what is considered a low fat diet for dogs
Does Your Dog Need A Low Fat Dog Food?
Most dogs that need a low fat dog food usually need this kind of diet because of health reasons. A low fat diet is not exactly the same as a low calorie or weight control diet.
Low fat diets are normally intended as maintenance diets for dogs that have had chronic or acute problems with pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hyperlipidemia (often a precursor to pancreatitis) and other health problems associated with fat in the diet.
Some dogs dont tolerate fat in the diet very well. They may experience diarrhea or lose weight when there is too much fat in the food. Dogs that have these issues may need a low fat diet.
How low is low fat?
Most premium dog foods today are relatively high in fat. The AAFCO minimum requirements for fatin an adult dogs diet are just 5 percent; and 8 percent for a growth and reproduction diet.
Premium dog foods typically have 15 percent fat or more today. Some grain free foods especially those with lots of meat protein, and some canned foods have even higher fat percentages.
If your dog needs a low fat diet for health reasons, foods are usually recommended to have less than 10 percent fat by dry matter basis. This would be less than 17 percent calories from fat. A diet with moderate fat would be one that has between 10 and 15 percent fat by dry matter basis.
This would be between 17 and 23 percent fat from calories. High fat diets are considered to be diets that have more than 20 percent fat by dry matter basis.
Obviously these are only estimates about fat content in dog foods. You should be aware that many dog foods contain more fat than is listed on the label. If you want to know exactly how much fat the food contains and the other nutrient information for the food you will need to contact the manufacturer and ask for precise information.
If you are concerned about the fat in the food for health reasons for your dog, this is not an unusual request to make. This is the only way to get accurate numbers for your calculations.
Too low?
If your dog does need a low fat diet, you should keep in mind that if the diet is too low in fat it can be deficient in fat-soluble vitamins. Your dog may have problems with his skin and coat. Its easy to forget that fats serve a useful purpose in the diet.
Your dog may also lack energy and feel hungry. If your dog cant eat fat in his dog food you may be able to add a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) such as coconut oil to his diet to help with these problems.
It's also important to note that a low fat diet should not be fed to a pregnant or nursing dog or to a growing puppy. These dogs have greater nutritional needs and a low fat diet would be harmful for them. A low fat diet is only meant as a maintenance diet for adult dogs in certain situations.
Since dog foods often rely on fats to make them tasty to dogs, low fat dog foods may be less appealing to your dog. If your dog is reluctant to eat low fat dog food, you may want to add some canned or fresh food that has low or moderate fat.
Or add some nonfat, low-sodium broth to your dogs food to make it taste better. Or you can try mixing a low fat dog food with some moderately fat food to make your dogs diet more palatable.
Which foods?
If your dog needs a low fat diet, try checking foods made for senior dogs and lite diets. These foods are usually low in fat. However, you will need to check the protein percentages for these foods since they are often correspondingly low.
Just because your dog needs a low fat diet doesnt mean he needs a low protein diet. Many of these foods are high in carbohydrates which is not desirable. If you choose one of these diets and it is low in protein, you can increase the protein by adding some fresh food that is high in protein and low in fat.
If all else fails, you can talk to your veterinarian about prescribing a prescription low fat dog food. As usual with prescription diets, these foods are more expensive than most commercial foods so this is usually a last resort for most dog owners.
Other considerations
If your dog needs a low fat diet for health reasons, you will probably need to consider the amount of fiber in his diet as well. For example, dogs recovering from pancreatitis who need a low fat diet may do better with low fiber, too, in a mix of soluble and insoluble fibers.
But some dogs can do well with moderate amounts of insoluble fiber. If your dog is recovering from pancreatitis or you are feeding your dog a low fat diet for other health reasons, its a good idea to consult with your veterinarian about how much fiber s/he recommends in your dogs diet.
Weight control
Its estimated that more than half of the dogs in North America are overweight or obese today. Obesity is a serious health problem in dogs today since it can lead to diabetes, affect a dogs respiratory system, cardiac functions, worsen joint and mobility issues such as arthritis, cause problems if your dog needs any kind of surgery, and shorten your dogs life.
Many dogs can benefit from a weight control diet. There is some overlap between low fat diets and low calorie/weight control foods.
The big difference is that many dogs can eat a weight control diet even though they may not currently have a specific health problem. The dog may not have any specific problems with eating fat, for example.
Many of these weight control dog foods do have less fat than regular foods. They generally have fewer calories. They are often high in carbohydrates. Some of them are high in fiber. The protein content is often relatively low.
In some cases these foods can be suitable for dogs that need a low fat diet but you should carefully calculate the dry matter basis for the nutrients in the foods to see if they would work for your dog.
Many different companies/brands make these foods in kibble and canned formulas so they are widely available. Again, if you want to make absolutely certain about the nutrient percentages in the food, we suggest that you contact the company for their analysis of the food.
Is low fat dog food good for dogs?
Most dogs can easily handle a reasonable amount of animal fat in their diets especially when it's the natural kind of fat associated with a quality meat ingredient. Dietary fat can be a good source of energy and the best way for your dog to get the essential fatty acids needed to sustain life.
What is considered a low fat dog food?
Generally a diet with less than 10% fat or less than 17% of calories from fat is considered to be low-fat. Meanwhile diets with 10-15% fat, or 17-23% of calories from fat are considered to contain a moderate amount of fat. Diets with more than 20% fat are considered high-fat.
What is the best low fat dog food for pancreatitis?
Prescription foods that veterinarians might recommend specifically for dogs with gastrointestinal problems such as pancreatitis are: Hill's Prescription Diet i/d or Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat. It is generally recommended that the food for pancreatitis patients should contain less than 18% fat.
Can stress cause pancreatitis dogs?
Injury or stress here is also thought to be a predisposing factor for bloat. While unproven, gross over-vaccination is also suspected to play a role. If your dog has suffered a bout of pancreatitis take a look at when his last vaccination was.
Best Low Fat Dog Foods
Annamaet Lean Reduced Fat is a grain-free dog food that contains high-quality ingredients with just 8% fat and 30% protein. This formulas main protein source is chicken meal, and it also includes added L-carnitine which helps promote a healthy weight while keeping your dogs mind sharp.
Annamaet is a moderately priced grain-free dog food for pups on a low-calorie diet. Its safe for dogs with GI issues and is formulated for breeds of all sizes.
Read our review of the full Annamaet Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, field peas, lentils, potato, tapioca Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 30% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog has GI issues (inflammatory bowel type stuff) and was on expensive prescription dog foods for many years until I discovered this food. He has had no more active GI issues for a few years now and tolerates this food perfectly. We also had weight issues and this food helped make him a healthy weight again along with exercise! He loves it. Highly recommend."
Eagle Packs Reduced Fat Dog Food contains just 7% fat while still consisting of 24% protein. The primary ingredient is pork meal, a protein-rich meat product. Eagle Pack is not grain-free, but contains gluten-free grains such as brown rice and oatmeal. One of the biggest draws of Eagle Pack is its relatively low price compared to other high-quality lean foods.
Eagle Pack is a great choice for picky eaters and dog parents on a budget. At four stars, its a well-made lean dog food that is moderately priced.
Read our review of the full Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Formula (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Pork meal, de-hulled barley, peas, ground brown rice, oatmeal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 24% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dogs seem to really love this... my 8 year old yellow Lab was recently diagnosed with pancreatic disease and was told to put her on a low fat diet... she seems to really love this food, plus it's not that expensive."
Nulo Freestyle Adult Trim Dog Food is top-rated, grain-free and low-fat dog food made up of only 8% fat with 30% protein. Its a great choice for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs, as the main proteins include cod, turkey meal and salmon meal. Pure probiotics help aid in digestion while L-carnitine promotes your pups metabolism.
Though Nulo is on the higher-priced side of our low-fat dog food options, the high-quality ingredients and animal-based proteins make it a top choiceone thats well worth the price tag.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned cod, turkey meal, salmon meal, lentils, yellow peas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 30% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog was recently diagnosed with diabetes and after checking through Chewy I was so happy to find this food. My dog has a sensitive stomach, a chicken allergy, and needs a low fat food due to pancreatitis, so finding the right food seemed impossible. Thankfully my dog loves this food and it has really helped fo regulate her diabetes."
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management is specially designed to promote controlled weight loss. Its low fat content makes it a healthy option for dogs predisposed to pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal disorders.
The classic, grain-inclusive recipe gets the largest part of its meat protein from fresh chicken and poultry by-product meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 10% fat and 51% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 33%.
Pro Plan Weight Management offers a highly digestible formula containing no artificial flavors or coloring agents. A nutrient-rich, balanced recipe flush with potent antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.
Pro Plan Weight Management is a superior option that helps promote healthy weight in dogs of all ages. Its also easy on the budget and appealing to picky eaters.
Read our review of the full Purina Pro Plan Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, rice, whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, corn germ meal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 31% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I have 2 chihuahuas around 1.5 years old and a jack russell mix around 11 years old. I was feeding them the Pro Plan EN Vet formula due to some health issues last year with my old guy. I switched to this formula recently. I was impressed with the large chunks of chicken which is the first item in the ingredients. As far as the taste test, all three of my dogs love this brand. They eat it with no hesitation, so this was a good choice."
Merrick Healthy Weight is a grain-free, low-calorie dog food with 11% fat and 36% protein. Its main sources of protein are beef and chicken meal, but it also contains Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to help promote a healthy coat, especially for pets with skin allergies.
Made without gluten or artificial flavors, Merrick Healthy Weight is an ideal choice for anyone hunting for a grain-free and low-calorie dog food from a trusted brand.
Read our review of the full Merrick Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned beef, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, turkey meal Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My 12 y o lab mix has struggled with skin problems for years...including a $118 monthly prescription. I changed to Merrick for other reasons but incredibly his skin problems resolved within a month of changing to this food and have remained resolved for months!"
Royal Canin Low Fat Dog Food is a professionally prescribed gastrointestinal dog food specifically formulated for sensitive stomachs. The recipe is not rated on this website due to its intentional therapeutic design.
RC Low Fat derives its protein from chicken by-product and is intended to help pups easily digest fat. It contains just 5% fat and 20% protein, and includes grains like brewers rice and wheat.
Royal Canin is a prescription solution for dogs with sensitive stomachs who could stand to drop a few pounds or could benefit from eating a pro-grade, low fat recipe. Its a smart solution for dogs who suffer from a variety of gastrointestinal issues.
Read our review of the full Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Brewers rice, chicken by-product meal, wheat, barley, natural flavors Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 20% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dogs love this food and I can see a difference. My dog has been very sick from pancreatitis and since they started eating this food, within two weeks they have been so much better. No more throwing up and upset belly."
Wellness Core Reduced Fat Dog Food is a protein-rich, low-fat dry food thats both grain-free and optimal for sensitive stomachs. With 36% protein and 11% fat, this food will keep even the hungriest pups full until the next mealtime. The primary protein sources are turkey and chicken meal.
A premium quality product containing an unusually generous amount of protein. Consider Wellness Core for any dog with a big appetite and would also benefit from a premium-grade, low-fat recipe. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Wellness Core Reduced Fat Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, lentils, peas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Our shih tzu has pancreatitis and we struggled with finding a food that will help her. As soon as we made the switch we noticed immediate improvement in her energy level. Wellness has now become our favorite brand and the dogs love it!"
Dr. Tims Metabolite is a tasty dry food that focuses on lean proteins, such as chicken meal, to fuel your pup while cutting calories. Its made up of 11% fat and 30% protein, and contains grains like brown rice and oats. Its a low-calorie dog food that doesnt sacrifice protein or carbs.
This kibble is not only low in fat, its also low in calories. So, if your dog has a lot of weight to lose or is suffering from a digestive condition requiring a special diet, an appetizing and protein-rich food like Dr. Tims is a great way to keep her feeling full.
Read our review of the full Dr. Tims Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, whole oat groats, dried field peas, powdered cellulose Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive (brown rice, oat groats) Protein Percentage 30% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"5 months of feeding my dog Dr. Tims Weight Management Metabolite Dry Dog Food & cutting her food in half, shes lost 30 pounds! She went from weighing 88 pounds & being tired/lazy to weighing 58 pounds & being active/back to her original self before she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The vet is really proud of her & shes back at being the perfect weight she should be."
Natural Balance Fat Dogs gets the bulk of its meat protein from chicken meal and salmon meal. Dry matter label analysis shows the recipe contains 29% protein, 8% fat and 55% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 29%.
An affordable, fully-balanced grain-inclusive, option containing just 8% fat with no recalls and a solid safety reputation. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Natural Balance Fat Dogs (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, dried peas, oat groats Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 29% Blue Wilderness Healthy Weight Chicken is made with lean chicken to give your dog a healthy source of protein without added fat. Each serving contains 11% fat and 33% protein. It also contains added L-carnitine to boost your pets metabolism and help jumpstart weight loss.
Blue Wilderness Healthy Weight is ideal for picky eaters who need to shed a few pounds or dogs that could otherwise benefit from a low-fat diet. Though low in calories and low in fat, its also fairly high in protein so your pup wont go hungry.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, dried chicken, oatmeal, barley Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 33% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"We have always loved the Blue Buffalo food for our Rhodesian Ridgeback. We recently switched him to the healthy weight version, and he loves it. Our vet saw him recently and commented on how great his weight and health is for a dog who is nearly 9 years old. Great product!"
