If your dog needs to slim down, these Weight Management Foods can help – Daily Press

With so many options on the market, finding the right dog food for your dog can be challenging. However, if your best friend requires a proper diet for weight problems, finding food that won’t put on pounds can be even more confusing. This is where weight control dog food comes in.

Just like other formulas, weight management comes in a selection of food types, but the difference is that they have a balance of calories, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates that promote weight loss. What’s more, the best recipes have meat as the first ingredient and no calorie-dense by-products or fillers.

The ideal weight for your dog varies based on size, breed, and age. And some dogs have a smaller or larger build than other puppies of the same breed. For this reason, it is difficult to determine the exact weight range your dog needs. Instead, you and your vet can assess whether your dog’s weight is ideal or close to it.

A good way to tell if your dog is at a healthy weight is to look at it from different angles. When looking at your dog from above, you should be able to see your waist is defined. When viewed from the sides, you should be able to see a folded belly. The ribs may be slightly visible, but they should not be too prominent. And when you touch the dog’s sides, you should be able to feel his ribs without pressing too hard. They should feel like they have a small layer of fat on top of them.

Some people may choose to feed their dog more or less of their standard food rather than a weight management food. While this may be fine for slightly overweight dogs, it is not the best option if you have a dog that needs to lose or gain a significant amount of weight. This is because regular dog food is very calorie dense, and your dog may not feel full enough if you reduce the amount of regular food you give him.

Other key benefits to look for in a dog food designed for weight maintenance or weight loss are fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics that regulate digestion. The high protein to fat ratio promotes muscle growth and weight loss.

When choosing any type of dog food, you should always look for high-quality ingredients, such as real meat proteins and premium foods. It’s best to avoid options made with corn, BHT, BHA, corn syrup, artificial coloring or flavoring, soy, and MSG. Meat by-products are also a problem, as they are not good sources of protein and can add unnecessary calories.

For weight control dog foods, you should look for one that is high in protein and fiber, as these nutrients help regulate weight. If you choose a grain-based dog food, look for whole grains such as wheat, barley, brown rice, and oats. These cereals contain fiber but are not full of calories.

Most companies offer one weight control formula, which often has chicken as the main protein source. This may limit your choices a bit, especially if your pup is allergic to poultry. However, a lot of brands offer alternative protein sources, which provide a more complete amino acid profile. Some contain only fish, while others use lamb or duck.

Weight control dog food comes in dry and wet formulas. Dry food is more popular because it is easy to store and often more affordable. It also stays fresh longer.

Wet dog foods are more expensive and often require refrigeration for storage. However, they tend to satiate dogs more despite their lower calorie count due to their higher moisture content. The smell of canned dog food also helps attract picky eaters.

Raw dog food, which can also be found in powdered and dehydrated forms, tends to be high in protein and not contain a lot of carbohydrates and fillers. It is pricey but suitable for weight management when fed in portions appropriate to the dog’s size and life stage.

Fresh dog food can be purchased through the dog food delivery service. The company will put together recipes specifically for your dog’s needs, including lower-calorie options. However, these meals do come at an excellent price.

If your dog has a food allergy, you may want to consider feeding him a formula that is restricted in ingredients. The most common formulas you will find are grain-free formulas. Other options limit specific ingredients that your dog’s stomach may be sensitive to.

Weight management dog foods are usually more expensive than regular dog food and tend to cost between $1 to $4 a pound. You can expect to spend around $50 for a bag of medium weight management dog food. If you want a high-quality option made with healthy ingredients, expect to pay at least $1.75 per pound.

Canidae Pure Weight Management Dry Dog Food: Available in Amazon and Petco

Made by a reputable brand, this is a limited-ingredient, grain-free dog food that is suitable for pets with allergies or sensitive stomachs. It contains easily identifiable ingredients and contains plenty of antioxidants to boost immune system health.

Nutro Ultra Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food. Dry dog ​​food for adults: Available on Amazon and Petco

This is a high quality dog ​​food that contains many sources of protein. It contains many vitamins as well to provide a complete nutritional profile. It is also free of artificial ingredients and meat by-products.

Wellness CORE Natural Wet Grain-Free for Canned Dogs: Available at Amazon and Petco

Low in calories and fat while retaining moisture, this canned dog food should leave your dog feeling full and satisfied. Plus, most dogs love the taste, and it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids to promote a healthy coat. It also contains prebiotics to aid in digestion.

Hill’s Science Adult Diet Ideal Weight Dry Food for Dogs: Available on Amazon and Petco

Known for making all kinds of high-quality dog ​​foods, Hill’s Science Diet also offers an ingredient-based weight control recipe to help dogs maintain a healthy weight. Chicken is the first ingredient. It is made without artificial additives or preservatives.

Nutro Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food: Available in Amazon And Petco

This is another dry food for dogs from Nutro that helps dogs maintain a healthy weight thanks to a well-balanced blend of protein and fiber. In addition to being a good choice for canines that have to shed a few pounds, it also has a flavor that will appeal to most dogs.

Instinct Meals Raw Freeze Dried Real Beef Dog Food Recipe: Available on Amazon and Petco

Raw food is a good option for weight management when fed to your pet as directed. This high-quality brand is freeze-dried and has flavors that dogs love. The nutritious recipe is made with 85% protein, which is a key factor in a diet designed for weight control in dogs.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food: Available on Amazon and Petco

Because it’s made with whole grains, real meat, and plant-based ingredients, this balanced diet can also be used for weight maintenance. It promotes healthy digestion, which is vital for weight loss and weight control.

Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog Food Healthy Weight: Available on Amazon and Petco

Known for producing noticeable results quickly, this dry dog ​​food is made with a blend of fiber, proteins, and prebiotics that promote digestion and weight loss. Contains 17% less fat than other brand formulations.

Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Dog Food: Available at Amazon

Air-dried raw dog food is packed with protein and contains no grains, making it a good choice for a healthy diet that can keep weight off. It also contains superfood ingredients that are rich in beneficial nutrients.

Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Dry Dog Food: Available at Amazon and Petco

This dog food, made by a popular brand, contains high levels of protein that dogs need to maintain a healthy weight. It also promotes digestion with probiotics and prebiotic fiber, which are keys to canine weight loss.

Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check daily deals from BestReviews.

Sign up here to receive our weekly BestReviews newsletter for helpful tips on new products and noteworthy deals.

Jennifer Manverin is a writer at BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with one mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks to the most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.