topic Re: Question about Labs (dogs) in Community Chat

Question about Labs (dogs)

RinaRina — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:34:18 GMT

My Lab won't stop eating. It just occurred to me that I could put food in front of my dog every 15 minutes and she'd never stop eating. Is this common to the breed? Could this be a sign of a vitamin deficiency? Does anyone here give their dog vitamins?

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

doxie1 — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:52:58 GMT

The labs I have know have been food hounds that love to eat.

doxie

So are my dachshunds

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

Snowpuppy — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:11:27 GMT

If he's not gaining weight and he's extremely active then I'd say he's fine. You could always have him checked for worms or other parasites.

Most lab's I've know are always up for a game of fetch, catch, and running after just about anything!

I had one GSD that didn't know when to stop eating so I quit letting him graze and kept food to mealtimes. He was getting to be quite a porker!

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:54:41 GMT

I don't have a Lab, I have a Golden Retriever who will eat anything. Some breeds are like that, which is why we dog parents need to have specified feeding times and be careful not to overfeed or free feed. Believe me, as a new dog owner I thought my boy was hungry all the time so I increased his portions and all it did was make him too fat. I had to put him on a diet to get back to a healthy weight. If you're do doesn't have a defined waistline, that could be a clue that she's packing on extra pounds. Because the GR breed is prone to hip issues, I give my boy canine Glucosamine & Chondroitin, Canine Multi-vitamin, and Canine Omega-3 (which looks identical to a human one). Dosage is based on weight.

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

Lilysmom — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:25:29 GMT

Rina33, I have owned Labs for more than 30 years. They are big eaters, will eat anything, any time, anywhere. We feed at certain times. It is not possible to leave food in their dish. They clean it every meal. Any other animal getting fed near them must protect their food. Be careful, they can get fat. Happily they also love exercise ... Running, frisbee, swimming especially. Extra pounds are bad for their hips so don't overindulge. Enjoy your Lab. Wonderful, loyal companions. LM

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

deb5555 — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 21:09:48 GMT

Our lab did the same thing, he eats so fast, just woofs it down. We talked to the vet and feed him 1 cup 3 times a day so he wasn't so hungry 2 times per day, it worked well and he loved any veges also. He would sit by me when I was cutting up veges for a salad and just wait for his carrots, green peppers, and loved lettuce. Labs are the best Dogs

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

QsZoo — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 17:21:01 GMT

My labs were dogs that could not free feed. They had to have specific amounts and were fed 2x a day. Their allotment was split in half. They would eat every single morsel they could like they had never ever had a meal

*Controlling weight was necessary because one was having hip issues as a senior.

Snugs to your lab

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

lolakimono — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:38:58 GMT

You can try a slow feeding dish, like this one.

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

cgando — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:45:44 GMT

On 10/19/2014 QsZoo said:
My labs were dogs that could not free feed. They had to have specific amounts and were fed 2x a day. Their allotment was split in half. They would eat every single morsel they could like they had never ever had a meal

*Controlling weight was necessary because one was having hip issues as a senior.

Snugs to your lab

Ditto....my Lab is fed the same way. He is fit as a fiddle, although he would eat everything if I kept putting it out. Over eating will catch up to him/her in the later years, if you allow it to (i.e., hip issues, bad knees, etc.)

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

Lilysmom — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 21:29:19 GMT

LOLA, I wonder what my Lab would do with that dish. I have a feeling she would try to tip it over lol!

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

lolakimono — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 21:47:32 GMT

On 10/19/2014 Lilysmom said:
LOLA, I wonder what my Lab would do with that dish. I have a feeling she would try to tip it over lol!

Well, this is just one example. I would find a heavy SS one.

I have two voracious kitties, and the only dry food they eat gets parceled out into a "treat ball" that they get at night and they go CRAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZY for it. They each have different ones, and they get their "treats" in different locations of the house. If I free fed them I suspect I know which one would get all the kibble.

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

Lilysmom — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:48:21 GMT

I finally got smart and bought a raised dish for food and water with a surround so food and water doesn't get on the floor. Much easier to manage.

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

deb5555 — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:37:25 GMT

Lilysmom brought up a good idea, this is what we use.

or for multiple dogs

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

Lilysmom — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:17:48 GMT

Yes, Deb5555, that's the idea. Don't know how to explain, mine looks like the first photo. It has a small wall around the dishes so food and drink can't be spilled. There is a small portion of the front that allows water to drain into the bottom compartment rather than land on the floor. I got mine at Costco online ... Look under pet supplies. I am in Canada but I am sure they are in US also. Love this dish. No more messy floors or pup pushing bowl into the wall!

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

apple1964 — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:24:05 GMT

I do not know that this breed eats anymore or less then any other dog. Try more exercise or more chewy toys, dogs have and love to chew. Good luck to you and your dog.

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

glmama — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 22:54:08 GMT

Although not a lab, my dog would eat all day if I let him. I've always heard that dogs don't know how to stop eating, really. And cats take what they want in the moment and come back to their dish later. Dogs would just eat and eat and eat until the food is gone. I've also heard and read that labs are particularly food oriented!

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

MoJoV — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 01:14:11 GMT

On 10/20/2014 Lilysmom said:
I finally got smart and bought a raised dish for food and water with a surround so food and water doesn't get on the floor. Much easier to manage.

Raised food dishes should always be used for Labs. We had a Lab who got "Bloat." After the expensive surgery to save his life the vet said big, barrell chested dogs should always have raised food dishes to help prevent "bloat." It won't completely eliminate the threat, but it will help.

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

MTH — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:53:58 GMT

Like some of the other posters, I currently have two labs (a yellow and a chocolate) and have owned many others over the years. I can confidently say that for this breed, leaving food out all day for them is not recommended. They will eat continually if you let them. If you are a first time lab owner, talk to your vet about the amount of food he/she thinks they need and portion feed them. The amounts listed on most food bags are designed to sell more food, not necessarily is that amount good for the average dog. I also agree with the raised dishes. I think it is a must for large dogs. And don't forget that labs require lots of exercise to keep them out of trouble. Mine are big swimmers and absolutely love to play catch with a frisbee. Good luck. Labs are the best. I couldn't imagine not having at least one.

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

FastDogWalker2 — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 21:24:55 GMT

Yes! My neighbors lab would eat anything and EVERYTHING, including a 5 lb. bag of sugar! She had to put everything in a closed pantry. Sorry, I think they are prone to physical problems (like all breeds, I guess) if they are overweight.

Re: Question about Labs (dogs)

MTH — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:51:07 GMT

On 10/21/2014 FastDogWalker2 said:
Yes! My neighbors lab would eat anything and EVERYTHING, including a 5 lb. bag of sugar! She had to put everything in a closed pantry. Sorry, I think they are prone to physical problems (like all breeds, I guess) if they are overweight.

That sounds like a lab for sure!! And you are correct Fast that they are definitely prone to physical problems, especially hip and eye issues so watching what they eat and keeping their weight to a healthy limit is important. I know its hard to resist that face when they pour on the guilt trip but you'll want to keep them around as long as possible and as healthy as possible.