You may have much confusion regarding the new member whom you have brought in to your family. Here we are about to solve your questions on their food habits. As far as labs are considered, you have to take care of them in and out. So, you must have a clear idea about what you have to do.
Firstly understand that labs have a different appetite when compared with humans. Also, their diet should contain many ingredients that may not be essential to us. This article will help you to choose their foods as well as understand the number of nutrients that have to be included for a healthy diet. We will have a check on both artificial foods as well as the natural foods that we consume.
Artificial Foods
There are a lot of lab foods present in the food market. Before you decide to buy them, you have to thoroughly check the nutritional value that they assure you. After collecting such details, we have a few best food products for your labs.
- Royal Canin – This is an artificial food brand that can satisfy all your puppy’s needs. They contain the nutritional value in adequate amounts. The good news is, they are feasible for puppies of any age.
- Hill Science Diet – This is a complete package of all essentials. This food is specially prepared by the advice of vets. So, be confident since this is a healthy diet for your labs.
- Blue Buffalo – This package is prepared specially prepared for puppies. Age is the key factor while you go for these foods. But, for younger labs, this food package is completely is healthy.
- Purino Pro Plan Savor Dog Food – This is a healthy dry food that can help your lab’s digestion process as well as support their immune system. It comes with different flavors that are especially attracted by dogs. This is a vet-recommended food that contains live probiotics.
Natural Foods
The metabolism rate of humans and dogs are different. So, it doesn’t mean that the food you consume well is good for your dog. You can give them meat, vegetables, and grains. The concern here is about the varieties that may not be acceptable. Foods that may seem healthy for us may be poisonous for them. So, carefully read the below section, so that you get to know about the best options.
The usage of salt is to be minimized. Salts are not much compatible with dogs. They can lead to health issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. They are usually considered poisonous to your lbs. However, they cannot be completely avoided if you provide your dogs with the same food that you consume. It is still advised that you do not provide them with the food cooked for you. Special care in their food habits is a must. Salt reduces the water content in your lab’s body. So provide them with enough water always.
1. Vegetables
There exist differences in feeding your puppy with vegetables all over the world. This is because some veggies are not accepted by their body. Some take time to adjust while some vegetables are compatible with them. So, be sure that you know about the compatibility of a vegetable before you feed your lab with it.
Let us start with carrots. Carrots are a very good source of proteins and vitamins. Carrots appear to be the best snacks that are available naturally to your dog. They are nutritious as well as tasty. You can feed them with cooked carrots or provide them with the raw ones. Make sure that it is cleaned well before you give it to them.
Corn is another veggie that they would love to eat. Corns provide them with necessary vitamins and minerals. You should provide them with corns daily. Remove the corn pearls from the cob. The cob shouldn’t be near their reach. Cobs are dangerous since they cannot be broken and eaten by dogs.
The next vegetable that is good for labs is green peas. Green peas are tasty treats and act as a major sprinkle in dog foods. The green peas you provide should be completely natural and hydrated. If the peas are wilted ones, don’t provide it to them since they are no more the best option for your labs. Even canned foods are to be avoided due to their salt content.
Broccolis are the best source of inevitable nutrients. They are either eaten raw or by cooking. Besides, they are leafy vegetables that are healthy for labs. Try not to provide them with excessive broccoli chunks since they are not good for the digestive system if consumed in excess. So, they cannot be added to the list of daily foods.
Sweet potatoes come under the list of the best source of vitamins. Dogs love to eat sweet potatoes and since they need good eyesight, it is advisable to provide them with sweet potatoes. They contain vitamin A, which is known for healthy eyes. If they are consumed above the required level, the other systems have a chance of collapsing. So, the amount you provide should be moderate.
Potatoes are loved by dogs as they are loved by masters. Like sweet potatoes, even potatoes are not advisable in daily foods. Also, only cooked potatoes are good for labs. The uncooked raw potatoes have many toxic components that affect the digestive health of the labs. Potatoes contain carbohydrates and are a source of weight gain. So, fix the amount accordingly.
Another low calories food that is advisable for Labradors is celeries. They contain vitamins and minerals. To avoid their excessive consumption, you have to add this as a snack to the main course you provide. Add a pea-sized amount in the dish and do not forget to cut them into small pieces. This reveals them from the stress of choking out.
2. Fruits
There is a wide variety of fruits that are available for the consumption of dogs. Some of them are good sources of vitamins and minerals while some are to be avoided because of the acid content in them. Anyways, while providing labs with fruits, try to chop them into bits so that your puppy doesn’t get into any discomfort.
Pineapples can contribute huge amounts of vitamins, fiber, and minerals. You can be sure about providing them as a snack for your puppies. But, they are to be in-taken in small amounts. They are not the best option for regular intake as well. There will symptoms of digestion irregularities when they are consumed in larger amounts.
Blackberries are contributors to vitamins and minerals. They are available as frozen food as well as garden-fresh. Either of them are good for consumption. Since they also contain fiber in them, they can be added to the diet daily. They are also tasty and hence if you provide your lab with blackberries regularly, they would be happy!
In the case of watermelon, you have to be careful about the seeds that can be dangerous to your labs. The vitamins that watermelons contribute are commendable. Also, the major part of the watermelons is filled with water. This helps in the digestion process also. Summers can be easier to handle with the help of watermelons.
Strawberries can be great snacks. The care to be taken seriously is that they contain sugars that are avoidable. So the amount added in their diet is to be restricted. They contain vitamins and enzymes that are inevitable when it comes to the strength of labs. These enzymes help in the foundation of stronger bones and teeth.
Pears are the best source of fibers and minerals. They support labs by reducing the chances of stroke. They are not considered as a main course but are to be added as snacks. Since they contain seeds, they have to be cleaned thoroughly. Also, do not forget to cut them into small pieces so that your labs can consume them easily.
Oranges are the best sources for vitamin C. They contain mild citrus acid whose smell may not be accepted by dogs. But, if they are juicy and fleshy, dogs show great interest in taking them as snacks. You have to peel the outer cover of oranges before you give it to your dogs. Also, seeds are not good for dogs. So there are lots of processes that are to be undergone before you serve oranges.
Mangoes are one of a tasty treat for your labs. They are seasoned and the best in summers. They are not only yummy, but they are also the best sources for vitamins and potassium. You have to peel them first and remove the hard seed inside them before you serve it. They contain natural sugars and hence should not be taken daily.
3. Meat
Apart from all the above-listed foods, dogs are interested in the category of meat. They can eat any meat items if served. The common foods that they are crazy about are chicken, turkey, beef, and ground meat. Always be careful about serving them, you have to serve cooked meat. They cannot intake uncooked meats as they may not be clean.
4. Common Main Courses
Labs can feed upon rice and plates of pasta. You can serve them these easily. When you cook them for you, serve it for them too. These are the best sources of carbohydrates that are easily available. Also, dogs can eat slices of bread. All the varieties of bread that are eaten by you can be taken by them. Try to avoid highly salted and sugared loaves of bread.
Conclusion
Almost all of the best food products for labs are bulleted in the above article. You can trust this one while feeding your lab. There can be exceptions with some of them. In this situation, consider the advice of a vet. This may be due to the deficiencies of some of the required nutrients or the difference in their physical structures.
While taking care of your lab, food choices have to be given equal importance. Some of the best vets have admitted that your dog feels the best when you feed it properly. Individual food choices may differ, but the majority of them would like to go with the crowd.
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