Gundog group · Breed guide
Labrador Retriever: weight, routine and daily dose
The Labrador’s story begins on the fishing quays of Newfoundland, where working dogs helped fishermen retrieve nets and lost lines and pulled carts loaded with fish. Crossed with hunting dogs brought over by English traders, some of those dogs came back to England, where the sporting gentry prized their retrieving skills and the Earl of Malmesbury gave the breed its name. The Royal Kennel Club now calls the Labrador the most popular of all pedigree breeds, valued as a family companion, service dog, guide dog and working gundog.
That versatility comes with a real appetite for activity: the Royal Kennel Club lists more than two hours of exercise a day, and the breed standard asks for a very agile dog — which, it says, precludes excessive body weight. A Labrador’s day tends to revolve around two anchors, good walks and well-measured meals, and a calm, repeatable routine around both suits a dog the standard describes as keen, biddable and with a strong will to please.
At a glance
- Typical adult weight
- 24.5–36.5 kg
- DIGEST+ per day
- 2–3 tablets/day
- One bottle lasts
- 40–60 days
- Suggested refill
- Every 4–6 weeks
Weight: American Kennel Club, “Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)” [source]
How many DIGEST+ tablets does a Labrador Retriever need?
A typical adult Labrador Retriever weighs 24.5–36.5 kg, which crosses 2 rows of the DIGEST+ feeding guide. Weigh your own dog and use the row for its current weight — the table shows each case.
| Your dog’s weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts | Suggested refill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days | Every 6 weeks |
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days | Every 4 weeks |
The bottle label prints 25 kg in two rows (11–25 kg and 25–40 kg). We use the 11–25 kg row at exactly 25 kg; if your dog is heavier than 25 kg, use the 25–40 kg row.
How long DIGEST+ lasts for a Labrador Retriever
| Daily dose | 1 bottle | 2 bottles | 3 bottles | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 tablets/day | 60 days | 120 days | 180 days | from £0.33 |
| 3 tablets/day | 40 days | 80 days | 120 days | from £0.50 |
Days are for one dog. Each bottle holds 120 tablets; days are rounded down to whole days. Prices and cost per day by bottle count.
Feeding-routine notes for Labrador Retriever owners
- The breed standard asks for an agile dog without excess weight, so weigh your Labrador regularly and measure meals rather than leaving food down. The same scale reading tells you which band to use in the dose calculator.
- A typical range of about 24.5–36.5 kg puts most adult Labradors in the 26–40 kg band, with lighter dogs in the 11–25 kg band — go by your own dog’s weight, not the breed average. Our guide to weighing your dog at home shows how.
- Giving a daily supplement with the same meal each day makes it easy to remember. A tablet can be offered on its own or crushed into food.
- Make any change of food gradually over several days (see switching food gradually), and speak to your vet about any vomiting, diarrhoea or change in appetite.
- Give DIGEST+ at the same point in the day — with breakfast or dinner — so it becomes part of the routine. The tablets can be eaten directly or crushed into food.
- Weigh your dog every few months: the dose follows body weight, not breed.
- Introduce one new thing at a time. If you are also changing food, let that settle first so you know what is what.
The full feeding guide
| Body weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days |
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days |
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days |
Work out your exact supply
The calculator on the product page takes your dog’s weight band and how many dogs you have, then shows the daily dose, how long a bottle lasts and a sensible refill rhythm.
Labrador Retriever: common questions
How many DIGEST+ tablets should a Labrador Retriever have a day?
Typical adult Labrador Retrievers weigh 24.5–36.5 kg, which crosses more than one row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 11–25 kg: 2 tablets/day; 25–40 kg: 3 tablets/day. Weigh your dog and use the row for its current weight.
How long does one bottle of DIGEST+ last for a Labrador Retriever?
Each bottle holds 120 tablets. At 2 tablets/day one bottle lasts 60 days; At 3 tablets/day one bottle lasts 40 days. Days are for one dog and rounded down.
Should I give my Labrador’s supplement before or after a walk?
There is no need to time it around exercise. Most owners find it easiest to give it with one of the day’s regular meals so it becomes part of the routine. Many owners of large, active dogs also like to let them settle after eating before a long, energetic walk.
How often should I weigh my Labrador?
Checking every month or so is a practical habit for a large, active breed, and more often if you are adjusting portions. Use the same scale and time of day so readings are comparable. If your dog gains or loses weight without an obvious reason, ask your vet to take a look.
Can every Labrador Retriever have DIGEST+?
DIGEST+ is not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs and is not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks. If your Labrador Retriever is under veterinary supervision, ask your vet before starting.
Sources
- Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Retriever (Labrador) — Breeds A to Z — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Retriever (Labrador) breed standard — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus) — PDSA. Checked 2026-10-15.
Updated