Labrador Retriever feeding guide: how much and how often

Assume your Labrador will overeat if given the chance, because many will. Research published by the University of Cambridge in 2016 found that about a quarter of Labradors carry a deletion in the POMC gene, which weakens the signal that tells the brain the stomach is full. Dogs with the variant beg more, scavenge more and gain weight on portions that keep other Labs lean.

A 30 kg (66 lb) adult with moderate exercise typically eats around 300 to 400 g of dry food a day, roughly 3 to 4 cups of a typical kibble, though the pack guide and your dog's shape matter more than any single number. You should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat and see a waist from above. Split the daily amount into two meals, weigh it on a kitchen scale, and count training treats as part of the total.

Many Labs clear a bowl in under a minute. A slow feeder, a scatter feed on the lawn or a stuffed rubber toy stretches mealtime to 10 minutes or more, which helps with gulping and with boredom. A wide, heavy bowl that cannot be pushed around the kitchen suits most adults, and dogs that eat very fast tend to swallow air, so slowing them down is worth the small effort.