The 9 Best Wet Dog Foods For Weight Loss
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Unfortunately, many household dogs nowadays are overweight. In fact, approximately half of all domestic dogs in North America between the ages of 5 and 11 are overweight. Obesity is exceedingly harmful for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, it can expose dogs to a variety of illnesses.
Diet food is the first line of defense against obesity. You cannot just feed your dog less of their regular food because this may result in nutritional deficits. As a result, moving to a new diet for weight loss is critical.
Wet food works well for this since it includes more water. This water keeps your dog hydrated for longer.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) looked at some of the best wet dog foods for weight loss. These meals should assist your dog in losing weight while also maintaining optimum hydration.
Finding the Best Wet Dog Food for Weight Loss: A Buyer's Guide
When selecting weight control food for your dog, there are several factors to consider. These formulae vary greatly. Some have a low protein content. Others have a high protein content. Some are high in meat, while others are high in carbohydrates.
As a result, while deciding which food is best for your dog, you must examine all of these variables.
What Ingredients Should Weight Management Dog Foods Include?
What constitutes a weight control dog food varies. Different manufacturers use different measures to decide what is and isn’t a weight-loss meal. There is no overall guideline that all of these businesses must adhere to. As a result, any brand may theoretically label any dog food as “weight control.”
As a result, it is critical that you verify before purchasing food.
In general, diet dog food has more protein than typical, which helps your dog stay fuller for longer. Typically, below-average fat and calories are also provided. These measurements assist ensure that your dog gets the nutrition he or she requires while still maintaining a calorie deficit.
Can’t I just feed my dog regular dog food?
Dog owners are frequently tempted to just feed their pets less of their current diet. After all, you know they like and tolerate their meal. However, this is not advised.
When eaten as suggested, dog meals are meant to supply your dog with the proper quantity of nutrients. Your dog will ingest less calories but also fewer nutrients if you start feeding them less than recommended. To cater for this, diet dog meals are somewhat more nutritionally rich than regular dog food.
As a result, you must provide your dog weight-loss food rather than simply feeding them less of their regular meal.
Fullness
When we start reducing our dog’s calories, they usually become hungry. Aside from calories, there are other factors that might influence how full your dog feels. Fiber, for example, might help your dog feel fuller but is not digestible. In the end, this implies that it does not add any additional calories. As a result, many diet foods include relatively high quantities of fiber.
This fiber can be introduced in a variety of ways. Concentrated fiber, such as pea fiber, can be employed. However, items that are simply high in fiber, such as whole grains, can be included in dog food.
Moisture content can also be utilized to extend the amount of time your dog stays full. As a result, some veterinarians may recommend wet food in particular, as it contains more moisture than dry food (hence the name). For these reasons, wet meals used primarily for weight loss are often wetter than other foods. Keep this in mind if your dog has texture preferences.
Taste
Typically, fat is what gives food its flavor. As a result, when food is low in fat, it is frequently poor in flavor. As a result, we strongly advise you to be cautious regarding the quality of the taste included in the meal. After all, food is useless if your dog refuses to eat it, even if it would help them drop a lot of weight.
You don’t, however, want your dog to eat artificial tastes. Not only are they frequently unhealthy for them, but they can also turn your dog averse to more natural flavors. Many dogs that begin consuming artificial tastes may refuse to eat meals that do not include them.
As a result, you’ll need to rely on meals that boost their flavor without adding extra fat. Yeast is frequently used for this because it has a strong umami flavor that many dogs enjoy.
Diet alone is frequently insufficient.
You will often need to exercise your dog and convert them to a weight control diet. Most fat dogs simply do not get enough exercise. Many owners are astonished when their dogs get obese since they don’t eat too much. However, most of the time, this is due to inactivity rather than over eating.
As a result, in order to assist your dog in losing weight, you will frequently need to boost their exercise as well. Physical activity is often beneficial to dogs. We recommend that you increase their exercise to at least 30 minutes of brisk activity each day, if possible.
However, if your dog is injured or has any underlying issues, you should consult with your veterinarian. If a dog is unable to exercise physically, its food becomes even more vital.
Conclusion
There are several weight loss meals available. We discussed many solutions above that may be suitable for your dog. These meals are also very wet, which may help your dog stay fuller for longer. When coupled with exercise, these meals may dramatically improve your dog’s weight.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie is our favorite weight-loss food. This recipe is exceptionally low in calories and is created particularly for overweight dogs. It is, nevertheless, abundant in protein and meat.
If you’re on a budget, then Purina One SmartBlend Beef & Brown Rice Entrée may work well for dogs with modest weight concerns. It isn’t precisely meant for weight reduction, but it is fewer in calories than other formulas out there.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes our evaluations and guide assist you in finding the best wet dog foods for weight loss.
Reviews
Best Overall: Natural Balance Original Ultra Calorie Reduced
- Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Brown Rice are the main ingredients.
- 8% protein content
- 5% fat content
- 405 kilocalories per can
Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie is the clear winner when it comes to wet dog food for weight reduction. It contains a lot of meat, with chicken and salmon towards the top of the ingredient list. As the taste implies, duck is also featured, but it doesn’t appear until much later on the list.
For extra moisture, this recipe substitutes chicken broth for water. This element adds nutrition and taste to the food, which is typically essential in weight reduction regimens.
This product, as the name implies, is designed to assist dogs in losing weight. It has less calories and a better nutritional value, so your dog receives all they need even if they eat less.
We particularly liked the high amount of omega-fatty acids in this dish, which is partly due to the inclusion of salmon. As a result, this meal benefits your dog’s coat and skin health.
Pros
- There are several meat ingredients.
- Omega-3 fatty acid content is high.
- For extra moisture, use chicken broth.
- Formula with less calories
- Grain-inclusive
Cons
- Poor texture
Best Value: Entrée Purina One SmartBlend Beef & Brown Rice
- Beef, chicken, beef broth, liver, and pork lungs are the main ingredients.
- 8% protein content
- 7% fat content
- 416 kilocalories per cup
The Purina One SmartBlend Beef & Brown Rice Entrée isn’t technically intended for weight reduction. However, it does have fewer calories than other formulas and has a decently high protein amount. As a result, it may be effective for weight loss in dogs with modest issues.
Furthermore, it is far less expensive than other available solutions. As a result, we believe it is the finest wet dog food for weight reduction for the money.
The first few components are all meats, including some organ meats. Beef broth is used to boost the moisture level of this dish. This broth also gives extra nutrients to the dish and enhances its flavor.
This meal contains omega fatty acids, which may aid your dog’s skin and hair. It has brown rice and oatmeal farther down the list, thus it is grain-inclusive.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- There’s a lot of meat here.
- Omega-3 fatty acids have been added.
- High protein content
Cons
- Not explicitly for weight loss
Premium Choice: Weight Management with Wellness CORE Grain-Free
- Chicken, chicken broth, turkey broth, pork liver, and whitefish are the main ingredients.
- 11% protein content
- 3.50% fat content
- 319 kilocalories per can
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Weight Management is designed explicitly to promote lean muscle mass while helping your dog lose weight. It has far more protein than the other formulas on our list while still being exceptionally low in fat.
As a result, if you intend to start an exercise regimen, this mixture is ideal. It is most effective for dogs who are fairly active. Otherwise, the extra protein may be wasted.
This recipe incorporates a variety of meat items. For example, the first component is chicken. This dog food also contains a variety of organ meats and fish, which provide omega fatty acids.
Furthermore, there are no byproducts, wheat, or soy in this mix.
Pros
- High protein content
- It’s packed with beef.
- Broth has been added.
- Extra omega fatty acids
Cons
- Expensive
Best for Puppies: Purina Pro Plan Sport Chicken and Rice Wet Dog Food
- Chicken, liver, meat by-products, water, rice are the main ingredients.
- 10% protein content
- 7.50% fat content
- 441 kilocalories per can
In general, you shouldn’t have to put your puppy on a weight-control supplement. While some puppies may acquire weight quicker than expected, restricting their nutrition may have an influence on their growth. If you’ve decided to place your puppy on a weight-management diet after consulting with your veterinarian, we recommend Purina Pro Plan Sport High Protein Chicken & Rice Wet Dog Food.
This recipe isn’t necessarily intended to help you lose weight. It is, however, quite heavy in protein, which may help your puppy regulate their weight a little better. The first component is real chicken, which provides a lot of additional protein and amino acids.
However, not every element in this mixture is excellent. For example, it contains beef by-product meal, which is essentially mystery meat. There’s no telling what this meat is or where it came from. Unnamed liver is also added, although we don’t know where it originates from.
Pros
- High protein content
- Created for pups
- The first component is real chicken.
- Antioxidants have been added.
Cons
- Some of the bad elements were
- Not specifically intended for weight reduction
Vet’s Choice: Wet Dog Food Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Chicken Flavor
- Water, Pork Liver, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken, Powdered Cellulose are the main ingredients.
- 6% protein content
- 2.50% fat content
- 319 kilocalories per can
If your dog needs to lose weight quickly, use Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Chicken Flavor Wet Dog Food. This moist dog food is ideal for fat dogs that need to shed weight to avoid health concerns.
This recipe contains a good number of high-quality meats, such as hog liver and chicken. It is also grain inclusive, with whole ground corn included. Surprisingly, dogs can digest maize fairly well. As a result, this mixture is quite effective for the majority of dogs.
It has a plethora of other nutrients, including taurine. It also contains a special fiber plant that aids with weight management for your pet. In as little as two months, you should see significant improvements. As a result, veterinarians strongly suggest it for very fat pets.
Pros
- Meats of high grade
- Grain-inclusive
- Nutrient supplements
- High fiber content
Cons
- Expensive
- A prescription is required.
Fabulous Weight Control & Solid Gold Fit
- Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ocean Whitefish, Sweet Potatoes are the main ingredients.
- 7.50% protein content
- 3.50% fat content
- 355 kilocalories per cup
If you have the means, you should look into Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Weight Control. This recipe is made with high-quality ingredients including chicken and saltwater whitefish. It has a lot of protein, which can help keep your dog’s muscles in shape while they’re losing weight.
The use of whitefish in this mix increases the omega fatty acid level. This aids in the maintenance of your dog’s coat and skin. It also includes a variety of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes and green beans. Because the recipe contains no grains, they serve to add fiber.
This recipe, like other weight reduction formulations, is low in fat. As a result, it works best for dogs that aren’t too active and really need to shed weight.
Pros
- Fish was included.
- High protein content
- It is low in fat.
Cons
- Grain-free
- Expensive
Wet Dog Food Blue Buffalo Fit & Healthy Weight Control Formula
- Chicken, chicken broth, whitefish, potatoes, and chicken liver are the main ingredients.
- 7.50% protein content
- 4% fat content
- 336 kilocalories per cup
Blue Buffalo is a well-known dog food brand well recognized for its grain-free products. Blue Buffalo Fit & Healthy Weight Control Formula Wet Dog Food is another product they make. This mixture has less fat and calories to assist your dog in losing weight.
The first component is chicken, which is high in protein and amino acids. Most dogs enjoy chicken, especially when it is lean. Whitefish and different organ meats are also included as additional nutrients in the dog meal. Because chicken broth is utilized instead of water, the total nutritious value is increased.
However, this recipe contains a lot of potatoes and peas. These are not always advised for dogs since they have been linked to cardiac problems in dogs.
Pros
- Lean meat is abundant.
- Extra omega fatty acids are provided by the addition of fish.
- Uses chicken broth
Cons
- It contains a lot of peas.
- Only pate is available.
Canidae Less Active Formula Canned Dog Food for All Life Stages
- Chicken, chicken broth, brown rice, chicken liver, and lamb are the main ingredients.
- 6% protein content
- 4.50% fat content
- 429 kilocalories per can
Canidae All Life Stages Less Active Formula Canned Dog Food is mostly made of chicken and includes less protein and fat than other formulations. In fact, this recipe was created expressly for dogs that are less energetic than others. As a result, it works especially effectively for lazy dogs that can’t or won’t exercise.
This food’s major components are meat-based. It contains, for example, chicken and chicken liver, as well as lamb farther down the list. All of these contribute to the protein composition and offer essential amino acids.
Because only lean meats are utilized, this dish contains very little fat.
This formula is effective for all breeds and ages. It is ideal for multi-dog households since it works for almost all overweight or obese dogs.
Pros
- It is suitable for all kinds and ages.
- Ingredients derived from meat
- Low in protein and fat
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as flavorful as other alternatives
Natural Balance Fat Dogs Targeted Nutrition Wet Dog Food
- Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, potatoes, and salmon are the main ingredients.
- 6% protein content
- 3.50% fat content
- 315 kilocalories per can
Another Natural Balance recipe for overweight and obese dogs is Natural Balance Fat Dogs Targeted Nutrition Wet Dog Food. This recipe has less fat and somewhat less protein than the typical. It also has a high moisture content despite being low in calories. Therefore, your dog will fill up on the included chicken broth, lowering their appetite.
This meal is mostly made up of meat-based elements. Chicken, chicken liver, and fish, for example, all figure prominently on the ingredient list. The addition of salmon boosts the omega-fatty acid content of this meal, which may help improve the health of your dog’s hair and skin.
L-carnitine is also included, which may aid with weight loss in your dog.
On the negative side, this meal is disliked by finicky dogs (or even un-picky dogs). As a result, it is only advised for dogs who will eat almost anything. There are also some issues with quality control. Many people, for example, noted that the dish had a different consistency each time they order it.
Pros
- L-carnitine has been introduced.
- Moisture content is high.
- Meat ingredients are abundant.
Cons
- Not for picky dogs
- Quality control issues
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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