Low Fat Dog Food Diet

It’s never too late to switch to a low fat dog food or to follow the alternative weight loss method that I’ll describe next.

Dogs are meant to be couch potatoes and you can help the happy dog that once lived inside to come out and play again.

Did you know that when your dog weighs 10% more than he actually should, he’s already overweight?

Characteristics of a Low Fat Dog Food

• Lowered fat percentage whilst keeping the required amount of essential fatty acids.

• Higher crude ash content of 7 to 8%. This reduces digestibility which results in larger amounts of soft stool as it also attracts moist.

• Usually less pallatable because of reduced fat content and more crude ash. This can be compensated by a higher percentage of protein (and NOT carbohydrates as than the amount of calories would increase). An excess of carbohydrates would turn into fat for storage in contrast to an excess of protein.

• Because of the raised crush ash content your dog can eat more (weight wise) as compared to regular dog food. This is an advantage for your dog but it has a disadvantage as well. Your dog won’t get used to eating smaller portions. When you switch back to his regular diet it can be difficult to maintain his weight (and not to increase in size again).

The reason why your pet has become overweight is always the same: the energy intake was higher than required for prolonged periods of time. When a dog gets overweight he will exercise less, get tired faster and perhaps also sleep more. This results in a slow metabolism. His body then needs less calories because of this ‘relaxed’ behavior. This way dogs can become obese and eat next to nothing in the end, whilst remaining fat.

Did you know that 30 to 35% of all dogs is too fat?

Is there an Alternative to Low Fat Dog Food?

1. Estimate your dog’s ideal weight (when in doubt, ask your vet) and calculate how much kiloJoules he should be getting daily. Then determine the amount in grams of dog food.

2. Feed your dog 50% of this amount if he needs to loose weight fast and give 75% for gradual weight loss (recommended).

3. Divide this daily amount into 4 or 5 portions and give these to your dog spread out through the day. This way you and your dog will keep the moments of contact and care that your are used to. By feeding small portions his stomach will gradually shrink, whilst his metabolism remains active.

4. Stimulate weight loss by gradually (!) increasing the amount of exercise your dog gets. It’s important to take things slowly and to gradually adjust your dog to this. It will get better every week as long as you don’t rush things. Don’t go for a 2 hour walk with an obese dog, when he’s used to just cross the street and go back.

For rewarding and training purposes use low calorie snacks such as pieces of cucumber, apple, carrots etc. It will take Fido about 2-3 days to get used to the reduced energy intake. You could supplement his dog food with green beans so he can have a full stomach during this transition process. When your dog has reached a normal weight than you can switch to 100% and your dog will have a better condition at this time. You can run and play with him and than the occasional (!) snack won’t do any harm.

Related pages

1. Overview of health issues in overweight dogs

2. Canine diabetes and diabetic dog food