All boast products are chosen at the discretion of the GreatPetCare editorial team and do not reflect a unmediated indorsement by the author or reviewer .
Struggling with excess weight unit is n’t a problem that ’s unique to humans — our canine companions often have a few extra pounds to lose , too . And , much like the human weight trend around the globe , obesityis on the rising in dogs . According to theAssociation for Pet Obesity Prevention ( APOP ) , approximately 59 percent of hot dog are overweight or rotund , up from 56 pct just five years ago . ( 1 )
Maintaining an optimal weight is essential for your dog ’s overall wellness and longevity . So , if your dog is overweight or obese , your vet might recommend weight unit management Canis familiaris solid food to avail your pet achieve a healthy body condition .
But which diet is correct for your additional fluffy Fido ? Here ’s what you want to know about vet - commend weight unit management dog nutrient to opt the best diet for your andiron .
What Is Weight Management Dog Food?
Weight management weenie food is specially formulated to fulfill the unique nutritional needs of dogs with obesity or weighting issues . These diets provide the balanced nutriment click need to thrive while also curtailing kilogram calorie to assist dogs drop off weight or keep up a sizable weight .
weighting management dog foods typically have a lower caloric denseness , which means they often have fewer calories per cup or can , when equate to an adequate amount of standard dog food . That style , your domestic dog can still savour the same amount of food , but they wo n’t have as many small calorie in their meal .
Weight direction dieting also run to have a lot offiberto help your frump finger full and satisfied , so they wo n’t overeat . And they are usually lower in fat content since fats are more calorie - dense than other nutrient like protein and carbohydrates .
Best Weight Management Dog Foods
Best Prescription Weight Management Dog Foods
Best Non - Prescription Weight Management Dog Foods
Prescription Weight Management Dog Food vs Non-Prescription
Depending on a variety of factors , such as how much weightiness your dog needs to lose or other health issue they have , your veterinary may suggest either a ethical drug or non - prescription ( over - the - counter ) weight management diet .
Both case of diet are formulate to help oneself dogs achieve or maintain a intelligent weightiness . However , there are some key differences .
prescription drug Weight Management dog food(also known as a veterinary or sanative diet)is often recommended for dogs who need to lose a pregnant amount of system of weights . You need favorable reception from a veterinarian to purchase these diets , which are available from veteran clinic , as well as some online retail merchant .
Non - prescription Weight Management dog foodis available for anyone to buy at ex-serviceman clinic , most online retail merchant , and local favorite supply stores . It can be used for weightiness loss or weight management and is often easy on your budget than prescription options .
Why Vets Might Recommend a Weight Management Dog Food
Minor weight fluctuations are normal in dogs . So your vet is n’t likely to completely change your pet ’s dieting just because they count a bit more than they should at one sojourn . However , the contrary is true if a veterinary surgeon determines that your frank :
In these case , vet be given to recommend a system of weights direction diet to help a pup slim down to a fitter weighting . That ’s because surplus system of weights in dogs can lead to a wide range of health issues , includingdiabetes , eye disease , cancer , and joint issuing likeosteoarthritis .
Plus , inquiry has shown that dogs who are fleshy or obese could face short lifespans than dogs at a healthy weight — between five months to two geezerhood shorter , according to one study . ( 2 )
Even if you recall your weenie is in hunky-dory shape , your veterinary surgeon might still recommend a weightiness direction dieting for several understanding .
In some cases , gradual weight gain can go unnoticed by pet parents . And because so many dogs are overweight or obese these day , our sensing of what ’s “ normal ” may be skew . According to an APOP view , about one - third of mass with overweight or obese favourite classified their fauna ’s condition as “ normal , ” “ ideal , ” or “ fragile . ” ( 1 )
Some dog stock , such asGolden Retrievers , Pugs , andBeagles , are more prostrate to put on weight than others . So your veterinarian may recommend a weight direction dieting to reduce that danger . Similarly , as dogs eld , their metabolism naturally slow up down , so senior frank may also be candidates for weight management dog-iron food .
Regardless of the rationality for the good word , keep in creative thinker that your veterinarian is looking out for your dog ’s continued wellness and wellness , not simulate you about their weight unit !
Top Vet-Recommended Weight Management Dog Foods
understand the benefits of weighting management heel food is one matter . But stimulate sense of the myriad selection available to you could submerge even the well - intentioned pet parent .
To help you learn the good diet to set your pup on the road to a good for you exercising weight , here are the best weight management domestic dog foods , according to veterinarians .
However , every dog is different . So be sure to discourse these alternative with your veterinarian to come up with a plan that ’s customized to your frankfurter ’s specific health and weight management need .
Best PrescriptionWeight Management Dog Foods
Hill ’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management Dog Food
Developed by a team of Ph.D. nutritionists and veterinarians , this Hill ’s prescription dieting provides targeted therapeutic weight direction support that ’s clinically proven to aid bounder lose weighting . The recipe work by combining constituent that kvetch your frump ’s metabolism into high gear for more in effect rich electrocution , while increased fiber levels serve keep your pup feeling full and satisfied . So dogs can exuviate pound well without drastic helping reductions . And the upshot speak for themselves . The troupe report that 96 percentage of dogs lost exercising weight at home in two months .
high spot
Things to Consider
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary diet OM Overweight Management Dog Food
This specialized chemical formula is the Cartesian product of a collaboration between Purina ’s nutritionists , researchers , and veterinarians to tackle one of the biggest challenges in weight management : how to advance goodish weight loss that stick around off . The termination is a low - fertile , reduced - gram calorie veterinary diet that ’s racy in protein to avail dogs misplace system of weights while keep up lean muscle mass . Plus , the rule is enhanced with isofavones , which Purina ’s research has express to aid reduce weight increase by 50 percentage , compared to dog eat a control condition dieting .
Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Moderate Calorie Dog Food
When it fare to specialised diet for dogs , there are almost as many targeting food sensitivities as there are boost weightiness management . However , it ’s rare to find a rule that addresses both issues . That ’s why this veterinary - exclusive rule from Royal Canin stands out from the camp . It ’s made with hydrolyzed soy protein , which is broken down on a molecular level to shorten the peril of an immune response in andiron with food for thought sensitivities . Plus , it contains fewer calories than other dieting developed for nutrient - sensitive dogs . So it ’s a nifty choice for Canis familiaris with food sensitivities that have a tendency to be heavy .
Highlights :
affair to Consider :
Hill ’s Prescription Diet r / d Dog Food
The Hill ’s Prescription blackguard food dividing line offers a broad range of effectual weight management formula , and this is one veterinarians often recommend for corpulent dog with coincident health issues . That ’s because Hill ’s Prescription Diet r / d is clinically turn out to promote healthy weight passing within just 8 weeks . And for dogs suffering from knockout health precondition stemming from excess weighting , such as diabetes or hyperlipidemia , the sooner you may facilitate your dog get down to a goodly weighting , the better .
Royal Canin Satiety Support Weight Management Dog Food
Best Non-PrescriptionWeight Management Dog Foods
Hill ’s Science Diet Perfect Weight Dog Food
Hill ’s Science Diet Perfect Weight is an effective , convenient over - the - comeback weight management pick that ’s thoroughgoing for pets with reduced calorie requirements , including dogs that are less active , neutered , or otherwise prone to weight increase . The formula hold a special fiber portmanteau word that promotes a healthy metabolism , plus natural , protein - rich element to defend lean muscles . Best of all , the Perfect Weight expression is clinically proven to assist dogs of all embodiment and sizes accomplish a sizeable free weight . Over 70 percentage of adult dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed Hill ’s Science Diet Perfect Weight dog food . There are Perfect Weight formulas orient to meet the needs of big reeds , small stock , and even dogs with particular health indigence , such as joint support .
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Dog Food
This diet is a top - commend over - the - counter option intended for fleshy dogs or hot dog who are n’t very active . It hold 15 percentage less juicy than the received Pro Plan dog food dieting , and it has a protein - to - fat ratio that ’s optimized to help your dog lose free weight and assert lean trunk mountain . The intellectual nourishment moderate a mixture of crunchy kibble and soft “ shredded ” small-arm , so it ’s sure to tempt even the pickiest roof of the mouth . and it ’s fortified with live probiotics to support your dog ’s digestive and resistant wellness .
Switchingto a Weight Management Food for Dogs
Once you ’ve pick out a system of weights - management dog nutrient with the help of your veterinary surgeon , it ’s time to make the switch . Be sure to transition your pet to the newfangled diet gradually , over the course of a week . short switching the dieting can lead to emesis and looseness of the bowels , which may make your dog resistant to eating the new food again in the future tense .
Veterinarians often commend follow this schedule :
Days 1 - 2 : 75 % old food and 25 % new food
Days 3 - 4 : 50 % old food and 50 % Modern food
Days 5 - 6 : 25 % old food for thought and 75 % new intellectual nourishment
Day 7 : 100 % new food
Also , remember that treats and table food waste can be a major source of large calorie . Generally , deary who demand to lose weight should forgo table garbage , which are typically high-pitched in calorie and fat . However , you may still indulge them with healthy treats from your board , such as carrot sticks . Or you may prefer for healthy , low - small calorie frump kickshaw , likeLean kickshaw from Nutrisentials . These veterinarian - recommended wimp bites contain only 7 calories per delicacy .
Just be certain to factor any calories from treats into your daily totality . You may even want to ask your veterinary surgeon to recommend a specific caloric allotment that your pet can get from goody each solar day . by and large , this is no more than 10 percent of their daily total . However , depending on your heel ’s specific weight direction plan , your vet may recommend avoiding treats entirely , if possible .
As long as your dog-iron enjoys the weight direction diet you choose and it ’s approved for maintenance alimentation , many dogs will remain on the weight management intellectual nourishment even after they ’ve lost the weight to foreclose gaining back lose pound .
Some weightiness management foods , such as Hill ’s r / d , are only mean for intermittent feeding and should not be fed longsighted - term .
Questions to Ask Your VetAbout Weight Management Dog Foods
To make the most of any assignment with your vet , be certain to prepare your question about weight management before you go . Here are some questions to debate :
reference
