Best Dry Dog Food For Overweight Dogs
While looking for the best dry dog food for overweight dogs, it is highly recommended that you consult a veterinarian first. As chubby, as you might love your dog to be, unfortunately, being overweight is detrimental to their health.
This begs the need for the insight of an expert as they would prescribe the right feed and quantity for your dog.
For instance, for most dogs, a healthy weight requires 25–30 calories per pound per day. A 30-pound dog, therefore, needs roughly 800 calories per day. Kibble contains a lot of calories from carbohydrates.
Therefore, you may feed your dog the same number of calories by cutting back on the kibble and feeding them a whole-food, meat-based diet. However, he will receive greater nourishment and healthier cuisine. Additionally, managing his weight will be simpler.
Here are some best foods, verified by veterinarians to help your overweight dogs:
Best Dry Dog Food For Overweight Puppies
Sometimes, out of love for your puppies, you might end up feeding them with excess food that they require for growth. This goes a long way to affect their appetite and metabolism which must be curbed early if you want your dog to live a healthy life.
While considering their age and size, here are some best options for feeding your overweight puppy:
Merrick Grain-free Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
Real, deboned beef is the first ingredient in Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight dry dog food, making it a delicious and filling choice.
Puppies receive the ideal amount of protein and fiber without additional calories or fat since it is well-balanced with proteins, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other natural components.
This recipe employs easily digestible carbs like potatoes and sweet potatoes to keep your pet energized while providing a nutritious, grain-free dog. Additionally, this recipe contains plenty of glucosamine and chondroitin to assist joint health as well as Omega fatty acids for glowing skin.
Features:
- No artificial preservatives, or flavors
- Grain-free recipe
- High-quality sourced ingredients
Pros:
- The high-quality protein in this diet promotes the development of lean muscles.
- This feed delivers a well-balanced blend of vitamins and minerals to support strong teeth and healthy bones.
- Puppy’s immune systems are strengthened by the special antioxidant blend in this diet.
Cons:
- Has limited protein sources
- Might cause diarrhea in some puppies.
Main Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, and Turkey Meal
Orijen Fit and Trim Dry Dog Food
This feed by the Orijen brand contains whole-prey animal ingredients that are nutrient-dense and contain organs and bones.
Orijen’s products are designed to mimic the diets that dogs would have consumed in the wild while still taking into account their contemporary lifestyles.
Orijen collaborates with licensed canine nutritionists and veterinarians to accomplish this. Your dog will be able to maintain lean muscle mass while losing excess weight thanks to this protein-rich meal.
Features:
- Contains a real protein source
- No grain
- Contains vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals
Pros:
- Meets all puppy nutritional needs
- Improves health and body metabolism
- Aids weight loss, which further keeps the puppy fit for long years.
Cons:
- Has an offensive Odour
- Not suitable for puppies with protein allergies
Main ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard), Turkey, and Cod.
Best Dry Dog Food For Other Life Stages
Either as an adult or senior dog, there is no excuse for subjecting your dog to health vulnerabilities due to excess weight.
Hence, a need for a change in their food and diet. As approved by AAFCO and experts, these highlighted foods will give your overweight dogs the best quality of life:
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight Dog Food
In the pet food industry, Blue Buffalo has long been a tried-and-true dog food brand. The recipe for their Life Protection Healthy Weight dry dog food for overweight dogs is no different.
This dry dog food is made with reduced calories in mind, but it doesn’t sacrifice essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and protein.
High-quality deboned chicken is the major component of this dish, which also includes healthful whole grains, antioxidant-rich fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, there are delectable LifeSource Bits incorporated into the dish.
These “bits” are filled with a specific mixture of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals that have been chosen by animal nutritionists and vets. This food is a fantastic option for straightforward, reliable nutrition.
Features:
- Made with natural ingredients in the USA
- No soy, wheat, or poultry by-product
- USDA approved
Pros:
- Aids muscle development and reduces calories props to L-Carnithine content.
- Supports strong bones and teeth formation
- Improves joint mobility and healthy skin
Cons:
- Not available in some local stores
- The LifeSource bits might turn off some dogs
Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Pea Fiber, and Oatmeal
Victor Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
With this feed, Victor Purpose Brand has your adult overweight dogs’ and senior dogs’ best interests at heart.
This premium breed-specific feed is specially designed for your dog and contains nutrients tailored for large breeds. The majority of the meat protein used by Victor Healthy Weight comes from beef meals.
Features:
- Nutrient-dense recipe
- Formulate with amino acids and fatty acids
- Contains L-Carnithine
- Made in the USA
Pros:
- Aids proper digestion and immunity
- Converts fat to energy hence aids weight loss
- Guaranteed strong joint development
Cons:
- Not suitable for picky eaters
Main Ingredients: Beef meal, whole grain brown rice, whole grain millet, grain sorghum, and chicken fat
Natural Balance Fat Dog Food
One of the top-known brands of food to feed your dog is Natural Balance. This meal provides premium protein ingredients that support your dog’s development of lean muscles.
In addition, it provides a well-balanced combination of vitamins and minerals to support strong teeth and healthy bones. Dogs benefit from a healthy immune system thanks to its special antioxidant combination.
Features:
- Contains low-calorie formula
- High protein blend
- Fortified with omega fatty acids
Pros:
- Aids healthy skin, and smooth coat
- Supplies needed amount of calories to survive the day without starving.
- Improves healthy bowel, and digestion
Cons:
- Not locally available only in approved stores.
Main ingredients: Chicken meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, dried peas, and oat
Eagle Pack Reduced Dry Dog Food
Eagle Pack is a diet-oriented feed that combines all nutrients needed by your dog. With deep consideration for their overweight size, they formulated food that will not only satisfy their nutritional needs by preventing further excessive weight gain.
Features:
- Contains locally sourced ingredients
- Meets AAFCO standard
- No preservatives or fillers
- A special blend of proteins and carbohydrates
- No corn or wheat
Pros:
- Promotes proper joint and skin health
- Improves immune system
- Aids healthy weight loss
Cons:
- Must be kept under proper cool storage conditions.
Main ingredients: Pork meal, dehulled barley, peas, ground brown rice, and oatmeal
What Nutrients Should I Look Out For In Food for my Overweight Dog?
Being overweight does not mean your dog has all the required nutrients for a lifelong time. As with humans, they still need to satisfy their hunger and replenish their strength daily.
One way to help them is by feeding them foods that contain the essential nutrients they need while helping them lose weight.
With the right weight loss feed through the help of your vet doctor, your dog would live just fine with minor or no health complications. Here are some essential nutrients and sources to look out for while getting the best dry dog food for overweight dogs:
- Carbohydrates: Choose dog diets that contain complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, or nutrient-dense substitutes like sweet potatoes or peas. Avoid foods that include a lot of simple carbohydrates because they can make you gain weight.
- Calorie Content: Look for dog food that has been created especially for weight control or weight management. These foods can aid in your dog’s weight loss because they often contain fewer calories. Despite having fewer calories, be sure the item still offers a balanced diet.
- Protein Source: Select dog diets with high-quality sources of protein as the primary component. Choose lean proteins like fish, poultry, or chicken. When your dog is trying to lose weight, protein supports muscle maintenance and makes them feel full.
- Fat level: Verify the dog food’s fat level. To cut calories, choose foods that are lower in fat. Remember that your dog’s overall health depends on getting certain vital fatty acids, thus the diet should have a moderate amount of good fats.
- Fiber: Finding dog diets with a moderate quantity of fiber is important. Fiber aids in digestion, makes your dog feel full, and can help with weight management. Fruits, vegetables, and grains like brown rice or barley are some sources of fiber.
What Should I Do to Help My Overweight Dog?
Feed the Correct Quantity
2 to 3% of your dog’s optimal body weight at maturity is the recommended amount for whole food, raw meat-based, or home-cooked diets. Feed your dog more frequently if he is an active breed; less frequently if he is not.
If your dog is overweight, feed him according to what a healthy weight for him should be. Rather than according to his actual weight, begin with 2%, then, depending on whether he loses weight or acquires it, you can raise or reduce.
If you do give kibble, bear in mind that the suggested feeding amounts are frequently excessive. Reduce your dog’s portions if he puts on weight.
Reduce Feedings or Portion Size of Food
This might need some testing if your dog is overweight. Even one meal a day can cause weight loss in certain dogs. This simulates how dogs would behave in the wild, where they would only eat when they came across food.
Furthermore, it allows your dog’s digestive tract a necessary rest in between meals. If your dog, however, appears to be constantly ravenously hungry, you may need to try a different strategy.
If you feed your dog twice or three times a day instead of all at once, you might be able to help him shed pounds more quickly.
Remove his food for later consumption if he doesn’t complete it in 15 minutes. Don’t keep filling the bowl with food. Make sure your dog has access to drink throughout the day.
Feed Healthy Food
Give extra protein and vegetables, but no simple carbohydrates—only good fats. Add extras like vegetables, fruit, eggs, and sardines to your dog’s regular diet.
Non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, green beans, celery, or asparagus are acceptable additions. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or cranberries with little sugar should be added.
Limit Treats
Rewarding your dog with treats can indeed help with training. Giving your dog a treat when they exhibit a new action you’re teaching them demonstrates to them that this is what you want them to do.
Dog treats have a lot of calories, even though you might believe they are different from the actual food your dog consumes. There must be a restriction on the number of treats you can give your dog.
Can Exercise and Water Help My Overweight Dog Lose Weight?
Your dog will feel fuller even if it consumes less food if it has a lot of water in its stomach before eating since the empty area in its stomach is already filled with water.
Additionally, drinking water aids in your dog’s body’s detoxification of any toxins that might be causing them to put on weight. Always make sure that your dog’s water bowl is full. Your dog will be encouraged to drink more water through exercise.
One of the most important things you can do to assist your dog in losing weight is to exercise him regularly.
Yes, it takes more time, but it’s worth it for your dog’s well-being. Put your dog leash on and go for a walk or jog with your pet friend as soon as you come home from work.
Conclusion
Feeding your overweight dogs with the best dry dog food for overweight dogs is a safe call for their health. As much as you care for their well-being, they might somehow find it difficult to adjust to this new routine of feed.
With the help of your vet, switch their diet to one that would not affect their feeding habit and health in the long run.
Also, as much as you want them to shed some fats, do not overfeed them with these overweight foods. As this might cause more harm than good. So, embark on a safe health cause with these foods for your dogs.
