The best food for dogs is generally not a low fat dog food, but if your canine is overweight, it might be. Even though humans often avoid fat in their own diets, dogs need fat to thrive. This is why so many dog foods are high in fat, because high protein and fat closely resembles their ancestral diet. However, an overweight dog might need less fat and less calories to stay healthy.
Benefits of Low Fat Dog Food
To help your dog with weight loss, there are three things you should look for in their food: high protein, low fat, and low calories. Some dog foods might take away fat and calories and substitute them with cheap fillers, which isn’t beneficial for your dog. Instead, that removed fat should always be replaced with more healthy, beneficial ingredients like real animal protein.
The best low fat dog food can allow your dog to still eat the same amount of food while also losing weight. Additionally, the high protein will help prevent muscle loss for your dog, which is often an unwanted side effect of diets for dogs. However, it’s important to remember that a dog food alone won’t help your pup lose weight. Healthy amounts of exercise should accompany this new diet.
Best Low Fat Dog Food Recipes
There are a lot of dog food recipes that claim to be low fat, but many of them aren’t as healthy as they seem. So, we’ve selected 7 great low fat dog food recipes and analyzed them based on features, pros, and cons.
#1 – Nutro Wholesome Essentials Healthy Weight Adult
This healthy weight formula has 7% fat in it, along with 24% protein. The fat is a good amount for an overweight dog, but the protein could be a bit higher. This is a chicken formula, and the first two ingredients listed are chicken and chicken meal. This food includes some grains in it, so it might not be suitable for dogs with allergies.
In addition to using healthy protein and fiber to aid weight loss, it also has essential antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system. Additionally, it has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin and coat extra healthy. It avoids unnecessary ingredients like chicken by-products, corn, wheat, and soy. It only comes in a 30-pound bag, which is likely too big for small dogs.
Pros:
- It only has 7% fat.
- It lists animal protein as the first two ingredients.
- It promotes a healthy immune system.
- It benefits your dog’s skin and coat.
- It’s affordable.
Cons:
- It only comes in a large size.
- Picky dogs might not like it.
- It has some controversial ingredients.
#2 – Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low Calorie Dry Dog Food
This is another healthy weight formula, but the proteins in this food are chicken and salmon. In total, it has 7.5% fat and 26% protein, which are ideal for an overweight dog, but the protein could be a little higher. The first two ingredients listed are chicken meal and salmon meal. It can be purchased in three different sizes: 5 pounds, 15 pounds, and 28 pounds.
It’s low in both fat and calories, and it promotes healthy digestion. It also has added omega fatty acids to give your dog healthy skin and a healthy coat. It has a protein blend that will help keep your dog’s muscles strong and keep them full between meals while still losing weight.
Pros:
- It only has 7.5% fat.
- It lists animal protein as the first two ingredients.
- It’s affordable.
- It promotes healthy digestion.
- It benefits your dog’s skin and coat.
- It comes in three sizes.
Cons:
- It has a lot of controversial ingredients.
- The brand has had some recalls.
- Picky dogs might not like it.
- It’s high in carbs.
#3 – Canidae Pure Weight Management Limited Ingredient Dry Food
Canidae Pure Weight Management is another chicken-flavored dog food for overweight pups, but it’s also limited ingredient. This means that the ingredient list is limited to less than 10 quality food items to prevent your dog from getting sick or having reactions. This formula has 9% fat and 28% protein, which are good for a diet. The first three ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal.
It’s a grain-free recipe that has no corn, wheat, or soy in it. It also has no artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. After cooking, probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids are added to the food for maximum health benefits. It can be purchased in three different sizes: 4 pounds, 12 pounds, and 24 pounds.
Pros:
- It only has 9% fat.
- It lists animal protein as the first three ingredients.
- It’s good for dogs with allergies.
- It promotes healthy digestion.
- It benefits your dog’s skin and coat.
- It comes in three sizes.
Cons:
- It’s expensive.
- The quality and recipe could vary.
- The food could arrive expired.
#4 – Nulo Freestyle Cod & Lentils Adult Trim Dry Dog Food
This recipe has 7% fat and 30% protein, which are ideal percentages for a dog’s diet. Fish and turkey are the primary proteins in this food, but it also has some chicken fat, so it might not be good for dogs with specific protein allergies. The first three ingredients are deboned cod, turkey meal, and salmon meal. It can be purchased in three sizes: 4.5 pounds, 11 pounds, and 24 pounds.
It’s a grain-free formula to benefit dogs with allergies. Instead of using grains, it contains plenty of other beneficial ingredients, including L-Carnitine for metabolism, probiotics for digestion, and calcium and phosphorus for bones. It’s a great choice for dogs of all ages and sizes, and it even helps promote a healthy immune system.
Pros:
- It only has 7% fat.
- It’s high in protein.
- It lists animal protein as the first three ingredients.
- It promotes healthy digestion.
- It promotes healthy bones.
- It promotes a healthy immune system.
- It comes in three sizes.
Cons:
- It might not be good for dogs with specific protein allergies.
- It’s expensive.
#5 – Earthborn Holistic Weight Control Dry Dog Food
Earthborn Holistic Weight Control has 7% fat and 25% protein in it. Therefore, the protein could be a little higher for proper weight loss. Chicken meal is only listed as the first ingredient, followed by peas, tapioca, and pea fiber, which are mediocre ingredients. However, chicken seems to be the only animal source in the ingredient list, making it good for dogs with other protein allergies.
This formula is packed with plenty of nutrients to keep your pup as healthy as possible. It has glucosamine and chondroitin to keep their joints healthy, L-carnitine to help burn fat, and omega fatty acids to keep their skin and coat healthy. It’s also grain-free and gluten-free to benefit dogs with common allergies. It can be purchased in three sizes: 5 pounds, 14 pounds, and 28 pounds.
Pros:
- It only has 7% fat.
- It promotes healthy joints.
- It benefits your dog’s skin and coat.
- It’s good for dogs with protein allergies.
- It comes in three sizes.
Cons:
- It only lists animal protein as the first ingredient.
- It has some controversial ingredients.
- Picky dogs might not like it.
#6 – Merrick Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food
This healthy weight formula uses chicken and beef as the primary proteins. It has a total of 8% fat and 34% protein, which are ideal amounts for a dog looking to lose weight. Deboned beef and chicken meal are the first two ingredients listed. It also includes turkey meal, salmon meal, and chicken fat further down the ingredient list, so it might not be ideal for dogs with certain protein sensitivities.
This is a grain-free recipe that’s made with 55% healthy protein and fat. The other 45% is made up of produce, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It has high levels of omega fatty acids to benefit your dog’s skin and coat, along with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. It only comes in two sizes: 4 pounds and 22 pounds.
Pros:
- It only has 8% fat.
- It’s high in protein.
- It lists animal protein as the first two ingredients.
- It benefits your dog’s skin and coat.
- It promotes healthy joints.
- It comes in two sizes.
Cons:
- It might not be good for dogs with certain protein allergies.
- It’s expensive.
- The quality could vary.
#7 – Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Chicken Weight Control Recipe
This food has one of the lowest fat percentages, with only 6.5% fat and 26% protein. Chicken and chicken meal are the first two ingredients, but it also has some fish listed further down the list, so it’s not ideal for dogs with fish allergies. It can only be purchased in two different sizes: 4 pounds and 24 pounds.
It’s another grain-free formula to cater to dogs with allergies. It has an ideal blend of probiotics for digestion, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coats, and superfood ingredients for immune system health. All the ingredients are natural and easy to digest. It even avoids common filler ingredients, such as corn, wheat, and soy.
Pros:
- It only has 6.5% fat.
- It lists animal protein as the first two ingredients.
- It promotes healthy digestion.
- It promotes a healthy immune system.
- It benefits your dog’s skin and coat.
- It comes in two sizes.
Cons:
- Picky dogs might not like it.
- It has lots of carbs.
Does Your Dog Need a Low Fat Diet?
Low fat diets are geared toward dogs who need to lose weight. If your dog needs to maintain a healthy weight or gain weight, then you should look for something more suitable. Even if your dog is overweight, consider all aspects of their lifestyle before switching their food. Oftentimes, not enough exercise has more of an impact than the type of food does.
If you suspect that your dog needs to lose a couple pounds, it’s best to change their diet and provide more exercise all at the same time. Losing weight can be a lot of work, so you need to be dedicated to helping your dog stay as healthy as possible.
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