The List: Best Dog Food for Weight Management, Per Canine Experts
1. Hill Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight
Hill Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight first ingredient and protein source is chicken, though it includes pork liver flavor for your pooch’s enjoyment. Carrots, green peas, rice, spinach, and wheat gluten give it its carbs. Business Insider specifically commends their inclusion of powdered cellulose, L-lysine, L-carnitine, beta-carotene, niacin, and omega fatty acids in the formula.
Your healthy dog isn’t restricted to dry food. Hills provides a variety of wet food as well to keep their weight down. The delicious vegetable chicken stew flavor will wow your pup with each bite. Vet Street attests to the real chunk of chicken in the recipe. Plus, the brand creates all product without artificial additives or preservatives. Hill Science notes that 7 in 10 dogs given Perfect Weight were clinically proven to lose weight in a 10-week study.
2. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food
This specific plane has 15 percent less fat than the regular Purina plan ensuring a healthy weight for your pup. It has the perfect amount of protein to fat ratio that will still maintain your dog’s muscle mass. Vet Street explains its consistency of crunchy kibble mixed with soft pieces. It is also fortified with live probiotics to support your dog’s digestive and immune health.
This brand deliberately incorporates high protein for an optimal healthy weight for your buddy. There are certain keys to help your dog lose or maintain weight — digestion with probiotics and prebiotic fiber which according to NY Daily News, Purina Pro enhances in this blend.
The convenience of Purina Pro Plan is bar none. The brand is available in most retail stores, pet stores, supermarkets, and online in places like Amazon. It is an affordable option. According to TIME, this is a great choice for dogs transitioning from other big-market brands, for its familiar flavor profile and ingredient list.
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight Dog Food
According to Wag Walking, Blue Buffalo’s reputation precedes itself with years of trusted dog food production. This rendition of the brand is low calorie without sacrificing nutrition or taste. A wonderful mixture of whole grains, fruits and veggies with the main ingredient being deboned chicken.
You can find tasty Life Source Bits mixed into the food. These “bits” are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals carefully selected by veterinarians and animal nutritionists. The NY Daily News claims that it “promotes healthy digestion, which is vital to weight loss and weight control.”
Blue Buffalo is a reputable brand and for good reason. Their weight management options contain vitamins for optimum health, including calcium, along with fatty acids Omega three and six. Dog Food Advisor reveals the actual numbers Blu Buffalo recipe contains: 22% protein, 10% fat, and 60% estimated carbs.
4. Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Dog Food
Merrick dog food has deboned beef as its first ingredient leaving dogs begging for more. It has everything a dog needs for optimal health without the added calories. Wag Walking loves this brand for its grain free ingredients that are common allergens for dogs.
Similar to the other brands, Merrick contains chicken, but its main meat source is fresh beef. Its fat to protein ratio is 31 percent. It is very highly recommended by Dog Food Advisor who also includes rave reviews from dog owners happy with their purchase.
Additional low-calorie ingredients in Merrick are brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa. Business Insider also points out the vitamin E, L-carnitine, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin used in the formula.
5. Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free
It is tricky to retain moisture while also consisting of low calories and fat in a dog food. Wellness Core easily achieves exactly this. Your BFF will be both full and begging for more because of the taste. NY Daily News informs that it also has prebiotics to aid in digestion.
High in omega-3 fatty acids, Wellness Core promotes a healthy coat. With both dry and wet varieties, Dog Food Advisor hails it as a “superior weight loss formula.”
If your dog is obsessed with wet dog food, get Wellness’s formula to make them happy while giving them a balanced meal. Wag Walking boasts that “it’s the perfect fuel to help your furry friend reach their ideal weight and live their best, active life.”
6. JustFoodForDogs Metabolic Support Low Fat Frozen Dog Food
JustFoodForDogs comes in as the best fresh dog food for weight loss on Vet Street. This dog food is made with high-quality, USDA-approved ingredients. Stuff like turkey, beef, and egg whites. Are they sure it’s for dogs? Freshly cooked then frozen, it is made high in fiber to keep dogs nice and full.
The formula is frozen for easy shipping and storage, and it’s ideal for the management of diabetes mellitus, metabolic disease, and obesity. Keep in mind, it does require a prescription from your veterinarian.
JustFoodForDogs has high fiber levels that will keep your dog feeling full, with limited fat levels, helping your dog to lose weight more easily. TIME says that it is great if you have a small dog to get more bang for your buck, and also because it sits at only 26 calories per ounce.
7. Iams Healthy Weight
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably heard of Iams. This formula has 17 percent less fat than the regular IAMS Minichunks recipe, according to Vet Street. It also comes sans any artificial preservatives, flavors, or fillers making it both healthy and easy on the pounds.
NY Daily News says it is “known for producing noticeable results quickly.” Iams contains a blend of fibers and prebiotics for healthy digestion, as well as L-carnitine to support a healthy metabolism. It has premium protein to promote healthy muscles, even while your dog is losing weight.
Iams means business when they try to incorporate protein into your dog’s diet. They even put in dried egg product. The carbohydrates are healthy ingredients such as barley, corn, and carrots. It also includes marine microalgae for omega fatty acids, according to Business Insider.
Tips for maintaining a healthy weight for your dog:
- Feed your dog a healthy diet. Choose a food that is appropriate for your dog’s age, breed, and activity level. Avoid feeding your dog table scraps or human food, as this can contribute to weight gain.
- Measure your dog’s food carefully. Don’t free feed your dog, as this can lead to overeating.
- Exercise your dog regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day. This could include walks, runs, hikes, or playtime in the park.
- Monitor your dog’s weight regularly. Weigh your dog at home or at the vet’s office on a regular basis. This will help you track your dog’s weight and make adjustments to their diet or exercise routine as needed.
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