Last updated: February 2026

Best Food for Labrador Retriever in the Philippines 2026

The Labrador Retriever needs no introduction in the Philippines. Friendly, outgoing, high-spirited, and endlessly food-motivated, Labs are one of the most popular large breeds in the country. They are the dogs who greet everyone at the gate with a wagging tail, who play with children for hours, who try to befriend every other dog at the park, and who watch you eat every meal with an expression that suggests they have not been fed in weeks (they have).

That last point is not just endearing—it is actually a defining health characteristic. Labrador Retrievers are genetically wired to be hungry. A well-documented gene mutation (the POMC deletion) affects approximately 25% of Labradors, disrupting their brain’s ability to signal fullness after eating. This means many Labs genuinely feel hungry even after a full meal. Combined with their enthusiastic personalities and their talent for convincing owners to give them just one more treat, this genetic predisposition makes obesity the number one health concern for Labradors worldwide.

In the Philippines, where treats and table scraps are a common way to show love to our dogs, Lab obesity is an especially persistent problem. This guide covers everything you need to know about feeding your Labrador in the Philippines: how to manage their legendary appetite, why the right food makes weight control dramatically easier, how much to feed based on weight, and which health issues proper nutrition can prevent.

Labrador Retriever Nutritional Needs

Labradors are a large breed, with adult males typically weighing 29 to 36 kilograms and females 25 to 32 kilograms. They are muscular, active dogs built for retrieving, swimming, and working long hours. Their nutritional needs are shaped by their size, their relentless appetite, and their predisposition to specific health conditions:

• Calorie control is priority number one. Because of the POMC gene deletion and their natural food drive, Labradors will overeat if given the opportunity. Every single time. The ideal Lab food must provide complete nutrition with controlled calorie density, so your dog feels satisfied without consuming excess energy that converts to fat.
• High-quality protein for muscle maintenance. Labs are muscular dogs, and maintaining lean muscle mass is critical for metabolism and joint health. Protein should come from identifiable, high-quality animal sources (not vague meal or by-product listings), and it should make up a significant portion of the diet to support that athletic build.
• Joint support from day one. Like Golden Retrievers, Labradors have high rates of hip and elbow dysplasia. The combination of their large size and propensity for weight gain makes joint issues especially problematic. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) from marine sources reduce joint inflammation, and maintaining a lean body weight is the single most impactful thing you can do for your Lab’s joints.
• High digestibility for maximum satiety. Here is a counter-intuitive fact: highly digestible food actually helps with weight management. When food is well-digested and nutrients are efficiently absorbed, the body receives stronger satiety signals. Fresh food at 95% digestibility sends more “I am full” signals to your Lab’s brain than kibble at 50–60% digestibility, even at the same calorie intake.
• Skin and ear health support. Labs are prone to ear infections and skin issues, partly due to their floppy ears trapping moisture and partly due to their tendency toward allergies. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids supports the skin barrier and reduces the chronic inflammation that underlies many ear and skin problems.

Best Dog Food for Labrador Retriever in the Philippines

The ideal Labrador food delivers complete nutrition with controlled calories, keeps them feeling satisfied, supports joint health, and maintains skin and ear condition. Fresh food excels at all of these, and one recipe in particular stands out for this breed.

Why Fresh Food Is the Best Choice for Labs

McDuffy fresh dog food addresses every major Labrador health concern:

• Precise calorie control. Each 500g bag has a known calorie count, making portion accuracy simple. Unlike kibble, where calorie density varies by brand and even by batch, fresh food allows you to know exactly how many calories your Lab is consuming. For a breed where every extra 50 calories matters, this precision is invaluable.
• Superior satiety. Fresh food’s 95% digestibility means your Lab’s body processes and absorbs nutrients more efficiently, generating stronger fullness signals. The high moisture content also adds volume to each meal without adding calories, helping your Lab feel satisfied with appropriate portions.
• Real, identifiable protein. No guesswork about what your dog is eating. Every ingredient is human-grade and clearly listed. The protein comes from real beef, pork, chicken, and sardines—not rendered meal or anonymous by-products.
• Built-in omega-3s. Every McDuffy recipe includes sardines, providing EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids in their natural, bioavailable form. For a breed that needs joint and ear support throughout their life, these anti-inflammatory fatty acids are essential, not optional.

Top Recipe Recommendation: Farmyard Feast (Pork, Chicken & Sardines)

For Labrador Retrievers, we specifically recommend McDuffy’s Farmyard Feast recipe. Here is why it is the best match for this breed:

• Leanest recipe at 1,188 kcal/kg. Among McDuffy’s three recipes, the Farmyard Feast has the lowest calorie density. For a breed where weight management is the top health priority, this means your Lab can eat a satisfying volume of food while consuming fewer total calories. More food, fewer calories—exactly what a hungry Lab needs.
• Multi-protein variety. The combination of pork, chicken, and sardines provides a complete amino acid profile and keeps mealtime interesting for a food-motivated dog. Variety also reduces the likelihood of developing sensitivities to any single protein source.
• Sardine content for omega-3s. The sardines in the Farmyard Feast deliver the EPA and DHA that Labradors need for joint health, skin barrier function, and ear health. These marine omega-3s are far more bioavailable than the plant-based omega-3s (ALA) in many kibble formulations.

For Labs with diagnosed chicken or pork allergies, the Surf & Turf (Beef & Sardines) or Coastal Blend (Fish) are excellent alternatives. All three recipes are AAFCO-balanced and formulated by American board-certified veterinary nutritionists (DACVN). McDuffy is the Philippines’ only human-grade fresh dog food that meets this standard. Learn more on our science page and see full ingredient details on our ingredients page.

How Much to Feed Your Labrador Retriever

This is the most important section for Lab owners. Getting portions right is the difference between a healthy, lean Labrador and an overweight one with joint problems and reduced lifespan. Studies show that lean Labs live an average of 1.8 years longer than their overweight counterparts. Nearly two extra years of life—from portion control alone.

The general guideline for fresh food is 2 to 3 percent of body weight per day. For Labs, we recommend starting at the lower end and adjusting upward only if your dog is losing weight.

Dog Weight	Daily Fresh Food Amount	Approximate Bags per Week	Estimated Daily Cost
25 kg	400 – 600 g	5.5 – 8.5 bags	~₱191 – ₱286
28 kg	450 – 675 g	6.5 – 9.5 bags	~₱215 – ₱322
30 kg	480 – 720 g	7 – 10 bags	~₱229 – ₱343
33 kg	530 – 790 g	7.5 – 11 bags	~₱253 – ₱377
36 kg	575 – 865 g	8 – 12 bags	~₱275 – ₱413

Critical Rule for Labs

If your Labrador is overweight, feed based on their ideal weight, not their current weight. Ask your veterinarian what your Lab’s target weight should be and use that number for portioning. Feeding at 2% of ideal weight is a safe, gradual weight loss approach. Do not cut portions dramatically—slow, steady weight loss of 1–2% of body weight per week is healthiest. And remember: treats count. Every single biscuit, every piece of chicken skin from the dinner table—it all adds up.

• Split the daily amount into two meals. Do not free-feed a Labrador—they will eat everything available and look for more.
• Daily cost estimates use the base price of ₱239 per 500g bag. The 20% subscription discount (₱191/bag) reduces costs substantially for large breed owners.
• Very active Labs (regular swimming, running, or working dogs) may need to eat at the higher end. Couch-potato Labs should eat at the lower end.
• Spayed and neutered Labs need approximately 10–20% fewer calories than intact dogs. Adjust accordingly.
• Use a slow-feeder bowl. Labs tend to inhale their food, which can cause bloating and reduces the satiety signal. Slowing them down by even a few minutes makes a meaningful difference.

Common Health Issues in Labrador Retrievers

Labradors are generally robust dogs, but they face several breed-specific health challenges where diet is a major factor. Understanding these issues helps you appreciate why food quality and portion control matter so much for this breed.

Obesity

This is the number one health issue for Labrador Retrievers, and it is not even close. Multiple studies confirm that Labradors are the breed most commonly diagnosed as overweight or obese. The POMC gene deletion, found in approximately 25% of Labs, disrupts the brain’s satiety pathway, meaning these dogs genuinely feel hungry even when they have consumed enough food. But even Labs without the mutation tend to overeat because they are simply enthusiastic about food. Obesity in Labs is not a cosmetic problem—it directly accelerates joint degeneration, increases cancer risk, promotes diabetes, and shortens lifespan by nearly 2 years. The solution is not a special diet or magic ingredient. It is portion control with a nutrient-dense, highly digestible food that provides complete nutrition within an appropriate calorie budget. Fresh food makes this achievable.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

Labrador Retrievers have high rates of both hip and elbow dysplasia. These developmental joint conditions cause arthritis, pain, and mobility limitations that worsen over time. Two dietary factors significantly influence outcomes: body weight and inflammation. A lean Lab puts dramatically less stress on their joints than an overweight one (remember, even 2 kg of excess weight translates to significant additional joint force over thousands of steps per day). Anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources (like the sardines in McDuffy) reduce joint inflammation and slow arthritic progression. The combination of weight management and omega-3 supplementation through diet is the most impactful non-surgical intervention for joint health.

Ear Infections

Labs have floppy ears that trap moisture, creating a warm, humid environment perfect for bacterial and yeast growth. In the Philippine climate, where ambient humidity is already high, ear infections are one of the most common reasons Lab owners visit the veterinarian. While regular ear cleaning is essential, diet plays an underappreciated role. Food allergies are a leading underlying cause of chronic ear infections in dogs, and Labs are allergy-prone. Improving diet quality often reduces the frequency and severity of ear problems. The omega-3 fatty acids in fresh food also support the skin inside the ear canal, making it more resistant to infection. For more on managing allergies through diet, see our guide on the best dog food for allergies.

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)

Some Labradors carry a genetic mutation that causes muscle weakness and collapse after intense exercise. While this is a genetic condition that diet cannot cure, maintaining proper hydration (fresh food’s moisture content helps) and adequate electrolyte balance through complete nutrition supports dogs with EIC. If your Lab has been diagnosed with or tested positive for EIC, discuss dietary management with your veterinarian.

Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)

Large, deep-chested breeds like Labradors are at increased risk for bloat, a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and may twist. Feeding two smaller meals instead of one large meal, using a slow-feeder bowl, and avoiding vigorous exercise immediately after eating all reduce bloat risk. Fresh food, which is lower in fermentable carbohydrates and easier to digest than kibble, may also contribute to lower gas production in the stomach. For more on digestive health, read our article on the best food for sensitive stomachs.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Labrador Food

My Lab is always hungry. How do I manage their appetite?

First, understand that this may be genetic—many Labs genuinely feel hungry due to the POMC mutation, and no food will completely eliminate that feeling. What you can do: feed a highly digestible fresh food (the body sends stronger satiety signals from well-digested food), split daily portions into two meals, use a slow-feeder bowl to extend mealtime, and add low-calorie volume with vegetables like green beans or cucumber if your vet approves. Most importantly, set portions by weight using a kitchen scale and do not adjust based on begging behavior. Your Lab will always want more. That does not mean they need more.

How do I know if my Lab is overweight?

Look at your Lab from above: you should see a defined waist behind the ribs. From the side, the belly should tuck up. Run your hands along their sides: you should feel individual ribs without pressing hard. If the ribs are buried, the waist is gone, or the belly hangs low, your Lab is overweight. Ask your veterinarian for a body condition score (BCS) assessment—the ideal is a 4 or 5 out of 9. Many Lab owners think their overweight dog is normal because overweight Labs are so common that a healthy-weight Lab actually looks thin by comparison.

Is fresh food too expensive for a large breed like a Labrador?

Feeding a 30kg Labrador McDuffy costs approximately ₱229 to ₱343 per day at base pricing, and ₱183 to ₱275 with the 20% subscription discount. Yes, this is more than budget kibble. But consider the long-term math: joint surgery for hip dysplasia can cost ₱50,000 to ₱150,000. Chronic ear infection treatment runs ₱1,500 to ₱5,000 per episode. Obesity-related conditions (diabetes, joint disease, reduced lifespan) have both financial and emotional costs. Many Lab owners find that the investment in quality nutrition reduces overall lifetime costs. For budget flexibility, even feeding McDuffy as 50% of the diet (with quality kibble for the remainder) provides meaningful health benefits.

Which McDuffy recipe has the fewest calories for my overweight Lab?

The Farmyard Feast (Pork, Chicken & Sardines) is the leanest recipe at 1,188 kcal/kg. This is our top recommendation for Labs, especially those needing weight management. The lower calorie density means your Lab can eat a slightly larger volume of food while consuming fewer total calories, which helps with satiety. All three recipes are AAFCO-balanced, so your dog receives complete nutrition regardless of which you choose.

Should I give my Labrador supplements for joint health?

If you are feeding an AAFCO-balanced fresh diet that includes fish (sardines), your Lab is already receiving omega-3 fatty acids for joint support. For Labs with diagnosed dysplasia or arthritis, your veterinarian may recommend additional supplementation with glucosamine, chondroitin, or concentrated fish oil. The most impactful “supplement” for Lab joints is actually weight management—keeping your Lab lean does more for their joints than any pill or powder.

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Related Reading

• Dog Food Philippines: The Complete Guide — our comprehensive pillar page on dog food in the Philippine market
• Best Dog Food Brands in the Philippines Compared
• Fresh Dog Food vs. Kibble: What the Science Says
• McDuffy Ingredients: What Goes Into Every Bag
• The Science Behind McDuffy’s Formulations
• Best Dog Food for Allergies in the Philippines
• Best Food for Golden Retriever in the Philippines — similar large breed with overlapping joint health needs
• Best Food for Aspin in the Philippines

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Written by the McDuffy Nutrition Team. Formulated by American board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Made with love in the Philippines for Filipino fur parents and their dogs.