Are you finding it hard to manage your dog’s weight? If so, you’re not alone. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 54 percent of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. That’s a lot of pudgy pooches!
If your dog is one of the many who could use a little help slimming down, you may be wondering what’s the best food for a fat dog.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common causes of canine obesity and offer tips on how to choose the right diet for your pup. We’ll also take a look at some popular commercial dog foods that are designed specifically for overweight dogs.
What is considered a fat or obese dog?
If a dog’s weight is 10-20% more than what is considered ideal, they are overweight but the baseline or the ‘ideal’ weight can vary based on the dog’s breed, age, and activity level. However, if a dog’s weight is more than 20% over what is considered ideal, they are obese.
If a dog’s weight 20% or more above their ideal body weight, they are obese. For example, a 10-pound dog would be considered overweight at 11 pounds and obese at 12 pounds.
When it comes to determining if a dog is overweight, there are a few different ways to assess body conditions. One method is to use a Body Condition Score (BCS) chart. This system assigns a number to a dog based on how much fat covers its ribs and spine. A score of 1 means the dog is too thin, while a score of 9 or more indicates an obese dog.
A second way to evaluate a dog’s weight is by using the Body Fat Percentage (BFP) method. This system estimates the amount of body fat a dog has based on its weight and body measurements. A BFP of 10 percent or more is considered obese.
What are the health risks of obesity in dogs?
Just like in humans, obesity in dogs can lead to a number of health problems. These include:
- -Arthritis: Excess weight puts added stress on a dog’s joints, which can lead to the development of arthritis.
- -Diabetes: Obesity is one of the most common risk factors for diabetes in dogs.
- -High blood pressure: Overweight dogs are more likely to develop high blood pressure.
- -Heart disease: Fat dogs are at an increased risk for developing heart disease.
- Kidney disease: Fat dogs are more likely to develop kidney disease.
- Liver disease: Obesity can lead to liver disease in dogs.-
- Cancer: Dogs who are obese have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as bladder cancer and mammary cancer.
What are the most common causes of obesity in dogs?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to obesity in dogs, including:
- A sedentary lifestyle: Dogs who don’t get enough exercise are more likely to be overweight.
- An unhealthy diet:canned dog food often contains more calories than dry food, so if your pup is eating canned food, they may be consuming too many calories.
- Certain health conditions: Some medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease, can cause weight gain in dogs.
- Age: Older dogs are more likely to be obese than younger dogs.
- Neutering: Dogs who have been spayed or neutered are also more likely to be overweight.
What is the best diet for a fat dog?
The best diet for an overweight or obese dog is one that is high in protein and fiber and low in calories. Below are the best ingredients your dog’s diet should have to lose weight;
Powdered cellulose is an indigestible plant fiber, typically from wood pulp. While it may offer some health benefits by diluting the number of calories in each serving and giving your dog the feeling of fullness, you’ll likely also notice an increase in the volume of its poop. I like thing ingredient because it gives the dog that feeling of fullness and limits the chances of it becoming overweight.
Oats are a good source of soluble fiber, which can help your dog feel full and satisfied after eating. Oats are also a low-glycemic food, meaning they won’t cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.
L-carnitine is an amino acid that’s involved in fat metabolism. It helps the body to burn fat for energy, which can lead to weight loss.
Green tea is a good source of antioxidants and has been shown to boost metabolism and promote weight loss in humans. While there’s no guarantee it will have the same effect in dogs, it’s a safe ingredient to add to their diet.
Other ingredients that will make your dog feel fuller include beet pulp, and brewers rice.
For weight reduction, consider diets with ingredients such as whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, powdered cellulose, soybean meal, soybean mill run, chicken liver flavor, dried beet pulp, pork liver flavor. To reduce calories, choose a diet with higher protein and fiber and lower fat. If your dog is very active, you may need to increase the amount of calories they consume.
Grain-free diets with reduced fats such as Chicken meal, field peas, lentils, potato and tapioca are also excellent options for fat dogs.
High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets are often used for dogs who are obese. These diets help to reduce the amount of fat stored in the body while still providing the nutrients your dog needs.
Veterinary diets vs regular diets for weight reduction?
There are a number of weight-loss diets available for dogs, both from your vet and from regular pet stores. However, not all of these diets are created equal. Veterinary diets are often higher in protein and fiber and lower in calories than regular pet food, making them more effective for weight loss. In addition, veterinary diets are formulated to be nutritionally complete, so you can be sure your dog is getting all the nutrients they need while on a weight-loss plan.
How do I know if my dog is overweight?
You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs without a thick layer of fat if he is at a healthy weight. Generally, an overweight dog will have no waist and his chest will be the same size as his stomach. This is known as an “apple” body shape. An underweight dog will have a visible waist and his ribs, hips, and spine will be easily visible. This is known as a “pear” body shape.
You can also weigh your dog at home using a pet scale. For reference, here are the average weights of popular dog breeds:
Breed: Average Weight (lbs)
- Labrador Retriever 55-80
- Golden Retriever 65-75
- German Shepherd Dog 75-95
- Beagle 20-30
- Bulldog 50-55
- Boxer 70-85
- Poodle 45-70
- Yorkshire Terrier 7-9
- Dachshund 16-32
Another way to determine if your dog is overweight is to use Body condition score(BCS). BCS is a nine-point system that assigns a number from 1 to 9 to rate how overweight or underweight your dog is, with 1 being very thin and 9 being obese. To use this system, simply feel your dog’s ribs and spine. If you can’t feel them, your dog is likely overweight. If you can see them, your dog is likely underweight.
What are the health risks of dog being overweight?
Just like in humans, being overweight or obese can lead to a number of health problems in dogs. These include:
- · Joint problems such as arthritis
- · Breathing difficulties
- · Diabetes
- · High blood pressure
- · Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Cancer
In addition, overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from heat stroke and may have a shorter life expectancy than their leaner counterparts.
How can I help my dog lose weight?
The best way to help your dog lose weight is to feed him a healthy diet and give him plenty of exercises. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Cut back on the amount of food you’re feeding your dog. A good rule of thumb is to feed him no more than 1 cup of food per day for every 20 pounds of body weight.
- Don’t Overfeed: A good rule of thumb is to feed him no more than 1 cup of food per day for every 20 pounds of body weight.
- Beware of “fat traps.” Many popular dog foods are high in calories and fat, which can contribute to weight gain. Be sure to read the label carefully to make sure you’re not accidentally overfeeding your dog.
- A lot of dog foods contain a lot of fillers and grains. These ingredients can contribute to weight gain and should be avoided. Instead, opt for a grain-free diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
- Avoid giving your dog table scraps and high-calorie treats.
- Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. A good goal is to provide him with at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can be in the form of walks, runs, or playtime.If you’re not sure how much to feed your dog or how much exercise he needs, talk to your veterinarian. He can help you
How to choose the best dog food for fat dogs – Factors/ingredients to consider:
When choosing the best dog food for fat dogs, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
- High protein diet: First, you’ll want to make sure the food is high in protein and fiber and low in calories. This will help your dog lose weight while still getting all the nutrients he needs.
- Grain-free: Second, you’ll want to choose a grain-free food.Many commercial dog foods contain fillers and grains that can contribute to weight gain. Avoid high-calorie treats:
- Avoid high-calorie diets: Third, avoid giving your dog high-calorie treats. Stick to healthy, low-calorie options like fruits and vegetables. High-calorie diets are those that have over 400 kcal per cup and they can make your dog gain weight.
- Powdered cellulose: Not only does cellulose decrease the caloric intake per serving, but it also tricks your dog into feeling fuller for longer. The only downside is that you’ll have to clean up more waste.
- Fiber: fiber is an essential part of any weight loss plan, human or canine. It helps to regulate digestion, keeps you feeling full, and can even help burn fat.
- Reduced fat: Consider diets with reduced fats such as field peas, lentils, potato and tapioca. Other low-fat diets are poultry by-product meal, corn germ meal
What’re the best diets to feed an overweight dog?
Raw diet:
The best diet for your overweight dog is one consisting of whole, raw meat. This can be easily accomplished by feeding them pre-made frozen raw food. Most brands will sell complete and balanced meals, some of which even contain fruits and vegetables. Higher quality foods won’t have added synthetic vitamins and minerals; the nutrients come from natural ingredients instead.
Pros:
- · Dogs love the taste of raw food and it’s easy to digest.
- Raw meat is high in protein and low in fat, both of which are essential for weight loss.
- You can control the portion size and ingredients very easily.
Cons:
- It can be expensive, depending on the quality of the ingredients.
- You have to be careful to not overfeed, as too much protein can be harmful.
Which brands make dog food brands for weight management?
- Orijen:
- Zignature
- Taste of the Wild
- Merrick
- Blue Buffalo
- Nutro
- Wellness
- Instinct
- ACANA
- Nulo
- Answers Pet Food
- Radiant Life
These are just a few brands that make dog food for weight management.
Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food
Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food is formulated to help your pet maintain a healthy weight. The first ingredient in this recipe is real deboned beef, followed by high quality protein and healthy fat ingredients. This recipe contains 55% protein and healthy fat ingredients to help maintain optimal weight and increased energy, along with 45% produce, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other natural ingredients. 80% of the protein comes from animal sources. Glucosamine and chondroitin help maintain healthy hips and joints while omega fatty acids promote healthy skin and a shiny coat
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food
Veterinary-exclusive dry dog food for dogs with long- or short-term digestive sensitivities. Promotes digestive health and optimal stool quality with highly digestible proteins and prebiotics. Contains low fat content for dogs that have difficulties digesting or tolerating fat, while providing sufficient calories for their daily diet. Enriched with a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers for healthy GI transit. Helps manage GI health with omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced Fat Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced Fat Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food is specially formulated to help your dog maintain a healthy weight. Fortified with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, taurine, vitamins and minerals, this food is crafted using carefully chosen ingredients that include premium proteins, fruits and vegetables. Developed without any meat by-products, fillers, corn, soy, wheat-gluten or artificial preservatives, colors or flavors, it encourages lean body mass and muscle tone while supporting a healthy coat and skin.
Dr. Tim’s Weight Management Metabolite Formula Dry Dog Food
Dr. Tim’s Weight Management Metabolite Formula Dry Dog Food is a low-calorie recipe that helps your dog burn calories and lose weight. It features a special fiber blend with wholesome protein sources to help your pet feel full for hours, so he’ll be less likely to snack throughout the day.
The patented BC30 probiotic in this dry dog food can help promote a healthy digestive system and optimize your dog’s skin, coat, paws and overall health. Plus, it contains DHA and EPA from fish oil to assist with inflammation, immunity, brain function and more.
Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food
Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food is formulated to help your pup grow up healthy and strong. It contains DHA for proper brain and eye development, whole grains for a balanced diet and Iams’ exclusive antioxidant blend to keep your puppy’s immune system strong.
Other diets for weight loss:
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight
Victor Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dog Food
Orijen Fit and Trim Dog Food
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight
Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight
Wellness Core Reduced Fat Dog Food
Natural Balance Fat Dogs
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management
Hello! My name is George Romell and recently joined Our Pets HQ to oversee quality and provide oversight in content being published. I am originally from the North West but currently reside in Upstate New York and work as a freelance journalist with a focus on dogs and cats. Here at Ourpetshq, I will be responsible for editing and improving older content that may have missed editorial checks. You can reach me at george@ourpetshq.com
