low calorie dog food

The Best Dog Food For Weight Loss

You mightve noticed that your dogs gained a bit of weight recently, and youre starting to get concerned.

Is it time to put your dog on a diet, and if so, whats the best dog food for weight loss?

The good news is that switching to a diet dog food is most likely only necessary if your dogs obese. We spoke to three vets, who explained how you can tell if your dog is obese and why its important to curb those unhealthy habits that cause your pup to gain weight.

Benefits of a weight-loss dog food

The biggest benefit of a dog food specifically geared toward weight loss is that itll be lower in calories, which will likely help obese dogs shed pounds.

However, low-fat foods, [which are also low in caloric density], may not necessarily help your dog lose weight, Dr. Corinne Wigfall, a vet with SpiritDog Training, told The Dodo.

You need to look at overall calorie requirements for your dog per day (ask a veterinarian!) and then work out how many grams or ounces that equates to in food in total, Dr. Wigfall continued. Even though your dogs overweight, his breed may still need more calories than a diet dog food can offer him.

In fact, you may not necessarily need to purchase specialty weight-loss food at all. Before switching to low-fat dog food, I recommend using an adult dog formula but ensuring to measure the appropriate amount of food at each meal and limiting treats to less than 10 percent of the daily caloric need, veterinarian Dr. Michelle Burch from Paramount Pet Health told The Dodo.

But again, consult your veterinarian to get a more tailored opinion.

How to find the best diet dog food

The best dog food for weight loss is one thats low in calories. Changing to a lower-calorie food may help, Dr. Zach Marteney, a veterinarian and medical director at Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey, told The Dodo.

Low-calorie choices may be available over the counter, but there are other dog food formulas made specifically for weight loss thatll require a prescription from your veterinarian.

There are even prescription foods for weight loss that are helpful, Dr. Marteney said. I've used one for my dog in the past with great results.

Its important to pay attention to which foods come widely recommended by vets because thatll help keep your pup healthy on his weight loss journey.

There are many great brands of pet food available, but in general I prefer larger brands as they tend to have higher-quality ingredients with more consistent formulation, and their quality control is much better than smaller brands, Dr. Marteney said.

Dr. Marteney loves brands like:

• Purina Pro Plan (which is what Dr. Marteney feeds his own dog)
• Hills Science Diet
• Royal Canin
• Blue Buffalo

I recommend discussing with your veterinarian the best dog food choice for your pet when choosing a low-fat diet to ensure all nutritional needs are met, Dr. Burch said.

Best dog food for weight loss

We rounded up some great weight-loss dog foods that are low in calories and from brands recommended by vets because of their high-quality ingredients and control standards. Just make sure you always talk to your vet before switching up your pups diet.

How to choose the right dog food

Choosing the right dog food can be a bit of trial and error because it means weeding out any possible sensitivities your pup might have.

You may find that if you give him a chicken-based diet, he gets itchy or develops ear infections, or if you feed him beef, he develops diarrhea, Dr. Marteney said. You may have to try three or four diets before you find one that he can eat long term.

As far as grain-free diets, you should steer clear of them unless your dog is truly sensitive or allergic to grains.

I recommend against grain-free diets for nearly all dogs whole grains bring a lot to the table in terms of nutrition, and a specific type of heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy has been associated with grain-free diets, Dr. Marteney said.

And once you find a dog food that works, stick to it.

It's best to use the cruise-control method of feeding, Dr. Marteney said. Find a food that works and just keep using it.

How much food do I feed my dog?

When trying to figure out how much food to feed your dog, its going to depend on two things: your individual pup and the specific food youre feeding him.

On the back of the bag or can there will be a chart that tells you how much to feed based on body weight, Dr. Marteney said. This is a good place to start, but I think about it the same way I think about a 2,000 calorie recommendation on human food packaging: If I'm eating that much and I'm gaining too much weight, I need to cut back a little, and if I'm getting too thin, I probably need to increase my calorie intake.

Consulting your vet on the amount of food you should be giving your dog, no matter if its diet dog food or regular food, will ensure youre helping your dogs weight loss rather than hindering it.

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 (and more comfortable) 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 [with] 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 (5 or 10 pounds less than his actual weight), 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.

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight will ensure he lives a long and happy life with you, and with plenty of playtime, exercise and healthy food, those extra pounds will disappear in no time.

10 Best Low-Calorie Dog Foods in 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

If your dog recently stepped on the scale and the number was a bit high, you know its time to make some changes.

Its not uncommon to see a chubby animal hobbling around a park or sidewalk these days. In fact, 56% of dogs in the US are overweight¹. As much as we think its cute, the reality is that its shortening your dogs lifespan.

Your dog is probably a part of that percentage, otherwise, you wouldnt be here. So, lets talk about some low-calorie dog food options you can try to help your pooch shed some pounds!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

The 10 Best Low-Calorie Dog Foods

1. The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription Best Overall

If youre looking for low-calorie, safe, homemade food, then The Farmers Dog is the best overall. This company creates personalized meal plans using fresh ingredients only.Start by completing the questionnaire and reviewing your dogs suggested meal plan. Meal plans are based on your dogs weight, age, activity level, and breed. The first purchase lasts up to 2 weeks.

Consumers report their dogs to have shinier coats, reduced inflammation, and better weight management. Picky eaters are no longer picky and look forward to dinner time!The downside to this meal service is the price. Its a healthier food option, but you will pay for it.

Ultimately, you will notice a change in your dogs health by switching to fresher food. The Farmers Dog makes it easier by pre-portioning, saving you time and energy.

Pros

• No artificial preservatives
• Personalized meal plans
• Great for picky eaters
• Pre-portioned meals
• Eco-friendly packaging

2. Health Extension Lite Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Budget Buy

Health Extension Lite wins our choice of the low-calorie dog food thats best for the money. This recipe uses organic deboned chicken as its main protein source and uses non-GMO ingredients without artificial colors or preservatives. This recipe is 50% less fat than Health Extensions original recipe and it has the lowest number of calories per cup on this list.

For the quality ingredients and the fat content and calorie ratio, this food is the best option for dogs that need to lose weight on a budget. You get about 4 cups of kibble per 1 pound of food.

The biggest con with this food is the size of the kibble. The kibble is a little bigger than a pea and could be too small for larger breeds. So, keep that in mind if your dog is naturally bigger.

Pros

• Non-GMO
• For dogs with sensitive digestion problems
• No artificial colors or preservatives
• Low fat

Cons

• Kibble could be too small for large breeds

3. Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight

Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe is another top contender. This food is low calorie and low fat and uses chicken and pea fiber as the primary protein source.

Hills is scientifically proven to work in weight loss and weight management. This high-protein, high-fiber formula is enriched with L-carnitine and coconut oil to help support your dogs metabolism. More than 70% of dogs fed this diet lose weight within just 10 weeks!You also have four different weight loss recipes to choose from if your dog is a picky eater.

The downside is the price, so its our premium option for dry food. You get about 4 cups per pound of kibble, which is standard for most dog foods. But given the results, Hills is an excellent option for dogs that need to lose a lot of weight fast.

Pros

• Good for all dog sizes
• Multiple weight loss recipes

Cons

• Not for dogs with sensitive stomachs
• Increase in bowel movements
• Potent smell

4. Purina Pro Plan Sport Development High Protein

On average, a puppy needs about 990 calories per day. Active puppies need a few more calories to help them grow and stay active.

Purina Pro Plan Sport Development is a great option for puppies that burn a lot of calories. This food is high in protein to help muscle development, using chicken as the primary protein source. Compared to other Purina Pro Plan puppy recipes, this recipe has more fat content to help with strength and endurance. It also has DHA, EPA, taurine, choline, and vitamin C for healthy brain development.

Technically, this food isnt a low-calorie option. It has 472 calories per cup, so you want to be careful about overfeeding your puppy. However, puppies are so active and hyper. As long as your puppy is getting regular exercise, this diet is great until its time to switch to an adult food.

Pros

• High protein and fat for active puppies
• Puppies love the flavor

5. Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight Recipe

Nutros Natural Choice Health Weight Recipe is another great choice on our list. This recipe is high in fiber for healthy digestion and to help your dog feel fuller for longer, which is important since its very low calorie.

This food has about 4 cups of kibble per pound and has a nice variety of vegetables for extra nutrients. The biggest cons with Nutros Healthy Weight recipe are that its only available in one size and the carb count is pretty higharound 49%. The recommended carb content for diabetic dogs is around 2530%, so youre better off trying something else if your dog is diabetic.

Pros

• High fiber
• Non-GMO ingredients
• No artificial preservatives

Cons

• Available in one size only
• Not good for diabetic dogs

6. VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Weight is number six on our list. We wanted to list a dog food thats intended for older dogs because age plays a part in weight gain. This recipe is high in protein to help muscle and higher in fat content to help with aging.

On top of that, this recipe has added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support, which is important for overweight senior dogs.

Youll get about 4 cups per pound of kibble in this bag. Adult dogs of all ages can benefit from this food, so you dont have to buy different brands of food for each dog. The downside to this recipe is that some dogs get bad gas and diarrhea. If this happens, you may want to try a different food.

Pros

• Good for sensitive stomachs
• Promotes healthy, soft coat

Cons

• May cause gas
• May cause diarrhea

7. Blue Buffalo Fit & Healthy Natural Weight Control

Blue Buffalos Fit and Healthy Natural Weight Control Recipe is next on our list. This recipe is an affordable food with added fiber to help your dog feel fuller for longer. It also has the highest amount of protein on this list.

Many owners have reported their dogs successful weight loss journey, particularly with small dogslike the Pug on the front of the bag!

Blue Buffalo has caused gastrointestinal (GI_ upset with their other recipes in multiple dogs, but it seems many pet owners didnt face that issue with this recipe. The ingredient list is also long for a healthy food, but most of the ingredients are vitamins anyway.

If you can get past the fishy smell, this could be a good option for your dog to lose weight!

Cons

• Possible GI upset
• Fishy smell

8. Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult Dry Dog Food

Eagle Pack Reduced Fat recipe is number eight on our list. This recipe is one of the higher-calorie foods on this list, but it has the least fat, making it a great option for dogs who need less fat but no caloric change.

Pork is the main protein ingredient instead of fish or chicken, but it does have chicken meal, turkey meal, and chicken fat. It also has glucosamine and hydrochloride for hip and joint health.

The biggest con with this food is the size of the kibble. It might be too small for large breeds. Some owners report their bags had a lot of kibble dust in it, too.

Pros

• Low fat
• Lots of protein options
• Helps with hip and joint health

Cons

• Kibble may be too small for large breeds
• Dusty consistency

9. Nutro Ultra Adult Weight Management Recipe

Nutros Ultra Adult Weight Management recipe is number nine on our list. This recipe combines chicken, lamb, and salmon into one recipe for lean muscle and a shiny coat. This food has about 4 cups of kibble per pound and has a nice variety of vegetables for extra nutrients.

Nutros weight management recipe is best for dogs that weigh between 1565 pounds. Its also better for weight control, not weight loss. Weve listed it as number nine for this reason. So, if your goal for your dog is weight loss, you might want to try a different food. However, daily exercise is key so your dog could still lose weight.

Pros

• Lots of protein options
• Non-GMO ingredients
• No artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavors
• Variety of vegetables

Cons

• Better for weight control
• Best for dogs between 1565 pounds

10. Freshpet Dog Food Natures Fresh Chicken Loaf

Last on our list is Freshpets Chicken Loaf. This food is a refrigerated meal loaf full of vitamins, minerals, and fresh protein. Its a little different from canned food because it doesnt have gravy and needs to be refrigerated at all times.

We love this option because dogs love sinking their teeth into the fresh meat. Plus, its low calorie, non-GMO, and a nice alternative to dry food.

This food is grain free, and most dogs should have some grain in their diet unless otherwise stated by your veterinarian. Some dogs with allergies could benefit from this food if you need to avoid grains.

The downside is that because its so low in calories, youll go through this food much faster than dry food. A quick fix to this is mixing in some of the Freshpet meal loaf with a dry food of your choice. Your dog will love it!

Pros

• Low fat
• No gravy
• Low calorie
• Non-GMO

Cons

• Needs to be refrigerated
• Runs out fast

Buyers Guide: Selecting the Best Low-Calorie Dog Foods

The Best Dog Food for Weight Loss

The best dog food for weight loss focuses on more protein and fiber and less fat and calories.

Protein stimulates metabolism and energy consumption and makes you feel full. Fiber also helps you feel full, but it contains less energy. So, your dog will ideally burn more calories and eat less food.

L-Carnitine

Its possible the amino acid L-carnitine can help humans and animals with weight loss, although the research is slim. The main role of L-carnitine is to help the body produce energy.

L-carnitine is usually found in animal products like meat or fish.

The best protein sources for L-carnitine are:

• Beef: 81 mg per 3 ounces
• Pork: 24 mg per 3 ounces
• Fish: 5 mg per 3 ounces
• Chicken: 3 mg per 3 ounces

Its also possible that L-carnitine aids in exercise performance. Youll find L-carnitine listed in many pet foods aiding in weight management.

How Many Calories Should a Dog Eat to Lose Weight?

Dog breeds vary in weight, so there isnt a set weight for all dogs. It doesnt make sense to give a Yorkshire Terrier and Great Dane the same weight goal. Instead, veterinarians use a body condition score (BCS).

A BCS is a score between one and nine that measures your dogs body fat and how its distributed throughout your dogs body.

Your veterinarian uses this score to compare your dogs current weight to its ideal weight. A score below five is considered underweight and/or malnourished. A score over six is considered overweight or obese.

An ideal weight is about a five or six and meets the following criteria:

• The ribs are easily detectable with a small fat layering
• The waist is easily seen from above
• The abdomen looks tucked behind the rib cage when seen from the side and above

How many calories your dog should eat depends on how much energy your dog burns and your dogs current BCS.

So, if your dogs BCS is over six, your dog needs to exercise more and eat fewer calories to lose weight.

Your veterinarian can give you a weight goal after assessing your dogs BCS, so you have a number to shoot for. You can also use this calorie calculator for dogs to give you an idea of how many calories your dog should consume on its weight loss journey.

Side Note: We understand that senior dogs or dogs with disabilities may not be able to exercise as much. In that case, youll feed your dog fewer calories to compensate for less movement.

How to Calculate Your Dogs Caloric Intake

Thankfully, counting your dogs calories isnt difficult since dog food bags have done most of the work for you.

All you have to do is:

• Check how many kcal per cup are in your dogs food. If the bag reads 325 kcal per cup, then 1 cup will have 325 calories.
• Record how many cups of food per day your dog eats (this includes treats).
• Multiply the cups of food and calories.

6 cups of kibble x 325 calories = 1,950 calories per day

Tips to Help Your Dog Stay Healthy

Now you have all the resources you need. You have a list of foods to choose from, and you know how to count your dogs calories. Is that enough?

Well, its certainly a good start. But the goal shouldnt be a quick fix. You want to aim for a lifestyle change.

Here are a few tips to help your dog stay healthy:

• Start Small: Dont stress your dog out with too many changes unless the weight puts your dog in a medical emergency. Start with short walks instead of long ones.
• Get Daily Exercise: Daily exercise is key. If your dog cant exercise because of medical reasons, then youll need to cut back on calories. But, if your dog can, take your dog for a walk or run every day. Encourage play time and get the body moving. Itll be good for your dog and you!
• No Treats: For now, anyway. Until your dog reaches the goal. Once the goal is reached, offer healthy snacks like baby carrots or low-fat treats.
• Frequent Weigh-Ins: Weight checks are free at vet clinics. Call ahead of time and let the staff know youre bringing your dog in for a weight check and they can record the progress.

In Conclusion

We hope these reviews give you insight to the best low-calorie dog foods on the market. Our best overall choice is The Farmers Dog. You cant go wrong with fresh food on a weight loss journey. Our favorite food for the money is Health Extentions LITE recipe. Its low in fat and high in protein, plus its easy on the wallet.

Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock