Labradors sit near the top of every overweight-breed ranking vets publish, with an estimated 40–60% carrying excess weight. The good news: a Lab's ideal weight is well defined and the fixes are simple.
Ideal weight
| Sex | Ideal range |
|---|---|
| Male | 29–36 kg (65–80 lb) |
| Female | 25–32 kg (55–70 lb) |
The Labrador gene, for real. Around a quarter of Labradors carry a deletion in a gene called POMC that blunts the feeling of fullness and ramps up food drive. It's why Labs are famously food-obsessed — and why portion discipline matters more for them than almost any breed.
How to tell if your pet is overweight
- Feel for the ribs. Lay both hands flat on the ribcage; you should feel ribs easily under a thin layer without pressing.
- Look from above. There should be a clear waist tucking in behind the ribs; a straight or bulging outline means no waist.
- Check the side profile. The belly should tuck up behind the ribcage rather than hang level.
What to do about it
- Weigh the food, don't scoop it. Eyeballing portions is the most common cause of overfeeding.
- Count treats as calories — keep them under 10% of daily intake; swap biscuits for carrot or green bean.
- Build up daily activity gradually, switching to low-impact options like swimming if joints are sore.
- Ignore the eyes. That heartbreaking stare is the food-drive gene talking, not real hunger.
- Reweigh monthly. Safe loss is about 1–2% of body weight per week; involve your vet for an overweight pet.
See exactly how overweight — and what that'd be on you
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Open the weight calculatorFrequently asked
How much should a Labrador weigh?
Healthy adult males are 29–36 kg (65–80 lb), females 25–32 kg (55–70 lb). Use body-shape checks to confirm.
Why is my Labrador always hungry?
About a quarter carry a POMC gene variant that dampens fullness and boosts food drive, so the hunger is partly wired in.
Is my Lab fat or big-boned?
Feel the ribs: easy to find with a visible waist means it's frame; buried ribs and no waist mean weight.