8 Best Low Fat Dog Food Picks: Healthy Options for Your Pup

As a responsible dog owner, I always want to make sure that my furry friends are healthy and happy. And being overweight is not in any way healthy. Chonky is cute, but there is a difference between being simply rotund and being obese. 

Obesity comes with a higher risk of medical conditions cropping up. So if you’re pup is already on his way to being an overweight doggy, it’s best to get him in shape. Fast. 

One way to do that is through feeding a low-fat dog food diet or one with fewer calories. Low-fat food is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs who need to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, or have certain medical conditions that require a low-fat diet. 

In this article, we will review the best low fat dog food options available in the market, so you can make an informed decision for your beloved pet.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR BEST LOW FAT DOG FOOD

Best Low Fat Dog Food Reviews

Low-fat dog food is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs who need to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Obesity in dogs is a prevalent issue that can lead to various health problems, such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. A low-fat diet can help your dog maintain a healthy weight, keep him active, and help him become healthier overall.

Here are my best low fat dog food picks:

1. Nom Nom Beef Mash
2. Natural Balance Fat Dogs Chicken & Salmon Formula
3. Annamaet Lean Low Fat Formula
4. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Loaf
5. Wellness CORE Reduced Fat Turkey & Chicken Recipe
6. SquarePet VFS Digestive Support Low Fat Formula
7. Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Weight Control with Alaskan Pollock
8. JustFoodForDogs Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni Recipe

1. Nom Nom Beef Mash

Rating: 5/5
First 5 ingredients: Ground Beef, Russet Potatoes, Eggs, Carrots, Peas

Guaranteed analysis:

So here we go again with Nom Nom. If you’ve read any of my previous articles, I absolutely adore this brand. I use it myself for my pups and some of my fosters. It’s fresh food that’s made just for your pup’s unique diet requirements. 

While I have tried all of Nom Nom’s recipes, I’m going to review its Beef Mash formulation for this article. It’s the one with the least caloric and fat content out of the four available fresh foods that the brand offers. 

The first ingredient is ground beef. If you’re new to reading and understanding dog food labels, ground beef is an excellent choice. High-quality dog food products always start with animal protein, and the animal protein should be whole and recognizable. 

Ground beef is one of the best kinds of meat to give your pup, not only because of its quality but also because it is perfect for building lean muscle mass. It’s a lean meat protein that contains all the important fatty acids to promote healthy skin and hair. It’s also a good ingredient to add to a bland diet in case your pup has an upset stomach.

While protein is great for giving dogs some lasting energy (as well as building lean muscle mass), it does take longer to burn than other sources of fuel. That’s why carbohydrates in the form of russet potatoes are so useful. 

Potatoes are more quickly burned by the body for when your pup needs to play for non-extended periods. They’re also full of vitamin C, magnesium, iron, and vitamin B6. And let’s not forget the fiber it supplies. Fiber plays a big role in helping your dog lose weight because it bulks up food without adding calories, helping your pup feel fuller longer after eating.

As for the fat content, this is provided by oils from sunflower and fish, which are both full of essential fatty acids. What are these for, you might ask. Well, for quite a lot. Omega fatty acids promote a healthy skin and coat, support brain function, improve joint health, and stimulate metabolism, and so on. 

Key Takeaways: 

Whatever your dog’s calorie intake requirement, Nom Nom will be able to provide it. Since the brand offers a personalized meal plan that’s unique to your dog’s health and dietary needs, you can be sure that your pet is getting just the right amount of nutrients (and calories!) he requires.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all diet so you can adjust your dog’s food in the meal plan form as you see fit. And since the meals are already pre-packed, there’s no second-guessing or weighing how much your dog should eat every meal. 

Lastly, you really can’t get better than human-grade fresh food that’s made to order. And my dogs are living proofs that this diet really, really does work. They’re at the healthiest they’ve ever been, and I love how they seem to have more ‘zing’ for life.

Best for: Fat Dogs (and also non-chonky ones!) of all ages and breeds

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2. Natural Balance Fat Dogs Chicken & Salmon Formula

Rating: 4.5/5
First 5 ingredients: Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Chickpeas, Dried Peas, Oat Groats

Guaranteed analysis:

As dog owners, we want nothing but the best for our furry friends, and Natural Balance Fat Dogs Chicken & Salmon Formula is a great option to consider. This recipe is specially formulated to help overweight or obese dogs lose weight and maintain a healthy body condition.

One of the main ingredients of this dry dog food recipe is chicken meal, which is a high-quality protein source that can help your dog maintain lean muscle mass. If you’re undecided whether chicken meal is a good thing or not, let me clear that up for you.

So fresh meat equals good. But fresh meat is also full of water. What some brands do is to cook the meat a bit until the water evaporates — or most of it. This becomes the meal that we know. Fresh meat may have the upper hand when it comes to, well, freshness but the same weight of meat meal will contain more protein and other nutrients.

So anyway, another protein source in this low fat dog food is salmon meal. Not only does it boost the protein supply, but It’s also an excellent ingredient when you want to add  lots of essential fatty acids (It’s not known as a fatty fish for nothing.) But unlike what you may think, it’s the good kind of fat because most of it is unsaturated and the cholesterol content is low.

Chickpeas and dried peas provide complex carbohydrates that can help keep your dog feeling full for longer periods of time. These also contribute the fiber that your fat dog (oops, is chubby better?) needs  for weight loss. These fibers can help promote digestive health and keep your dog feeling full without adding calories to their diet.

Salmon oil is also present here and provides the omega-3 fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation and support cognitive function. And to further aid in weight loss, Natural Balance incorporated L-carnitine in the dog food. This aids in metabolism and weight loss as well as helping dogs who suffer from heart issues. 

Key Takeaways:

Natural Balance is one of my go-to dog foods for new fosters who are used to eating kibble. The recipes are mostly clean with no objectionable ingredients included, although this is my first time to try the brand’s low calorie dog food line, Fat Dogs. 

Since I don’t have that many chonky pups to test on, I enlisted a few volunteer friends and their chubby doggos so that I can get a wider perception of the food’s effectiveness and see if it deserves ot be in this list of best low fat dog food options. 

So key takeaway is this dry dog food works! It doesn’t work quickly, though. Your dog needs to be on this low-fat diet for several weeks to months if you want to see a big difference, but you will see a difference even before the weight comes off. There is much less begging for food in between meals, which means that dogs are feeling satiated on this diet.

Best for: Adult dogs who need a healthy weight formula but in kibble form

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3. Annamaet Grain-Free Lean Low Fat Formula

Rating: 4.75/5
First 5 ingredients: Chicken Meal, Field Peas, Lentils, Potato, Tapioca

Guaranteed analysis:

Another one of my best low fat dog food options is Annamaet Grain-Free Lean Low Fat Formula. This dry dog food recipe contains high-quality ingredients that can help your dog lose a few pounds to several and once lean, help it maintain the healthy weight.

The main ingredient in this recipe is chicken meal, which is (as we’ve discussed earlier) a great source of animal protein. Not to mention that chicken is a type of lean protein and it is most dogs’ favorite flavor. 

Additionally, the inclusion of field peas, lentils, and potatoes provide complex carbohydrates that can keep your dog feeling full for longer periods of time. This helps prevent overeating and contributes to weight loss.

Duck meal and herring meal are also included in this recipe, which are excellent sources of protein and omega fatty acids. These ingredients can help improve your dog's skin and coat health while also providing additional nutrition. 

Another ingredient that sets this recipe apart is sun-cured ground miscanthus grass. This ingredient is an abundant source of fiber. It’s also a great alternative to other conventional fiber sources like dried plain beet pulp or cellulose because it’s composed of over 80% fiber!

To aid in weight control, L-carnitine was also incorporated in this recipe, which recent studies have shown to be helpful in keeping down obesity.

Key Takeaways:

Annamaet may not be as popular as other brands when it comes to dog food, but its grain-free dry dog food recipe for  weight management is an excellent one that can rival many of the big brands’ offerings out there. 

When I was looking for low fat dog foods to review, I came upon this brand and the feedback from customers were always consistent so I was excited to try it and review it myself. 

So quality is excellent, fat content is low, and the nutritional balance of this grain-free recipe is perfect. Reception by our doggie volunteers is great too. And as for its weight control claims, yes! It worked on our tester pups, although you have to be consistent too with exercise and sparing with treats. 

As a bonus, several of our volunteer doggos got better and healthier-looking coats. The only drawback is the price, but it’s not too high compared with other low fat dog foods of similar quality. 

Best for: Adult dogs on a low fat food diet who love the taste of chicken

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4. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Loaf

Rating: 4/5
First 5 ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, Pork By-Products, Pork Liver, Brewers Rice Flour, Corn Grits

Guaranteed analysis:

It’s not only dogs who need to lose weight who require a low-fat diet. Dogs with gastrointestinal issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome, also benefit from low fat dog foods as these help reduce the clinical symptoms. 

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Loaf is a wet dog food recipe designed to support a healthy digestion for your dog while providing complete and balanced nutrition. And it’s one of the best low fat dog food options out there for pooches with sensitive tummies.

The main ingredient in this recipe is pork by-products, although pork liver gives the protein a huge boost. Liver also adds a ton of palatability to a dog food. Dogs — well most dogs, anyway — love organ meat and it’s an excellent way to get picky pups to eat up.

The recipe also contains brewers rice flour, corn grits, and corn meal, which are sources of carbohydrates that are easy for your dog to digest. The inclusion of dried plain beet pulp and powdered cellulose also provides fiber to support your dog's digestive health.

The recipe is further enhanced with vitamins and minerals that help support your dog's overall health. Taurine is included, which is essential for heart health, and fish oil is added for its omega-3 fatty acids, which support a healthy coat and skin.

This low fat dog food recipe is that it is formulated to be highly digestible. This makes it ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues. 

Key Takeaways:

I’m not a fan of by-products. In fact, I don’t recommend it in dog foods. With all the premium animal proteins available out there, the use of by-products is just cost-cutting it. 

However, I have to admit that Royal Canin’s recipes work as they should. The brand is not known for using exceptional ingredients (I mean, corn grits, brewer’s rice flour?), but when it comes to special diets, its recipes are standouts, which is why I just had to add this recipe to my list of low fat dog food products to recommend.

I asked my testers for their feedbacks on this low fat recipe, and the results are all positive. Some of our tester dogs who had trouble keeping their food down due to gastro problems were able to keep their meals in their tummies with no issue.

Some of the dog owners also volunteered that their pups were looking more bright-eyed and are showing definite improvement in energy and overall health. 

Best for: Adult dogs with gastro issues

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5. Wellness Core Reduced Fat Turkey & Chicken

Rating: 4.25/5
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal (source of Glucosamine), Chicken Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Lentils, Peas

Guaranteed analysis:

Wellness Core Reduced Fat Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, & Chicken Meal is a great dog food option for pet owners who want to help their furry friends maintain a healthy weight. This dry dog food recipe is packed with carefully chosen ingredients to help your chonky buddy shed pounds and keep them off.

The main ingredients in this recipe are deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal, all of which are excellent sources lean proteins. Lentils and peas are also included, which are complex carbohydrates that can help your dog feel full for a longer time so he doesn’t have to beg for snacks between meals. 

As for fat content, most are taken from ground flaxseed and salmon oil. Unlike what others might think, a dog on a low fat diet still needs a healthy source of fat to provide his skin and hair with npourishment. 

To aid in weight control, this recipe includes taurine, which can help regulate your dog's metabolism and energy levels.  What it does is it helps your dog’s body break down cholesterol and turn it into bile. A study also showed that taurine slowes down the progression of fatty deposit buildup in the arteries.

There are tons of probiotics in this weight control recipe for helping it digest food, and the nutrients it contain, better. It also includes yucca schidigera extract, which reduces stool odor. 

Key Takeaways:

This grain-free dog food provides a well-rounded meal for your, ehem, portly fur friend. It’s packed with a lot of high-quality proteins so that your pup gets all the energy he needs for extended and strenuous plays. 

In my experience with some low fat recipe products, they don’t manage to keep dogs full for a long time. You’d have to feed them again, which kind of defeats the purpose. But this grain-free dog food is not one of those. Pups don’t seem to go hungry as much on it, and our volunteer pups love it.

The kibble size does seem a little too big for small breed pups, so you may have to add some broth or water to soften it up.

Best for: Chunky pups who like multiple protein kibble

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6. SquarePet VFS Low Fat Formula

Rating: 4/5
First 5 ingredients: Pacific Cod, Brown Rice, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Tapioca, Natural Vegetarian Flavor

Guaranteed analysis:

This low fat dog food recipe by SquarePet offers a unique blend of Pacific cod and ocean whitefish meal to create a protein-rich, low-fat meal option for pups who prefer a different flavor than the usual chicken or beef meal.

The two fish combo is not only an excellent choice for their plentiful supply of omega fatty acids, but it is also ideal for dogs who may have a sensitivity to other types of proteins. Fish allergy isn’t as common as allergies to chicken or beef.

Brown rice and tapioca are included as a source of easily digestible carbohydrates, while whole egg provides additional protein and essential amino acids. 

This recipe also contains natural vegetarian flavor and sunflower oil, which are used to enhance the taste of the food. The addition of Jerusalem artichoke and psyllium husk helps to support digestive health, while vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc proteinate, and selenium yeast, help to provide essential nutrients for overall health and wellbeing.

Key Takeaways:

The ingredient list for this low fat dry dog food diet may be short, but its guaranteed list of nutrients is impressively long. SquarePet does not skimp on the good ingredients.

It’s fortunate that I came across this brand because it is a bit difficult to find a low fat dog food that is not headlined by chicken. Although I have to note that this is still not completely poultry-free. It contains whole egg, which could trigger allergies in some of the more sensitive pups.

But for pups who only have mild sensitivities to poultry or who just need a change of flavor from the usual fare of chicken and beef, this fish flavored weight management formula is particularly effective in helping them lose a few pounds (or several). It’s an effective low fat dog food that has no need for a vet prescription.

Best for: Pups with sensitivities to common animal proteins

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7. Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Weight Control with Alaskan Pollock

Rating: 4.5/5
First 5 ingredients: Pollock, Pollock Meal, Pea Fiber, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice

Guaranteed analysis:

Solid Gold is an underrated brand that deserves to be on this list of the best low fat dog food recipes. Its Fit & Fabulous Weight Control with Alaskan Pollock is a premium dog food formula that is designed to help dogs maintain a healthy weight without compromising on taste or nutrition. 

Sometimes I get dogs to care for (I foster) that are quite sensitive to many animal proteins. Or they might have extreme preference for fish instead of the usual more common dog food flavors.

For cases such as the one above, I’d have to turn to a low-fat dog food recipe that isn’t led by a common animal protein, but there are only a limited selection of those. SolidGold fortunately took notice and added this fish recipe to its roster.

The main ingredient in this recipe is Alaskan Pollock, which is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Although it’s packed with fatty acids, this fish is low in fat content (the saturated kind). And compared with beef, pork, or chicken, the fat content of Alaskan Pollock is much lower.

As an additional protein boost, ocean fish meal was also included in the recipe. It also carries loads of omega-3 fatty acids which help to heal skin that’s itchy — a common symptom in sensitive dogs.

The recipe is also loaded with healthy fiber from ingredients like Pea Fiber, Pumpkin, and Dried Chicory Root, which helps support your dog's digestive health and keeps them feeling full and satisfied. The addition of Blueberries and Cranberries provides antioxidants, which help support your dog's immune system and overall health.

Key Takeaways:

While looking for products to review, I was happy again to find a low-fat content recipe that uses fish. This seemed perfect to try for one of my picky foster pups who won’t go anywhere near poultry. He’s a bit overweight and needs to cut down on the pounds so that he doesn’t put extra weight on his already bad hips. 

Well, surprise and my boy took to this quickly. I did not have a hard time transitioning him to it, there were no tummy issues, and best of all, he really seemed to like it. His stools also look more firm and he pooped less than he usually did.

As for weight management, this pup shed a few in the course of several weeks. We still have a way to go, but we are getting there. 

Best for: Pups who love fish

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8. JustFoodForDogs Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni

Rating: 5/5
First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Whole Wheat Macaroni, Broccoli, Zucchini, Carrots

Guaranteed analysis:

Have I mentioned how much I love fresh food? I think I did. And I will say it again. And because of that, I included a recipe by JustFoodForDogs in my list of the best low fat dog food products to try. 

The JustFoodForDogs Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni Recipe Frozen Human-Grade Fresh Dog Food is a high-quality, nutritious meal for dogs made with human-grade ingredients and totally without fillers of any kind.

It’s led by turkey, which is known as one of the lean proteins. Turkey is comparable with chicken in terms of the nutrients it contains, although turkey is slightly leaner. 

To supply the carbs and fast energy source, the brand used whole wheat macaroni. These are easily digestible and also provides the benefit of adding some texture to the dog food. 

Vegetables and fruits in the form of broccoli, zucchini, cranberries, and carrots, bring on naturally-sourced vitamins and minerals for a well-rounded dog’s diet. And to make the food even more enticing, turkey liver provides a huge flavor boost for your pup, which is a plus if you’ve got a picky eater. 

Lastly, fish oil provides much-needed essential fats that the body can’t make. It’s full of omega-3 fatty acids that have an anti-inflammagtory effect. If your pup is the type to get allergies or the itchies, a dog food high in omega-3s will help. 

Key Takeaways:

This low-fat fresh food can keep your pup to a healthy weight with its formulation that’s designed to keep pups active and on-the-go. The ingredients are something you’d eat yourself, and since they’re whole too, something you’d see for yourself as well.

The food is gently cooked and frozen. You only have to thaw it to serve, and it can last a long, long time. I had a couple of friends try it for their pups and the results have been all positive. Out of the many low fat dog foods they’ve tried, this recipe has shown the most promise.

The pups on this diet had better weight. Not fat but not underweight, either. Just beautifully lean with significantly more energy than before. Rather than doze around all day, these pups were now more alert and showing more eagerness towards playtime. 

Best for: Adult dogs who need more energy

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How To Select Low Fat Dog Foods To Feed Your Round Pup

When looking for the best low fat dog foods for your buddy, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. The ingredients must be digestible. Low-fat dog foods should contain high-quality, easily digestible proteins such as chicken, fish, or turkey. Avoid dog foods that have animal by-products or fillers such as corn, soy, and wheat, which can be harder for dogs to digest and may cause allergic reactions.

Plus, these fillers can also add to excess poundage. Stick to low fat dog foods that keep the ingredients to a minimum or only what’s necessary. 

2. The best low fat dog food contains balanced nutrition. A proper low fat diet should also contain a healthy balance of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients they need to thrive. 

Yes, chunky dogs still have a need for carbohydrates, although of course, there should be more protein in your dog’s diet. These fuel sources are what will keep your dog up and moving. 

3. Keep away from artificial stuff. It’s not just the fat content you should look for when selecting the best low fat dog food for your pup. Look at the whole ingredient list and check if there are added sugars there or artificial products. Sugar can add more weight (companies add this to make the food more enticing to pups), and artificial ingredients may trigger allergies.

4. A low-fat diet has less than 10% fat. It’s either that or your weight management food should have less than 17% of its calories from fat. 

This doesn’t mean you should totally cut out fat from your dog’s diet. Dog foods should still contain fat as it contains twice the amount of energy as carbs and protein. It also gives food a better aroma, which makes for better eating. Lastly, fat in dog foods help the body utilize certain vitamins better.

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Which Dogs Need a Low Fat Diet?

Canine obesity is not just an issue about whether your dog looks chubby or not. There are a multitude of health risks involved when we let our pets become significantly overweight. These include:

• Joint degeneration
• Heart disease
• Urinary bladder stones
• Development of type 2 diabetes
• Respiratory issues, and more.

And contrary to popular misconception, it’s not just the obese ones that need to have the fat content in their diet reduced. Dogs with these medical conditions require low-fat dog food so that their bodies can function properly:

• Pancreatitis
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Diabetes

In cases like this, switching to a low fat dog food diet is a good first step in managing your dog’s condition.

Conclusion

Choosing the best low fat dog food for your overweight or medically-challenged pup is a great first step in the right direction, but remember that it’s not the only one. 

While your dog’s diet is important, exercise also plays a big role in keeping your pet healthy. And it’s always best to consult with your vet first on the right approach to take.

Never simply reduce your dog’s food down to get him to a healthy weight. Your dog might shed the pounds, but if he’s not getting the proper amount of nutrients, it will just create new problems along the way.

Do note that low-fat dog food may not be suitable for your pup. Highly active or working dogs may need a higher fat content in their diet to sustain their energy levels. Still for some others, a different type of diet may be more appropriate. Your pup’s veterinarian will be the best person to advise you on the recommended route to take.