Why Do Some Dogs Lose Weight
Unexpected losing weight is a dream for many people, but not so for your dog. If your dog loses a significant amount of weight for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem. Ask yourself whether your dog has been eating less lately or if hes been more active than usual. If neither of these things is the case, talk to your veterinarian sooner rather than later.
Here are some of the things that might cause a dog to lose weight:
- Intestinal parasites
- Gastrointestinal obstruction
- Canine diabetes
Now that you have a better understanding of what might be causing your dogs weight loss, how do you deal with it? Helping your dog get back to a healthy body weight is very important but it is not something you want to rush. Keep reading to learn some simple tips.
Creating A Feeding Routine For Your Dogs Weight
Its important for you to work with your veterinarian to create a feeding routine that keeps your pup satiated while also on track with their weight-loss plan.
Here are a few tips you can follow to help your dog hit their weight-loss goals:
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Measure out the exact amount of food as directed by your veterinarian
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Feed smaller meals throughout the day instead of free-choice feeding
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Do not allow access to other pets food or human food
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Limit treats and stick to vet-approved treats
Some vet-approved treats include:
Complete And Balanced Dog Foods
One of the first things you should look for on a dog food label is the statement is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. This isnt just an advertising slogan. The Association of American Feed Control Officials has strict requirements to make sure that a product is in fact complete and balanced for dogs . Complete and balanced diets must contain the minimum amount of all of the nutrients necessary for dogs, which is also indicated in the guaranteed analysis. This analysis gives the minimum amount of crude protein and fat, along with the maximum amounts of water and crude fiber. The analysis does not, however, give the exact amount of these components, which means there is room for considerable variation. The manufacturers average nutrient profile is often a better tool for evaluating a product.
You can always contact the dog food company directly to get more information about its product. A reputable company that has your dogs interests at heart should be happy to answer your questions and in many cases will give you more information than what is available on the website or product label. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has a helpful sheet with questions you can ask a company representative.
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Best Dog Foods For Weight Management
Its not just humans that have weight problems, your pets can have them too. Dogs, in particular, may become overweight when fed too much or not given enough exercise. Being overweight poses serious health problems for your four-legged friend in the form of joint problems like arthritis, breathing problems, and more. To ensure that mans best friend achieves a healthy weight, therefore, living longer and healthier, here are 7 of the best dog foods for weight management:
Nutros Ultra Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food is currently 50% off on your first subscribe and save order. This dry dog food for adults features a trio of proteins from Chicken, Lamb, and Salmon. It is specially formulated for overweight adult dogs to help with healthy weight management. In addition to the high-quality protein, it also features a blend of 15 vibrant superfoods such as coconut, chia, kale, and blueberries, to name a few.
Purina Pro Plans Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food is currently 8% off. This dry dog food for adult dogs features 25% less fat compared to its regular variant. It is made with high-quality protein, including real chicken as the first ingredient, and guaranteed live probiotics which help support your dogs digestive health.
Buying Guide For Best Low Fat Dog Foods
In the above portion of our review, we mentioned various best dog food for weight loss for pet owners. We need to provide essential nutrients and vitamins for dogs for their growth and keep an eye on their weight. Dogs could face specific health issues if their weight increased more than necessary. And that is why low-fat foods come into the picture. However, besides picking one product from the above list, there are some other things to know. From what exactly is low-fat food and brands famous for supplying those meals to factors that we need to consider while buying the food pack, here comes this guide.
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Best Organic: Castor & Pollux Organix Grain
Castor & Pollux is one of the most well-known brands in organic pet foods. Their ORGANIX Grain-Free Organic Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe is a dry dog food that is USDA organic with ingredients that are produced without chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, added growth hormones or antibiotics.
This food contains no corn, wheat, or soy, and has organic chicken as its first ingredient. Castor & Pollux ORGANIX recipe contains a blend of superfoods including organic flaxseed, blueberries, and coconut oil as well as omega-6 fatty acids to promote a healthy skin and coat.
It also contains veggies like sweet potatoes and peas, plus a range of vitamins and minerals. Its suitable for dogs of all life stages.
What Are The Most Common Health Conditions Caused By Canine Obesity
Hypertension occurs more frequently in obese dogs. Obese dogs are also at heightened risk of diabetes and pancreatitis. Overweight dogs are much more prone to heart disease, and the structure of the heart undergoes changes in obese dogs that can lead to impaired function. Middle-aged and senior overweight dogs are also more likely to get arthritis. Losing weight can improve this.
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Tips For Helping Your Dog Lose Weight
Before you make any changes to your dogs diet, you should consult your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to confirm whether your dog needs to lose weight and, if so, how much. It is extremely important that you do not just cut your dogs daily food intake too severely because this could lead to a dangerous condition called hyperlipidemia or fatty liver disease. Instead, make small changes over time to reduce your dogs fat and lower calorie intake so he loses weight at a healthy pace.
Here are some simple tips for helping your dog lose weight:
How Can I Help My Dog Lose Weight
A. Just like with humans, the key to weight loss is a calorie deficit and a holistic approach to wellness. It’s a good idea to combine healthy food in moderate quantities, plenty of hydration and regular exercise. Depending on how mobile your dog is, you can try more strenuous activities like running and playing fetch. Or you may simply try longer walks. You should also pay attention to the number of treats you give them.
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Reaching Your Dogs Target Weight Through Exercise
Controlling food and calories alone only gets us so far in a dog weight-loss routine. Weight loss in dogs depends on reducing caloric intake and increasing caloric expenditures .
Talk with your veterinarian about your dogs unique capabilities and needs before starting a new exercise routine.
At your dogs weigh-ins, your vet will adjust their diet and exercise routine to cause a rate of 1-2 percent loss per week.
Many dogs lose weight in a stair-step fashion, losing quite a bit over a two-week period, and then not losing much over the next two weeks. Alterations in diet plans are not usually done unless weight has not changed at two sequential examinations.
Choosing The Best Dog Food
The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.
Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dogs food.
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Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Dog Food
This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more
About: Eagle Packs Reduced Fat Recipe is a weight-loss formula, which reduces its caloric content by limiting the amount of fat in the food. But despite having less fat than typical dog foods, Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Recipe still provides all of the nutrition your dog needs to remain healthy while losing weight.
Features: Pork meal is the primary protein in Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Recipe, but the chicken meal and turkey meal are also included too. Dehulled barley, ground brown rice and oatmeal supply the bulk of the foods carbohydrates.
In some ways, Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Recipe is a no-frills dog food, as it lacks the fruits and vegetables that are included in many other foods. However, by contrast, it contains more supplemental ingredients than most of its competitors.
For example, in addition to the standard vitamin and mineral supplements used in many foods, this recipe includes eight probiotic strains several of which are not found in many other foods. This reduced-fat recipe also includes glucosamine, which is an important cartilage-supporting compound that can help dogs with hip dysplasia and other joint ailments.
Note that this food has a large kibble size, which may present problems for small and toy breeds.
PROS
CONS
Calories per Cup: 343
Pork Meal, Dehulled Barley, Peas, Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal…,
Should I Spend So Much Money On Healthy Weight Dog Food
An healthy weight dog food should live with you for many years to come. Paying more will reward you with a better view, increased speed, and better quality accuracy every time you open the lid. It costs between $$ and $$$ on average to purchase a new healthy weight dog food. The price is higher but there are some luxury features that you opt for.
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food
- No poultry by-product meal, fillers, or wheat gluten
- Real chicken meal & veggies for high-proteins
- Added vitamins and chelated minerals
- No artificial preservatives or flavors
- Globally best ingredients are used
- Natural prebiotics
Whole recipe is full of real chicken and veggies, with absolutely no fillers, whole-wheat, nor wheat gluten. Rachael Rays super-premium adult dog food is a complete version of all nutrients that ensure sound body health. By this, healthy digestion is not only a perk, and every dog will also be free from other gastrointestinal issues. It has US farm-raised chicken as its first ingredient, which is an excellent source of high-quality protein. Food is entirely natural with added vitamins and chelated minerals.
Rachael Rays food arrives prepared entirely in the USA with all the excellent ingredients in the world to ensure purity and safety. These wholesome ingredients are natural, fresh, and offer great taste. As made in Rachaels kitchen with a purpose for deliciousness and making mealtime fun, no canine resists itself from munching on it. We also found that it contains no artificial flavors or artificial preservatives. Moreover, chicken infused in it supports leaned muscles, and fibers with veggies support healthy digestion. So, if you are looking for a low fat diet for dogs that is nutritious, consider this Rachael Ray low carb dry dog food for any aged dogs.
Best Canned: Canidae All Life Stages Multi
Canidae All Life Stages Canned Formula offers a recipe that can meet the nutritional needs of dogs young, old, and in between. This food contains chicken, lamb, and fish for optimal protein and is simmered in broth, making it an ideal wet food.
In addition to its protein ingredients, Canidaes All Life Stages canned food also includes brown rice, barley, cranberries, and dried kelp. This food offers a range of vitamins, amino acids, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. It has no fillers, corn, wheat, or soy.
Canidaes All Life Stages is one of the best dog foods for multi-dog households that dont want to worry about changing foods for dogs of different ages, breeds, or sizes.
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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.
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
- Easy to digest
- 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
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice
First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Chicken Meal
When it comes to both quality and variety, Blue Buffalo is hard to beat. This pet food manufacturer is one of the top brands on the market and for good reason. Blue Buffalo uses only the most high-quality ingredients available, formulating their products around premium proteins, wholesome carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
This brand offers a wide variety of products for dogs in all life stages, including a number of senior-specific recipes. For dry dog food, Blue Buffalo offers a dozen different recipes designed specifically for senior dogs.
There are four recipes in the Life Protection Formula line which features premium proteins and whole grain carbohydrates with two options in the Wilderness line of grain-free and protein-rich formulas.
There is only one senior recipe in each of the Basics and Freedom lines, but four formulas as part of the Blue Natural Veterinary Diet line which can be helpful for senior dogs with various health problems. For wet food, Blue Buffalo offers five regular senior canned foods as well as three veterinary diet options.
Merrick 38360 Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food Best Overall
You wont find any cheap fillers or animal by-products in a bag of Merrick Healthy Weight. This food uses only all-natural ingredients, which should limit the number of empty calories your dog consumes.
Theres quite a bit of protein in this kibble , and thats borne out by looking at the ingredients list. Deboned beef is the first ingredient, but its far from the only animal source in here. Youll also find chicken meal, turkey meal, and chicken fat theres a bit more plant protein than wed like, but thats a minor quibble at best.
Those meals are especially important, as theyre full of glucosamine for joint support, which pudgy dogs need. Its also loaded with probiotics to keep your mutts digestive system in line.
The fruits and veggies are fantastic as well. Sweet potatoes, apples, and blueberries are all packed with important vitamins and minerals, and your dog should love them.
Merrick Healthy Weight isnt a perfect dog food, but its extremely high-quality nonetheless. It should be great for dogs of any weight, and its a clear choice for our #1 spot.
- More plant protein than wed like
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Solid Gold Barking At The Moon High
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Ocean Fish Meal, 3. Pea Protein, 4. Potatoes, 5. Dried Eggs
With 41% protein and 18% fat, this grain-free recipe will give your pet the nutritious boost it needs to get back on its feet. Made from an extraordinary recipe based on beef and ocean fish meal.
An additional protein boost comes from peas and dried eggs. The formula supports muscle growth as well as healthy metabolism. Around twenty superfoods add an antioxidant boost to your dogs daily diet.
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