Feeding your Labrador puppy: portion math by month

Labradors are food-driven, fast-growing, and famously prone to obesity. Getting portions right in the first 18 months sets weight for life.

Rule of thumb

Use the food manufacturer's chart as a starting point, then adjust by body condition every 2 weeks. You should be able to feel ribs easily with a thin fat layer — not see them, not have to press hard.

Sample daily totals (large-breed puppy formula)

| Age | Weight | Daily food | Meals/day | |---|---|---|---| | 2–3 mo | 5–9 kg | 200–280 g | 4 | | 4–5 mo | 12–18 kg | 320–420 g | 3 | | 6–8 mo | 20–25 kg | 380–460 g | 2–3 | | 9–12 mo | 25–30 kg | 400–500 g | 2 | | 12+ mo | adult weight | 350–450 g (adult food) | 2 |

Weigh your pup once a week. If weight is climbing more than 10% above the chart, cut food 10–15% and increase walks.

What to skip

• Free-feeding (food always available). Labradors will eat themselves into pancreatitis.
• Table scraps. Even a small daily extra adds up to 20+% of daily calories.
• Calcium supplements. Large-breed puppy food already has the right ratio — extra calcium causes joint problems.

When to switch to adult food

Labradors finish growing at 12–18 months. Switch to adult food once the pup hits 90% of expected adult weight. Mix old + new over 7–10 days to avoid stomach upset.