What’s the Best Dog Food if Your Pup Needs to Lose Weight? – LIFE WITH DOGS

Like with humans, overweight dogs and obese dogs are becoming a problem, as there is an increasing number of dogs that don’t get enough exercise and the dog’s diet is of poor quality. This is especially true with senior dogs which are more prone to weight gain. Dogs need to maintain a healthy weight as we do, in order to stave off health issues, such as diabetes, arthritis, hyperlipidemia, pancreatitis, and heart disease. That means using a balance of diet and exercise to lose weight if needed. It doesn’t take much overfeeding for a pooch to become overweight from too few walks, too much food or simply getting older and being less energetic. One in three dogs is either overweight or obese so you want to make sure yours does not fall into that category. If you think your pup is overweight, take a quick trip to their veterinarian to do an actual check. If that’s the case, then it’s time to go for longer walks with your pet while changing the dog food to one that will still taste good but also take care of those extra calories. High-quality quality food will make sure your dog does not go hungry while he slims down to a healthy weight. You don’t want to simply shrink your dog’s food portion size as he will go hungry and lose out on essential vitamins and minerals. You still have to feed your dog the right portions but increase the dog’s health. So, meet with your veterinarian and get a comprehensive plan in place to get your pup back on track by doing the following:

• Determine the amount of weight your pet needs to lose (especially in older dogs)
• Determine what their daily caloric intake should be
• Know how much exercise is needed to reach their ideal weight
• Make sure to have followed up vet appointments to see progress and adjust calories and switch to a healthy option like grain-free dog food

What Brand of Dog Food Is Best for Weight Loss?

There are many dog foods that are marketing to owners highlighting beneficial nutrients promoting weight loss in dogs, but they are not created equally. Foods that are labeled as “diet,” “lite” or “calorie-reduced” are not necessarily the right food for your heavy-set pup. Many of these dog food formulas contain high levels of carbohydrates and non-digestible fiber fillers. These ingredients bulk up food, so your dog feels full, but this only lasts for a short amount of time. Your pet often remains hungry and ends up gaining weight because of his constant begging for more food. No one and certainly no animal likes to feel hungry. Therefore, check with your veterinarian, get their opinion, read nutritional labels, and do your own research. Dogs need about 25–30 calories per pound of dog so reducing that number in a healthy way will result in weight loss. Find an exercise program and healthy food that will support your dogs’ journey to a lower weight. Look for foods that have:

• Protein
• Fatty acids
• Vitamins & minerals
• Fiber to help them feel satisfied longer
• No more than 3100 kcal per kilogram of dry food
• No more than 9% fat
• No by-products
• No sugars
• No excessive fillers
• No artificial additives (colors, dyes, flavors)
• No additives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)

Top Picks

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low-Fat

This product is not only good for your pup but relatively inexpensive in your quest to get your dog’s weight down. It is low in fat and helps with your dog’s gastrointestinal needs, especially if he has difficulty digesting fat. It is easily digestible, tasty, and offers balanced nutrition. It has whole grains and beneficial protein from chicken meal along with prebiotics, EPA, and DHA to support digestive health. Dogs that suffer from hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis will do well with this food as well. The only thing that you need to be aware of is that it has whole grains that should not be eaten by dogs that are hyperglycemic. It requires a veterinarian’s prescription but is a quality product for doggy weight loss.

Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Wetlands Formula

This formula is created to give your dog better mobility, which means your pup feels more like being active and looks healthier. It is a bonus on their weight loss journey if they can get both extra exercise and proper food. It has red meat, roasted smoked foul, peas, sweet potato, minimal fat content, no meat by-products, and no grains as fillers. Real duck is its first ingredient along with turkey and chicken, offering a high protein content. It has neutral antioxidants, prebiotics, and probiotics for healthy digestion. Essential minerals, combined with amino acids, will help with mineral absorption. All in all, it offers great taste without a prescription.

Wellness Core Grain-Free Original Formula

This great grain-free recipe uses real chicken and turkey to provide a great source of protein for your pup along with sweet potatoes and peas for healthy carbohydrates. The nutrients include antioxidants, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics while leaving out meat by-products, wheat, corn, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Glucosamine and chondroitin help take care of their bone and joints while omega-3 and 6 fatty acids from flaxseed and salmon oil support a healthy coat and skin. This great recipe will keep your dog healthy and moving while supporting their weight loss and making sure they absorb the quality nutrients they need. Moderate exercise, plus good, nutritious food is the right combination for doggy weight loss.

Conclusion

Choosing food that is right for your dog means you are heading in a positive direction as you try to get your dog’s weight back on track. Your choice of nutritious food plus exercise will give him the benefit of healthy weight loss. Consult with your veterinarian to understand your dog’s ideal bodyweight plus how much and how often to feed him. You want to make sure you check in with your vet after starting this new program so they can watch that your pup reaches his weight goals safely with no side effects. Get information on developing an exercise plan to increase your pup’s weight loss while making sure it also fits into your lifestyle. Don’t forget to take into consideration any physical limitations your pup might have. With the proper food and exercise, your pooch will be on the way to a longer and healthier life in no time.