We're all a bit guilty of overfeeding our pooches, but if you are getting concerned about your dog being overweight, you can switch them over to the best dog foods for weight loss. It's so easy to give our pups an extra scoop of their dog food here, titbits from our plates there, and the odd treat or two on the side. However, all these little bits of additional food can soon cause your pooch to pile on the pounds if you're not watching what they eat. Weight loss dog foods are still packed full of the nutrients and vitamins our hounds need to stay strong, and they taste great but with fewer calories to help them slim down.
To help your mutt shift some timber, we've rounded up the best weight-loss dog foods, whether they prefer wet or dry dog food. We also asked Pooch & Mutt's resident veterinary surgeon, Dr Linda Simon, for her advice on all things to do with doggy weight loss.
Best dog foods for weight loss at a glance:
• Best dog food for weight loss overall: Royal Canin Veterinary Health Nutrition Satiety - View on Viovet
• Best grain-free dog food for weight loss: Pooch and Mutt Slim + Slender - View on Pooch & Mutt
• Best popular brand: Bakers Weight Control Dry Dog Food - View on Viovet
So, how do you spot if your dog is overweight? "While the numbers on the weighing scale offer some useful information, it is more useful to use the ‘Body Condition Score’ tool. This is because 15kg may be the ideal weight for one Cocker Spaniel who is large and has heavy bones, for example, but maybe 20 per cent over the ideal weight for a smaller, slighter Cocker Spaniel," says Pooch & Mutt's resident vet.
"We should assess our dogs both visually and physically to see what their body shape is like. We want to see a visible waist and tucked-in tummy. The last few ribs should be easily felt and just about visible." Of course, first, speak to your vet if you're unsure or concerned about your pooch's podge.
Best weight loss dog foods for overweight hounds
Best dog food for weight loss overall
Royal Canin/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Help your pooch get their weight down while making sure they're full and satisfied with this dry food from Royal Canin. It's full of natural fibres to help reduce begging in between meals and has a high protein content to help your hound maintain muscle mass.
Our review: "As we all know, labradors are notoriously greedy when it comes to food, and because of this, our black lab, Barney, had begun to pile on the pounds. We'd tried extra walks, reducing and changing food to get his weight down, but nothing had worked. He then needed to lose a significant amount of weight to be able to have surgery, and that's when our vet recommended this Royal Canin food. We introduced it slowly at first with his regular food before switching completely to it within a month. After a few months, Barney had lost the 12kg he needed to, was able to have his surgery and had a spring back in his step once more. The packaging has a really handy chart on it to show the amount of food your dog needs in relation to their ideal weight so you know exactly how much your pooch needs"
Read our Royal Canin dog food reviews to find out more about what we thought of this food and other ranges from the brand.
Pros
- Quick results
- Contains natural fibres
- Aids with keeping up muscle strength
Cons
- Contains wheat and maize, so not suitable for dogs who need a grain-free diet
Best grain-free dog food for weight loss
Pooch & Muttwww.poochandmutt.co.uk
Rich with an I-carnitine low-fat protein source, this Pooch & Mutt food contains a natural fat burner to help speed up your pooch's metabolism, so they'll be looking slim and slender in no time at all. It also contains a unique supplement that helps to provide healthy skin and coat, aid digestion, reduce stool odour and support urinal tract health.
Customer review: "The vet is always telling me to get a couple of kilos off my food obsessed scavenging Springer. Trying this as a diet option, so far 10 days into the bag and although the portion looks really measly it keeps her satisfied. She sits and sings in anticipation and the bowl is absolutely licked clean. I have noticed her motions are a bit drier especially the first one in the morning She loves this kibble, and at the end of the day that's the most important thing."
Pros
- Packed with active ingredients
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support joints carrying extra weight
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Could include a high percentage of fresh chicken in the recipe
Best popular brand
Bakers/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Bakers is a much-loved brand amongst dogs and pet owners alike. If your pooch is used to having Bakers food, then the transition to the weight control version should be straightforward. The recipe has 20 per cent less fat than the standard adult recipe to support a healthy weight.
Customer review: "My dog loves this food and it is easy to weigh out to get the correct amount for his size and age. His coat is glossy and everyone says how well he looks. This is an excellent product and I can highly recommend it."
Pros
- Contains Vitamin D and minerals for healthy teeth and strong bones
- Packed with wholegrains to support good digestion
- Includes iron for healthy blood
Cons
- While it does help with weight loss, this food is designed more for helping to maintain a healthy weight
Best weight loss wet food
AVA/Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
Does your pooch prefer wet food, why not give these tins from AVA a go? It's made with low-fat chicken and white fish pate to keep it extra tasty. Omega 3 and 6 keep their skin and coat in great condition while the blend of vitamins and minerals inside are made for taking care of your dog's joints, teeth and bones.
Customer review: "Put my dogs on this to control weight loss. My lab has lost 3 kilos in 3 months. This is with him being given treats in afternoon."
Pros
- Contains MOS and FOS pre-biotics to maintain internal body health and functional conditioning
- Hypoallergenic recipe
- Slow-release carbohydrates to help your pooch maintain energy levels
Cons
- Not suitable for dogs under one year old or over seven years
Best weight loss dog food for seniors
Burns Pet/AmazonHigh in fibre but low in calories. Keep your pooch happy and healthy during their twilight years with this Burns Weight Control food. It's ideal for dogs that have a more sensitive tummy as it's hypoallergenic and made with natural ingredients. It'll help them maintain a lean body weight while also providing them with a little bit of extra energy they need during the later stage of their life.
Customer review: "My dog has been on burns food for sometime now. I purchased it to try and keep her weight down. Since she's been on it she has lost weight but it's been fairly slow. She tends to stay around the same weight and isn't putting weight on which Is good!! Tends to keep her around the same weight!! Overall very happy with it!!🙂👍"
Pros
- Provides slow-release energy
- Developed by a vet
- Contains oats to keep dogs feeling fuller for longer
Cons
- Contains more oats than chicken
Best hypoallergenic dog food for weight loss
James Wellbeloved/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Tailored to the needs of overweight pooches with flavoursome turkey and highly digestible brow and rice, rich in antioxidants and prebiotics to support a strong immune system and a healthy gut. The blend of wholesome natural ingredients and tasty flavours, the James Wellbeloved Complete Dry Light Dog Food will keep your pooch energised and healthy for longer.
Customer review: "I find James Wellbeloved dog food a higher quality than most other dog food. It has natural ingredients and not so much protein. I am pleased with this product. Arrived as directed and safely in time."
Pros
- Packed with vitamins and minerals
- Kibble is larger and less dense to give the illusion of a full bowl
- Naturally healthy ingredients, so it's ideal for pets with sensitivities
Cons
- Needs to be stored in an airtight container to maintain freshness and taste
Best for diabetic dogs
Purina/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Worried about your pooch getting their nutritional needs while on a diet? This Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Obesity Management has been specifically formulated to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients they need to help them to feel full. The high protein content makes sure muscles stay lean, while the increased fibre helps to balance blood sugar levels throughout the day to stop your pooch from looking for titbits in between meals.
Customer review: "My vet reccomend this for my lab as her weight fluctuates. It seem to help her lose weight. She eat it with no problem. Her coat is really soft, since I start her on this food. Will keep buying."
Pros
- Helps with glucose control to nutritionally manage diabetes in dogs
- High in protein
- Maintains muscle mass
Cons
- Some dogs may prefer wet food
Best gourmet dog food for weight loss
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
With delicious, freshly prepared turkey and squash, this Lily's Kitchen Lean Machine doesn't compromise on taste, just the calories. It uses natural ingredients to give your pooch a boost, including kale for vitamins A and C, manganese and potassium, plus goji berries that are packed with vitamins C, E and K.
Customer review: "Love the fact that this is so obviously lean and no fat. another favourite."
Pros
- Contains 50 per cent turkey
- 85 calories per 100g
- Rich in vitamin and protein-packed ingredients
Cons
- Some reviewers state it has a strong smell
Best weight loss dog food for large breeds
Hill's Science/Zoopluswww.zooplus.co.uk
Got a Labrador, Dalmatian or German Shepherd that could do with going on a diet? This Hill's Science Plan Perfect Weight Dry Adult Dog has been designed with those larger dog breeds in mind. High in protein and high in fibre, the formula is enriched with L-carnitine and coconut oil which are proven to support a pet's metabolism.
Customer review: "My dog immediately liked this food, he's a Dalmatian so I have to be careful what I feed him. The first thing I noticed was the portion size compared to his usual food was much bigger, something I found strange as it's for weight management, however, after around 2-3 weeks of being on the food completely he did look a bit leaner. The 1 negative I have and making me question as to if I will continue to feed him this food is the fact they put corn gluten meal in. Corn is one of the most common food allergens for dogs and cats. My dog has been absolutely fine on this food and has become leaner so it does exactly what it says it will, he definitely liked the taste. The price is around the same as the food I was giving him prior so will I buy this again? Maybe if only to mix with his normal food to help maintain a healthy weight "
Pros
- Made for larger breeds in mind
- Delicious and healthy
- Provides precisely balanced nutrition
Cons
- Not suitable for dogs over 6 years old
FAQs
How much weight loss food should I feed my dog?
Dr Linda Simon comments that the ideal portion size will depend on a number of factors, including the target weight of our dog and the calorie content of the food. "The key is to feed for the desired weight (rather than the current weight) when consulting the feeding guidelines on the back of the packet.
"Many owners will feed other things in addition to their pets’ main meals, including dental sticks and training treats. These should never make up more than 10 per cent of the dog’s diet and should be factored into the daily calorie intake. So, for example, if we give that 10 per cent allowance one day, we should reduce the day’s meals by 10 per cent."
You'll find that most wet dog food for weight loss comes pre-portioned, but for any dry dog food, you'll need to refer to the packet.
What's the best way to switch my dog to weight-loss food?
"Switching gradually over three to five days is sensible to avoid stomach upset", remarks Vet Linda. "This means we initially give the dog a bowl with mostly their old food and a small proportion of the new food mixed in. If this is well tolerated, we change the ratios each day until, by day five, the dog is eating all new food.
"If at any point your dog develops signs such as a runny stool or flatulence, reduce the quantity of new food and make the transition to it slower."
How to help your dog lose weight:
Worried about your pooch's weight gain? Vet Linda offers these tips to help your dog lose weight:
• Rather than feeding every meal from a bowl, consider feeding puzzles and toys. This is so your dog ‘works’ for their dinner but in a fun way.
• Consistent exercise is key. This should be a combination of walks, swimming (if the dog enjoys this), games like fetch and frisbee, scenting games, playing with other dogs etc.
• Ensure the whole family is on board and that one person is designated as ‘the feeder’ to avoid over-feeding.
• Stop any human food treats or scraps. These tend to be very calorific, and we often give them to our pets absentmindedly.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.