Helping your dog to lose weight can be really hard. Those big doughy eyes at the dining table just begging you for one little scrap from the table.
Their food, bland and boring in a way that makes even them stick their nose up.
What if we told you that it didn’t have to be this way? What if we said that your dog can enjoy good dog food and lose weight at the same time?
Dog food made for weight loss doesn’t need to be unappealing – dogs can enjoy something that smells and tastes great without putting their slimming waistline at risk.
We’ve taken the time to collect some of the best dog food for weight loss on the market, bringing you the best the industry has to offer so that you can get your pup back in shape guilt-free.
1. Editors Pick
Barking Heads Fat Dog Slim
2. Budget Pick
Chudley’s Lite for Working Dogs
Contents
- Key Things to Look for
- 1. Barking Heads Fat Dog Slim
- 2. Chudley’s Lite
- 3. Lily’s Kitchen Homestyle Chicken and Turkey (Tin)
- 4. Purina ProPlan Obesity Management
- 5. Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine j/d Reduced Calorie (Dry)
- 6. BETA Light Adult Dry Food
- 7. Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine i/d GI Low Fat
- 8. Royal Canin Mini Light Weight Care
- 9. Royal Canin Medium Light Weight Care
- 10. Royal Canin Maxi Light Weight Care
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
Key Things to Look for
Picking the perfect food to help your dog lose a few pounds isn’t an easy task, but these key features you should be keeping an eye out for will certainly lighten the load a little.
Age. This is actually a vital part of weight loss for chunky pups. This is because puppy food has much higher calories and fat content than adult food, which can cause weight gain and pancreas issues when fed to adult or senior dogs for prolonged periods of time.
Calories. You should check how many calories each dog food has before you serve it, that way you can make any necessary adjustments to the quantities being served. You’ll find this number on the packaging, but you can also rest assured that our chosen foods are low calorie.
Ingredients. Weight loss foods should be low in fat, of course, but you also want to watch out for filler ingredients. These provide little to no nutritional value while making your dog feel fuller after each meal.
These ingredients include potatoes, cereals, wheat, and grains. While they are often fine in small quantities, you want to watch out for weight loss foods that use these in excess, sometimes even dwarfing the protein content in comparison.
Protein Content. One of the main issues you will find with weight loss dog food is that they contain very little protein when compared to standard ones. This means your dog isn’t getting as many good nutrients, and it can be difficult to separate the good protein foods from the bad ones.
Vegetable Content. While you don’t want too many vegetables in your dog’s food so that they still get a good amount of protein, some vegetables are important. They are nutritious and packed with important minerals, but they also bulk up the dog food in a positive way to help them lose weight as well as maintain it.
1. Barking Heads Fat Dog Slim
Editor’s Pick
This crunchy and delicious kibble is rich in flavour and low in fat, providing your dog with a delicious meal that’s also going to help them reduce their waistline.
While it is low in both fat and calories, it also doesn’t use filler ingredients to bulk the dog food up, keeping it highly nutritious.
In fact, it contains an impressive 20% protein as well as 9% fat and 8% ash. This is a great balance for a weight management dog food.
It’s free from artificial nasties, while also promoting strong joints and bones. There is also an excellent feeding guide to help you measure dog food correctly to aid the dieting process.
- Key Ingredients: Brown Rice, Dried Chicken, Potato, Oats, Barley, Chicken
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Gluten-free, low-fa
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Weight loss
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely. This is a brilliant kibble that is rich in nutritious goodness while also remaining low in fat and artificial ingredients.
Sample Buyer Review
— Chester
2. Chudley’s Lite
Budget Pick
This dry food is very affordable, so you can keep your wallet tight while also ensuring your dog has a good diet. It contains all the key nutrients your dog needs to thrive while also leaving them feeling fuller for longer. It contains carnitine, tapping into fat reserves to burn them for energy.
Additionally, it has one of the lowest fat contents we have ever seen for dry dog food at a mere 5%. Protein is excellent at 20%, and the ash content is very good at 6%. It contains loads of prebiotics for good health and to aid digestion for comfort after mealtime.
- Key Ingredients: Whole grain wheat, oats, Chicken meal, maize, barley
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat, low calorie
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: weight loss
Should You Buy it?
Yes, this is a great dog food for those on a budget. It’s ideal for dogs that are dieting, and will help them with weight management so that they can lead a healthier lifestyle.
Sample Buyer Review
— Belinda Quigley
3. Lily’s Kitchen Homestyle Chicken and Turkey (Tin)
Best Natural Pick
This tasty wet dog food can be served alone or mixed with dry dog food for a delicious meal. The good thing about this particular dog food is that it contains masses of meat and no filler ingredients – the vegetables are there for added nutrition and to help keep the calories down.
All of the ingredients are completely natural, and it has a great protein content for wetdog food at 10% as well as 5% fat and only 2.5% ash. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals that help strengthen joints and muscles, boost the immune system, and give them a soft and shiny coat.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, Freshly Prepared Turkey, Carrots, Squash, Pearl Barley
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Low-fat, natural
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Weight loss
Should You Buy it?
You should buy this dog food. It is a delicious natural blend full of goodness while also ensuring that your pup doesn’t pack on the pounds and can focus on weight management efficiently.
Sample Buyer Review
— Julia Anderson
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
4. Purina ProPlan Obesity Management
Best Budget Wet Food
This juicy wet food comes at a low and affordable price, while also being irresistibly tasty for your pup. It’s low in both calories and fat to promote a healthier diet, and the protein content is high to promote lean body mass and ensure muscles are getting the nutrients they need.
In fact, it contains 11% protein alongside a mere 3% fat and 2% ash. In fact, this dog food is able to help prevent the build-up of fat in the body, and there is even a dry dog food equivalent that you can pick up as well. That way, you can mix wet and dry to create a dish your dog can’t say no to.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, liver, rice, powdered cellulose, soy protein isolate
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Low-fat, low-calorie
- Life Stage: Adults
- Suitable For: Weight loss
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this dog food. It is a brilliant budget wet dog food that’s loaded with nutrients and ready to help weight management of your dog.
Sample Buyer Review
— Annie
5. Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine j/d Reduced Calorie (Dry)
Top Low-Calorie Pick
This crunchy kibble comes from a trusted brand and is ideal for both adult and senior dogs – namely due to the low fat and calorie content. It’s rich in fish oil for omega 3 and 6 for a healthy coat, joints, and immune system, and it also provides a balanced diet for your dog.
The glucosamine in the dog food strengthens the cartilage in your dog’s body, helping them to keep running and playing as normal. The protein content is great at 22% with a low-fat content of 13%, and 9% ash. It even helps to ease the symptoms of conditions like arthritis.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken and turkey meal, digest, animal fat, fish oil, minerals
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-calorie, low-fat
- Life Stage: Adult/Senior
- Suitable For: Weightloss
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely. This low-calorie dog food is perfectly suited to adult and senior dogs that need something delicious that will also help weight management.
Sample Buyer Review
— Samantha Bird
6. BETA Light Adult Dry Food
Best Weight Control Pick
This crunchy kibble is delicious and nutritious, making it the perfect meal for any dog that needs weight control in their lives. It might be low in fat, but it remains high in flavour, making it dog food that your dog is unlikely to turn their nose up at. In fact, it’s also free from artificial ingredients.
It contains a really impressive amount of protein at 26% as well as 10% fat and 8% ash. The lean ingredients are great for their waistline while also promoting healthy joints, muscles, and a shiny coat. It even contains a great feeding guide for both weight loss and weight maintenance.
- Key Ingredients: Turkey meal, Wheat, Corn, Wheat middling, Poultry fat
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat, digestive health
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Weight loss
Should You Buy it?
You definitely should, as this dog food is perfect for dogs who need strong weight control and a diet that reflects this. It’s perfectly balanced for their health and wellbeing.
Sample Buyer Review
— Pam Armitage
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
7. Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine i/d GI Low Fat
Best for Chunky Adults
Coming back to Hills, this kibble is perfect for both better digestion as well as adult dogs that are on a diet. It’s loaded with nutritional goodness as well as ingredients that improve joint and muscle strength, including boosting the immune system to help them fight off illnesses.
What’s more, this dog food contains 23% protein, alongside a low 7% fat, and 1.6% ash. It’s a highly beneficial dog food on multiple levels, and the kibble has even been made a larger size so that your dog spends more time eating and chewing it – easing digestion and helping prevent weight gain.
- Key Ingredients: Pork, turkey, rice, rice flour, maize
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat, gastric comfort
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Weight loss
Should You Buy it?
Definitely. This dog food is fantastic in that your dog can keep the pounds off and are encouraged to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Sample Buyer Review
— Marjorie35
8. Royal Canin Mini Light Weight Care
Best Small Breed Pick
This fantastic kibble is a manageable size for little dogs that need some extra help with maintaining their weight. It helps you to portion the dog food, ensuring that you find the right balance to keep your dog well-fed without expanding their waist.
The best part is that it contains 30% protein alongside 11% fat and 6.6% ash. This is a brilliant balance, and you will be pleased to know that this formula supports joints and muscles – helping to provide them with more energy when they are in the park and on long walks with you.
- Key Ingredients: Poultry protein, maize, barley, rice, vegetable protein
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat
- Life Stage: Senior
- Suitable For: Weight loss, small breeds
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely. This is a delicious kibble that is perfectly suited to small breeds that are in need of weight control and a healthier diet.
Sample Buyer Review
— Aleks
9. Royal Canin Medium Light Weight Care
Best Medium Breed Pick
This kibble has been specially designed for medium breeds, providing them with all the nutrients they need for a balanced diet – as well as being a highly digestible dog food. It contains a load of omega 3 fatty acids to improve their coats, giving it a great shine and silky touch.
Additionally, it contains 27% protein as well as 11% fat and 8% ash. The ingredients are gentle on their body, with significantly less fat to ease the pressure on their joints so that they can get outside and lead a more active lifestyle. It’s also low in calories with plenty of protein for improved muscle mass.
- Key Ingredients: Poultry protein, maize, barley, rice, vegetable protein
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat
- Life Stage: Adults
- Suitable For: Weight loss, medium breeds
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely. It’s a well-rounded and balanced meal that will provide your medium breed dog with all the support they need to thrive.
Sample Buyer Review
— Mandy
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
10. Royal Canin Maxi Light Weight Care
Best Large Breed Pick
This delicious kibble is the perfect choice for those who have large breeds of dog that have trouble with losing weight and maintaining a healthy one. This dog food has both wet and dry options, which means you can mix things up and make it an even more appealing meal.
It contains an impressive amount of protein at 27%, as well as 11% fat and 8% ash. The formula has been designed in such a way that it helps to keep their joints and muscles strong, providing them with plenty of support for walks and trips to the park, even boosting the immune system.
- Key Ingredients: Poultry protein, maize, barley, rice, vegetable protein
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Weightloss, large breeds
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this dog food. It is perfect for large breeds of dog that need some extra help with losing and maintaining their weight.
Sample Buyer Review
— Alfie
FAQs
How Much Weight Loss Food Should I Feed My Dog?
The amount of weight loss dog food that you feed your dog will vary according to how much weight you want them to lose as well as their size.
You will find a feeding guide on the back of the packet, and it is best to start by following this and then adjust it as needed for your pup once you have a good understanding of how much they need each day.
What is the Safest Rate of Weight Loss for Dogs?
The safest rate of weight loss for dogs is 1-2% of their body weight each week. This is because rapid weight loss can cause serious health issues and may also cause weight to be put back on faster when they get little extra treats or you increase their dog food quantity.
How Do I Know if My Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach?
If your dog has a sensitive stomach you will normally notice things like diarrhoea, bloating, and excessive wind. In some cases, there might be blood in their stool or vomiting. Nausea is also a common symptom, and if your dog is licking their lips a lot this usually means they feel unwell.
What Causes Dogs To Have a Sensitive Stomach?
Generally speaking, sensitive stomachs are caused by intolerances or sensitivities to certain foods and ingredients. This can include common intolerances such as wheat and grains, each of which is often the cause of bloating, gas, and nausea.
Is Wet Dog Food Better for Weight Loss?
Yes, wet dog food can be better for weight loss. This is because they are often lower in calories and fat but higher in nutrients and protein. They usually have fewer carbs than dry food as well, which means fewer filler ingredients.
How Do I Determine My Dog’s Ideal Weight?
Determining the ideal weight for your dog can be a little tricky, namely because there are multiple factors. One of these is the breed of dog that you own, as they will have a weight spectrum that they should be on in order to be healthy.
However, the ideal weight is also based on visuals. The waist should be tucked behind the ribs, but not so much so that you can visibly see the outline of the ribcage. If the waist is in line with the ribs or bulges past it, then your dog is likely overweight.
Final Thoughts
If you are ready to go on a journey of weight loss and good health with your dog, choosing the right dog food to get the job done is key. It’s important to tackle weight issues as early as possible to avoid them becoming obese or suffering from crippling illnesses related to them afterwards.
The foods that we have chosen to be used in this guide reflect the importance of choosing a weight-loss food that is good quality, while also being aware of the fact that everyone has different budgets that need to be catered to.
Every food here is exceptional, but we would absolutely recommend Barking Heads and Royal Canin for your dog.
What did you think of our guide to the best dog food for weight loss? Were you able to find something for your dog to enjoy and thrive on, or are you still unsure of which route to take? We love hearing your thoughts and experiences, so leave us a message in the comments below.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.