Best Low-Fat Dog Foods
Has your cute little dog started to look more like a little fat dog than a little fit dog lately? Then perhaps it is time to look at what they eat and watch out for your dog’s calorie intake. While exercise is key when keeping excess weight off a dog, the food they eat is another important cornerstone. Just like with people, some dogs have a harder time shedding weight than others, and for those dogs – a quality low-fat canned diet dog food or a kibble with reduced-fat could be the solution.
Table of Contents
Our team has spent hours researching products to find the best low-fat food for your dogs, read our in-depth reviews below. Learn more about our 10 point inspection checklist.
Best Low-Fat Dog Food
1. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
This low-fat dog food promises to get your pooch down to the perfect weight with a healthy stool. Many success stories confirm that it works when fed according to the feeding guidelines. According to studies performed on a select number of dogs – about 70% lost weight already within the first 10 weeks.
Hill’s Low-Fat Dry Dog Food is more than just a diet kibble. It has enough nutrients to get your dog through an active day and an appealing flavor of delicious chicken.
Why We Like It – This weight management formula from Hill’s Science Diet has an above-average nutritional content. Its high placement on this list is also due to the proven effect, accessibility (you can find this brand in most pet stores and online), and affordable price.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 291 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 24.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 9.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 5.0% min |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Vitamin E | 400 IU/kg min |
Pros:
+ First ingredient is real chicken
+ Help adult dogs maintain a healthy weight
+ Clinically proven benefits from antioxidants
+ Supports muscle maintenance
+ Safe and effective weight loss dog food
+ No.1 vet-recommended
Cons:
– Not recommended for dogs sensitive to grain and gluten
2. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food
It may be time to get that extra weight off your beloved pooch and lose a few pounds with one of the best low-fat dog foods currently available. Excess weight can cause several health issues in dogs, and Purina Pro Plan has developed its own revolutionary nutritional solution. It has 25% less fat than its original recipe but tastes just as rich and meaty thanks to the same quality chicken ingredients – perfect for picky eaters.
Know more about Purina through Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Review.
Designed to promote optimal health and wellness, this low-fat formula has the nutritional balance that your fur baby needs. Feed according to the feeding guidelines for maximal results.
Why We Like It – Purina Pro Plan's Weight Management Dog Food is a low-fat recipe with live probiotics that help your dog’s metabolism work as it should. It’s also fortified with live probiotics to support your dog’s digestive and immune health.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3,578 kcal/kg, 330 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 27.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 9.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 5.5% max |
| Moisture | 12.0% max |
| Calcium | 0.9% min |
| Vitamin E | 460 IU/kg min |
| Glucosamine | 400 ppm min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 1.6% min |
Pros:
+ Protein-rich recipe with real chicken as its #1 ingredient
+ Offers a 100% complete and balanced nutrition
+ Help maintain lean muscle mass during weight loss
+ Live probiotics to ensure healthy digestion
+ 25% less fat than the original recipe
+ Mix of soft and crunchy chicken shreds with rich flavor
Cons:
– High in carbs
– Not suitable for dogs with grain allergies
3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low-Fat Dry Dog Food
will get your pup down to their ideal weight in no time. The easily digested protein helps prevent the accumulation of unhealthy fat. It has chelated minerals to help the body absorb nutrients faster and a complex mix of carbohydrates.
Fat dogs may be cute, but Royal Canin knows that it isn’t healthy, and they have produced this low-fat diet dog food for pups that easily pack on weight. It is also great for dogs with digestive disorders such as bile acid deficiency, bacterial overgrowth, chronic pancreatitis, and enteropathy. See some dog food reviews for Royal Canin to learn more.
Why We Like It – A very low-fat dog food that suits any adult dog with weight or digestive issues and that will have your dog drop a few pounds in little to no time. Plus points for the chelated minerals that aid with digestion.
Related Post: 12 Best Dog Food to Prevent Gas in 2022.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3,227 kcal/kg, 248 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 20.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 5.5% min/8.5% max |
| Crude Fiber | 3.9% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Vitamin E | 315 IU/kg min |
Pros:
+ Includes highly digestible proteins and prebiotics to promote healthy digestion and healthy stool
+ Low-fat content for puppers having trouble digesting dietary fats
+ Designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs
+ Contains essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, to help manage GI health
+ With a blend of antioxidants for immune health
Cons:
– Requires a veterinary prescription
4. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Natural Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo continues to impress with their high-quality products, especially with their Blue Buffalo Low-Fat Grain-Free Dog Food. Real chicken tops the ingredient list, and it is entirely free from grains and artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. It also has the fatty acids Omega-3 and 6 that provide your dog with healthy skin and a shinier coat.
This natural, low-fat grain-free food is formulated with balanced fat and calorie content! It is packed with nutrients and gentle with your pup’s stomach making its value worth its price. Like all Blue Buffalo products, it has delicious and vitamin-rich LifeSource bits mixed in with the kibble; your dog will surely love this tasty treat!
Why We Like It – The all-natural recipe along with the vitamin and mineral-rich LifeSource bits is enough to convince anyone that this is one of the best low-fat dog food you can finds.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3,229 kcal/kg, 330 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 20.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 9.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 10.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Calcium | 0.9% max |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.5% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 1.5% min |
| Glucosamine | 400 mg/kg min |
Pros:
+ Real chicken is the #1 ingredient for high-quality protein
+ Includes Omega fatty acids 3 and 6 to promote healthy skin and coat
+ Formulated with LifeSource bits—an optimal blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help support the immune system
+ Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
+ Contains an ideal amount of fat and calorie content to keep your furry friend on a healthy weight
+ Free from poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Cons:
– Kibble size is not ideal for small mouths
5. Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight Recipe
How about this delicious low-fat natural dog food from Merrick? It is made with real deboned beef, good fiber, and protein balance without the extra calories. This Merrick Grain-Free Recipe also has glucosamine and chondroitin for bone and joint health, plus Omega-3 and 6 for skin and coat health.
Merrick is the kind of dog food you would never guess to be healthy low-fat dog food, due to how full of flavor and nutrients it is! However, it has the perfect ingredients to help your dog lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. It works the absolute best in combination with exercise and an active lifestyle.
Why We Like It – A dog food low in fat and protein isn’t necessarily the way to go, as dogs are meat-eaters and need their daily dose. Merrick proves that it is possible to make a protein-rich kibble that still promotes weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3,668 kcal per kilogram or 388 kcal per cup |
| Crude Protein | 34.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 17.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 3.5% max |
| Moisture | 11.0% max |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.80% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 4.0% min |
| Glucosamine | 1200 mg/kg min |
Pros:
+ First five ingredients are Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, and Sweet Potatoes
+ Weight loss and weight management formula with great taste
+ Optimal protein and fiber without extra fat and calories
+ Grain-free with 55% protein
+ Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
+ Made from high-quality ingredients that offer balanced nutrition
Cons:
– Not recommended for fuzzy eaters
– Feeding guidelines in the picture are not accurate; check the actual bag to get the real information
6. Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food Pork, Chicken & Fish Reduced Fat
Take a step towards a healthier lifestyle for your dog with this natural low-calorie dog food which is also low in fat and enriched with vitamins and minerals. Made with lean chicken, fish, and a healthy portion of pork – this yummy kibble will turn your fat dog into a fit dog! This product has cut out low-quality meat by-products, along with unnecessary fillers like corn, wheat, and soy.
Every bag is carefully produced, packed, and distributed in the United States. The Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food contains an optimal blend of lean proteins, carbs, and low calories to help overweight dogs manage their weight effectively.
Why We Like It – The interesting mix of meat products brings out both flavor and scent, which means your pup won’t even notice you’ve made his new dog food low fat.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3,240 kcal/kg, 343 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 24.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 9.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Calcium | 1.5% min |
| Vitamin E | 120 IU/kg min |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.35% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 1.4% min |
| Glucosamine | 320 mg/kg min |
Pros:
+ Smart blend of premium animal proteins, carbs, and fewer calories to support weight loss
+ Improves hip and joint health with Glucosamine and helps develop a strong immune system with antioxidants
+ Contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 for your dog’s coat and skin health
+ No meat by-products or artificial additives
+ Flavorful pork, chicken, and lean fish recipe free from corn, wheat, or meat by-products
+ Made and packed in the United States
Cons:
– Not recommended for pups with chicken and pork allergies
7. Diamond Care Weight Management Dog Low Fat Dog Food
Diamond Care uses extra fiber from a high-quality protein source, real lamb, for longer-lasting fullness. This low-fat food has L-Carnitine to help mobilize and get rid of existing body fat. Additionally, it is formulated with Glucosamine and Chondroitin to keep your dog’s bones and joints healthy and antioxidants to build up the immune system.
This combination will take your fur friend’s health to the optimum level. Giving more energy for play and exercise while also processing the excess weight you want your pooch to shed. It also contains pumpkin, blueberries, chia seeds, kale, and other superfoods.
Why We Like It – With so many natural sources of antioxidants, along with fiber and Glucosamine, this makes this a surprisingly complete low-fat high protein dog food.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 2,979 kcal/kg, 278 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 22.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 6.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 10.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Vitamin E | 300 IU/kg min |
| Glucosamine | 300 mg/kg min/400 mg/kg max |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.4% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.0% min |
Pros:
+ The first ingredient is real lamb, a high-quality animal protein
+ Weight management formula with extra fiber to keep your dog feeling full
+ L-Carnitines to help process fat
+ Promotes healthy bones and joints with glucosamine and chondroitin
+ Provides complete and balanced nutrition for overweight dogs
+ Nutrient-rich and highly digestible probiotics
Cons:
– A little bit more pricey than other options
8. Nutro Lite and Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food
Nutro Lite is an instant favorite high protein low-fat dog food in many households; much due to its affordable price and reliable ingredients. Choose between chicken, chicken large breed dog food, chicken small breed dog food, and lamb, depending on what you consider the most suitable for your dog, and start seeing how your pup slowly works his (or her) way back to a healthy weight.
No fat dog food is not a good idea, and instead, you should choose a reduced fat dog food such as this. It has chicken as its first ingredient, meaning it is likely to have enough protein for your pup to thrive, and it mixes in lentils, sweet potato, and more to give your furry friend the perfect nutritional mix.
Why We Like It – With this healthy and tasty mix, your dog gets all the nutrients they need to live a long healthy life, but with less fat content.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3048 kcal/kg, 231 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 24.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 7.0% min 10.0% max |
| Crude Fiber | 10.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Vitamin E | 60 IU/kg min |
Pros:
+ Designed to support your dog’s weight and keep them at a healthy build
+ #1 ingredient is real chicken for a high-quality protein source
+ Promotes strong muscles
+ Formulated with essential antioxidants to promote healthy immunity
+ Non-GMO ingredients free from chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy.
+ A tailored blend of fiber and protein for a healthy digestion
Cons:
– Not for fuzzy eaters
– Small kibble size is not recommended for large breed dogs
9. Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Low-Fat Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food
Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Low-Fat Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food is recommended by veterinarians worldwide. It’s also specifically designed by nutritionists to help support digestive health. Calming and soothing the digestive tract helps the metabolism do its thing after every meal.
It contains helpful ingredients like ginger, healthy fatty acids, prebiotic fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This is great for pups having trouble digesting dietary fats because this low-fat recipe has highly digestible ingredients.
Why We Like It – Having concerns with your dog’s health because of unwanted weight gain? This Hill’s Prescription Diet is one of the best dog foods for a low-fat diet that helps aid digestion and support gastrointestinal health.
Looking for a higher fiber option? See these high-fiber foods for dogs with anal gland issues.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 333 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 20.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 6.0% min/ 9.0% max |
| Crude Fiber | 5.0% max |
| Moisture | 5.0% max |
| Calcium | 0.5% min/0.8% max |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.6% min |
Pros:
+ Aids in protecting the sensitive GI tract
+ Prebiotic fiber for improved digestion and gastrointestinal health
+ Supports overall digestive wellness and promotes proper nutrient absorption
+ With added vitamins and minerals
+ Highly digestible, low-fat formula
+ Specifically designed by veterinarians and nutritionists to support your dog’s digestive health
Cons:
– Vet-approval is required
– Large kibble size is not ideal for smaller breeds
10. Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Healthy Weight Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
If you’re on a budget but still in need of low fiber, low-fat diet food. In that case, this Purina ONE variety makes for a decent option. It has 25% less fat and 15% lesser calories than the original Purina ONE formula. It prides itself on having real turkey as the first listed ingredient.
Make this your dog’s food and achieve a complete and balanced diet that supports muscles, heart health and prevents heart disease. Not only can you manage your fur baby’s weight, but this affordable dog food also includes high-quality lean protein to keep your pup feeling satisfied for longer.
Why We Like It – This low-fat dog food has all the benefits of the original recipe but with 25% less fat, which can make a huge difference for an overweight dog.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3,346 kcal/kg, 320 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 27.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 12.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 5.5% max |
| Moisture | 12.0% max |
| Calcium | 0.9% min |
| Vitamin E | 250 IU/kg min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 1.5% min |
Pros:
+ Real Turkey as its #1 ingredient to help support lean muscle mass
+ Made with 25% less fat and 15% fewer calories
+ Includes fiber and high-quality lean protein to keep your pup full for a long time
+ Complete and balanced nutrition with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support heart health and muscles
+ Natural Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint health, and vitamins A and E for eye health
+ Helps in developing a strong immune system with antioxidants
Cons:
– Not recommended for dogs with grain allergies
How We Chose Our Top 10 Low-fat Dog Foods
There are many reasons why you might want to switch your dog’s diet to reduced fat. While the most common one is excess weight, there can also be other medical reasons for wanting to cut as much fat as possible out of your pup’s meals. Regardless of which, you have a wide range of products to choose from today, but it is important to know what to look for, to avoid spending time and money on a product that won’t give your dog the correct mix of nutrients.
1. High-quality dog food
Because your pup’s wellness is always our first priority, we ensured that the best low-fat dog food we included in our list are all high-quality dog food. It’s not enough to just pick a low-fat dog food. High-quality ingredients with the right nutritional value are also needed, especially when it comes to digestive health. For example, a known brand with a low-fat recipe, namely Earthborn Holistic Weight Control, has received a low rating in some dog food reviews because it offers a low nutritional value compared to other low-fat dog foods.
So if you want to stick to something that ensures your dog’s digestive health without having to compromise the food’s quality, this Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food from our list is worth looking at.
2. Lean Proteins
Proteins are an important part of everyone’s diet as it’s responsible for building muscle tissues and form new skin cells. More than that, it’s also great in keeping your dog energized and maintain a strong immune system. On the other hand, lean proteins are proteins but with low-calorie content, which is very useful when your dog is on a low-fat diet. Good examples of lean protein are lean chicken, lean fish, turkey meal, and salmon meal.
3. Omega Fatty Acids
While too much fat can be harmful, the right amount of fat can also be healthy for your pooch. A great example of this is the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which come from fish oil. These fatty acids provide nutrition to your dog’s skin and coat, making them healthier and shinier. The Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Natural Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food has Omega 3s and 6s with balanced and calorie content perfect for sensitive stomachs.
An overweight dog runs a bigger risk for diseases, illnesses, and other health concerns, such as painful bones and joints. You owe it to your furry best friend to choose a dog food that will promote a healthy weight along with the chance of a long and active life. That’s why low-calorie dog foods or low-fat dog
A Buyers Guide on Low-fat Dog Foods
Many factors could affect your decision to transition your dog’s diet to a low-fat one. It can be as simple as wanting to ensure your dog’s body stays fit and healthy, or it also might be because your pooch is experiencing a medical condition that requires them to lose weight. Well, whatever it is ‘s best to be familiar with the most common conditions to determine why your furry friend needs low-fat dog food.
Obesity
Spoiling your pooch with treats may be fun (for the both of you) at first because you get to see your fur baby happy, and for a paw-rent that’s one of the most rewarding things ever. However, overfeeding your dog can have adverse effects on their weight, leading to weight gain and obesity. Compared to healthy dogs, obese dogs are more at risk of developing arthritis or pancreatitis. In some cases, obesity is also believed to be connected to heart disease and high blood pressure.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas helps digest and break down food that goes in your stomach, and having an inflamed pancreas disrupts the whole process of the digestive system. This means that whenever your dog eats, they will have trouble digesting carbs and breaking down fats, causing pain in your dog’s stomach. Based on American Kennel Club, symptoms of pancreatitis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, fever, appetite loss, and dehydration.
Sensitive Stomach
Dogs with sensitive stomachs tend to have messy bowel movements and smelly gas. Low-fat dog foods help in aiding your dog’s sensitive tummy. Having less fat to break down also means lesser unpleasant trips to the toilet for your fur baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I feed my dog low-fat dog food?
The easiest way to tell that your pooch could benefit from a diet kibble or low-fat wet dog food is if they’re suffering from a sensitive stomach or unwanted weight gain. You should be able to see the waistline when looking at your dog from above and feel the ribs when pressing lightly to the side. If you have doubts – talk to a veterinarian. If you have other health concerns that you think might require a reduced-fat diet, it should also be brought up with a veterinarian before making any drastic diet changes.
What is the percentage for a low-fat dog food?
According to Whole Dog Journal, a low-fat recipes should contain less than 10% fat on a dry matter basis (less 17% of calories from fat) to be considered a low-fat dog food.
Why is my dog gaining weight?
There are many potential reasons for weight gain in dogs; and while the most common explanation is over-feeding and lack of exercise, there could also be other problems such as an inability to process protein, a lack of important digestive enzymes, an imbalance in fat levels in the blood and more.
Is high-fat diet good or bad for dogs?
A moderate amount of fat isn’t a bad thing to include in your dog’s diet. In fact, a good source of fat like the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids is actually beneficial for your dog’s health, especially their skin and coat. However, just like everything we consume, too much of anything can potentially be harmful. And high-fat content in your dog’s food can actually increase the risk of your fur baby developing serious medical conditions such as heart disease.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for the best low-fat canned dog food or the best fat-reduced kibble – there is an option out there for your dog. Choosing a dog food can be an interesting experience once you learn what to look for and picking out a low-fat product is no different. We are what we eat, they say, and the same applies to our furry friends, and if you notice a significant weight gain or another issue that might make too much fat unsuitable for your pooch – it is time for a diet change.
Expert Tip
Older dogs tend to pack on weight with more ease, often due to reduced physical activity, and if you choose to switch your senior over to a low-fat kibble – make sure it is suitable for an aging dog first. Ask your veterinarian if unsure.
Related: Best Dog Foods for Senior Dogs
Did You Know?
An overweight dog may start presenting multiple health issues – often irreversible – and it is important to prevent excess weight when possible, by reducing treat consumption and by choosing a quality dog food product.
