What Is Crude Fat in Dog Food & How Much Should There Be? Vet-Verified Facts

When feeding your furry canine companion, you want only the best high-quality food containing the best ingredients. When researching the best food, you’ll often run across crude fat in the ingredients and probably wonder what it is or how much should be in your dog’s food. Should it be there at all?

Crude fat is a part of dog food sourced from animals or vegetables, and there should be at least 5% to 18% crude fat in the food you give your pup. We’ll talk more about what crude fat is and how much you should look for in your pet’s dog food.

What Is Dog Food Crude Fat?

The idea of crude fat in your pet’s food isn’t very appetizing, but it is necessary to keep them healthy and happy. In fact, it’s an essential macronutrient. However, alongside the fat in the dog food, your canine needs protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to round out a healthy diet.

Crude fat is the amount of fat present in the diet before it is metabolized by the dog.  The term “crude” refers to the measurement method, not the fat's quality. Crude fat is a percentage of the weight of the food.

That’s why dog food makers carefully measure every nutrient, including the crude fat, so you know how much fat your dog is eating. Fat is needed for energy and absorption of several essential vitamins that your dog needs to be healthy, including vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Dangers of Too Much Crude Fat

While fat is essential to your dog’s diet, too much can be dangerous for canines. High levels of crude fat in dog food can lead to obesity, a condition many breeds are already prone to. Too much fat can also lead to pancreatitis, which is painful and can lead to death if not treated in time.

Diet Tips for Obese Dogs

Sometimes, no matter how much you check the crude fat and other contents in your dog’s food, they still end up being overweight. We’ll give you a few tips to combat weight gain below.

First, you should determine what a healthy weight is for your dog. The best way to find out this information is by visiting your vet.

Try to keep your dog as active as possible without overworking them, as that can cause health problems also. Keeping their minds active with training and games also helps to combat weight gain.

We all want to share our food and treats with our beloved dogs, but sometimes it hurts them more than it helps them. So, limit the number of table scraps and dog treats you give your pal to be on the safe side.

Ensure you're feeding your dog the right amount, check out our dog food calculator here:

The exact amount of calories an individual animal needs to maintain a healthy weight is variable and influenced by many factors including genetics, age, breed, and activity level. This tool is meant to be used only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice 

Summary

Fat is essential for your dog’s health and happiness, but there are limits. Crude fat should only make up 8% to 18% of the dog food. Make sure that you check the ingredients carefully to determine if it’s the right choice for your pet.

If you’re ever unsure which food to feed your canine, make an appointment with your vet for a checkup. They’ll give you the best recommendations.

• Related Read: Pros & Cons of Grain-Free Dog Food: Benefits, Risks, & More

Featured Image Credit: dogboxstudio, Shutterstock