Best Diet Dog Food For Weight Loss

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

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 View on Prf Read Review	BEST AFFORDABLE 2. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review	BEST GRAIN-FREE 3. Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR SMALL BREED 4. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Healthy Weight Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food View on Prf Read Review	BEST FOR LARGE BREED 5. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review
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

OVERALL BEST

1.

Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 24% Min
• Fat: 10% Min
• Fiber: 11% Max
• Calories: 231 kcal/cup

Pros

• Made with lean protein (farm-raised chicken)
• Digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, lentils, and brown rice
• Plenty of natural fiber for digestion and satiety

Cons

• Above Avg. cost compared to other brands

If you’re looking for a healthy and high-quality dog food to help your dog lose weight, this Nutro Healthy Weight Adult Dog Food Recipe is a good choice. It features protein-rich chicken as the main ingredient, a lean source of protein, with digestible carbohydrates like lentils and sweet potatoes. It is also supplemented with plenty of natural fiber for healthy digestion and weight maintenance without going overboard on calories.

BEST AFFORDABLE

2.

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 24% Min
• Fat: 8% Min
• Fiber: 6.0% Min
• Calories: 348 kcal/cup

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Naturally grain-free and easy to digest
• Made with lean animal protein

Cons

• Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients

A high-quality dog food doesn’t always have to be expensive – this Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Weight Formula is proof of that. Not only is it highly affordable, but it is grain-free and rich in protein to help your dog lose weight without sacrificing lean muscle mass. This recipe features lean protein-rich chicken, sweet potatoes, and salmon oil as well as beneficial supplements to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

BEST GRAIN-FREE

3.

Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 32% Min
• Fat: 10% Min
• Fiber: 5% Max
• Calories: 360 calories per cup

Pros

• Made with premium animal proteins (32% crude protein)
• Digestible grain-free carbohydrates
• Low in fat for calorie control (8% crude fat)

Cons

• Some dogs are sensitive to chicken and beef ingredients
• Contains some plant protein (potato protein)

If your dog has food allergies or sensitivities, a grain-free formula like this Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe might be a good choice. This recipe features premium animal proteins like deboned beef and chicken meal with digestible grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas. It contains 32% crude protein to support lean muscle mass with just 8% fat for calorie control.

BEST FOR SMALL BREED

4.

Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Healthy Weight Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 28.0% Min
• Fat: 10% Min
• Fiber: 5.0% Min
• Calories: 3,413 kcal/kg

Pros

• Made with lean animal proteins like deboned turkey
• Digestible carbohydrates for energy and nutrients
• Plenty of protein for lean muscle mass with controlled fat

Cons

• Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients (chicken meal)
• Not a grain-free formula

Small breed dogs need more calories to fuel their faster metabolisms, but too much fat can lead to weight gain. If your small breed dog needs to lose weight, this Wellness Complete Healthy Small Breed Healthy Weight recipe is a good choice. Made with lean proteins like deboned turkey and digestible carbohydrates like brown rice, this is a low-calorie, nutrient-rich recipe your dog is sure to love.

BEST FOR LARGE BREED

5.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 22% Min
• Fat: 9% Min
• Fiber: 10.0% Min
• Calories: 323 kcal/cup

Pros

• Rich in lean protein (22% protein) from deboned chicken
• Digestible whole grain carbohydrates
• Low fat content (9%) for controlled calorie content

Cons

• Not a grain-free recipe

If your large-breed dog needs to lose weight, this Blue Buffalo Large Breed Healthy Weight Recipe might be a good choice. Formulated with 22% protein and just 9% fat, this recipe will help your dog maintain lean muscle mass without going overboard on calories. It features lean proteins like deboned chicken with digestible carbohydrates like whole grain barley, oatmeal, and brown rice. Plus, it is supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion.

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.