There are different reasons that can cause your dog's weight to increase: a lack of physical activities at a given time, his age, or even a medical condition.
When excess weight is clearly noted by a veterinarian, the latter may advise you to change your pet's diet.
This generally means swapping his usual kibble for a lower-calorie variety, intended to help your dog lose some weight.
But be careful: not all low-calorie kibbles are created equal, and as this represents a significant change in your pet's diet, your pet may very well refuse to eat them!
This is why it is essential to choose them carefully.
Our selection can help you find the kibble that will suit your overweight dog.
Our selection of the best kibbles for overweight dogs:
Super premium light dog food, Ultra Premium Direct
Veterinary Satiety Weight Management dry dog food, Royal Canin
Veterinary HPM W1 Weight Loss & Diabetes dog food, Virbac
Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility dog food, Hill's
Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal dry dog food, Purina Pro Plan
Super premium light dog food, Ultra Premium Direct
ultrapremiumdirect
€3.99/kg
SEE
These low-fat kibbles from the Ultra Premium Direct brand are suitable for both sterilized dogs and overweight dogs.
They mainly focus on animal proteins and contain few cereals, which strongly limits carbohydrate intake.
In addition, they are made without wheat and gluten.
Only rice is present in this recipe, which also contains prebiotics and fennel, which promotes good digestion.
Very rich in protein
Low in fat
Easy to eat and digest
Presence of prebiotics
Contain cereals (rice)
Veterinary Satiety Weight Management dry dog food, Royal Canin
zooplus
8 €/kg
SEE
Amazon
15.51€ / kg
SEE
ManoMano
€26.3/kg
SEE
These Royal Canin Veterinary Satiety Weight Management kibbles are specially formulated to help overweight dogs lose weight without frustration over time.
They contain sources of protein and fiber that ensure your pet's prolonged satiety, allowing them to lose weight gently, without feeling hungry and without reducing muscle mass.
They are also rich in food supplements, but they contain wheat.
Rich in protein and fiber
Rich in food supplements
Low in fat
Presence of cereals (wheat, corn)
Veterinary HPM W1 Weight Loss & Diabetes dog food, Virbac
zooplus
€9.36/kg
SEE
Amazon
€9.84/kg
SEE
Virbac Veterinary HPM W1 kibble is suitable for diabetic dogs and those who need to lose weight.
They are low in calories, but also in sugar, which allows them to display a low glycemic index.
Their high protein content allows your dog to be satisfied quickly.
Furthermore, these kibbles do not contain wheat and no gluten, so they are also suitable for animals that are sensitive to them.
No gluten
Low glycemic index
Rich in protein
Low in calories
Taste not always appreciated
Prescription Diet Metabolic Mobility dog food, Hill's
zooplus
11 €/kg
SEE
Hill's Prescription Diet kibble is intended for dogs suffering from overweight and possible age-related problems, such as osteoarthritis.
They contain a good quantity of animal proteins and various food supplements, including omega 3, which ensure good satiety while limiting caloric intake.
This contributes to your pet's weight loss.
However, the recipe contains wheat and gluten.
Good amount of protein
Satisfying
Rich in food supplements
Low in calories
Contains a lot of cereals (wheat, corn)
High price
Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal dry dog food, Purina Pro Plan
zooplus
12 €/kg
SEE
ManoMano
€14.46/kg
SEE
From the Veterinary Diets range from Purina Pro Plan, these kibbles are intended for dogs with difficult digestion.
As they are low in fat and have a good protein content, they are low in calories, filling and easy to digest.
These kibbles are suitable for an overweight dog who also has digestion problems: they can solve both problems at the same time.
Good protein content
Presence of prebiotics and soluble fibers
Easy to digest
Presence of cereals (wheat, corn)
High price
How to feed an overweight dog?
A dog's overweight can be noticed on your own or during a routine visit to the veterinarian.
If you yourself notice that your pet has gained a lot of weight in recent months or years, you should, first of all,
take him to your veterinarian.
This process is important because it allows you to first weigh your dog, carry out various tests to determine whether the increase in weight is linked to a medical problem or something else, and then choose the right strategy to help your four-legged companion to lose excess pounds.
Once the state of health has been established, your veterinarian will necessarily recommend that you change your dog's diet to
suitable kibble
.
You can opt for those sold by your veterinarian, or choose another variety sold on the Internet or in stores.
You should be aware that for your dog, the change in diet may be difficult for you: kibble for overweight dogs is less fatty and potentially less tasty, so expect a little potential rebellion.
It's also likely that you'll need to test several brands to find the right one.
It is also important to
scrupulously respect the quantities recommended
for each meal.
For this, the ideal is to use a measuring cup which can be provided by your veterinarian.
If necessary, weigh the portions with a kitchen scale.
Finally, it makes sense:
limit the treats
you give your pet.
As he is now fed low-calorie kibble, he may beg more often.
But hold on!
It's for his own good.
How to make a dog lose weight?
Choosing a
low-calorie diet
is the starting point for your dog's weight loss diet, but it may not be enough to help him get back to his healthy weight!
In addition to suitable kibble, it is essential that your pet
exercises a lot
: multiply daily walks as much as possible.
Outdoor games are also great for burning calories.
Of course, if your dog is old or has medical problems, walks should be adapted accordingly.
Also avoid starving him:
don't deprive him of certain little pleasures
.
As with humans, the ideal is constant weight loss, and even if it is slow, it will have long-term benefits by limiting frustration.
Weigh your dog regularly, and make an appointment with your veterinarian several times a year to ensure that weight loss is going well for your beloved pet.
Also read: The best kibbles for sterilized dogs