after boiling, remove from heat, stir and discard on cheesecloth. And so it turns out cottage cheese.
Eggs are sufficiently nutritious, but in their pure form they are poorly digested. Raw yolk is best given mixed with porridge or dairy products. Can be made in the form of an omelet. A dog has one egg per week. During the period of gestation and feeding of babies, the bitch is given a greater amount, as well as the dog during the mating period.
What kind of fish is best for a labrador dog? It is advisable to choose a marine. The dog can use it both boiled and raw. River must be boiled. Remember that the carcass must be boneless. Labradors, especially those who need a diet, can enjoy pollock, zander, pike and hake. Types of fish that contain trimethylamine oxide are prohibited for dogs.
Bones for labradors are not particularly useful, they have no nutritional value, and chicken is forbidden to give at all, as they can lead to big problems with the intestines. Sometimes one innocent tubular bone can cause the death of an animal. Therefore, do not mess with the health of the pet.
What else can a Labrador have for breakfast and dinner?
- Groats are needed for the proper development of the puppy. You can give buckwheat, rice and oatmeal. From time to time it is possible to cook millet porridge. When cooking, it is allowed to add vegetables. Note that pearl barley, corn, semolina and barley groats should not be given. You can also cook soups for the dog, but do not add seasonings to the dish.
- It is useful to give vegetables raw, especially cabbage and carrots. You can cook stewed mixtures of these and other ingredients.
- Fruits and berries.
- Greens (chopped).
What you should refuse if you want your pet to live longer ...
Do not feed dogs with starch products. These include beans, peas and potatoes. Why? Because animals lack enzymes that break down starch.
Do not give the dog sweets, they upset the digestion and spoil the appetite.
Mineral nutrition
Carefully prepare your dog’s diet before feeding. Labrador should receive a sufficient amount of minerals and vitamins, which must be given along with natural food. If you give premium food to your pet, then, as a rule, he does not need additional feeding. But other factors should also be considered. For example, with intensive growth or a large load on the joints, you can start adding vitamins to your puppy from three to four months. What mineral supplements are suitable for a labrador? These are the preparations Glucosamine and Calcidee, as well as top dressing “Irishkal” (Holland), which has proven itself well among dog breeders.
Little conclusion
Dogs are amazing animals. They need to be taken care of and know how and what to feed. Labrador is no exception. We hope that our recommendations will help you grow a healthy dog. As you can see, the animal can be fed not only with natural food, but also with finished products. For dogs of the Labrador breed, Royal Canin is the most suitable option. It, as a rule, is chosen by the owners of this breed.