Best Foods for a Picky Eater Lab

1 day ago 8

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

We hear it all the time: “Why won’t my finicky lab eat the expensive food I buy them?!” Dealing with a picky lab can be frustrating, so we asked our I Love My Lab Facebook community the following question: “What’s the best food for a picky eating Lab?” We received hundreds of replies and summarized some of the best suggestions below.

Best Foods for a Picky Lab

What kind of DISH are you using? I used glass/Correl. My dog particularly liked Blue Buffalo. Make sure their food and water bowls get cleaned often. Remember, their smell is better than ours. If YOU wouldn’t eat out of that dish, your beloved pet shouldn’t either.

Author: Mary Jo M.

Likes: 1

Raised my labs on GO! Never has had a recall, and they love it. Currently, Lamb with ancient grains, as my veterinarian said, we have done a great disservice to dogs by removing grain from dog food. Dogs are dying earlier than they used to, and have more cancers and heart disease since grains were removed from dog foods.

Author: Beverley S.

Likes: 2

I’ve never had a fussy lab, but switching foods all the time will eventually lead to digestive issues. We feed ours 4Strong Paws chicken/Salmon formula. The company locally sourced its meat proteins as much as possible. They make the food in small batches. So the month you order it in is the month it is made in. No sitting in a warehouse waiting to go to a big box store in their store room, waiting to go out on the floor to be bought by consumers.

Author: Cathy Verkuil P.

Likes: 1

Our lab will eat anything and everything, even if it’s not edible. But we feed Purina ProPlan large breed. Also, give him raw green beans, carrots, bananas, berries, and apples for treats.

Author: Lezlie M.

Likes: 2

Victor kibble with raw green beans, a bit of chicken, and a handful of blueberries. Your pup will love it and super healthy. Good luck!

Author: Jim O.

Likes: 0

I love Diamond Naturals. Pricy, but they love it.

Author: Mark D.

Likes: 0

Gentle giant. Could try a bit of quality canned food mixed with it. I do that for my Trigger every morning

Author: Brenda J E.

Likes: 0

Ours is too! Could go days without eating….What we did is add different liquids to her kibble, ie: beef broth, veggie broth, gravy from leftovers, and finally a spoonful of veggie oil for her coat once a day!

Author: Caroline R.

Likes: 0

Honest Kitchen is what we use. It’s not a kibble. It’s freeze-dried, add water, and go! They have all sorts of flavours. Our love it!

Author: Jennifer P.

Likes: 0

My three labs are raw fed. Meat, fish, veg, fruit, eggs, pulses, oats, etc. My eldest wasn’t picky, but he never seemed to enjoy his food as much as the other two. He now clears his bowl super quickly xx

Author: Katie W.

Likes: 0

I feed my lab Pyrenees boiled chicken. Sometimes with rice and peas. So far, she’s been pretty healthy. She is 7 years old. She’s a little bit on the heavy side, the vet says. I was feeding her twice A-day and I’ve cut her down to once a day, but she also gets bites of what I’m eating. I have to say she’s pretty spoiled

Author: Vickie C.

Likes: 0

Definitely try Fromm. Our vet suggested it, and we never went back. My brother-in-law was spending tons of money on skin problems. It took care of that as well, plus the dogs and the food. Also, we purchase Fromm snacks. They never turn them down.

Author: Rosanna Ruocco S.

Likes: 0

To change up the game, don’t throw broth out from veggies or meats. Put that over their existing food. Maybe add in leftover veggies. My Lab mix loves this, especially broccoli bits and broth. He will smack for 15 minutes after he eats

Author: Mary Beth B.

Likes: 1

Royal Canin Labrador dry food was what mine liked to eat. He was fussy, too. Funny how people say they’ve never heard of a fussy lab. My lab wouldn’t even eat meat off a bone. He wouldn’t touch fruit or veg and wasn’t fond of fish. Loved meat (not on the bone), cheese, bread. God, he loved bread.

Author: Allie S.

Likes: 0

Try Earthborn Holistic – you can swap flavors. We rotate them with each bad (Coastsl Catch, meadow, plains, ocean fusion, etc). Every bag is a new flavor

Author: Kimberly M.

Likes: 0

My Lab did too. Her stomach was always upset. Started her on Hills sensitive stomach and coat, added some pumpkin ( 1 Tbs. ) and broth. Feed three times a day. About a 1/2 cup.

Author: Barb G.

Likes: 0

I use only PURINA ONE LAMB AND RICE. Hannah loves it. It’s the only food I’ve ever fed my dogs. I know it’s not designer dog food, but its quality is exceptional, and her black coat is so shiny that people stop and admire her wherever she goes

Author: Susan Paulette C.

Likes: 1

Bil-Jac Picky Eaters Large Breed. And a handful of cooked lean ground round.

Author: Lea S.

Likes: 1

We have had a lot of Labradors. We have fed all of them, Iams dry, using the bag according to their age.

Author: Suzanne Smith S.

Likes: 0

My lab was like, when I first got him. I had to add stuff, like veg, goat’s milk, broth, he was a recuse. He didn’t like the food that came with I switched him to Victor’s food

Author: Joan Teresa P.

Likes: 0