Best Low Fat Dog Foods
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More
Like humans, your dog’s lifespan may be reduced, and significant health problems may occur if he is overweight or obese.
One way to support a healthy body weight in your dog is to make sure he gets plenty of exercise, but also to be conscious of how much he eats. If you give your dog too much, it will gain weight on any food, so follow the feeding guidelines.
If your dog is already obese or overweight, you might want to try switching to a dog food with less fat.
Learn more about your dog’s nutritional requirements by reading on, and get advice on choosing the best dog food.
At a Glance: The Best Low-Fat Dry Dog Food
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below, where we have highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Low Fat Dog Foods
| OVERALL BEST  1. CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Limited Ingredient Chicken, Lentil & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR PUPPIES  3. Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR SENIORS  4. Holistic Select Weight Management Chicken Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR ALLERGIES  5. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced Fat Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food | |
| Protein 30% Min | Protein 24% Min | Protein 28% Min | Protein 26% Min | Protein 33% Min |
| Fat 12% Min | Fat 6% Min | Fat 16% Min | Fat 8% Min | Fat 12% Min |
| Fiber 4% Max | Fiber 4% Max | Fiber 4.5% Max | Fiber 8.5% Max | Fiber 8.5% Max |
| Calories 520 kcal/cup | Calories 343 kcal/cup | Calories 401 kcal/cup | Calories 331 kcal/cup | Calories 360 kcal/cup |
Now that you understand the basics of your dog’s nutritional needs, you’re ready to shop for low-fat dog food.
Look for a recipe that is rich in protein to support lean muscle mass, low in fat to control calories, and made with digestible carbohydrates and beneficial supplements.
The Best Low-Fat Dry Dog Food Review
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Limited Ingredient Chicken, Lentil & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 30% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 520 kcal/cup
- Real chicken as a lean source of animal protein
- Limited number of ingredients to reduce allergies
- Contains a total of 9% crude fat
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet
- Some dogs may be sensitive to chicken ingredients
It features a limited number of ingredients and is grain-free which means that it also has a low risk for triggering food allergies and sensitivities.
This recipe features fresh chicken as a lean source of protein and contains just 9% crude fat.
As a bonus, it is supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption and probiotics for digestion.
Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 6% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 343 kcal/cup
- Rich in protein to sustain lean muscle mass
- Contains just 6% crude fat
- Digestible whole-grain carbohydrates
- Some dogs may be sensitive to pork ingredients
- Not a grain-free recipe, some dogs may be sensitive
This recipe features pork, chicken, and turkey to provide 24% protein to help your dog maintain lean muscle mass but it contains only 6% crude fat.
It features a blend of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat as well as digestible carbohydrates like brown rice and oatmeal.
This recipe is supplemented with vitamins and chelated minerals for nutritional balance and dried fermentation products for digestion.
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 28% Min
- Fat: 16% Min
- Fiber: 4.5% Max
- Calories: 401 kcal/cup
- Deboned chicken as a lean source of protein
- Contains just 12% crude fat
- Digestible grain-free carbohydrates like potatoes
- Contains some plant protein (potato protein)
- Fairly expensive to feed as a staple diet
It features real chicken as the main ingredient and a lean source of protein, providing a total of 28% protein. For fat, this recipe relies on nutrient-rich chicken fat and salmon oil.
It contains a total of 12% crude fat which is low for puppies, considering their minimum requirement for fat is higher than an adult dog’s at 8%.
This recipe also contains beneficial supplements like chelated minerals and probiotics.
Holistic Select Weight Management Chicken Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 26% Min
- Fat: 8% Min
- Fiber: 8.5% Max
- Calories: 331 kcal/cup
- High-quality natural ingredients
- Very digestible with grain-free carbohydrates
- Provides 26% protein and 8% fat
- May be to high in fiber for some dogs
This formula features chicken meal as a concentrated source of lean protein with grain-free carbohydrates like potatoes, peas, and lentils for digestibility.
It contains nutrient-rich chicken fat for essential fatty acids with fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources for key nutrients. Overall, it contains 26% protein and just 8% fat.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced Fat Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 33% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 8.5% Max
- Calories: 360 kcal/cup
- Made with several sources of lean animal protein
- Grain-free to reduce the risk for food allergies
- Fresh fruits and vegetables for natural nutrition
- May be too high in fiber for some dogs
This recipe features all-natural ingredients to ensure digestibility and it is grain-free to reduce the risk for food allergies.
It contains deboned turkey and turkey meal as lean sources of protein with digestible carbohydrates like potatoes and peas.
It also contains fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients with probiotics for digestion.
What Kind of Dog Can Benefit From Low-Fat Dog Food?
If your dog is already overweight or obese, a low-fat dog food may help it get back to a healthy weight. Low-fat dog food can also benefit dogs that have trouble metabolizing fat, such as dogs with pancreatitis and other pancreas issues.
Here are some things to look for in a low-fat dog food:
- Lean Proteins: Protein is the most important nutrient for dogs, but you should look for lean sources like chicken and turkey as opposed to high-fat options like beef.
- Low in fat: Your dog needs a minimum of 5% fat in its diet, and more fat can provide additional energy; just try to keep it low—under 10% is best for low-fat dog food.
- Digestible Carbohydrates: In addition to considering the fat content of your dog’s food, it also needs to be digestible, so look for quality carbohydrates like whole grains and vegetables.
- Fiber and probiotics: To ensure healthy digestion, make sure your dog’s food contains plenty of dietary fiber and look for probiotic supplements as well.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best low-fat dog food. Here’s what you need to know:
How Do You Choose the Best Low-Fat Dog Food?
To meet your dog’s basic nutritional needs, a balanced diet should consist of 18% protein and 5% fat. Animal sources are ideal for this as they provide concentrated energy and are easier for your dog to digest.
Protein, such as chicken and turkey, is essential for strong muscles and maintaining lean muscle mass. Carbohydrates, such as whole grains, starchy vegetables, beans, and legumes, provide energy, fiber, and essential nutrients.
Supplements like fresh fruits and vegetables, prebiotics and probiotics, and chelated minerals can also help. Some dogs may require extra glucosamine for healthy joints. In summary, a balanced diet is crucial for your dog’s overall health.
How Much Should You Feed Your Dog?
The amount of food you give your dog on a daily basis depends on its age, weight, and activity level. If you’re looking for a low-fat dog food, the chances are that your dog is already overweight or obese, so you might need to think about how much to feed it.
One option is to choose a low-fat or healthy-weight formula and follow the feeding directions according to your dog’s age and size. If your dog is very overweight or obese, you might try feeding it the amount of food recommended for dogs of its target weight rather than its actual weight.
What About Food Allergies and Sensitivities to Low-Fat Dog Food?
Dogs can suffer from food allergies just like humans do, and they can be allergic to some of the same ingredients. The most common culprits for dog food allergies are low-quality grains like wheat, corn, and soy, as well as common proteins like chicken, beef, pork, and eggs.
If your dog suffers from frequent ear infections or recurrent skin problems, it could be a sign of an allergy.
Switching to a grain-free diet may work for some dogs, but for others, you might need to switch to a hypoallergenic limited ingredient dog food diet until all signs of the allergy disappear, then reintroduce common allergens one at a time until you identify the problem.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining a healthy body weight is extremely important for your dog’s long-term health and wellbeing. Obesity is just as dangerous for dogs as it is for humans because it increases the risk of other serious diseases and can shorten your dog’s lifespan. Switching to a low-fat dog food may help your dog lose weight; just make sure it is still rich in protein and made from high-quality ingredients.
