Is low fat dog food bad for dogs
Best Low Fat Dog Foods
Annamaet Lean Reduced Fat is a grain-free dog food that contains high-quality ingredients with just 8% fat and 30% protein. This formulas main protein source is chicken meal, and it also includes added L-carnitine which helps promote a healthy weight while keeping your dogs mind sharp.
Annamaet is a moderately priced grain-free dog food for pups on a low-calorie diet. Its safe for dogs with GI issues and is formulated for breeds of all sizes.
Read our review of the full Annamaet Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, field peas, lentils, potato, tapioca Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 30% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog has GI issues (inflammatory bowel type stuff) and was on expensive prescription dog foods for many years until I discovered this food. He has had no more active GI issues for a few years now and tolerates this food perfectly. We also had weight issues and this food helped make him a healthy weight again along with exercise! He loves it. Highly recommend."
Eagle Packs Reduced Fat Dog Food contains just 7% fat while still consisting of 24% protein. The primary ingredient is pork meal, a protein-rich meat product. Eagle Pack is not grain-free, but contains gluten-free grains such as brown rice and oatmeal. One of the biggest draws of Eagle Pack is its relatively low price compared to other high-quality lean foods.
Eagle Pack is a great choice for picky eaters and dog parents on a budget. At four stars, its a well-made lean dog food that is moderately priced.
Read our review of the full Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Formula (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Pork meal, de-hulled barley, peas, ground brown rice, oatmeal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 24% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dogs seem to really love this... my 8 year old yellow Lab was recently diagnosed with pancreatic disease and was told to put her on a low fat diet... she seems to really love this food, plus it's not that expensive."
Nulo Freestyle Adult Trim Dog Food is top-rated, grain-free and low-fat dog food made up of only 8% fat with 30% protein. Its a great choice for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs, as the main proteins include cod, turkey meal and salmon meal. Pure probiotics help aid in digestion while L-carnitine promotes your pups metabolism.
Though Nulo is on the higher-priced side of our low-fat dog food options, the high-quality ingredients and animal-based proteins make it a top choiceone thats well worth the price tag.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned cod, turkey meal, salmon meal, lentils, yellow peas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 30% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog was recently diagnosed with diabetes and after checking through Chewy I was so happy to find this food. My dog has a sensitive stomach, a chicken allergy, and needs a low fat food due to pancreatitis, so finding the right food seemed impossible. Thankfully my dog loves this food and it has really helped fo regulate her diabetes."
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management is specially designed to promote controlled weight loss. Its low fat content makes it a healthy option for dogs predisposed to pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal disorders.
The classic, grain-inclusive recipe gets the largest part of its meat protein from fresh chicken and poultry by-product meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 10% fat and 51% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 33%.
Pro Plan Weight Management offers a highly digestible formula containing no artificial flavors or coloring agents. A nutrient-rich, balanced recipe flush with potent antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.
Pro Plan Weight Management is a superior option that helps promote healthy weight in dogs of all ages. Its also easy on the budget and appealing to picky eaters.
Read our review of the full Purina Pro Plan Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, rice, whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, corn germ meal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 31% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I have 2 chihuahuas around 1.5 years old and a jack russell mix around 11 years old. I was feeding them the Pro Plan EN Vet formula due to some health issues last year with my old guy. I switched to this formula recently. I was impressed with the large chunks of chicken which is the first item in the ingredients. As far as the taste test, all three of my dogs love this brand. They eat it with no hesitation, so this was a good choice."
Merrick Healthy Weight is a grain-free, low-calorie dog food with 11% fat and 36% protein. Its main sources of protein are beef and chicken meal, but it also contains Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to help promote a healthy coat, especially for pets with skin allergies.
Made without gluten or artificial flavors, Merrick Healthy Weight is an ideal choice for anyone hunting for a grain-free and low-calorie dog food from a trusted brand.
Read our review of the full Merrick Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned beef, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, turkey meal Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My 12 y o lab mix has struggled with skin problems for years...including a $118 monthly prescription. I changed to Merrick for other reasons but incredibly his skin problems resolved within a month of changing to this food and have remained resolved for months!"
Royal Canin Low Fat Dog Food is a professionally prescribed gastrointestinal dog food specifically formulated for sensitive stomachs. The recipe is not rated on this website due to its intentional therapeutic design.
RC Low Fat derives its protein from chicken by-product and is intended to help pups easily digest fat. It contains just 5% fat and 20% protein, and includes grains like brewers rice and wheat.
Royal Canin is a prescription solution for dogs with sensitive stomachs who could stand to drop a few pounds or could benefit from eating a pro-grade, low fat recipe. Its a smart solution for dogs who suffer from a variety of gastrointestinal issues.
Read our review of the full Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Brewers rice, chicken by-product meal, wheat, barley, natural flavors Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 20% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dogs love this food and I can see a difference. My dog has been very sick from pancreatitis and since they started eating this food, within two weeks they have been so much better. No more throwing up and upset belly."
Wellness Core Reduced Fat Dog Food is a protein-rich, low-fat dry food thats both grain-free and optimal for sensitive stomachs. With 36% protein and 11% fat, this food will keep even the hungriest pups full until the next mealtime. The primary protein sources are turkey and chicken meal.
A premium quality product containing an unusually generous amount of protein. Consider Wellness Core for any dog with a big appetite and would also benefit from a premium-grade, low-fat recipe. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Wellness Core Reduced Fat Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, lentils, peas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Our shih tzu has pancreatitis and we struggled with finding a food that will help her. As soon as we made the switch we noticed immediate improvement in her energy level. Wellness has now become our favorite brand and the dogs love it!"
Dr. Tims Metabolite is a tasty dry food that focuses on lean proteins, such as chicken meal, to fuel your pup while cutting calories. Its made up of 11% fat and 30% protein, and contains grains like brown rice and oats. Its a low-calorie dog food that doesnt sacrifice protein or carbs.
This kibble is not only low in fat, its also low in calories. So, if your dog has a lot of weight to lose or is suffering from a digestive condition requiring a special diet, an appetizing and protein-rich food like Dr. Tims is a great way to keep her feeling full.
Read our review of the full Dr. Tims Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, whole oat groats, dried field peas, powdered cellulose Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive (brown rice, oat groats) Protein Percentage 30% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"5 months of feeding my dog Dr. Tims Weight Management Metabolite Dry Dog Food & cutting her food in half, shes lost 30 pounds! She went from weighing 88 pounds & being tired/lazy to weighing 58 pounds & being active/back to her original self before she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The vet is really proud of her & shes back at being the perfect weight she should be."
Natural Balance Fat Dogs gets the bulk of its meat protein from chicken meal and salmon meal. Dry matter label analysis shows the recipe contains 29% protein, 8% fat and 55% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 29%.
An affordable, fully-balanced grain-inclusive, option containing just 8% fat with no recalls and a solid safety reputation. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Natural Balance Fat Dogs (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, dried peas, oat groats Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 29% Blue Wilderness Healthy Weight Chicken is made with lean chicken to give your dog a healthy source of protein without added fat. Each serving contains 11% fat and 33% protein. It also contains added L-carnitine to boost your pets metabolism and help jumpstart weight loss.
Blue Wilderness Healthy Weight is ideal for picky eaters who need to shed a few pounds or dogs that could otherwise benefit from a low-fat diet. Though low in calories and low in fat, its also fairly high in protein so your pup wont go hungry.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, dried chicken, oatmeal, barley Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 33% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"We have always loved the Blue Buffalo food for our Rhodesian Ridgeback. We recently switched him to the healthy weight version, and he loves it. Our vet saw him recently and commented on how great his weight and health is for a dog who is nearly 9 years old. Great product!"
5 Best Low Fat Dog Foods (2024)
How to Choose the Best Low Fat Food for Dogs
Since dogs love food, it is the natural tendency of most owners to slip them a few extra treats every now and then. Unfortunately, this habit can quickly to lead to weight gain, and getting pounds off a dog is far harder then putting them on in the first place.
Unfortunately, even a modest weight gain can cause significant health problems in dogs. Excess weight can contribute to the development of more serious illnesses and can even alter the dogs lifespan. Thankfully, a commitment to daily exercise and a low-fat diet can help get Fido back in shape again.
Sadly, veterinary professionals indicate that as many as 60 percent of the pets they see carry excess weight with some of their patients falling within the category of obese. It is important for dogs that fall within these parameters to begin a program to remove excess pounds before their health is permanently impacted.
Among the health problems that can plague overweight or obese dogs are inflammation, type two diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoarthritis, bladder stones, exercise intolerance, and more.
Though obesity is one of the most frequently seen problems in dogs, it can be treated with an excellent quality low-fat diet and moderate daily exercise. Once a healthy body weight is achieved, this body condition must be maintained for the dog to continue to enjoy improved health.
The best low-fat food for dogs can be a powerful help in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Low-Fat Dog Foods
Low-fat foods are carefully crafted to ensure dogs remain satisfied even though the diet contains fewer calories. One of the most important elements of any low-fat food is that it remains extremely flavorful to encourage hearty eating. Through the use of lean proteins, low-fat diets can maintain a delicious taste while bulking up on fiber-rich vegetables to help dogs feel full on fewer calories.
Care must be taken to carefully measure the dogs food to ensure overeating does not occur. When feeding a low-fat diet, treats should be eliminated or at least severely restricted, so as not to interfere with weight loss efforts. Many owners like to set aside a portion of the dogs kibble to use as treats throughout the day.
To determine how much of the best low-fat food to feed a dog, it is a good idea to follow the suggested serving sizes found on the side of the bag. Use these as a starting point, making adjustments based on the dogs weight or visual appearance until the correct amount is found.
Do not use the dogs appetite as a guide as dogs who are overweight often do not understand when they have eaten a sufficient amount of food and will eat far beyond the point of satiation if permitted to do so. For dogs that regularly seem hungry in spite of adequate meals, choose instead to bulk up the dogs portions through the addition of fiber-rich, low-calorie vegetables such as canned pumpkin, green beans, or carrots.
Dietary Requirements for Low-Fat Dog Foods
It is very important when starting a dog on a low-fat food that the amount of food given should not be drastically altered within the first week. Feeding too few calories can lead to setbacks and can also encourage the development of poor manners such as excess begging. Just as with people, physical and emotional satisfaction are important components to the diets success.
Not all low-fat dog foods are created equally. It is important to select a food that is comprised of the highest quality ingredients included in the correct ratio to encourage eating satisfaction. To this end, the primary ingredient in any low-fat food suitable for dogs who need to lose weight is a lean protein from animal origins. Whole meats are preferred, but meat meals also are an excellent dense source of high-quality protein.
By-products are low quality and offer far less nutritional value, and thus, should be avoided. Plant-based proteins such as corn, wheat, and soy are very hard to digest and can cause stomach and skin distress in many dogs. The best low-fat foods for dogs do not contain any of these items.
Carbohydrates play an important role in low-fat foods, providing the necessary dietary fiber that helps dogs to feel full. Fruits and vegetables are often the best sources as they offer not only staying power through their fiber but also antioxidants to help fight disease. Since digestion and elimination are critical components of any weight loss program, high-quality carbohydrates are an absolute must; whether they are derived from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables.
Healthy fat also plays a role in weight loss. Fats contributed through such ingredients as salmon oil or chicken fat provide dogs with the energy they need to remain active and well. These fats also benefit the dog through maintaining good skin and a healthy coat.
As a general guideline, low-fat foods should contain at least 18 percent protein. Fat totals generally range between 5-10 percent with slightly more acceptable but not less.
Low-fat food is not restricted just to dogs that need to lose a little weight. It is also an excellent choice for dogs suffering from such problems as pancreatitis or irritable bowel disease.
Things to Look for in the Best Low-Fat Dog Food
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a low-fat dog food:
- Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list
- Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
- Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
- Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
- Contains 5-10 percent fat
