Food portions for 75 lb lab

[Angela_WM]

I guess so... haha... I remember leash training him... good lord! I'm a CNA and can lift 250lbs, but damn he can pull. Now he only does that to other people. But yeah, he's kind of an ox... I understand he was a really good hunter, though, and he tends to be quite stealth despite his size. Except turkey. He kept eating that on the way back with it.

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[Angela_WM]

This little habit could be part of it... haha... each one of those took maybe 60 seconds to dig.

[Meeps83]

Holy cow! He looks like he just dug some graves! And he looks quite proud of himself ha ha.


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[Angela_WM]

Holy cow! He looks like he just dug some graves! And he looks quite proud of himself ha ha.


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He's got 9 total at last count and he isn't allowed out there unsupervised longer than about 60 seconds. I don't know how he has the energy at 13... silly dog.
I have no idea how to keep him occupied. I take him everywhere with me, he goes on walks, he has puzzle balls (but he figures them all out in the first minute and then gets bored and hides them until he decides he hasn't had enough bones lately), there are two cats here, he's almost never alone (because he goes with us everywhere)... he's a working dog, but apparently it's not enough. He gets into everything haha
He definitely loves to dig.

[JenC]

Lots of factors determine how much to feed. We feed all of our adults 2 cups a day, they are different sizes and different activity levels.

[Angela_WM]

Lots of factors determine how much to feed. We feed all of our adults 2 cups a day, they are different sizes and different activity levels.

Yes. I agree. I think mine has an odd level of muscle mass or something. As you can see in the pics, he's not lean, but not overweight either. Just a big guy. I suspect that was an accident, as his ancestors (he was family bred - I inherited him when his owners died) were breed standard. He requires a bit more protein than most dogs, too. We use a 50% protein ratio for him, and we run him to the best of our ability, but frankly, he wears us out. He needs a hunting partner.

[fidgetyknees]

So depends on the dogs age, and activity level. We have one on weight control food and she only gets 2 cups a day, and then one that gets high calorie food and he gets 4 cups a day. The one dog is super active (male and intact) and the other less active (senior and spayed).

[lovemylabby]

My Toby is around 80 pounds and he always gets three cups per day and he maintains his weight,

It does depend on the dog, brand of food, activity level etc. but I do feel he would be hungry on only 2 cups per day.

When his tummy is content, it makes for a good dog!!

[Bernie]

Yes. I agree. I think mine has an odd level of muscle mass or something. As you can see in the pics, he's not lean, but not overweight either. Just a big guy. I suspect that was an accident, as his ancestors (he was family bred - I inherited him when his owners died) were breed standard. He requires a bit more protein than most dogs, too. We use a 50% protein ratio for him, and we run him to the best of our ability, but frankly, he wears us out. He needs a hunting partner.

What brand of food are you feeding that has 50% protein? The next question would be why?

[Shelley]

How many cups of food should I give my 75 pound lab a day? I talked to a guy at the dog park with a similar sized dog and he said he gave his 2 cups a day. Does that seem ok? My dog is a bit overweight and I think it's because my dog always seems hungry and I give in

It depends on so many factors! :-) The dog's age, (puppies' calorie requirements can be enormous while they are growing), condition, exercise amounts, calorie content of the food, individual metabolism, etc... etc...

I always feed the dog in front of me, I asses my girls' weights pretty much daily, or based on what is happening, like if I am training or swimming them a lot, or they have had less activity, or are pregnant or nursing. I sort of have a base amount of food per adult, then vary that depending on their needs. I look at them when they are running and playing, get my hands on them, if they look and feel chunky, they get less food (like 1/4 cup a day less until they are back to a weight I like) if they are a little too thin for my liking, I feed them a little more (add a 1/4 cup a day, until they are at a weight I like). Labradors should have a nice layer of padding over their ribs, you should be able to feel ribs with a little pressure, but never see spine or hip bones. In adults, I like to see a small 'waist' indentation when looking down at them from above.

If your dog is a little heavier than you like, reduce the kibble by 1/4 cup a day, and add in a small handful of low or no sodium canned green beans, and remember to watch the treats (but still give them treats!) your dog gets per day and factor that in to the total calories for the day, and increase their exercise.