Are you concerned about the Best Weight Control Dog Food? If not, yet many of us are. Because some people tend to gain weight. Like people, some dogs also have this tendency. If you have a small dog i.e. belonging to a small breed with this tendency, you don’t need to worry much.
Because it’s quite simple to keep your pet in shape. You just need to keep it in movement like small exercises to burn the extra calories and choose the best weight control dog food for small dogs. But aren’t you sure about it?
No worries. We will discuss the best weight control dog food for small dogs here in this article.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small Bites, Chicken & Barley Recipe
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small Bites, Chicken & Barley Recipe, 5 lb. Bag: Pet Supplies.
What Makes it Different:
Our team of experts has gone through thorough research on the different weight control dog foods for small dogs such as the best-wet dog food for weight loss, low-fat dog food, and also renowned brands like Purina weight management dog food, Hill’s weight management dog food, Blue Buffalo weight control small breed dog food, and the like. We have chosen this Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food with 7015 review numbers, and 4.8 ratings on Amazon as the best weight control dog food for small dogs because it offers high quality and helps to maintain a healthy weight of your pet for $17 only for 5lbs.
Features:
- This high-quality dog food fuels the energy requirements of your small dog.
- Its quality protein maintains your pet’s lean muscles.
- Contains Vitamin E and Omega 6s to ensure your dog’s nice skin and shiny coat.
- Manufactured in the USA with trusted, high-quality, and natural ingredients.
- Natural fibers help in healthy digestion.
- Your small dogs will love its chicken flavor taste and they will enjoy having the small bites.
- If your small dog is overweight, it will help to reduce the extra weight and for dogs with the right weight, it will maintain the weight.
- This no.1 Veterinarian Recommended food deserves to be the best weight control dog food for small dogs.
What Can be Improved:
It contains high carbohydrates and protein content is low. The manufacturers should try to modify it to improve the quality.
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| 1. Delicious taste that your pet loves. 2. Small bites are easier for your small dogs to eat. 3. Nourishes your pet’s coat and skin. 4. Ensures healthy weight management of your small dog. 5. Preferred by most customers. | 1. The protein content is low. 2. High carbohydrates. |
Why Should You Control Your Dog’s Weight?
You should always control your dog’s weight because like other animals dogs also face some health issues if they gain excessive weight.
The health issues related to dog’s overweight are as follows:
- Heart Disease
Excessive body weight puts extra pressure on the heart muscles of your dog causing inappropriate circulation. Moreover, this stress can cause congestive cardiac failure i.e. your pet’s heart gradually gets filled with fluid.
- Diabetes
If your dog is overweight, it will have more body tissue than it should. As a result, its pancreas fails to generate sufficient insulin for metabolizing its bloodstream’s sugars. When this diabetes is not treated, it causes other diseases like kidney dysfunction, nerve problems, and other diseases.
- Hypertension
Hypertension more commonly known as high blood pressure stresses the internal organs of your dog, particularly kidneys, and increases the risk for stroke and cardiac problems.
- Joint Problems
Dogs’ additional weight harms their joints leading to arthritis and hip dysplasia, and are prone to strains and sprains.
- Breathing Issues
Your dog’s diaphragm can’t move effectively due to its excessive weight leading to labored breathing. It will also decrease the oxygen amount that reaches the tissues of your dog. So, your dog often feels lethargic and fatigued.
- Overheating
Excess body weight causes overheating of your dog. This means your dog’s body temperature will be higher if it’s overweight. Your pet will feel miserable and won’t participate in any activity frequently because of this overheating.
- Liver Problems
A dog’s body tends to store some fat in their liver to use in emergency cases. But if your dog is overweight, it will store excess fat in its liver decreasing the liver’s right functioning ability. It will also cause different health problems for your dog.
- Skin Problems
Obesity creates coat and skin problems in your dog. Again, it can generate skin folds that trap dirt and oils causing further problems.
- High Cancer Risk
As per research, overweight dogs are prone to bladder cancer and mammary tumors.
- Reproductive Failure
Overweight dogs are more likely to have reproductive failures like all other animals. Again, these dogs are prone to irregular hormonal cycles, difficult labor, and miscarriages.
- Shorter Lifespan
Overweight dogs have a shorter lifespan due to all of the above-mentioned problems and others.
Why is Your Dog Gaining Weight?
Your dog can gain weight because of the following reasons:
- Its breed type
- Excessive food
- Insufficient exercise
- Illness
- Due to its age
- Recovering from any illness or injury
- If it’s under some medication
- If it’s altered
Buyers Guide: Best Weight Control Dog Food for Small Dogs
Please remember the following things while choosing the best weight-control dog food for small dogs.
1. Protein-Enriched
The dog food should be protein-enriched to meet your dog’s energy requirements. Generally, dry dog foods should fulfill over 30% of the protein requirements.
2. Fiber-Rich
Fiber derived from plants forms a complex carbohydrate type that fills your pet’s tummy for a long time without excess calories. It doesn’t have a high nutrient value but it is crucial for the digestive system’s well function and removing waste from the dog’s body. All these in turn help in fine weight management.
A weight control dog food is mostly fiber-rich because of the above reasons. Its fiber content should be from 6%-12%. However, some dogs have digestive problems with higher fiber content. Consult your vet for it. Green veggies, apples, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, legumes, peaches, and oats are some best high fiber content in your dog’s food.
3. Low Calories
A dog should take lower calories than it burns to lose weight. Generally, dog foods contain around 400 kcal per cup. So, choose anything lower than this for weight control.
4. Low Fat
Generally, dog foods contain around 12% of fat content. So, choose a weight control food with a fat content between 9 to 10%.
5. With Probiotics
Probiotics are useful bacteria that ensure the efficient operation of your canine’s intestinal tract. When your dog eats food with probiotics it will rarely have intestinal issues during food changes and it can digest its food effectively.
6. L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is an amino acid similar to vitamins that helps healthy metabolism. As per scientific research, it is proven to help weight loss in cats and dogs. Many weight-control dog foods have this ingredient. So, look for this ingredient if you want your pet to lose excess weight.
7. Nutritious
Your pooch’s food should be nutritious offering it the required minerals, vitamins, and the main macromolecules like proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and fats in the exact amounts. The main difference between weight control and normal dog foods needs to be caloric content.
8. Easily Digestible
Weight control dog foods should be easily digestible. These foods add healthy fiber to ensure it.
9. Without Artificial Colors and Flavors
Choose a food without artificial colors and flavors because these ingredients are harmful to your pet’s health.
10. Tasty
Last but not least, the dog food for weight management needs to be tasty or your adorable pooch will refuse to eat.
Conclusion
Now, you must be confident about the best weight control dog food for small dogs and all other required details. If you have any further queries, please share them in the comment section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is wet dog food better for weight loss?
Yes. Sometimes, it is easier to get better results for weight loss by offering canned wet food to your dog. Wet dog foods contain lower carbohydrates, fewer calories, and higher protein than dry dog foods of a similar quantity.
Is low-calorie dog food good for all dogs?
Low-calorie dog food is better recommended for dogs with weight issues. The caloric requirements for dogs vary widely based on their age, growth, lactation, environmental temperature, physical activity, health condition, and any related abnormalities. It will be best for you to consult your vet.
How much homemade dog food to feed your small dog?
The generally recommended amount of homemade dog food is about a cup’s food’s 1/2 to 3/4 for every 25 pounds of your dog’s body weight. Please consult your vet to get a better idea.
What is gastrointestinal low-fat dog food?
These dog foods are especially for those dogs that have difficulties tolerating or digesting fat. Prebiotics in this food support keeping the gut healthy. A combination of dietary fibers helps exact digestion for better stool quality. Fish oil’s EPA, DHA, and Omega-3 fatty acids soothe your dog’s GI tract.
What is the best low-fat dog food for pancreatitis?
If your dog has pancreatitis, it will require low-fat diets to be easily digested. That food must be prepared from high-quality proteins. Look for dog foods that have low fat i.e. 7.5%.