Whats The Safest Rate Of Weight Loss For An Overweight Dog
A dog that loses weight too quickly can develop serious health problems.
Which is why
Its important to keep the rate of weight loss to about 1-2% of your dogs total body weight per week.5
For example
If youre feeding an overweight, 100-pound German Shepherd, your pet should be able to safely lose about 1 to 2 pounds per week.
When Is A Dog Considered A Senior
Not all dogs get grey hair around their muzzles. In fact, many are as playful as a puppy for their entire lives.
In fact
You may have noticed that small dogs seem to age more slowly than large dogs. Its true. A small dog can live to be as old as 20 years. But a large dog can reach maturity much sooner.
So, how do you know when your dog has entered her golden years?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association2
small dogs are generally considered senior at 7 years of age. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans and are often considered senior when they are 5 to 6 years of age.
Of course, all dogs are different. A healthy diet, regular exercise and good dental care can help extend your dogs middle age phase.
Best For Joint Problems: Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
As the saying goes, you cant teach an old dog new tricks, but this Purina Pro Plan for pups seven years and older aims to change that.
Made with fatty acids derived from botanical oils, called Medium Chain Triglycerides , that have been shown in their research to increase alertness, memory, and, yes, trainability in older dogs. Chicken is the first ingredient and the kibble is also fortified with live probiotics for a healthy digestive system, vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny coat, and EPA and glucosamine for joint health and mobility. With kibble thats 0.5 inches in size, this food is better for medium to large size dogs.
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Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food
Chewy.com
Formulated to support brain, eye and skeletal development, as well as a healthy immune system, this Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food from Hills Science Diet has everything your growing pup needs. Its made with wholesome ingredients like chicken and barley and enhanced with antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E and DHA to support developing organs and learning ability. Plus, the kibble is smaller than normal and easier to digest than other dog foods, so if you have a puppy who gets a little over-eager at meal times, this food will be easier for its developing digestive system to handle.
How Many Calories Should A 10 Lb Dog Eat
Generally, smaller dogs that are more active require a greater number of calories as compared to larger breeds. For every pound of your dogs weight, you need to feed it about 30 calories. So, a 10 lb dog would do fine with somewhere around 300-400 calories per day, depending on its activity levels.
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How Many Calories Does Your Dog Need
Caloric needs are one of the most important things to figure out when trying to manage your dogs weight. This will give you a target to guide your feeding practices.
But it isnt always easy to determine exactly how many calories your dog needs. Individual dogs have different metabolic rates and burn different amounts of calories over the course of a day.
The best way to figure out your dogs caloric requirements is by first determining her Resting Energy Requirements . This tells you the number of calories your dog needs to breathe, pump blood and perform other critical body processes.
To determine a dogs RER, you raise her body weight in kilograms to the ¾ power . This number is then multiplied by 70, which gives you the number of Calories she needs per day.
To borrow an example from Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center:
A 10-kilogram dog = 703/4 = 400 Calories = RER
This number is then multiplied by one of several factors to arrive at her true caloric needs.
For example:
How Many Calories Should I Feed My Senior Dog
The caloric requirements of a dog changes through the different life stages, increasing when the dog is growing up and becoming more active, and decreasing as they become less active during senior years. For a senior dog of an average weight, the recommended calories fall between 800 and 1000 calories keeping the size of their breed in mind. This will vary if your dog is overweight or underweight.
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Now What Happens When You Eat Low Fat’ Food
You get the dog food but because it is stripped of fat, it is immediately also going to have lost some nutritional value. The vitamins and minerals in there will be less easily absorbed. That includes amino acids like l-carnitine, which are useful for increasing cellular energy and metabolism. Others like lutein can also only be absorbed with fat.
What’s more, is that the light’ food is going to get broken down almost immediately by the body, leading to a rush of sugar which is converted to glucose in the blood. That spike in glucose is then further accompanied by a spike in insulin, which tells the body to absorb the aforementioned glucose. This is what you call a sugar rush, and it’s why kids go all hyper when they have too much candy.
It’s also one of the things that lead to insulin resistance and diabetes. And diabetes is as big a problem for dogs as it is for humans.
American Journey Active Life Senior Dry Dog Food
Chewy.com
Senior dogs may spend more time in their dog beds than younger pups, but this makes proper nutrition even more important. This American Journey Active Life Formula Senior Dry Dog Food has everything your aging companion needs . It combines real chicken with antioxidant-rich ingredients, like sweet potatoes, blueberries and marine algae to help support healthy aging. It also has a handful of specially-selected nutrients, like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and mobility, vitamin A for healthy vision and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
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How Much Should I Feed My Dog To Promote Weight Loss
In order to answer this question, your veterinarian will need to calculate your dog’s ideal weight based on its breed and size. Based on your dog’s degree of excess weight, your veterinarian may recommend a target weight higher than the ideal weight to start. After the dog loses this weight, a re-evaluation will be made to determine whether further weight loss is needed. A safe weight loss for most dogs is 3-5% body weight loss per month.
The following chart provides general calorie requirements based on weight ranges:
| Ideal weight | |
| 100 | 1430 |
Note: This is a general guideline only and is not meant as a substitute from your veterinarian’s specific recommendations.
For most dogs, feeding the RER calories should result in weight loss. In cases that fail to respond, the total number of calories will need to be reduced further.
For many dogs, the best way to feed will be by feeding a specific diet food in several meals per day. It is vital that you know how many calories are in the food that your dog is eating, and that you count the calories or measure the food when entering into a weight reduction program. Feeding too much will result in no weight loss and feeding too little can potentially result in serious health consequences associated with malnutrition.
“If you are using a weight loss diet obtained from your veterinarian, the calorie content of the food will be on the label.”
Is It Necessary To Switch To A Senior Dogs Diet Once My Pooch Starts Showing The Signs Of Aging
For dogs, their dietary needs start to change as they get older and it is important to switch to dog food thats specifically designed for seniors to meet their unique nutritional requirements. Making the switch in time can put you at peace knowing that your dog is getting the best diet in this crucial stage of life.
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Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small
If youre looking for a wholesome, natural recipe for small0breed dog and grains are not a problem, this Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small-Breed Adult Farm-Raised Chicken Recipe is a great option. It features real farm-raised chicken as the main ingredient with carbohydrate support from brown rice and sweet potatoes. It is highly digestible and supplemented with plenty of fiber to make sure. This recipe contains 24% protein and 15% fat, providing 377 calories per cup. It is rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, plus it contains chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. Youll also be glad to know that this recipe is complete and balanced for small breeds and comes in a smaller kibble size. As a dry food, it is also designed to help scrape plaque and tartar off your dogs teeth.
- Pros: Formulated for small breeds, farm-raised chicken first ingredient, highly digestible, whole-grain carbohydrates, rich in omega fatty acids, no artificial additives
- Cons: Not a grain-free recipe
Wellness Complete Healthy Weight
This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more
About: The entire Wellness Complete Health product line has a number of very impressive foods, and their Healthy Weight recipe is no exception. Like all other Wellness Complete products, this formula contains no artificial additives, poultry by-products or fillers, but as a weight-control formula, it contains less fat than some of their other recipes.
Features: Wellness Complete Healthy Weight Recipe is packed with premium proteins, including deboned chicken, chicken meal, and whitefish. It is also made with a number of whole grains, which will keep your pup feeling full for longer and provide long-term energy.
The fruits and vegetables included in the recipe are perhaps the most impressive thing about this food. Among others, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, and blueberries appear in Wellness Completes Healthy Weight Recipe. These will not only provide vitamins and minerals, and improve the taste of the food, theyll provide your dog with immune-system boosting antioxidants too.
Four different probiotics are included in the recipe to help promote proper intestinal function, and it is fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure your dog gets the nutrition she needs.
PROS
CONS
Calories per Cup: 405
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground Barley…,
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Purina Pro Plan Focus Weight Management Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
Purina dog food is another trusted manufacturer of a variety of formulas for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages. Their Pro Plan FOCUS Weight Management Formula Adult Dry Dog Food is made for all adult canines that need to lose weight, no matter their breed or size.
This Purina Pro Plan dog food for weight loss is formulated to offer 100 percent balanced nutrition. It is meant to support your pups overall health and well-being. The first ingredient is chicken, so it offers up a healthy dose of protein. It also contains easily digestible wheat bran and brewers rice to provide your pup with the energy he needs. Natural sources of glucosamine will help to strengthen your pets joints and can potentially stave off issues like arthritis and hip and elbow dysplasia. This formula also contains 25 percent less fat than other Purina Pro Plan dog food options for adult dogs, which further ensures that it will help your pup lose weight. Most pet parents say that they are very happy with the results and that their furry family members love the taste.
What We Like About It
- Contains less fat than other Purina Pro Plan formulas
- Features real chicken as the first ingredient
- Made with glucosamine to improve joint health
- Infused with essential vitamins and minerals
- Most pet parents say that they have noticed positive weight loss results after feeding their overweight dogs this formula.
Reasons to Complain
Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight
- PACKED WITH REAL CHICKEN: A recipe made to satisfy your dogs…
- HEALTHY INGREDIENTS: BLUE Wilderness grain free healthy weight…
- ANTIOXIDANT-RICH LIFESOURCE BITS: A precise blend of…
- A NATURAL DOG FOOD: BLUE dry dog food is made with the finest…
If you click the link above and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Blue Buffalo almost always make it onto our food recommendations list simply because they are a premium brand that are tried and tested the world over, always with very good results against other competing brands. This healthy weight recipe is full of fiber such as peas, sweet potatoes and dried chicory root, which keeps pooches feeling fuller for longer without the extra calories from fatty ingredients. It also lists L-Carnitine which increases his metabolism and fat burning potential.
In addition to the crunchy kibble, they also include their unique LifeSource Bits, which are packed full of nutrients and antioxidants which provide him with all the vitamins and minerals he needs to maintain a healthy oxidative balance, as well as adding a textural difference to keep your pooch interested. Many reviewers commented that this recipe offers the same great taste with far less fat and calories compared to their standard recipe, and their pooch did not notice the switch.
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American Journey Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice Protein First Recipe Dry Food
Most Affordable Weight Loss Dog Food: Not all high-quality dog foods cost a fortune. This American Journey Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice Protein First Recipe Dry Food is an affordable option from the Chewy in-house brand. Not only is this recipe formulated for weight control, but it features real chicken as the first ingredient and a lean source of high-quality protein. This formula contains just over 300 calories per cup and provides 25% protein with just 9% fat. It contains brown rice as a digestible source of carbohydrates with peas and barley for support. It is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, plus plenty of supplemental fiber to support your dogs healthy digestion. It contains fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources of key nutrients with vitamin supplements and chelated minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition for your dog.
- Pros: Low in calories and fat, real chicken as main ingredient, digestible carbohydrates, rich in fiber for digestion, fresh fruits and vegetables, blend of omega fatty acids, chelated minerals
- Cons: Could be higher in protein content, not a grain-free recipe
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.
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Solid Gold Weight Control Dog Food
Best Canned Food
Higher priced than many dry dog foods
Solid Gold is known for its quality ingredients, and with a calorie count of only 355 per cup, this is one of the best canned dog foods for weight loss.
The first four ingredients in this wet food formula are animal proteins, making it the best low-calorie dog food on our list as well.
With quality ingredients and a less processed formula common to canned diets, this food is an excellent choice to owners hoping to help their dog shed a few pounds. This wet food is especially helpful for smaller breeds and one of the best diet dog foods for small dogs.
Because wet foods often contain higher protein ratios than their dry counterparts, they often make the best dog foods for overweight dogs. And, even the pickiest of dogs tend to enjoy canned diets because of the moisture content and smell.
Like our first choice food, this one is moderately priced. If the expense is an issue, you can always add this food as a supplement to one of the cheaper foods on our list.
Should I Eliminate Carbohydrates Completely From My Senior Dogs Diet
No, carbohydrates should be a part of your aging pets diet but it is important to understand that not all carbs are created equal. Older dogs may find it difficult to digest cereal grains such as corn, wheat, and barley, which can also cause intestinal gas, allergies, flatulence, vomiting, and diarrhea. When it comes to feeding your dog carbs, stick to high-quality whole grains that contain complete grain kernel. Examples include buckwheat, quinoa, whole wheat, brown rice, and oatmeal.
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What Should I Feed My Overweight Senior Dog
Choose a calorie-control formula without compromising on the nutrition. You cannot deny the fact that your aging dog needs a certain amount of nutrition for health maintenance. Fortunately, you can find some options in the market that claims to help with the weight management of senior dogs. Compare your options. Also, control the portion size you are feeding your dog. Eliminate all the excess food and treats and stick to a routine meal with controlled calories.
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