Puppy Wellness and Information
1. Why Puppy Nutrition Matters
Puppies grow rapidly during their first 12–18 months, and their diet plays a crucial role in their development.
Proper nutrition supports:
• Healthy bone and joint development
• Strong immune system
• Optimal brain and vision development
• Healthy skin and coat
Poor-quality diets may lead to stunted growth, weak immunity, digestive issues, or orthopedic problems.
2. Balanced nutrition and natural ingredients
• High-Quality Protein: Real cage-free chicken, salmon, beef or lamb as the first ingredient to support lean muscle growth.
• DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid): An essential fatty acid from salmon oil that supports brain and vision development.
• Omega Fatty Acids: Promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.
• Antioxidants & Superfoods: Ingredients like blueberries, oranges, spinach, pumpkin, and coconut support immunity
and overall health.
• Limited to No Fillers or Artificial Additives, artificial colors, or preservatives.
• Digestive Support: Probiotics and fiber-rich ingredients like chia seed and pumpkin aid in healthy digestion.
• Life-Stage Specific: Puppy formulas are tailored to meet AAFCO nutritional requirements, including large-breed
puppies.
3. Feeding Tips for Puppy Owners
• Keep your puppy on the same food when they first arrive home to avoid stomach upset.
• Transition slowly if changing foods (mix new food gradually over 7–10 days).
• Always provide fresh, clean water.
• Avoid overfeeding—follow portion recommendations and adjust for activity level.
Recommended Dog Food for Your Puppy
At Green Roof Farm Labradors, we want your puppy to have the healthiest start possible. Choosing a high-quality food is essential for proper growth, development, and long-term health. We recommend
two trusted brands: Diamond Naturals and Purina Pro Plan sport 30/20 ( All Life Stages) Salmon/Rice formula.
Recommended Nutrition: Diamond Naturals Large Breed Formulas
Why We Recommend Diamond Naturals
Diamond Naturals is a high-quality, budget-friendly food line that uses real animal proteins,
wholesome grains, probiotics, and no artificial colors or preservatives. These formulas are
well-suited for Labrador Retrievers, supporting healthy growth, digestion, coat quality, and
joint development.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy – Lamb & Rice
Best for puppies 8 weeks to 12–15 months.
- Lamb protein supports gentle digestion and lean muscle development
- Controlled calcium/phosphorus levels promote steady, healthy growth
- DHA supports brain and vision development
- Probiotics and antioxidants strengthen digestion and immunity
- Omega fatty acids promote coat shine and skin health
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult – Lamb Meal & Rice
Best for dogs 12–15 months and older.
- Lamb meal provides high-quality, nutrient-dense protein
- Glucosamine & chondroitin support joint health—essential for Labs
- Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for coat, skin, and inflammation control
- Probiotics support digestive stability and overall wellness
Feeding Recommendations
- Puppies 8–12 weeks: three meals per day
- Puppies 3–6 months: two to three meals per day
- Adults 6+ months: two meals per day
Maintain a visible waist and ensure ribs are felt easily without pressing hard.
Transition Schedule
Transition slowly over 7 days:
• Days 1–2: 75 percent current food, 25 percent new food
• Days 3–4: 50 percent current food, 50 percent new food
• Days 5–6: 25 percent current food, 75 percent new food
• Day 7: 100 percent new food
Final Notes:
Diamond Naturals Puppy and Adult formulas offer dependable nutrition that supports growth, joint health, digestion, and coat quality. Both formulas are ideal choices for GRF Labrador puppies once they leave for their new homes.
Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 (All Life Stages) Salmon/Rice
Recommended Nutrition: Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20
Why We Recommend This Formula
Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 Salmon & Rice is a high-performance diet ideal for active
Labrador Retrievers. It supports muscle development, digestive health, coat quality, and
sustained energy for growing puppies and adult dogs. It is labeled for all life stages, meaning it is nutritionally complete for puppies, adolescents, and adults.
Key Benefits:
- 30 percent protein / 20 percent fat for lean muscle and balanced energy
- Salmon as first ingredient for sensitive stomachs and healthy skin/coat
- DHA for brain development, trainability, and focus
- Omega fatty acids support skin, coat, and joint function
- Highly digestible ingredients support consistent stool quality
- Supports oxygen metabolism (VO2 Max) for improved endurance
Feeding Recommendations:
- 8–12 weeks: Feed 3 meals per day
- 3–6 months: Feed 2–3 meals per day
- 6+ months: Feed 2 meals per day
Maintain a visible waist and ensure ribs can be felt without pressing hard.
Transitioning to This Food
Transition gradually over seven days:
• Days 1–2: 75 percent current food, 25 percent new food
• Days 3–4: 50 percent current food, 50 percent new food
• Days 5–6: 25 percent current food, 75 percent new food
• Day 7: 100 percent new food
Final Notes:
Pro Plan Sport 30/20 Salmon & Rice is an excellent long-term option for GRF Labrador
puppies and adults. It supports healthy growth, performance, digestion, and coat quality for
active families and sporting dog
Tip: Stick with one high-quality food and avoid frequent diet changes to keep your puppy’s stomach
happy.
Early Spay/Neutering Information
We recommend Spaying/Neutering your Labrador Retriever no earlier than 18 months. Growth plates for large breed dogs do not close until 18-24 months old. This allows your dog to grow properly and develop into a fully adult dog. They need these vital hormones to do so.
Pediatric spay and neuter procedures can have some health risks for dogs including:
Cancers:
Spaying a dog before bone growth is complete can increase the risk of certain cancers, such as osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and lymphoma.
Orthopedic disorders:
Spaying or neutering before some growth plates close can lead to unnatural proportions, which can impact joint durability and performance. This can also increase the risk of hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament rupture. (CCL)
Urinary tract infections:
Spaying before maturity can increase the risk of urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence in female dogs.
Behavioral problems:
Spaying before maturity may increase the risk of certain behaviors, such as noise phobia.
Obesity:
Spaying or neutering before the appropriate age can increase the risk of obesity in your dog.
Please click the link below for more information on pediatric spay/neuter and its effects
