A nutritious diet and sound eating habits are essential to good health. Provide the right foods in the correct quantity for your dog’s needs, and plenty of fresh water to prevent dehydration. Since most Labradors love to eat, avert begging or obesity be feeding at set times.
Dietary Needs for All Ages:
Growing puppy puppies need plenty of nutrients for healthy growth. Up to 12 weeks of age, feed your puppy four times daily. Reduce this to three meals until it is six months old, then provide two meals a day through to the first year.
Mature adult the dietary requirements of an adult dog vary enormously, depending upon its health, activiety levels, and temperament. Feed twice daily to appease your Labrador’s stomach, but refer any obvious weight gain to your vet.
Elderly Labrador older, as well as neutered, dogs have lower energy demands and should be fed smaller portions or less calorie – rich foods. Protein intake may be reduced to help prevent obesity, which places undue strain on the hind legs and organs such as the kidneys.
Feeding Requirements these figures represent an approximate guide only. Remember that each dog has its own specific nutritional needs, and that different brands of food vary in calories. Always provide a well – balanced diet to meet your dog’s daily energy requirements. If you are uncertain of what is best for your Labrador, seek detailed professional advice.
Champion Scanvengers:
The Labrador “radar” for food is quite uncanny. Scavenging can become a habit if rewarded with success; prevent this by securing all rubbish and keeping temperting items out of swallow inedible or damaging objects; therefore teach it from an early age to drop articles on command. Control chronic scavenging with either a long training lead or a muzzle.
Controlling an Unsavoury Appetite:
Labradors have a reather unrefined palate, and may be attracted to the most repugnant refuse. Outdoors, they will quickly sniff out animal droppings, and regard them as dessert! This is natural behavior and horse, rabbit, or deer feces can actually be nourishing for dogs. Eating canine droppings, however, may cause intestinal ailments. Tell your dog “No”, and make it drop any excitement it picks up. A spice – treated stool is also a good deterrent.
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