Weight Management Dog Food Comparison

Hills Prescription Diet I/d Best For Sensitive Stomachs

Hills i/d is one of the top leading diets for dogs with acute and chronic gastrointestinal problems. Veterinary clinics everywhere use this food as a post-surgery diet, because its easy to digest and sensitive on the guts. In other words, post-surgical explosion is rare! I so rarely get reactions to this food, its my standard go-to for any dog that I dont know.

If your dog does have a sensitive stomach, it has some great gut-saving benefits. This diet is high in soluble and insoluble fiber from mixed sources, which makes it ideal for gut health. This fiber can correct acute and chronic diarrhea by absorbing excess water and acting as a probiotic for the good gut bacteria. It also contains added B-vitamins to replenish those lost when an animal suffers diarrhea. Both the protein and fat are from easily digestible sources, allowing your dog to get the nutrients he needs, easily.

• Quite high in fat low fat version available

Q: Is My Dog Overweight

A: The Pet Obesity Prevention Association found that in 2018, over 55%of of dogs in America were overweight and obese, so it is more than likely that at some point in your dogs life they may find themselves slightly heavier than they should be.

The easiest way to check if your dog is overweight is to simply look at him. Looking from above, you should be able to see a defined waist towards its back, rather than an oval shape.

When you look at him from the side you should be able to see that his waist is lifted and clearly to a different level than his abdomen.

When you feel his chest you should be able to feel his ribs without pressing too hard, and if you cant feel them then your dog is likely to be overweight.

How Long Does Canned Food Last Once Its Open

Canned food that is not immediately used should be covered and refrigerated. Silicone can covers are available to fit most sizes of cans. The food should be safe for 24-48 hours, and this will normally be advised on the side of the can.

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The Best Dog Food For Weight Control For 2022

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• Reduced calorie dog foods should contain the same amount of volume to keep dogs satisfied.
• Dogs live longer happier lives with fewer health problems if their weight is healthy.
• Weight control dog food should be high in protein to help burn fat.

As pet parents, we love giving our dogs treats for just about anything. Before you know it, you look at your furry friend and realize theyve gotten overweight. Sometimes it can be hard for pet owners to know if their pup is chubby.

Vets will quickly tell you that your dog needs food restrictions, fewer treats, or an extra walk around the neighborhood. It doesnt matter how your dog got fat, what matters is that there is food on the market that can help him slim down.

You dont have to be an expert on canine nutrition to help your dog lose weight. Weve found the four best kibble options for weight loss and weight control. While doing the digging to find these choices, weve found plenty of tips to help you along the way.

What Causes Excessive Weight Gain In Dogs

There are several reasons why your dog might be carrying around extra weight. It could be due to genetics, a lack of exercise, or simply because theyre eating too much. Regardless of the cause, being overweight can have serious health consequences for your dog.

Some of the most serious health consequences of being overweight include diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Overweight dogs are also at a higher risk of getting cancer. All of these conditions can be expensive and difficult to treat, so its important to do whatever you can to help your dog lose weight.

One easy way to help your dog lose weight is to switch to the best dog foods for weight loss. These foods are typically lower in calories and fat than standard dog foods, and they often contain more fiber, which can help your dog feel full.

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Our Criteria: How We Choose The Best Options

• Quality ingredients: Overweight dogs need a good quality food that meets all of the nutritional needs without adding any extra calories. We look for high quality proteins, low levels of health fats, and complex carbs that provide heathy fiber without any unhealthy fillers. The products that we have recommended contain healthy amounts of protein such as chicken, beef, fish, or pork along with natural ingredients like pumpkin, and vitamins and minerals which help keep you pup full and happy.
• Flavor: In our research, weve found that dogs prefer foods that have some sort of meat component in the ingredients. Most of our recommendations contain lean meats and healthy fats that provide Omega 3s.
• Freshness: Weve included several types of dog treats on our list so you can have an option that works best for you. Our overall best is a freeze-dried option, which seals in meat flavors very well. We also included a chewable treat and a cookie treat. All treats fit our criteria for freshness.
• Value for Money: While these foods are not the cheapest out there, they are made from very high quality ingredients to ensure your best friend can shed some pounds in the safest, healthiest way possible.

Other Ways To Help Your Overweight Dog

If your dogs either obese or slightly overweight, there are many different things you can do to get him back down to a healthy size besides feeding a weight-loss dog food.

Here are a few ways to help your pup drop his extra pounds:

• Increase his daily exercise. Ideally daily walks, Dr. Wigfall said. Hydrotherapy may also be helpful for very obese dogs with joint issues or older dogs.
• Increase play and use of toys inside.
• Nix treats. Use their daily kibble portion as a treat for good behavior, Dr. Wigfall said. Your dog cannot tell the difference and will still get the same chemical release from the reward of a biscuit of their regular food as they do from a store-bought treat.
• Dont feed him human food. Human food contains significantly more calories than pet food, so even a small portion of food can equal many calories, Dr. Wigfall said.
• Feed your dog based on his target weight, and reduce that target weight slowly so as not to underfeed him. This means you should set an achievable target weight first , and then adjust the target as he continues to drop pounds.
• Ask your vet about joining a weight-loss program if they offer one. These involve monthly weight checks, diet plans and exercise goals, Dr. Wigfall said. They are usually free to attend, and often there is a lot of competition to find the biggest loser.

Also Check: Good Dog Food For Weight Gain

Health Risks For Overweight Dogs

You might look at your fluffy pooch and think how the extra pounds add to its cuteness. As a result, many keep feeding fatty food and treats to their dogs in the name of love. While understandable, this ends up being detrimental to your dogs health. Being overweight poses a number of health risks for dogs, many of which can prove to be fatal. By feeding dog foods designed for weight loss , you can help your dog lose weight and avoid such a misfortune.

Heres a list of the most common diseases in overweight dogs.

Best Dog Food For Weight Loss

Use whole foods and reducing calories to help your dog lose weight

03/01/2022

CONTENTS

Being overweight puts your dog at risk for developing a serious health complication, like diabetes, arthritis or heart disease. Along with exercise, a diet consisting of higher protein and lower fat can help a dog lose weight. Most dogs need about 2530 calories per pound per day to maintain their weight. For example, a 30-pound dog needs around 800 calories a day. You can subtract from this figure to help your dog lose weight.

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Wellness Core Reduced Fat

First five ingredients: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, lentils, and peas

Calories per serving: 366 kcal per cup

Price: $74.99 for 26-lb bag

Wellness Core Reduced Fat is specially crafted to help your furry friend maintain a healthy weight for years to come. When compared to Core Original, this formula contains 25% less fat, which means less calories per serving. This protein-rich, grain-free dog food is packed with premium nutrient-rich superfoods like apples, carrots, spinach, kale, and blueberries.

It’s fortified with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, probiotics, taurine, glucosamine, and other vitamins and minerals to support your pup from snout to tail. Together these ingredients support weight loss and management along with whole-body wellness.

Wellness Core Reduced Fat is made without any corn, wheat-gluten, soy, meat by-products, or any kind of artificial ingredient or preservatives. By feeding this weight management dog food, you can feed with confidence knowing that your canine is getting the nutrition he needs to shed weight and feel great.

Is Your Dog Overweight Dont Take It Lightly

Did you know that 1 in 3 pets in the UK are overweight or obese?* Many of us dont realize that our dog is overweight, because the weight gain is easy to overlook as it often takes place gradually over time. Even though its happening right in front of you, a few ounces here and there might not be immediately noticeable. However, they can really add up to some serious health issues.

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Nutro Lite And Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food

First up on our list of the best dog food for weight loss is Nutro Lite and Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food. Made with premium quality ingredients that have been hand-selected for their nutritional quality and taste, your pup will be back to his appropriate weight in no time when you fill his dog bowl with this dry dog food.

This formula is crafted with a specific blend of protein and fiber to help support weight loss and control weight gain. Farm raised chicken is the first ingredient, which not only offers a fantastic taste that your pet will love, but also helps to improve the development of lean muscle mass, which is so important for dogs particularly breeds that are predisposed to joint issues, such as Great Danes, Dobermans, Dachshunds, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.

What We Like About It

• Specially formulated to support weight loss
• Farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient
• Features a precise blend of fiber to improve weight loss and weight management
• Contains a bevy of wholesome fruits and vegetables
• Made with non-GMO ingredients
• Fortified with vital nutrients and antioxidants
• Most pet owners say that their dogs love the flavor and report that it does aid in weight loss

Reasons to Complain

• While the ingredients are non-GMO, theres a chance that it could contain trace amounts of genetically modified materials
• Some owners arent keen on the chicken meal

Helping Your Dog Shed The Extra Pounds

If youve noticed your pet gaining some extra weight, your first stop should be a visit to your vet. Ruling out health conditions that could be causing your dogs weight gain is extremely important. Once your vet has determined that there arent any underlying medical issues, you should consult with them about the best weight management strategy for helping your overweight dog get back to a healthy size.

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Natures Recipe Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe

If your doggo is on a non-meat diet, you should try the Natures Recipe Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe. Its a plant-based dog food that helps combat extreme allergies of adult dogs across breeds.

This nutritious vegetarian formula is made of brewers rice, soybean meal, barley, carrots, onion extract, rosemary extract, and more. Its also rich in Vitamin A, B, and C, as well as L-carnitine, choline, taurine, zinc, iron, and Omega fatty acids.

Each serving of this wholesome dog food contains 22% protein, 8% fat, 4% fiber, and 10% moisture. The linoleic acid, zinc, and copper content of this dog food make your pets coat shiny and healthy. Also, it doesnt have corn or artificial colors, so rest assured that each serving is very nourishing.

Despite being plant-based, this dog food has a very nice and appealing flavor. It also meets the AAFCO standard for nutrient profiles for maintenance.

The best part here is that this dog food helps solve skin issues. It also helps stop diarrhea and vomiting of dogs who have serious sensitivities and intolerances. Overall, it gives the best bang for your buck if youre looking for excellent nutrition.

Pros

Why Being Overweight Matters

Even if youve noticed your dog is carrying a few extra pounds, you may not be aware how much it can affect his health. Being as little as 20% overweight can greatly increase the risk of your dog developing serious health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, urinary stones or heart disease.

Plus, excess weight can not only have a negative impact on your dogs general wellbeing, happiness and overall quality of life, it can also significantly shorten his life expectancy compared to a healthy-weight pet.

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Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight

First five ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground brown rice and ground barley

Calories per serving: 405 kcal per cup

Price: $55.98 for 26-lb bag

Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight is specially formulated to help your sidekick shed extra pounds so that he can look and feel his best. This all-natural dry dog food is made with a reduced calorie formula to support weight loss and weight maintenance in overweight or less active adult dogs.

Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight is made with top-of-the-line ingredients, including lean proteins and wholesome grains such as deboned chicken, oatmeal, and ground flaxseed. This recipe is also formulated with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, taurine, probiotics, and glucosamine to provide whole-health support for your pup.

Because Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight doesn’t contain any meat by-products, GMOs, fillers, or artificial preservatives, you can confidently feed it to your furry companion with total confidence. When combined with daily activity, feeding your pup this weight management food will help him slim down in no time!

What To Look For In A Dog Food For Weight Loss

Your dogs basic nutritional needs wont change with his body weight. Hell need more protein and fat as a puppy than as an adult, but throughout his life his minimum requirements remain largely the same. This means that youll need to be extra careful when shopping for weight loss dog food to make sure youre reducing your dogs total calorie intake without negatively affecting his nutrition.

Here are some things to look for in a dog food for weight control:

Now that you have a better understanding of your dogs minimum nutritional needs and how to meet them while also helping him lose weight, youre ready to start shopping! If youre still not sure where to start, check out our top picks for the best dog foods for weight loss below.

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Dr Tims Weight Management Dog Food With Grains Considered For Dry Formula With Grains

Dr. Tims Weight Management formula lives up to its name, and its excellent for dogs of all breeds and ages. While the protein source could be better, the chicken meal provides a lot of protein to help build lean muscle and the grains provide energy.

The fatty acids in this formula will benefit your dogs skin and coat, while fiber helps him to stay fuller for longer. This formulas L-carnitine stimulates healthy fat metabolism and helps your dog burn calories more effectively, making it great for weight loss.

This food does help keep dogs trim and fit, but they prefer the flavor of Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food, so it took our top pick instead.

Diamond Care Adult Dog Weight Formula

First five ingredients: Lamb meal, peas, chickpeas, lentils, and sweet potatoes

Calories per serving: 304 kcal per cup

Price: $52.99 for 25-lb bag

Diamond CARE Adult Dog Weight Formula is a high-quality weight loss formula that’s designed for all dog breeds. This food is packed with lean protein from lamb, along with a boost of fiber to keep your canine full between meals. With fewer calories per bite, your dog will shed excess pounds and feel better than ever.

Diamond CARE Adult Dog Weight Formula is boosted with L-carnitine for metabolism and fat burning support. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin to protect your dog’s joints, as well as canine-specific probiotics to keep your dog’s gut health in tip-top shape.

This weight management dog food is made by a family-owned company and is manufactured in the USA. Diamond CARE Adult Dog Weight Formula contains no wheat, corn, fillers, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

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