Sometimes we just love our dogs too much and go a little crazy on the treats and food (or you have kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews who sneak food to your pup) and our dogs gain a bit too much weight. If your veterinarian tells you your dog needs to lose some weight, you may need to get specific dog food for weight loss to help with the task, in addition to increasing their exercise.
This happened to one of our dogs and with an improved diet with less treats and increased exercise, our dog was able to lose 10 pounds, which according to our veterinarian, is equivalent to us losing 20 pounds!
This post will look at dog food for weight loss, why your pup may need to lose some weight, and popular types of weight loss dog foods available.
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Related: Elevate Your Pup’s Food With Kibble Toppers For Dogs, Senior Dog Food For A Sensitive Stomach, Best Automatic Dog Feeder For Your Pup
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative and should not be taken as medical advice. Talk to your veterinarian regarding any health concerns you may have for your dog.
Why Does My Dog Need To Lose Weight?
Excess weight on your dog can not only cause them to have difficulty walking, but can cause all sorts of health problems for them. They may:
- Develop diabetes.
- Put stress on their heart.
- Add weight and stress on their joints, causing difficulty walking, sitting, and standing.
- Get tired easily and not be able to play or walk as long as before.
- Develop kidney disease.
- Have decreased heat tolerance.
What Are The Benefits Of Fiber In Your Dog’s Food?
Most dog food for weight loss contains different forms of fiber to help keep your pup feeling full and reduce the amount of food they eat as a whole. These can be broken down into two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble.
Soluble Fiber
Soluble fiber dissolves in water. As it dissolves, it forms a gel-like material. This type of fiber helps to lower cholesterol and glucose. Examples include:
- Psyllium.
- Carrots.
- Apples.
- Beans.
- Oats.
Insoluble Fiber
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. This type of fiber creates bulk to your dog’s stool and is beneficial if your dog has diarrhea or is constipated. Examples include:
- Whole wheat flour and bran.
- Nuts.
- Beans.
- Potatoes.
A combination of both soluble and insoluble fiber can give your dog the best benefit. Increasing the amount of fiber in your dog’s diet can help to:
- Lower cholesterol.
- Normalize bowel movements.
- Control blood sugar.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
What Should I Look For When Choosing A Dog Food For Weight Loss?
When choosing the right dog food for weight loss for your pup, it is best to discuss this with your veterinarian. They will help you determine the right type of food for your dog.
Some dog foods designed for weight loss are only available by prescription from your veterinarian. This is another reason why it is a good idea to discuss options with your veterinarian, as prescription dog food can be a lot of money and they may help you find an alternative that is more affordable.
Common Ingredients In Dog Food For Weight Loss Include:
Fiber
As mentioned above, fiber is a great way to help dogs feel full and maintain a healthy weight. Most dog foods for weight loss will contain a combination of fiber to help keep your dog healthy.
Omega Fatty Acids
Omega -3 and -6 fatty acids may be included in your dog’s food to help keep their coat and skin healthy.
Protein
Most dog food will have a protein source to help maintain muscle mass , like chicken.
Prebiotics
Help to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Calories
These dog foods also have a certain amount of calories per serving to help your dog avoid having too many.
How Do I Get My Dog To Eat New Food?
It is best to gradually transition your dog to a new food instead of changing it all at once, which could upset your dog’s stomach.
Transitioning should be done over the course of a week or more.
Start by giving your dog ¾ of their current food with ¼ of the new food. This can be done over the course of two days.
Next, give your dog ½ of their food and ½ of the new food. This is done over the course of the next 2 days.
Then, feed your dog ¼ of their old food and ¾ of the new food for the next few days.
Finally, you can now give your dog the new food.
How Am I Able To Get Prescription Dog Food For My Pup?
As mentioned earlier, some dog food for weight loss is only available by prescription from your veterinarian. So how do you buy the food?
This can be done by buying it directly through your veterinarian’s office.
Another way to purchase prescription dog food is through an online retailer. When you make your purchase, they will require you to upload the prescription from your veterinarian or you can provide them with your vet’s information, so they can verify they prescribed it for your dog.
Best Dog Food For Weight Loss
Here are 5 top sellers of dog food for weight loss. Product information is according to the manufacturer. These dog foods are available in both dry and wet formulas.
Royal Canin Weight Care/Weight Control
This dog food has a controlled fat and calorie content and helps maintain muscle mass.
- Contains a controlled fat and calorie content.
- Blend of fiber to keep dogs feeling full.
- Includes Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids to support skin and coat.
- Promotes healthy digestion.
- Contains prebiotics to support a healthy microbiome.
- Wet Satiety Support formulated to help obese dogs lose weight.
- Promotes bone and joint health.
- Supports urinary health.
- Helps maintain muscle mass.
Hills Science Diet r/d Weight Reduction
Weight loss / perfect weight Options
This dog food supports muscle mass and has a combination of fiber to keep them feeling full.
- Perfect Weight helps maintain a healthy weight.
- Supports muscle maintenance.
- Contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- Has protein to support lean muscle mass.
- Weight Loss is formulated to reduce body fat by 22%
- Designed to keep dogs feeling satisfied.
- Helps metabolize fat.
- Includes soluble and insoluble fiber.
- Promotes healthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
- Modifies metabolism from fat storing to fat burning.
- Made in the USA.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management
This dog food is high in protein and fiber.
- Designed to help dogs lose weight and maintain muscle.
- Has a high protein to calorie ratio.
- Low in fat.
- Has natural fiber.
- Contains isoflavones to reduce the risk of regaining weight.
Blue Buffalo Freedom Healthy Weight Grain Free
This grain free option has a controlled calorie content and is high in protein.
- Features high quality protein.
- Grain and gluten free.
- Contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat.
- Has a certain amount of calories and fat to help reach ideal weight and maintain it.
- Includes “Lifesource Bits” which is a blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support the immune system and promote their overall health.
- Free of corn, wheat, soy, artificial preservatives and flavors.
Iams Proactive Health Healthy Weight Management
This dog food has a fiber blend and supports a healthy metabolism.
- Helps with healthy weight management.
- Contains protein to promote strong muscles.
- Includes L-Carnitine for a healthy metabolism.
- Has a blend of fibers and prebiotics to support healthy digestion.
We all love our dogs, but sometimes we can give them a little too much love in the form of food and treats. When your pup starts weighing more than their ideal weight, your veterinarian might suggest a dog food for weight loss to help them decrease their caloric intake while helping them feel full. A dog food for weight loss can help your dog maintain muscle mass and feel full, while decreasing the amount of calories they ingest.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.