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 problem of epidemic proportions, sweeping across the country for both pets and people. When it comes to dogs, obesity is not just a cosmetic problem; it is a threat to your dog’s health and wellness.
In fact, recent studies show that being overweight can shave two years off a dog’s life. That’s significant when your dog is only likely to live 10 to 15 years anyway.
Helping your dog lose weight isn’t just about feeding it less. You still need to meet your dog’s basic nutritional requirements while reducing its caloric intake and increasing its daily activity. This is the best way to help an overweight dog lose weight.
Here are some things to look for in dog food for weight loss:
- Caloric Density. Most regular dog foods contain 400 to 500 calories per cup, so to help your dog lose weight, look for something in the 250 to 350 calorie range.
- Quality Proteins. Protein helps your dog sustain lean muscle mass, so high-protein diets can be helpful for weight loss as long as the protein comes from quality animal sources. Look for a dog food with around 30% protein.
- Limited Fat. Fat is the most concentrated source of energy (calories) for dogs, so if you can control the fat content of their food, you can also control the calorie content. Vets recommend 10% fat for weight loss, and it should come from high-quality sources.
- Dietary Fiber. In addition to supporting healthy digestion, the fiber in your dog’s diet can help it feel satiated with fewer calories, which is beneficial for weight loss. Look for about 5% fiber.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best dog food for weight loss. Here’s what you need to know:
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Weight Loss
Some dog breeds are simply larger or stockier than others, so how do you know if your dog is overweight? The first sign is that its body weight is higher than the average for the breed; anything over 15% above the breed’s expected weight is considered obese. It’s also a sign that your dog is overweight or obese if you can’t feel its ribs or see a defined tuck at its waist.
When shopping for dog food for weight loss, the best place to start is with your dog’s basic nutritional needs. All dogs require a minimum of 5% fat and 18% protein in their diets, so make sure these needs are being met. From there, look for a recipe that is made with high-quality, digestible ingredients and that is moderate in terms of calorie content.
There are plenty of low-calorie and healthy-weight formulas out there, but you still need to make sure they are nutritionally balanced. The best dog food for weight loss will be higher in protein than the average dog food but lower in fat and calories. It may also contain additional fiber for digestion and satiety, along with beneficial supplements for nutritional balance. Keep reading to see our top 5 choices for the best dog food for weight loss.
The Top 5 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 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.
