Labrador itchy skin from high-protein food fix

It sounds like you've already learned something useful — high-protein foods don't suit every dog, and Labradors in particular can be prone to skin reactions when protein sources are too rich or don't agree with them. That narrows things down nicely. To point you in the right direction: is the itching all-over or focused on paws and ears? And what protein was in the food that caused the problem — was it chicken, beef, something else? Also worth knowing: is your Lab on the heavier side, or fairly lean for the breed?

Paws and ears are classic signs of a food sensitivity, and chicken is one of the more common culprits in dogs — it's used so widely that many dogs develop a reaction to it over time. At 32kg your Lab is a touch heavy for the breed ideal, so you also want something that won't pile on calories. The good news is both problems point in the same direction: a single-protein food built around a novel protein source, with moderate fat and a sensible calorie count. Before I give you a specific recommendation — has he ever eaten turkey or lamb-based food without issue, or has it mainly been chicken up to now?

Then turkey is the cleaner bet — it's a protein he hasn't been repeatedly exposed to, which makes a reaction much less likely, and it's leaner than lamb. My recommendation is James Wellbeloved Adult Turkey and Rice. It's a single-animal-protein recipe, so there's no chicken hiding in the ingredients, and it's specifically designed to be gentle on sensitive dogs. The protein level is moderate rather than boosted, which suits a Lab who doesn't need high performance fuel. The rice base is easy to digest, and it's free from artificial additives and common allergens. It's widely available on Amazon UK in large bags, and the price is reasonable for the quality. Give it a proper eight-week trial before drawing conclusions — skin issues tied to food take a while to fully clear.

Yes — transition slowly even though you're coming off a food that was causing problems. Mix roughly 25% new food with 75% of whatever you have left, or if you've genuinely run out, start with a small portion of the James Wellbeloved alone for the first couple of days and build up over ten days to two weeks. His gut bacteria need time to adjust regardless of whether the old food was doing harm. Also keep a simple note — nothing elaborate — of when the itching was last bad and whether it reduces over the following weeks. It helps you know the food is actually working rather than guessing.

Good call. One last thing worth mentioning: Labradors are enthusiastic eaters and the bag will have feeding guidelines, but go by his body condition rather than the chart — he should have a visible waist from above and you should be able to feel his ribs without pressing hard. If his weight comes down a little on this food that's not a bad outcome. Hope his skin settles quickly.