Best Diet Dog Food For Weight Loss
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When you see a pudgy pup waddling down the sidewalk, you can’t help but think it’s cute. A roly-poly dog is adorable in many ways, but many dog owners fail to realize the seriousness of obesity in dogs.
For many breeds, gaining an extra pound or two can be significant, and obesity can reduce your dog’s lifespan and contribute to a whole host of other health problems. As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to do what is best for your dog, and that means choosing a high-quality dog food brand to support your dog’s healthy body weight.
Keep reading to learn more about the dangers of obesity for dogs and how to choose the best dog food for weight loss. You’ll also receive our top 5 picks for the best dog food for weight loss.
Compare Best Diet Dog Foods For Weight Loss
| OVERALL BEST  1. Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST AFFORDABLE  2. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR SMALL BREED  4. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Healthy Weight Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR LARGE BREED  5. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | |
| Protein 24% Min | Protein 24% Min | Protein 32% Min | Protein 28.0% Min | Protein 22% Min |
| Fat 10% Min | Fat 8% Min | Fat 10% Min | Fat 10% Min | Fat 9% Min |
| Fiber 11% Max | Fiber 6.0% Min | Fiber 5% Max | Fiber 5.0% Min | Fiber 10.0% Min |
| Calories 231 kcal/cup | Calories 348 kcal/cup | Calories 360 calories per cup | Calories 3,413 kcal/kg | Calories 323 kcal/cup |
What Are the Dangers of Obesity for Dogs?
Obesity is a growing issue for both pets and humans, particularly dogs. It can significantly impact a dog’s health and wellness, with studies showing that being overweight can cut two years off a dog’s life.
To help an overweight dog lose weight, it’s essential to meet their basic nutritional requirements while reducing their caloric intake and increasing daily activity.
To find the best dog food for weight loss, look for a diet with a high-protein content, around 30% protein, and a low fat content, around 10% from high-quality sources.
Additionally, a diet with about 5% fiber can support healthy digestion and help dogs feel satiated with fewer calories, which is beneficial for weight loss.
The Best Dog Food For Weight Loss
Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 10% Min
- Fiber: 11% Max
- Calories: 231 kcal/cup
- Made with lean protein (farm-raised chicken)
- Digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, lentils, and brown rice
- Plenty of natural fiber for digestion and satiety
- Above Avg. cost compared to other brands
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 8% Min
- Fiber: 6.0% Min
- Calories: 348 kcal/cup
- Affordably priced
- Naturally grain-free and easy to digest
- Made with lean animal protein
- Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 32% Min
- Fat: 10% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Calories: 360 calories per cup
- Made with premium animal proteins (32% crude protein)
- Digestible grain-free carbohydrates
- Low in fat for calorie control (8% crude fat)
- Some dogs are sensitive to chicken and beef ingredients
- Contains some plant protein (potato protein)
Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Healthy Weight Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 28.0% Min
- Fat: 10% Min
- Fiber: 5.0% Min
- Calories: 3,413 kcal/kg
- Made with lean animal proteins like deboned turkey
- Digestible carbohydrates for energy and nutrients
- Plenty of protein for lean muscle mass with controlled fat
- Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients (chicken meal)
- Not a grain-free formula
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 22% Min
- Fat: 9% Min
- Fiber: 10.0% Min
- Calories: 323 kcal/cup
- Rich in lean protein (22% protein) from deboned chicken
- Digestible whole grain carbohydrates
- Low fat content (9%) for controlled calorie content
- Not a grain-free recipe
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Weight Loss
Dogs can be overweight if their body weight exceeds the average for the breed, with anything over 15% above the breed’s expected weight considered obese. Overweight dogs may also have difficulty feeling their ribs or a defined waist tuck.
When shopping for dog food for weight loss, start with their basic nutritional needs, which include a minimum of 5% fat and 18% protein. Look for a recipe with high-quality, digestible ingredients and moderate calorie content. While there are many low-calorie and healthy-weight formulas available, it’s crucial to ensure they are nutritionally balanced.
The best dog food for weight loss should be higher in protein but lower in fat and calories, may contain additional fiber for digestion and satiety, and may include beneficial supplements for nutritional balance.
How Much Should You Feed Your Dog for Weight Loss?
The amount you feed your dog depends on numerous factors, including its breed, size, and age. Small breed dogs need three small meals a day to maintain their faster metabolisms, while large breed dogs can get by with two.
The volume of food you give your dog depends on the calorie content of the recipe and your dog’s calorie needs, so refer to the feeding recommendations on the package. When it comes to weight loss for dogs, portion control and calorie control are important. You want to meet your dog’s minimum nutritional needs as well as its minimum needs for energy (to sustain its metabolism) without excess calories.
Switching to a low-calorie dog food and controlling your dog’s portion sizes should help. You can also choose to keep feeding your dog its regular diet but reduce its daily portion by 15% to 20% for 6 to 8 weeks.
What About Food Allergies and Sensitivities?
If your dog suffers from food allergies or sensitivities, finding the best dog food for weight loss could be a little trickier. You want to stick with lean proteins like poultry and fish, as long as your dog isn’t sensitive to those ingredients.
Whole grains are digestible for most dogs and a great source of dietary fiber, but if your dog is sensitive or allergic, a grain-free dog food might be a better option.
Your best bet is to find a hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diet made with high-quality, digestible proteins and grains that also has a moderate calorie content.
Final Thoughts
Not only can obesity greatly reduce your dog’s lifespan, but it can also increase its risk for health problems like arthritis, breathing conditions, skin disease, and even cancer. Reducing your dog’s body weight means feeding him a low-calorie but still high-quality dog food. If you need help getting started, try one of the best dog foods for weight loss we’ve reviewed above.
