The ideal weight a dog should have depends majorly on the type of breed. However, it is very easy for your dog to become overweight especially if you are the pampering parent who offers them more and more food all the time. Large breeds for example are a high risk of becoming overweight due to their huge nature of body. Weight problems in large breeds is a greater problem because they are more prone to other problems such as arthritis and joint displacement. These are all weight related problems that can be prevented or controlled by monitored feeding practices.
While there are many different causes of obesity, a great deal of this situation can be attributed to wrong dog food choices and portion control, in addition to lack of physical activity and weight management in large breeds. Poor weight management puts your furry friend at risk for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health concerns.
In case your dog has weight management problems, all you need to do is simply switch to a weight loss/management dog food that favors protein over fats, and one that aids in conversion of proteins to energy. Below is a detailed review on some of the best weight management dog foods in the market that can help you manage your dog’s weight for a healthier lifestyle.
It is however good to note that in some cases, medical conditions such as hypothyroidism can cause your dog to get an imbalance of hormones causing increase in weight. It is therefore advisable to visit your vet before embarking on any weight management formulas.
Top 10 Best Weight Management Dog Food for Large Breeds
The best weight management foods should contain real ingredients and have minimal or no fillers. The foods reviewed below have mainly proteins as the first ingredients and contain lower fat levels than other type of foods. These foods are also lower in calories than regular dog foods thus helping your dog reduce weight or maintain a healthy weight without resorting to reduced food portions.
Purina ONE Weight Management, Natural Dry Dog Food
Purina ONE Weight Management dog food contains 25% less fat and 15% fewer calories than Purina ONE SmartBlend Lamb & Rice Formula. It however delivers a smart blend of ingredients for complete and balanced nutrition. The combination of protein-rich, tender, meaty morsels and crunchy kibble gives your pup the taste and texture they love. The formula has 0% fillers and every high-quality ingredient used in the recipe is selected for a particular purpose.
Purina ONE has high protein in each serving, which helps to support your dog’s strong muscles, healthy heart, and provides a natural source of glucosamine to support the good health of joint.
Features
- Real Turkey is the no.1 ingredient
- Contains 25% less fat, 15% fewer calories than Purina One Smartblend Lamb & Rice formula
- Antioxidant blend helps support a strong immune system
- Glucosamine supports healthy joints
- Promotes healthy digestion, sensitive systems and healthy weight
- Calorie Content: 3336 kcal/kg, 320 kcal/cup.
Bottom line– like other Purina ONE formulas, this weight management food provides lifelong nutrition for all breeds and sizes. The formula is designed to support even sensitive body systems for healthy weight. It also builds your dog’s muscles with a delicious meaty taste.
IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Minichunks Dry Dog Food, Chicken
IAMS ProActive Health Minichunks Dog Food is veterinarian recommended and made with real ingredients. The recipe has farm raised chicken as the number one ingredient and includes wholesome grains and veggies. The quality, easily digestible ingredients provide your dog with a strong immune system, good metabolism, healthy skin and coat, and strong bones. The crunchy kibbles scrub your dog’s teeth with every bite hence reducing plaque and bad breath.
IAMS health dog food is manufactured with no added artificial preservatives or flavors and 0% fillers, giving your dog a complete and balanced nutrition.
Features
- Real, farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient
- High-quality real chicken protein helps build strong muscles
- Promotes healthy digestion with a tailored blend of wholesome fibers and prebiotics
- Antioxidants supports a strong immune system
- 100% Complete & Balanced Nutrition
- Veterinarian recommended
- Made in the USA
Bottom line– made with high-quality ingredients from all over the world, IAMS brings out the best in your dog regardless of their age. It provides a perfect supply of all nutritional needs for an active lifestyle.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food Adult, Perfect Weight for Weight Management
Instead of feeding your grown dog on a calorie restricted diet, Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight Adult Dog Food offers a delicious, breakthrough weight management nutrition that is more enjoyable for your full grown dog.
The Hill’s formula provides protein for lean muscle maintenance, and gives clinically proven results in just 10 weeks. It is formulated with a long time of cutting-edge research to be a great-tasting meal for your grown dog.
Features
- Made with natural ingredients
- Over 70 % of adult dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this safe & effective weight management dog food
- IAMS helps with muscle maintenance
- Clinically proven for healthy weight management
- 1 Veterinarian recommended
- Made in the USA
Bottom line– this weight control dog food is made with natural ingredients making it the perfect addition to your adult large breed dog’s bowl.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
NUTRO Wholesome Essentials Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food is made with a well-cut blend of protein and fiber to support healthy weight loss. The low calorie diet has lamb as the first ingredient and is nutritionally complete. The natural dog food contains natural fiber for healthy digestion as well as essential antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, for a healthy immune system. It also has vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients.
This Nutro dry dog food is made with Non-GMO ingredients and contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. However, trace amounts of genetically modified materials may be present due to potential cross contact during manufacturing. In addition, the recipe is made with real recognizable ingredients with no chicken by product, corn, wheat, soy protein, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Features
- Lamb is the first ingredient providing high-quality protein for your dog
- Made with a blend of protein and fiber for healthy weight loss and management
- Antioxidants, such as vitamin E, help maintain a healthy immune system
- Made with Non-GMO Ingredients
- Made in the USA
Bottom line- whether your dog is small or large, this healthy weight dry dog food offers adequate nutrition for healthy and strong body.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Large Breed Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food features real meat as the number one ingredient. The high-quality proteins from real chicken help your dog in building and maintaining healthy muscles. The formula is formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin that help support healthy joints. Other than containing wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit, it is made with fewer calories to help your large breed dog achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Blue life dog food contains a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are carefully selected by animal professionals to support healthy immune system, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance.
Features
- High-quality protein sources- real meat is the first ingredient
- Made with quality natural ingredients
- It is enhanced with essential vitamins and minerals
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin help promote joint and hip health to support overall mobility in old dogs
- Contains no chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Calorie content: 3,516 Kcals/kg, 353 Kcals/cup
- Made in the United States
Bottom line– the pure blend of proteins and carbohydrates provides your large breed senior dog with the energy they need to stay active and healthy. It also helps with strong muscles and bones.
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food Chicken with Shreds
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult dog food is a high-quality diet dog food with real chicken as the number 1 ingredient. This formula helps deliver outstanding nutrition and savory flavor, while the combination of hard kibble and tender shredded pieces provides an enticing texture. It is specially formulated to meet the needs of dogs above 50pounds and help them maintain healthy weight.
This Purina weight management dry food has 25% less fat than Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice formula for adult dogs. It contains guaranteed live probiotics to support digestive and immune health, and natural prebiotic fiber, sourced from wheat bran, which works to maintain beneficial bacteria in your dog’s system.
Features
- Made with high-quality protein- real chicken is used as the first ingredient
- Guaranteed live probiotics support digestive health
- Low in fat
- 100% complete and balanced nutrition
- Blend of hard kibble and tender, meaty shreds offer an enticing texture
Bottom line– this Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend Adult Weight Management Formula has undergone tests for animal feeding using AAFCO procedures. It is recommended to provide complete and balanced nutrition for healthy large breed adult dogs.
Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Steak
Giving your pup a taste of succulent steak with hearty vegetables is this Pedigree Adult Grilled Steak and Vegetable Flavor Dog Food. It is made with whole grains for healthy digestion, and real meat protein to keep your dog healthy and active. It is also formulated with essential nutrients and omega-6 fatty acids that help with healthy skin and a shiny coat.
This Pedigree formula has no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors, and no added sugar. The tasty kibble for dogs features a unique crunchy texture that cleans dog’s teeth with every bite and reduces bad breath.
Features
- Provides optimal levels of Omega-6 Fatty Acids that nourish the skin and help your dog maintain a healthy and shiny coat
- Features whole grains and has a special fiber blend to support healthy digestion
- Contains no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors and no added sugar
- Complete and Balanced Nutrition
- Provides Antioxidants, Vitamins and Minerals that help maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Made in the USA
Bottom line– whether you’re looking for a nutritious formula for your dog’s health and vitality or you just need them to have a great-tasting meal, Pedigree Adult Dry Dog food provides a delicious meal for your large breed adult dog, that helps them to stay active and healthy.
Diamond Naturals Light Dry Dog Food Lamb Meal and Rice Formula
Diamond Naturals Light Dry Dog Food is made with high quality ingredients and provides complete, holistic nutrition for every pet. Each Diamond Naturals dry formula is improved with superfoods and guaranteed probiotics for good nutrition and digestive support. It is ideal for your overweight or less active adult dog. This formula is made with 15% fewer calories than the Diamond Naturals Adult Dog Lamb Meal and Rice Formula.
Diamond Naturals lamb meal contains added glucosamine, chondroitin and L-Carnitine making it the perfect choice to help your dog attain and maintain a healthy body weight while also providing adequate nutrition.
Features
- High-quality protein- contains real pasture lamb
- Premium ingredients with added vitamins and minerals
- Made fewer calories
- Fruits and vegetables as superfoods provide hard-working antioxidants for healthy skin and coat
- Guaranteed live K9 Strain probiotics support healthy digestive and immune systems
- L-Carnitine helps convert fat to energy
- Contains no added corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Made in the USA
Bottom line– this lamb formula is made with advanced food safety protocols and essentials for weight management. Additionally, it contains superfoods chia seed and coconut, along with added flaxseed to provide omega fatty acids that are essential for healthy skin, coat and general body health.
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Reduced Fat, 26-Pound Bag
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food is reduced fat dog food for adult dogs, made with turkey, chicken, salmon oil and fruits and vegetables to help support your dog’s optimal health. It is made with 25 percent less fat than Wellness CORE Original Recipe to help your dog maintain a healthy weight. It has antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins and minerals, including fish and flax omega blend for healthy skin and coat.
Wellness CORE grain free dog food provides high quality proteins for your dog and has no meat by products or fillers, grain, corn, soy, wheat gluten or artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. This dry food is available in limited ingredient diets for dogs with food sensitivities.
Features
- Made with wholesome, non GMO ingredients which have specific nutritional benefits
- Consists of a high concentration of protein from fresh meat ingredients
- 100% Grain-free
- Supports healthy skin and coat
- Contains guaranteed levels of omega fatty acids from ingredients such as flaxseed and salmon oil
- It features antioxidants, glucosamine and taurine for a healthy heart
- Prebiotics and probiotics promote a healthy digestive system
- Made in the USA
Bottom line– this wellness dry weight management dog food contains premium proteins that are well balanced with nutrient-rich superfoods for a complete and balanced nutrition.
CANIDAE PURE Weight Management
CANIDAE PURE weight management dog food is made with real food ingredients that are specially formulated for all dogs including those with sensitivities. It is made with 7-10 key ingredients or less, but gives your dog a complete, well-rounded meal that promotes good health and well-being. The recipe is made with real meat or fish as the first ingredient, paired with whole foods like sweet potatoes, peas, lentils or chickpeas.
CANIDAE PURE contains no fillers, corn, wheat or soy. The formula contains high-protein ingredients for lean, strong muscles and added probiotics for easy digestion. The vitamins/minerals and hard-working antioxidants promote overall health while fatty acid blends help with healthy skin and coat. The food is suitable for all life stages and most breed sizes.
Features
- Limited ingredients
- Made with fresh chicken: 24 Lbs.
- Contains 6 different proteins: Salmon, Lamb, Duck, Boar, Bison and Chicken
- Grain-free hence suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Probiotics are added to support healthy digestion
- Antioxidants support healthy immune system
- Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids support healthy skin and coat
Bottom line– CANIDAE pure features formulations for all life stages. This meal has a reduced fat content of 10% compared to the standard formula, with most of it being contributed by the chicken.
Conclusion
Being overweight can be considered as more than just an aesthetic problem. As said above, it can cause serious health conditions for your pup. This can result to pain or difficulty breathing. Instead of depriving your dog food, set him/her on a diet in case you need him to have a well-managed weight.
The above low-calorie foods can help your large breed dog with the nutrients they deserve while also reducing the amount of calorie and fat intake. We hope that they can help you and your dog on the weight management journey.
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Dr. Candy, a holistic veterinarian and certified raw dog food nutrition specialist, graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2009 with a DVM and has since specialized in companion animal nutrition, advocating for species-specific diets. With a background in wildlife rehabilitation and oil spill response, she combines holistic health and conventional medicine in her unique approach to treating chronic diseases, allergies, and autoimmune conditions in pets. As the owner of a veterinary practice in Colorado and an author, Dr. Candy is dedicated to educating pet parents and improving the health and happiness of animals.
