CHAPTER 8

Today, the choices of food for your Labrador Retriever are many and varied. There are dozens of brands of food in all sorts of flavors and textures, ranging from puppy diets to those for seniors. There are even hypoallergenic and low-calorie diets available.

Because your Labrador Retriever’s food has a bearing on coat, health, and temperament, it is essential that the most suitable diet is selected for a Labrador Retriever of his age. It is fair to say, however, that even experienced owners can be perplexed by the enormous range of foods available. Only understanding what is best for your dog will help you reach an informed decision.

BASIC TYPES

Dog foods are produced in three basic types: dry, wet (canned), and semimoist. Dry foods are useful for the cost-conscious, because they tend to be less expensive than semimoist or canned. They also contain the least fat and the most preservatives. Dry food is the least expensive commercially available dog food. It’s bulky and takes longer to eat than other foods, so it’s more filling.

it’s a Fact

Bones can cause gastrointestinal obstruction and perforation, and may be contaminated with salmonella or E. coli. Leave them in the trash and give your dog a nylon toy bone instead.

Wet food—available in cans or foil pouches—is more expensive than dry food, and are made up of sixty to seventy percent water.

A palatable source of concentrated nutrition, wet food makes a good supplement for underweight dogs or those recovering from an illness. Some owners add a little wet food to dry food to increase its appeal.

Semimoist food is flavorful but usually contains lots of sugar, which can lead to dental problems and obesity. Even though most dogs like semimoist food, it’s not a good choice for your Lab’s main diet.

There is a fourth type of dog food, but it is less popular: Frozen food is available in cooked and raw forms, and is usually more expensive than wet foods. Frozen food can be stored for at least one year in the freezer. Longer storage can cause deterioration of the quality and taste of the food. Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Cover and refrigerate leftovers, then use within 24 hours.

Did You know?

If you’re feeding a puppy food that’s complete and balanced, your Labrador youngster doesn’t need any dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, or other types of food. Dietary supplementation could even harm your puppy by unbalancing his diet. If you have questions about supplementing your Lab’s diet, ask your veterinarian.

The amount of food your Labrador Retriever needs depends on a number of factors, such as age, activity level, food quality, reproductive status, and size. What’s the easiest way to figure it out? Start with the manufacturer’s recommended amount, then adjust it according to your dog’s response. For example, if you feed the recommended amount for a few weeks, and your Labrador Retriever loses weight, increase the amount by ten to twenty percent. If your dog gains weight, decrease the amount. It won’t take long to determine the amount of food that keeps your furry friend in optimal condition.

NUTRITION 101

All Labrador Retrievers (and all dogs, for that matter) need proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals for optimal growth and health.

■ Proteins are used for growth and repair of muscles, bones, and other bodily tissues. They’re also used for production of antibodies, enzymes, and hormones. All dogs need protein, but it’s especially important for puppies because they grow and develop so rapidly. Protein sources include various types of meat, meat meal, meat byproducts, eggs, dairy products, and soybeans.

Labs are chowhounds and usually love to indulge in anything edible. Just be sure the food they’re eating is providing him with the proper nutrients.

■ Carbohydrates are metabolized into glucose, the body’s principal energy source. Carbohydrates are available as sugars, starches, and fiber.

• Sugars (simple carbohydrates) are not suitable nutrient sources for dogs.

• Starches—a preferred type of carbohydrate in dog food—are found in a variety of plant products. Starches must be cooked in order to be digested.

• Fiber (cellulose)—also a preferred type of carbohydrates in dog food—isn’t digestible, but helps the digestive tract function properly.

■ Fats are also used for energy and play an important role in skin and coat health, hormone production, nervous system function, and vitamin transport. Fat increases the palatability and the calorie count of puppy/ dog food, which can lead to serious health problems, such as obesity, for puppies or dogs who are allowed to overindulge. Some foods contain added amounts of omega fatty acids such as docosohexaenoic acid, a compound that may enhance brain development and learning in puppies but is not considered an essential nutrient by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (www.aafco.org). Fats used in dog foods include tallow, lard, poultry fat, fish oil, and vegetable oils.

JOIN OUR ONLINE Lab Club

Believe it or not, during your Lab’s lifetime, you’ll buy a few thousand pounds of dog food! Go to DogChannel.com/Club-Lab and download a chart that outlines the cost of dog food.

■ Vitamins and minerals participate in muscle and nerve function, bone growth, healing, metabolism, and fluid balance. Especially important for your puppy are calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, which must be supplied in the right balance to ensure proper development of bones and teeth.

Just as your dog needs proper nutrition from his food, water is an essential nutrient, as well. Water keeps the dog’s body properly hydrated and promotes normal function of the body’s systems. During house-training, it is necessary to keep an eye on how much water your Labrador Retriever is drinking, but once he is reliably trained, he should have access to clean, fresh water at all times, especially if you feed him dry food. Make sure that the dog’s water bowl is clean, and change the water often.

CHECK OUT THE LABEL

To help you get a feel for what you are feeding your dog, start by taking a look at the label on the package or can. Look for the words “complete and balanced.” This tells you that the food meets specific nutritional requirements set by the AAFCO for either adults (“maintenance”) or puppies and pregnant /lactating females (“growth and reproduction”). The label must state the group for which it is intended.

Dogs of all ages love treats and table food, but these goodies can unbalance your retriever’s diet and lead to a weight problem if you don’t choose and feed them wisely. Table food, whether fed as a treat or as part of a meal, shouldn’t account for more than ten percent of your Lab’s daily caloric intake. If you plan to give your Lab treats, be sure to include “treat calories” when calculating the daily food requirement—so you don’t end up with a pudgy pup!

When shopping for packaged treats, look for ones that provide complete nutrition—they’re basically dog food in a fun form. Choose crunchy goodies for chewing fun and dental health. Other ideas for tasty treats include:

• small chunks of cooked, lean meat

• dry dog food morsels

• cheese

• veggies (cooked, raw or frozen)

• breads, crackers, or dry cereal

• unsalted, unbuttered, plain, popped popcorn

Some foods, however, can be dangerous and even deadly to a dog. The following items can cause digestive upset (vomiting or diarrhea) or toxic reactions that could be fatal:

✘ avocados: can cause gastrointestinal irritation, with vomiting and diarrhea, if eaten in sufficient quantity

✘ baby food: may contain onion powder; does not provide balanced nutrition

✘ chocolate: contains methylxanthines and theobromine, caffeine-like compounds that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart abnormalities, tremors, seizures, and death. Darker chocolates contain higher levels of the toxic compounds.

✘ eggs, raw: whites contain an enzyme that prevents uptake of biotin, a B vitamin; may contain salmonella

✘ garlic (and related foods): can cause gastrointestinal irritation and anemia if eaten in sufficient quantity

✘ grapes: can cause kidney failure if eaten in sufficient quantity (the toxic dose varies from dog to dog)

✘ macadamia nuts: can cause vomiting, weakness, lack of coordination, and other problems.

✘ meat, raw: may contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli

✘ milk: can cause diarrhea in some puppies.

✘ onions (and related foods): can cause gastrointestinal irritation and anemia if eaten in sufficient quantity

✘ raisins: can cause kidney failure if eaten in sufficient quantity (the toxic dose varies from dog to dog)

✘ yeast bread dough: can rise in the gastrointestinal tract, causing obstruction; produces alcohol as it rises

All dogs need the proper amounts of protein, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals to be healthy.

The label also includes a nutritional analysis, listing minimum protein and fat, maximum fiber and moisture content, as well as other information. (You won’t find carbohydrate content, because it’s everything that isn’t protein, fat, fiber, and moisture.)

The nutritional analysis refers to crude protein and crude fat—amounts that have been determined in the laboratory. This analysis is technically accurate, but it doesn’t tell you anything about digestibility: how much of the particular nutrient your Labrador Retriever can actually use. For information about digestibility, contact the manufacturer (check the label for a telephone number and website address).

Virtually all commercial puppy foods exceed AAFCO’s minimal requirements for protein and fat, the two nutrients most commonly evaluated when comparing foods. Protein levels in dry puppy foods usually range from about twenty-six to thirty percent; for canned foods, the values are about nine to thirteen percent. The fat content of dry puppy foods is about twenty percent or more; for canned foods, it’s eight percent or more. (Dry food values are larger than canned food values because dry food contains less water; the values are actually similar when compared on a dry matter basis.)

JOIN OUR ONLINE Lab Club

Feeding your Labrador Retriever is part of your daily routine. Take a break and have some fun online and play “Feed the Lab,” and exclusive game found only on DogChannel.com/Club-Lab. Just click on “Fun and Games.”

Dry dog food (aka kibble) is the least expensive and usually most nutritious food for dogs.

SMART TIP!

How can you tell if your Lab is fit or fat? When you run your hands down your pal’s sides from front to back, you should be able to easily feel his ribs. It’s OK if you feel a little body fat (and, of course, a lot of hair), but you should not feel huge fat pads. You should also be able to feel your Lab’s waist

—an indentation behind the ribs.

Finally, check the label’s ingredient list, which lists the ingredients in descending order by weight. Manufacturers are allowed to list separately different forms of a single ingredient (e.g., ground corn and corn gluten meal). The food may contain things like meat byproducts, meat, bone meal, and animal fat, which probably won’t appeal to you but are nutritious and safe for your dog. Higher quality foods usually have meat or meat products near the top of the ingredient list, but you don’t need to worry about grain products as long as the label indicates that the food is nutritionally complete. Dogs are omnivores (not carnivores, as commonly believed), so all balanced dog foods contain animal and plant ingredients.