Why Is My Labrador So Skinny? Causes, Weight Chart and When To Worry

Whether you’ve had your labrador from a puppy or just adopted one, knowing the correct weight for your lab’s age is essential to the dog’s overall health. So, if your labrador is on the skinnier side, you might need to make some adjustments. However, some labs are naturally slimmer than others, so it’s crucial to know the type of lab your dog is.

Your labrador being so skinny can be due to many factors, including illness, lack of nutrition, or just the type of lab. While some labs are thin and lean, others appear broad and stocky. English labs tend to be like the latter, while American labs are usually the former.

The rest of this article will discuss the various reasons why your labrador is skinny and how to solve those issues (if possible). I’ll also go over the average weight and growth chart for labradors.

Reasons Your Labrador Is So Skinny

Your labrador being skinny might not be a bad thing. Not all labs are alike, and genetics can play a big part in the overall size of your pet. However, being too skinny can cause your dog many health problems — or could even be a sign of a severe illness. 

Here are the various reasons why your lab is skinny.

Genetics

Genetics plays a significant role in the size of your dog. If your lab’s parents were on the small end and were skinnier, your lab most likely would be too. Therefore, if you don’t know your dog’s parents, it’s best to talk to your vet to ensure your lab’s size is healthy.

To determine if your dog’s build is average and healthy, it’s also essential to know what type of lab you have, as we’ve previously mentioned.

Differences Between English Labrador and American Labrador

If you were expecting a big, bulky lab and got a skinny one, it makes sense why you’re wondering why your lab is so skinny. Many people don’t realize that there are two main types of labradors: 

• English labrador. The English labrador is typically broader and has stockier chests and necks. They’ll also usually have shorter legs.
• American labrador. The American labrador is usually slimmer with more of an agile build. You’ll notice their legs are longer, and they’re taller overall.

Of course, not every dog is the same. Some English labs might be taller or skinnier than American labs depending on their environment and genetic background.

Illness

If your dog hasn’t always been so skinny and you’re worried about its health, that could be the issue. It’s best to get your dog to the vet to determine the cause of weight loss.

Many different illnesses or diseases can cause weight loss in labradors, a few of which I’ll go over below:

– Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus is more common in middle age to older dogs. However, if it’s a genetic problem, it can be seen in younger dogs.

When the pancreas doesn’t create enough insulin, it can result in diabetes mellitus. Without insulin, the brain becomes sugar-deprived, causing the dog to stay hungry. However, they often lose weight due to improper use of nutrients in their diet.

Most of the time, you can manage diabetes with regular insulin shots.

– Cancer

Cancer is hard on the body. For dogs, it’s no different. It can cause many changes in the body that lead to weight loss, including a decreased appetite, changes in metabolism, and chemotherapy. During this time, it’s essential to increase your dog’s nutrients. If your dog isn’t eating at all, a feeding tube may be necessary.

– Anorexia or Pseudo-Anorexia

Both anorexia and pseudo-anorexia are serious problems. While anorexia is when your dog doesn’t want to eat, pseudo-anorexia is when your dog wants to eat but can’t. Various reasons can cause both types of anorexia, including nervous system disorders, cancer, systemic disease, or psychological problems.

Lack of Nutrition

Ensuring that your lab receives all of the proper nutrients for its growth and development is essential to its weight. Missing vital nutrients can cause your dog to be skinnier than it should, and this can put your pup in a calorie deficit.

While most dry or canned dog food contains all the nutrients your dog needs, there could be a nutrient your dog needs more of. It’s essential to talk to your dog’s vet if you have any concerns about its diet.

What Should Your Labrador Eat?

Large breed and small breed dogs require different foods. As labs are a large breed, they must get all the vitamins and nutrients through large-breed food.

Your labrador should eat large-breed dog food containing essential nutrients specific to large breeds. Large-breed dog food contains nutrients that promote musculoskeletal health, which is vital for large breeds. 

Choose a complete and balanced food made for your dog’s life stage and size, and check that the label has an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. Large-breed formulas are designed for dogs like Labradors. See our guide to the best dog foods for Labradors. If you are thinking about a grain-free diet, talk to your vet first: the FDA has investigated a possible link between some grain-free diets and heart disease in dogs.

How To Tell If Your Labrador Is Underweight

Use your hands, not just your eyes. Thick or long hair can hide ribs. Vets use a body condition score, usually on a scale of 1 to 5 or 1 to 9, where the middle is ideal.

• Ribs: in a healthy weight, you can feel them easily with flat fingers and light pressure under a thin layer of padding, and they do not feel sharp. If most ribs are visible from a distance, your dog is likely too thin.
• Waist: from above, a slight waist behind the ribs is normal. An exaggerated waist suggests underweight.
• Belly: from the side, the belly should tuck up toward the hind legs.
• Spine and hips: if these are clearly visible and the body feels bony, ask your vet to check.

Not sure what you are feeling? Ask your vet to show you at the next visit. Many Labs are leaner than their owners expect, and a lean Lab is usually healthier than an overweight one, so the goal is a healthy body condition, not the heaviest possible weight.

How Much Should Your Labrador Weight?

The average weight for a labrador differs depending on the age and gender of the lab. While every dog grows differently, they should reach an average weight by adulthood, usually around a year.

Your Labrador should weigh between 55 and 80 pounds (24.94 and 36.28 kg), depending on the gender. As a puppy labrador grows, its weight will increase gradually. Most Labs reach their adult height around one year, but many keep filling out until about two years old. 

It’s essential to provide the right amount of food depending on your dog’s age. If you have a labrador younger than a year that looks skinny, you might not be feeding it enough. However, there are growth charts that show how much a labrador should weigh at each stage of its life.

Veterinarian Kate Boatright on Pawlicity provides an excellent chart to go by:

While these are average weights for both male and female labradors, it’s not exact. Every lab will grow differently, so as long as your vet says your dog is growing fine, you should be okay.

How To Get Your Lab To Gain Weight

If your lab has lost weight recently and needs to gain it back, you might need to tweak its diet. Giving your dog food with extra calories might be necessary. However, always consult your vet before doing anything drastic to your pup’s diet.

If your vet says your Lab needs to gain weight, they can recommend a higher-calorie food, a feeding plan and how fast to go. Do not add large amounts of fatty human food, which can trigger vomiting, diarrhea or pancreatitis.

Final Thoughts

Your lab being so skinny can be due to various factors, including genetics, illness, or a poor diet lacking in nutrients. It’s essential to ensure you’re feeding your lab enough food every day according to the weight and gender of the pup. If you’re feeding your dog more than enough and it’s still unusually skinny, it might be time to see a vet.

You should also ensure the dog food you’re giving your dog is a good choice. The food should be for large breeds and contain all the vitamins and nutrients essential to large breeds, including protein.

Read Also:

• Best Dog Treats for Adult Or Puppy Labrador Retrievers
• Best Toys for Labrador Retrievers
• Do Labradors Ever Stop Eating? Simple Feeding Chart

Sources

• American Kennel Club: How to Check Your Dog’s Body Condition Score
• VCA Animal Hospitals: Body Condition Scoring in Dogs
• WSAVA: Body Condition Score chart for dogs

Last updated November 2026. This article is for general education and is not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog’s weight, contact your veterinarian.