There’s nothing cuter than a chunky dog - right? While a few extra pounds may make your pooch even more cuddly and adorable, these extra pounds can also pose a health risk, especially for senior dogs. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 50% of dogs are overweight or obese.
If you’ve got a fat dog, you may be wondering what you can do to help him shed a few pounds to reach a healthier, more sustainable weight. One of the simplest yet most effective things you can do is to switch your dog’s food to a weight management recipe that has less calories but still provides all of the nutrients your pup needs.
- Pupper Fuel Dog Food
- Nutro Ultra Food for Dogs Weight Management
- Diamond Care Weight Management
- Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe
- Solid Gold Fit and Fabulous Weight Control
- Blue Buffalo Fit & Healthy Dog Food
- Canidae Grain Free Weight Management
- Earthborn Holistic Weight Control
- Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight
- Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight
- Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Dry Dog Food
- NutriSource Grain Free Weight Management
- Purina One Plus Dog Food Healthy Weight
- Eukanuba Fit Body Weight Control
- Pure Balance Pro+ Weight Management
Other things, like feeding your dog less treats and embracing daily exercise can also help your furry friend to slim down. Below you’ll find a guide to the 15 best weight management foods to help your pup lose weight, as well as other important information you’ll want to know.
How do I know how much my dog weighs?
Weighing your dog at home is easier said than done. While you could stand on a scale alone to get your weight, and then weigh yourself while holding your dog and then doing some math, this isn’t an option for all pet owners.
And in most instances, the number on the scale isn’t as important as analyzing your dog’s shape. One of the best ways to assess your dog’s weight is the rib test. Stand behind your dog and rub your hands along his rib cage.
If your dog is a healthy weight, you should be able to easily feel (but not see!) his ribs. Your dog should also have a tucked area in front of his hind legs. If you can pinch more than an inch in your dog’s waist area, chances are that he could stand to shed a few pounds.
You can also try the standing test. Observe your dog from the side and see if he has a sagging stomach. Then, look at your dog from the top, and you should see an hourglass shape, meaning that the chest should extend out with the waist tapering.
These tests work for most dog breeds, with the exception of Pugs and English Bulldogs.
Top 15 weight management dog foods
In the canine world, weight loss starts at the food bowl. While routine exercise helps, and also keeps your dog’s joints and muscles in good shape, what your dog eats and how much he eats is key.
Below you’ll find a guide to the 15 best weight management dog foods available today. These foods are made with high quality ingredients that nourish your pup from the inside while helping him to shed pounds and reach a healthy, sustainable weight.
1. Pupper Fuel Dog Food
A healthier diet means a longer, happier life for your pup. Reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart problems by feeding your furry friend Pupper Fuel Dog Food. This premium dog food is made with 13 active ingredients and 16 inactive ingredients, which work in unison to nourish your dog from the inside out.
Each serving provides nutrient-rich ingredients like chicken, flaxseed, kelp meal, cod liver oil, pumpkin, cranberries, spinach, blueberries, and even probiotics! Pupper Fuel Dog Food not only tastes great, but keeps your canine fit and healthy.
2. Nutro Ultra Food for Dogs Weight Management
Nutro Ultra Food for Dogs Weight Management is specifically crafted for fat dogs. Each serving supports healthy weight loss while providing essential nutrients. It features a protein trio of chicken, lamb, and salmon. Other top ingredients include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and a mix of superfoods such as chia, kale, and coconut.
Together these ingredients provide a balanced diet while promoting satiety and keeping your dog energized. Nutro Ultra Food for Dogs Weight Management is a holistic approach to help your pup achieve a healthy weight.
3. Diamond Care Weight Management
Help your dog shed pounds and maintain a healthy weight with Diamond Care Weight Management. This adult dog formula is low in fat but high in fiber to keep your pup saturated and regular.
It's also enriched with L-carnitine to help the body metabolize fat to be used for energy. Each serving provides a healthy dose of omega fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidants along with glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints.
4. Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe
Provide your dog balanced nutrition with each meal by feeding him Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe. This food features real whole foods that are sourced from local farmers to keep your dog feeling his best. It's specially balanced with healthy fats along with plenty of fiber and protein.
Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe is made with real deboned chicken along with a blend of ancient grains, fruits, vegetables, and probiotics to support digestive and gut health.
5. Solid Gold Fit and Fabulous Weight Control
Though low in fat, Solid Gold Fit and Fabulous Weight Control is still deliciously nutritious. This dry food is made with a unique blend of probiotics, cage-free chicken, and functional superfoods. Together these ingredients keep your pup full and energized while supporting his immune and gut health.
Solid Gold Fit and Fabulous Weight Control is grain-free and gluten-free, making it a great option for dogs with food sensitivities.
6. Blue Buffalo Fit & Healthy Dog Food
Manage your dog's weight naturally by feeding Blue Buffalo Fit & Healthy Dog Food. This food is formulated by animal nutritionists and veterinarians to support canine weight management. It's crafted with 20% less fat to help your pup shed a few pounds with ingredients like L-carnitine, a clinically proven ingredient to support fat metabolism, and fiber to keep your dog fuller for longer.
Blue Buffalo Fit & Healthy Dog Food is made with wholesome ingredients like chicken, oatmeal, flaxseed, blueberries, and brown rice to give your dog all of the nutrients he needs.
7. Canidae Grain Free Weight Management
Canidae Grain Free Weight Management is a limited ingredient dog food that's made with premium proteins and other whole foods to give your pup a well-rounded meal that's crafted with his well-being in mind. This nutrient-dense food is grain-free and doesn't contain any corn, soy, or animal byproduct meals.
Instead, each serving is loaded with lean protein like chicken, along with sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, peas, and other nutrient-rich foods.
8. Earthborn Holistic Weight Control
Earthborn Holistic Weight Control is specially crafted to help your dog lose weight. This low fat formula doesn't cut corners when it comes to giving your canine the nutrients he needs. The grain-free recipe is great for young dogs and seniors alike. It's enriched with taurine along with superfoods like carrots, blueberries, spinach, pumpkin, and apples.
By switching your canine to Earthborn Holistic Weight Control, you can have confidence that he's on the path to losing weight while getting all of the macro and micronutrients he needs to feel his best.
9. Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight
Weight management has never tasted so good! Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight can help your dog lose weight, with visible results within as little as 10 weeks! This dry dog food is made with quality ingredients, including chicken as the first ingredient, along with flaxseed, coconut oil, carrots, broccoli, cranberries, and all sorts of vitamins and minerals.
Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight even contains L-carnitine, a compound that metabolizes fat, which is a key part of canine weight loss.
10. Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight
Feed your dog a balanced diet while helping him lose weight with Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight. This food combines premium chicken, whole grains, and other ingredients to keep your dog feeling his best. Each bag is crafted with balanced nutrients for daily energy along with antioxidants to keep your dog's immune system strong.
Weight loss will come naturally when feeding your canine this calorie optimized food.
11. Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Dry Dog Food
Formulated with 11% less calories, Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Dry Dog Food is just what your pup needs to achieve his weight loss goals. Each batch is loaded with three different types of animal proteins to maintain muscle mass while providing a great flavor that your furry friend is sure to love.
Aside from protein, Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Dry Dog Food is also formulated with healthy grains, fiber from inulin, probiotics, and all sorts of vitamins and minerals.
12. NutriSource Grain Free Weight Management
NutriSource Grain Free Weight Management delivers compact nutrition along with balanced omega fatty acids, prebiotics, and probiotics to support gut health. This dog food is also enriched with fat burning L-carnitine, as well as taurine, choline, and DL methionine for heart and cardiovascular health.
With turkey as the first ingredient, NutriSource Grain Free Weight Management is a food you can feel good about serving your pup at meal time.
13. Purina One Plus Dog Food Healthy Weight
Promote healthy canine weight loss while protecting your dog's lean muscle with Purina One Plus Dog Food Healthy Weight. This food is made with high-quality ingredients like turkey, carrots, peas, and all sorts of vitamins and minerals to nourish your pup from the inside.
When fed as directed, Purina One Plus Dog Food Healthy Weight can help your furry companion slim down and feel better than ever.
14. Eukanuba Fit Body Weight Control
Keep your dog active and at a healthy weight with Eukanuba Fit Body Weight Control. This low calorie dog food is just what your pup needs to help him lose a few pounds. It's formulated to support lean muscles and healthy joints so that your pup can romp and play for years to come. This food comes in various formulas for small, medium, and large breeds.
Eukanuba Fit Body Weight Control contains 40% less fat than traditional adult dog foods and contains L-carnitine and an adapted blend of carbs to keep your canine on the move.
15. Pure Balance Pro+ Weight Management
Pure Balance Pro+ Weight Management is a veterinarian formulated low calorie dog food that will help your dog to shed unwanted pounds. It’s specially formulated to promote healthy metabolism and lean muscle mass. Each batch is loaded with premium ingredients like chicken, peas, cranberries, blueberries, and carrots, along with a powerful blend of nutrients.
Pure Balance Pro+ Weight Management doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, ensuring a natural and wholesome meal for your furry friend.
Other ways to help your pup slim down
Switching your furry friend to a weight management food is just one way to help him lose weight. There are also some other things you can do to help your dog slim down, including:
- Routine exercise, such as going for walks or playing fetch
- Feeding less treats or switching to small, low calorie treats
- Adding more fiber to his diet
- Ensuring your dog has access to plenty of fresh water
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is key for ensuring a long life filled with happiness and good health. Dogs who are overweight or obese are at a much higher risk of all sorts of health issues, including hip dysplasia, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, joint degeneration, and even bladder/urinary tract diseases.
Though a few extra pounds may seem harmless, a fat dog is an unhealthy one! Switch your dog to a weight management formula and take other actions to help him lose weight so that you can spend many more happy years together.
