8 Best Dog Foods for Weight Loss in 2025, Vet Recommended
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All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.
Keeping an eye on your dog’s weight should be a top priority, as weight concerns can significantly impact their quality of life. Providing an active lifestyle and a healthy diet—typically one that’s high in fiber and low in calories without shortchanging protein levels—can help pets lose weight.
“Always talk to your vet about your pet’s weight and weight loss plan,” Veronica Higgs, DVM, says. “It is important to combine food with exercise and regular weight check-ins at the vet to track progress.”
Our panel of veterinary experts rounded up the best dog food for weight loss based on their clinical observations, personal experience, and knowledge of dog food ingredients.
What To Consider When Buying Weight-Loss Dog Food
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High fiber: The best dog food for weight loss should have a considerable amount of highly digestible fiber. Fiber can help with regular bowel movements and will help your dog to feel fuller for longer.
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Low calorie: Weight-loss dog food should generally have fewer calories per cup to help your dog lose weight. Choosing a food with fewer calories per cup will allow you to continue to feed your dog a healthy amount while still encouraging weight loss.
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Lean protein: Look for dog food with high-quality lean protein, such as fish or chicken, which supports muscle mass and promotes fat burning during weight loss.
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Life stage: As with any other kind of dog food, you still need to choose food that is appropriate for your pet’s life stage. This is especially important if you have a puppy or a senior dog, as both have special dietary needs.
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Quality: Look for research-backed dog food that is formulated by veterinary experts, has gone through feeding trials, and meets standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Even though weight loss diets are designed to decrease caloric intake, they still need to meet the basic nutritional requirements for your dog.
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Your vet’s input: Consult your veterinarian about your dog’s individual nutritional and health needs before switching foods. They can recommend the right type of food tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
How We Selected the Best Dog Foods for Weight Loss
This list of the best dog foods for weight loss was meticulously curated by a panel of veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are employed by Chewy, the publisher of PetMD. They were asked to choose the best dog foods for weight loss in their honest opinion, across multiple categories, based on the following:
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Their knowledge and practical experience
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Review of information published by the manufacturers
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Attributes such as cost, ingredients, and whether the food is backed by science and research
Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel of vets and animal health experts. Manufacturers and vendors cannot buy placement in Vet Verified content or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products.
Our sole goal with this program is to provide pet parents with the information they need to make the best decisions for their pets.
Weight Loss Dog Food FAQs
Q: What is the best thing to feed a dog to lose weight?
A: The best way to encourage weight loss in a dog is to switch to a research-backed weight-control dog food that helps to reduce calories without negatively impacting nutrition. Diets formulated for weight loss typically will be high in fiber and low in calories and will be made with lean protein.
Weight loss plans are most effective when they include a combination of reduced calories and increased activity.
Q: Is wet or dry dog food better for weight loss?
A: Wet food can be better at creating the sensation of feeling full. Increased satiety is useful in weight management, encouraging less caloric intake. Some pets may also benefit from the added hydration or simply prefer wet canned diets. That being said, every dog and situation is different, and dogs can experience healthy weight loss on a canned, dry, or combination diet.
It is important to work with your vet on a specific weight loss plan for your pet, including which type of food and how much to feed
Q: When should you feed a dog food for weight loss?
A: It’s recommended that you take your dog’s daily allotted calories and separate it out into two or more meals, depending on their dietary needs and eating habits.
Be sure to follow the feeding instructions provided by the manufacturer, and consult your vet for the best feeding schedule for your individual dog.