Overweight dogs may suffer from numerous health conditions that reduce quality of life or may even shorten its span, so helping your pup reach a healthy weight is the key to protecting them against such issues.
Pets looking to lose weight should consume food which is low in calories, high in protein and fiber content and contains L-carnitine for enhanced fat burning capabilities.
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High Protein
Dogs that are overweight must begin consuming healthier food and engaging in more physical activity. Protein-rich diets tend to contain less calories and fat, helping these pets maintain a healthy weight.
High protein foods help dogs build muscle mass, giving them more energy and feeling fuller faster. Furthermore, these nutritious treats support immune and organ health as well.
As part of an overall low-calorie, high-protein diet for dogs, aim for one that includes lean proteins from fish or poultry sources along with healthy fats, carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals – such as Eagle Pack’s reduced-fat formula which limits fat while providing plenty of protein, and includes joint support by way of glucosamine; or Wellness CORE which features one source of protein plus easily digestible carbs to keep dogs feeling full and contented.
Low Calorie
Pet owners seek low calorie dog foods that will fill up their pups without overburdening them with calories. Diets with lower fat levels are one way of accomplishing this, as is providing enough bulk from protein and carbs.
Wellness CORE’s Reduced Fat Recipe is an outstanding example, featuring numerous high-value ingredients at relatively few calories. It provides most of what a pet owner could desire with proteins such as venison and turkey meal as well as carbohydrate sources like potatoes and sweet potatoes along with omega fatty acids from flaxseed and salmon oil.
Vets All Natural Complete Mix offers an alternative approach, providing balanced nutrition in the form of dried mixed vegetables, legumes and quinoa. It can be fed either on its own or combined with fresh meat proteins – such as kangaroo meat, beef meat or chicken for additional vitamins and minerals.
Whole Grain
Many dog foods feature whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, oats, and rye as an energy source, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Wellness CORE’s Weight Management formula was created to assist your pet in maintaining an ideal bodyweight by providing premium animal protein, managed fat levels and increased fiber from vegetables such as sweet potatoes and peas. Furthermore, its fish oil provides essential omega fatty acid support to improve skin and coat health.
This food’s primary ingredient is quality turkey meal, making it an excellent choice for overweight dogs as turkey contains minimal calories. Furthermore, this meal provides other high-quality proteins which support muscle development.
Lean Meat
Manufacturers tend to increase carbohydrates (starchy fillers) when reducing fat content in dog food, which may lead some dogs to stop eating altogether. It is therefore crucial for weight-loss foods to still contain all necessary proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals needed by pets.
Wellness CORE Reduced Fat Recipe is an example of a nutritious yet low-cal food option for dogs that provides enough protein without overdoing it on carbohydrates or fatty meats. Instead, this food relies on lean animal sources such as kangaroo meat meal, venison meat meal and turkey meal as well as added fiber from kibblefied peas to keep their dog feeling satisfied and full.
This option is an affordable and tasty solution for dogs who struggle to digest fatty meals comfortably.
Wet Food
Many dog parents find that wet food helps their pup remain full for longer. Wet foods also make an ideal option for finicky eaters or those suffering from dental issues like missing teeth. Just be sure to adhere to the dry/wet ratio guidelines on the package to prevent overfeeding, which could result in obesity in dogs.
Wet food designed for weight loss typically contains more water, to make your dog feel satiated, while its protein content takes more energy to convert into fat than carbs and helps build lean muscle mass that speeds metabolism.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Vegetable & Chicken Stew is an example of an effective wet food for weight loss, boasting low caloric intake with an optimal protein-to-fat ratio that preserves lean muscle mass. While this option may be more costly than many alternatives, its ingredients offer low glycemic index values while maintaining lean muscle mass preservation.
