Today you will find the best dog food for weight loss. It is not unusual for dogs to put on weight at some particular point in their lives. Weight gain is brought about by various factors and if left unchecked, it could have a negative impact on your dog’s life. Checking on the diet by making necessary adjustments is one way to start a weight management plan.
How to Tell If Your Dog is Overweight
Sometimes weight gain can pass unnoticed, especially in small dogs until health problems set in. Pet parents should therefore purpose to frequently their dog’s weight to ensure they are on their ideal weight. There are various ways to check whether your dog is carrying extra weight. Here are some of them:
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Body Condition Score
This approach will need you to use your hands and eyes to assess some of your dog’s body parts mainly his ribs and shoulders. Ideal weight is the one in which you cannot see his ribs and hip bones but on touch, you can easily feel them and that they are not covered with thick layers of fat.
The waistline is also visible with ideal weight. If your dog is overweight if his ribs and hips are neither visible nor can they be felt with hands. The waistline is invisible as well. For underweight dogs, you can easily count their ribs, their hips and waistline are easily spotted.
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Dog Weight Abnormally Exceeds Ideal Weight
Weight gain does not occur in an instant but is a process that occurs gradually which is why most pet parents do not notice it happen. Frequent weight checks for dogs are therefore recommended and this way you could know when they get slightly overweight.
If his current measurement is at an unusual high you could work out a routine to help lower the weight. Seeking a vet’s opinion is always recommended before taking weight control measures.
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Decreased Stamina
If your once vibrant fun-loving friends start to show less interest in activities and instead prefer to lounge on the couch, then it is most likely that he is carrying some extra pounds.
This weight gain causes him to get exhausted faster and strains his joints making movement very uncomfortable. You may also notice increased panting or heavy breathing after short activities.
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Abdominal Tuck
The abdominal tuck refers to the area behind your dog’s ribs. This area should be smaller than the dog’s chest. How small depends on breed, age, or even previous observation. For an overweight dog, the abdominal tuck is not visible at all while in underweight dogs it is very prominent.
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Tail and Waistline
The tail should have a reasonable amount of fat covering it. If you cannot feel any bones in the tail, then your dog is overweight. When you observe your dog from above, you should be able to tell also where his waist ends and where his hips begin.
The waistline shape should be close to that of the hourglass with his belly tucking up when you take a look from the side. If you cannot tell apart the hips from the waistline then your dog is overweight.
10 Best Dog Food for Weight Loss | Weight Loss Dog Food
If your pooch is carrying some extra pounds, do not panic just yet. We have compiled a list of the best dog food for weight loss from different brands to assist with this temporary problem. Let’s take a look.
#1) Premium Edge Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
Premium Edge Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food offers your dog access to a low-fat nutritious diet hence being the best dog food for weight loss. Real chicken is the first ingredient in this food furnishing your canine with high-quality proteins.
Chicken is lean meat that provides energy with a little calorie count that helps in the formation of lean muscles. Fatty acids from the chicken give a shiny healthy skin. This dog food has glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy cartilage to keep your dog’s joints flexible.
This product brings to your dog’s bowl quality nutrition with a focus also on reduced carbohydrate content to help trim down on weight. If your dog was born with preexisting conditions like hip dysplasia this food will help in managing the condition.
Also if your dog has undergone medical procedures like surgery on the hips or knees and is required to lose weight to help with healing, then this food is the perfect product for them. It comes in tasty crunchy kibble to reduce plaque build-up in teeth.
Features
- Uses a lean meat source as a first ingredient
- Has low-calorie count
- Packed with glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints
- Supports healthy skin and coat
- Suitable for dogs born with underlying health conditions like hip dysplasia
#2) Dr. Tim’S Premium All-Natural Pet Food Metabolite Weight Management Dog Formula
Does your dog love to leap around the yard but seems to be experiencing difficulty due to rapid weight gain? Help him regain his stamina with Dr. Tim’S Weight Management Dog Formula.
The formula uses an all-rounded approach to help your canine friend enjoy a lip-licking meal while dropping some weight in the process.
Ingredients are put together in proportions that optimize metabolism to ensure maximum burning of calories and delivery of required nutrition levels.
The bigger portion of protein is drawn from chicken and salmon. Minerals, vitamins, low carbs and patented probiotics are combined for a healthy body.
Your dog gets access to vitamin E to balance oxidative levels in the body, vitamin C that helps mitigate joint disorders and vitamin D that helps balance calcium and phosphorus in the body. What’s more? Healthy skin is maintained through a supply of oils from salmon and the ground flaxseed meal in this food.
With the assistance of amino acids, your dog’s body is also able to fight free radicals that damage cells. The unique fiber blend in this formula makes it one of the most sought-after dog food for weight loss by pawparents.
Features
- Uses all-natural ingredients blended to help with weight loss while retaining nutritional value
- Patented probiotics are added for a healthy digestive tract
- Uses quality protein rich in L-carnitine for maximum calorie burn
- Vitamin-rich to boost metabolism
- A balanced diet for healthy body systems
#3) Eukanuba Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Puppies are so adorable. Their cute faces may fool you into feeding them a little more than is required causing them to become a little too heavy for their age.
This is detrimental to their health because their bodies can not handle the pressure on their body organs causing the onset of diseases that could be fatal if left unchecked.
With weight management, it is important to start early so that tone for a lean healthy body is set and maintained all through the dog’s life. By choosing Eukanuba Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food, your little fur baby will be able to develop lean muscle mass from the protein supplied by the chicken. Calcium and phosphorus are present in the food to guarantee strong bone formation.
Sufficient amounts of fat and carbohydrates collaborate with protein for energy. Natural fibers pair with prebiotics to smoothen the digestion process. Vitamin E is among the various vitamins used to help with immunity.
These ingredients are all put together in sufficient amounts to help puppies avoid weight-related issues as they grow. Without a doubt, the Eukanuba small breed dog food is one of the best dog food for weight loss out there.
Features
- High-quality protein from the chicken is the first ingredient for energy and a lean body
- Calcium and phosphorus for strong bones
- Rich in vitamins that boost immunity and act as co-factors in metabolism
- Well-balanced dog food with fiber and prebiotics for the smooth digestion process
- Uses natural flavors to improve palatability
#4) Fromm Four-Star Canned Dog Food
Nicholas Appert, a French inventor, brought to life the canning method of preserving food that has benefited many homes around the world, through its delivery of nutritious wet dog foods. Canned food increases the palatability of food making it more appealing especially to choosy eaters.
Wet dog foods also contain moisture that keeps your dog hydrated and feeling full for longer. This means that your dog will go for longer without begging for food but remaining nourished. Fromm Four-Star Canned Dog Food is one of the best dog food for weight loss purposes.
It derives most of its protein from animal sources such as chicken, duck and lamb. Chicken is rich in glucosamine for cartilage in joints whereas duck and lamb have an irresistible taste. These animal proteins are a great alternative for dogs that have allergic reactions to beef products.
To boost energy, more protein is sourced from plant sources. The ingredients in this food are properly mixed to produce a nutrient-rich meal beneficial to your dog’s health.
The food is preserved naturally and has no grains in its composition. Therefore if your canine friend is picky with food or experiences sensitivity in his tum, this would be the best dog food for them.
Features
- Uses protein from real meats
- Moisture content keeps the pet feeling fuller for longer and well hydrated
- Grain-free dog food
- Naturally preserved with zero artificial additions
- Suitable for picky eaters
#5) Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Grain Free Recipes Wet Canned Dog Food
Losing a few pounds is no mean feat but with the help of taste of the Wild recipes your dog is sure to achieve his target weight. From venison, bison to wild boar, the recipes have real meat as the first ingredient. These meats are good for dogs that are on low-calorie and low-fat diets.
They also have essential fatty acids and oils good for the skin. The dog’s body defense mechanisms are boosted through the release of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are vital for dog health because they support the immune system to fight off radicals that damage body cells.
Rich fiber content from plant ingredients supports prebiotics with a healthy breakdown of food in the gut. The use of natural flavors and preservatives safeguards your furry friend from the negative side effects of artificial additions. This food also goes well with Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Foods and you could serve both for maximum nutrition.
K9 Strain Probiotics are included in Taste of the Wild recipes to help support digestion and the immune system. If you are keen on grain elimination in your dog’s diet, this is the best dog food for weight loss.
Features
- Real meat with low-fat content to help maintain a healthy weight
- Nutrient-rich food made with highly digestible ingredients
- Ideal food for dogs that want to lose weight
- Richly supplied with antioxidants for strong immune systems
- Grain-free wet dog food
#6) Fromm Gold Coast Grain Free Weight Management
Treat the insides of your pooch to this yummy delicacy made from wild-caught ocean fish and salmon. This dog food is specifically for weight loss purposes without compromising on nutrition.
The meats are lean and rich in protein for the formation of cells, healing of injury and supplying calories to sustain energy throughout the activity.
Whole foods low in fat and carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, make up the ingredients used in this food. Your dog also gets a treat of lettuce and celery from this food.
These leafy greens are instrumental in weight loss as they low-calorie count. Roughage from them also aids digestion. Like in best dog food for weight loss, probiotics are present in this Fromm food to assist the roughage with the absorption of nutrients in the gut.
Healthy body systems are supported by vitamin and mineral supplements from carrots, tomatoes and lentils are added in the food. Taurine features in the nutrient profile to help support your dog’s circulatory system.
Sorbic acid, a natural organic compound, is used to preserve food and is a powerful tool in preventing the formation of harmful microbes in food. This grain-free diet is arguably one of the best dog food for weight loss purposes.
Features
- Rich in protein from wild-caught fish for energy and lean muscle mass
- Focuses on using ingredients with low-calorie levels
- A grain-free diet supplemented with L-carnitine for effective weight loss
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals vital for a healthy body
- Contains healthy fiber to help with digestion
#7) Halo Natural Dry Dog Food
Halo Natural Dry Dog Food is the next recommendation on our best dog food for weight loss list. This high-protein kibble is made from real whole meat, poultry, or fish.
These protein sources guarantee healthy muscles with enough energy to keep your dog active all day. This dog food encompasses a rich blend of ingredients that provide essential nutrients for good health.
Vitamins give the body abundant antioxidants to boost immunity. Healthy fats supplement energy levels while maintaining shiny well-hydrated skin. There is also high fiber content in the kibble for optimal digestion. This dog food is formulated to support healthy weight in small adult breeds.
Features
- Uses real meat, poultry, or fish as the primary protein source
- Formulated with reduced fat and calories for weight loss
- Contains naturally sourced ingredients
- The rich fiber content for optimum digestion
- Healthy fat content for lustrous skin
#8) Annamaet Grain-Free Lean Dry Dog Food
Annamaet Grain-Free Lean Dry Dog Food offers the perfect solution for dogs that are prone to rapidly gaining weight or those that love to eat like beagles. In comparison to other Annamaet Grain-Free Formulas, this food contains half the amount of fats present in those other formulas.
This reduced fat formula sources most of its protein from animals. Animal-based protein is rich in nutrients required by pups. The special formula used in the recipe makes Annamaet dry dog food the best dog food for weight loss.
To make weight loss effective, L-carnitine has been added to the food to promote lean muscle formation. Healthy oils, vitamins and minerals have been well mixed in the food to hold up the immune system.
Added pre and probiotics provide healthy bacteria in the gut for easy digestion of food. Omega fatty acids are actively present for skin health. This dog food is suitable for all dog life stages. This is one of the best dog foods you should consider incorporating into your pet’s weight loss program.
Features
- Uses quality protein
- Contains L-carnitine for lean muscle formation
- A low-fat formula specifically made for healthy weight management for all dog life stages
- Grain-free dog food with zero artificial additions, soy, corn and wheat
- Has added pre and probiotics for a healthy gut
#9) Wellness Core Natural Reduced Fat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Wellness Core Reduced Fat foods contain 25% less fat than Core Original recipes. This reduction plays a big part in the healthy weight management process because your dog stays well-nourished while at the same time shedding off some weight. Protein in the food is from turkey, salmon and chicken and gives your pal healthy lean body mass.
Taurine is added to the kibble to support heart function. The meats also release omega acids for skin and coat health. Fruits and vegetables bring to the bowl a blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals for an all-around healthy body.
For bones and joint health the food supplies glucosamine for the proper formation of cartilage. If your buddy has a sensitive belly, this food is fit for him as it is free of grains, genetically modified products and artificial preservation. Your dog will love this food and you will love its beneficial impact on his body.
Features
- Quality protein for lean body mass
- Contains taurine to support cardiovascular function
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals from different fruits and veggies
- Suitable for dogs with sensitive bellies
- Omega fatty acids are richly present in the food for skin health
#10) Victor Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
Weight gain is a notorious occurrence in dogs at their senior life stage. Your once lively dog slowly begins becoming a lover of relaxation for long hours on the couch showing reduced interest in activities. This gradually results in weight gain that makes him susceptible to life-threatening conditions.
Victor Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food helps you combat this by providing a nutrient-dense diet that is supplemented with L-carnitine to help maximize the amount of fat converted to energy. L-carnitine is also a co-factor in the formation of lean muscles.
Quality protein for energy in this food is from beef, chicken, pork and fish meals. Every bite of these pellets contains glucosamine and chondroitin for a healthy bone structure.
The small-sized kibble is also rich in the unique VPRO Blend. This is a special combination of premium ingredients that help your dog attain its maximum potential.
VPRO Blend contains selenium yeast plus mineral complexes that support metabolism, cellular regeneration, healthy skin and paws. It also has prebiotics and probiotics that promote strong immune defenses. Consider picking this best dog food for your senior pal.
Features
- Quality protein rich in L-carnitine for lean muscles is used as the primary ingredient
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for a strong bone structure
- Suitable for less active and senior dogs
- Made with VPRO Blend a unique combination of ingredients that boost immunity, promote smooth digestion and give healthy skin
- Contains no artificial additions or genetically modified products
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Best Dog Food for Weight Loss Buying Guide & FAQs
Benefits of Maintaining Healthy Body Weight in Dogs
Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Rapid weight gain is associated with most cases of heart-related issues which are caused mainly by feeding your dog a hypercaloric diet. This is because there is an increase in heart rate resulting in pressure on arteries that could cause cardiac failure.
It is important therefore to choose food that will minimize the chances of this happening. The heart is a powerful muscle and a key determinant of the performance of many body processes that should be kept in good condition always.
Longer Life
Helping your canine friend maintain a healthy body weight can lengthen his life span. Too much weight exposes your dog to life-threatening conditions with many studies linking unhealthy body weight to a shorter life span.
If your dog is overweight choosing the right food for them will help in shedding these extra pounds so that you can have him around for a little longer.
Energy and Activity
With reduced weight, there is less pressure on joints which improves the mobility of your doggie and he becomes more active than before. He begins to enjoy activities that he once struggled to participate in.
Increased activity is good for cognitive health and helps the dog stay alert all through the day. The respiratory and circulatory systems also benefit from regular exercise which is why even after your pal attains his target weight, you should keep this routine.
Lowered Risk of Arthritis
Extra pounds of weight stress the body joints in your dog and if he is already suffering from arthritis, the condition worsens. Maintaining lean body mass ensures the bone structure functions properly for your dog to enjoy the activity without discomfort in his joints.
If your dog is already overweight, feeding them dog food specifically formulated for weight loss will help reduce this discomfort and the related health issues that come with it.
Saves Time and Money
Caring for a dog with health issues related to weight can take a toll on your finances and time because of the frequent trips to the vet that come with extra costs for treatment and medication.
The disease itself already impacts your pet negatively plus the unpleasant discomfort of the tests and procedures during the vet visits. Prevent all this from happening by helping your dog attain and maintain good body weight by feeding him diets that keep weight gain on the low.
Read: Best High Protein Dog Food
Useful Tips That You Could Use for Effective Weight Loss
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Have a Plan
Effective planning will help you determine the specific number of calories to be consumed daily and how many pounds the dog should be losing.
The plan could also include when meals should be served, in what quantities and when or how frequently activities like exercise should be undertaken.
Weight loss and maintaining a healthy body weight is long-term therefore you should put in place a weight management schedule that is efficient and effective.
The plan should be reviewed from time to time to ensure it still impacts well your dog’s body. In some cases, however, the plan may fail to work, and this could be caused by various things one of them being existing medical conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome.
Dogs suffering from this disease overproduce the hormones that are responsible for weight control. Diet control can do very little in such a case. The disease is remedied mostly through surgery or prescribed medication.
Read: Best Senior Dog Foods
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Exercise
Your dog’s weight loss plan will be made complete with the inclusion of exercise in it. Schedule regular walks or runs to help your dog keep fit.
Exercise reduces bore dorm keeping your pet bubbly all day. It also causes mental stimulation and improves the circulatory system in dogs. However, you should consider your dog’s age and breed before deciding on the activity to engage them in
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Measurement of Meals
You can decide to break up meals and feed your dog small quantities of food more frequently. This helps maximize the number of calories burned because smaller frequent meals require higher energy to be digested. Feeding multiple meals also help regulate blood sugar levels that help keep appetite spikes on the low.
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Check on Treats
Treats are still important even for overweight dogs. Limiting their intake is will go a long way in helping your pal lose weight. Feeding dog food for a healthy weight will not work effectively if you do not check on the calorie and carbohydrate content in the treats you are feeding your dog. Treats should not exceed 10% of the total daily calorie intake.
Read: Help for Overweight Dogs
Frequently Asked Questions on Best Dog Food for Weight Loss
Q: How Will it Take for My Dog to Lose Weight?
Dogs, like human beings, are different. Some will shed pounds quickly while others may do so slowly. Based on your dog’s size or breed and body condition you can set a target weight where you can estimate how much he needs to lose and, on that basis, you can estimate how long it will take to hit the target mark. On average most dogs achieve their ideal weight within a period of five to eight months when they are engaged in weight loss plans.
Q: How Much Should I Feed My Dog to Promote Weight Loss?
First, you need to know what your dog’s ideal weight should be. From there, you can estimate how much calorie intake will be enough for a day without taking away nutrition.
You can also find different ways to administer meals either by measuring portions or spreading meal times to several times a day. If you are unsure of how to go about this, you can seek guidance from a nutritionist.
Q: How Fast Should I Introduce Weight Loss Food to my Dog?
The transition between dog foods should always be done gradually to minimize exposure to digestive upsets. You start by mixing 25% of the new food with 75% of the old, then half and half, then 75% of new with 25% old food and finally serving 100% new food.
This process should be spread out for a period of between one to two weeks. In case of adverse reactions, you can slow down the process or stop the process and look for an alternative that sits well with your dog’s stomach.
Conclusion
The weight loss journey requires a dedicated and committed fur parent to assist their canine friend slim down. The dog food brands we have covered in this review will offer a helping hand as you walk your dog down this path.