Getting an overweight dog to shed some pounds can be challenging, but it’s the best thing for them. Obesity can lead to other health issues, like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. As much as we love our pups and don’t want to deny them the treats they enjoy, sometimes we must prioritize their health.

Luckily, low-fat dog foods enable us to feed our dogs tasty food that, when combined with regular exercise, can help them reduce their weight and lead happier, healthier lives. With so many low-fat foods available today, it can be hard to choose one.

We gathered a list of the best low-fat dog foods and provided reviews on each to help you find the right one for your dog.

A Glance at Our Top Picks (2024 Update)

The 7 Best Low-Fat Dog Foods

1. Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Weight Control Dry Dog Food – Best Overall

Our best overall choice for low-fat dog food is the Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Weight Control Dry Dog Food. The fat content is one of the lowest per serving, coming in at 6.5%. It is specially formulated for healthy weight management. It is full of easily digestible carbs, like sweet potatoes and pea fiber. To support gut health, Solid Gold has live probiotics and omega fatty acids.

Pollock and pollock meal are the primary protein sources and the first ingredients, so even though the formula is low in fat, it won’t leave your pup feeling hungry. While most kibble is round, these bite-sized squares are ideal for dogs of all breeds and sizes. However, there were complaints about the kibble’s shape.

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2. Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog Food — Best Value

Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog Food is the best low-fat dog food for the money. The brand is vet-trusted and uses tailored nutritional formulas to target dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes. You won’t find any fillers or artificial preservatives in these bags. This low-fat kibble is made with healthy fiber and prebiotics. L-carnitine is added, which supports your dog’s metabolism.

Protein from chicken and eggs supports healthy muscles and energy levels. The downside to this food is that it is made with corn. However, Iams changed the recipe and now uses chicken as the first ingredient. Corn used to be the first ingredient in the old formula. While it’s still included in the ingredients, there is less of it than there used to be.

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3. Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food — Premium Choice

The Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food is made with deboned chicken as the first ingredient. It also has a low-fat content and low calories to help dogs slim down. Like other formulas from Blue Buffalo, it contains LifeSource Bits, which are little balls of nutrition. They are made of seven antioxidant-filled ingredients.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are added for joint health, and the omega fatty acids support healthy skin and fur. The protein combined with L-carnitine works to support lean muscle development. The kibble size is small, which some owners of large dogs don’t like. The Healthy Weight formula is meant for dogs of all sizes but may be more suitable for smaller pups.

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4. Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

The low-fat formula in Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food meets your dog’s requirements for nutrition without all the extra calories. The deboned lamb is the first ingredient, and it is a high-quality protein. Antioxidants and natural fiber keep your dog’s immune and digestive systems healthy while supporting healthy weight loss.

This flavorful food is made with non-GMO ingredients and has no corn, wheat, or soy. It is suitable for dogs of all sizes. The food has a strong, earthy smell to it that some dog owners don’t like. It’s also said to be so full of fiber that dogs are pooping twice the amount that they used to. There may be an adjustment period for dogs that aren’t used to food full of healthy fiber.

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5. Canidae PURE Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

The  Canidae PURE Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food is made of nine key ingredients for healthy weight loss and maximum nutrition. It has chicken, turkey, and sweet potatoes, so your dog gets the protein and fiber they need wrapped in a low-fat kibble. No corn, wheat, or soy are in this formula. Real vegetables provide vitamins and minerals that can be digested faster than those added synthetically.

A blend of Canidae’s HealthPLUS probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids is added for immune, skin, and digestive health. This is a good formula for less active dogs that need to lose weight.

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6. Natural Balance Original Ultra Fat Dogs Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance Fat Dogs Dry Dog Food is specially formulated to help overweight adult dogs drop pounds in a healthy way. It is low in fat and calories but still nutritionally balanced. It’s high in fiber for healthy digestion. The high protein content will keep your pup feeling full without excess calorie consumption. Natural Balance tastes great and has been reported to be a good choice for even the pickiest eaters.

Like other low-fat formulas, Natural Balance is more effective if your dog gets daily exercise to help them lose weight. However, after a month, some dog owners have reported no significant weight loss in their dogs.

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7. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Dry Dog Food consists of dry kibble and tender, shredded pieces. The texture is enticing to dogs and full of flavor. Real chicken is the first ingredient, combined with prebiotic fiber and probiotics for digestive health.

This formula is made to support and maintain muscle mass during weight loss in dogs. Omega fatty acids and vitamin A are included for a healthy coat. Pro Plan is highly digestible and easy on dogs’ sensitive stomachs. Purina has changed the Pro Plan recipes recently, and some owners do not like the new texture of the food. There are also reports of the food being crushed into dust inside the bag.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Low-Fat Dog Food

The amount of fat a dog needs in their diet will vary depending on their age, health, and activity level. Young, highly active dogs can eat more fat than less active, older dogs that don’t move as much. If you’re unclear if your pup needs a low-fat formula, keep reading for a few tips.

Why Is Too Much Fat Unhealthy for Dogs?

Just like too much fat in a human’s diet can cause problems, the same is true for dogs. Obese dogs are at an increased risk of diabetes, pancreatitis, heart disease, and joint/mobility problems. This can shave years off their lifespan. Keeping your dog slim and healthy is one way to ensure that they live a long, happy life.

Why Choose Low-Fat Dog Food?

Formulas with more than 20% fat are considered high fat and less healthy for your adult dog. Dog owners are encouraged to feed their dogs a low-fat diet to keep their pups as healthy as possible and avoid unintentional weight gain. Low-fat foods can also be helpful for dogs with specific health issues because they are usually lower in carbohydrates, too.

Dogs should have some fat in their diet, but it should make up no more than 10%–15% of the nutritional content. A fat content lower than 10% will help dogs lose weight without sacrificing nutrition. No dog owner wants their dog to go hungry, however. With low-fat dog food, your dog is automatically getting fewer calories.

Before buying any new food for your dog, consult your vet first to ensure you’re feeding them what they need for their age, health status, and activity level.

Conclusion

Our best overall choice for low-fat dog food is the Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Weight Control Dry Dog Food. It has a low-fat content of only 6.5% and probiotics for healthy digestion. For the best value, we like the Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog Food. It has a 9% fat content and uses chicken as the first ingredient. Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food is our premium choice, with its LifeSource Bits of added nutrients. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. We hope our reviews have helped you find a low-fat food your dog loves.

• Related read: 9 Best Dog Foods for Weight Loss – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: Anastasiya Tsiasemnikava, Shutterstock