Homemade Dog Food for Weight Loss

Although chubby dogs can be inarguably adorable, it is paramount that we do not put aesthetic above health. Some dogs are more prone to obesity than others, but any dog can be overweight in the correct conditions. As their guardian, it is our responsibility to ensure they are fed and exercised appropriately according to their needs. Even if we do it out of love, overfeeding or giving them the wrong diet is a form of neglect.

To tell whether our dog is overweight, we can make an assessment of their physical body. Although it is best to confirm this assessment with the veterinarian, we can check the following to see if our dog is overweight or obese:

• When our dog is overweight, we will notice that the ribs are difficult to palpate and that the waist is not visible to the naked eye. In a dog of normal weight, the ribs are palpable and we can see the waist without having to manipulate them. There may be some discrepancy for dogs with a lot of fur.
• When a dog is obese, their ribs cannot be palpated and there is the presence of a prominent belly. At this point, we are likely seeing a dog with obesity. In this case, we will need to take them to a veterinarian who can advise us on the situation and health of our dog.

Although being overweight and obese poses a significant health risk to a dog, dogs that are too skinny will also face health problems. You can use our dog weight chart below to better determine whether your dog is of a healthy weight:

A dog's diet is of vital importance to their overall health. Although we may need veterinary medical treatment to manage symptoms of various weight-related health conditions, diet and exercise are at the forefront of managing an overweight dog's health. While a dog of a healthy weight may need to eat a certain diet, obese dogs will need a low-fat diet with less calories to help them lose weight in a healthy way.

Commercial dog foods are often sold which are specially formulated to feed dogs with obesity. These are reduced in calories and a good quality one will have quality ingredients. However, they do often tend to be a little more expensive than other dog foods. For this reason, some people may choose to provide a homemade diet for overweight dogs. These can also be costly, so you will need to assess your means.

Some people don't see money as an issue, but still prefer to choose a homemade diet for their obese dog because it gives them better control over the ingredients they use. Some may choose a raw food or BARF diet for dogs. This can be a good diet for overweight animals, but it also has risks such as bacterial infection from uncooked food. If you do choose this diet, it is imperative you speak to your veterinarian.

The low-fat recipes for overweight dogs we provide should involve cooked meat and other foods where necessary. This is important for determining the nutrients an overweight dog requires. The following is a breakdown of the nutritional requirements for overweight dogs:

Protein (25-30% of total daily diet)

These can include lean turkey or chicken, but they should be skinless and boneless. This is because the skin has a high-fat content. Fish is a great option, especially those with omega-3 fatty acids. These are healthy facts which can improve joints and bones. Beef can be provided, but it needs to be lean. Eggs cooked without butter or oil and low-fat dairy can be helpful in moderation.

Fat (10-15% of total daily diet)

This can include the aforementioned fish oil which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil and olive oil may also be useful.

Carbohydrates (50-55% of total daily diet)

These need to be in the form of complex carbohydrates. These include wholegrains such as brown rice or oatmeal. Simple sugars need to be avoided at all costs. This is not only for obesity, but due to their influence on related conditions such as diabetes mellitus in dogs. Vegetables should be included such as green beans, carrots, broccoli, spinach and other leafy greens. A small amount of fruit can be used as a rare treat.

Fiber (5-10% of total daily diet)

While fiber is part of the complex carbohydrate group, it is important to mention it. Fiber helps intestinal transit and the dog's overall health. It can be found in appropriate grains and vegetables.

Ideally, your dog should eat 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in moderate quantities. Don't forget that it is equally important for your dog to take daily physical exercise. Walks in the open air are very important. We should encourage moderate exercise, but be aware that obesity can harm joints and bones, so we should never overdo it.

Elderly dogs often reduce exercise levels which makes them prone to obesity. Learn more about how to care for them with our senior dog complete care guide.

Now that we have a general guideline for feeding an overweight or obese dog, we may want to know some specific homemade recipes we can provide at home. These low-fat dog food recipes can help your dog to lose weight while still being appetizing and ensuring they have an overall good quality of life. You should still speak to your veterinarian before preparing a homemade diet for any dog.

The first recipe for diets for overweight dogs is based on potatoes and beef. In order to prepare it, we will simply have to boil the potatoes, beef and carrot in the same pot, although we should ensure the cooking times are met. In the event that we want to make this homemade diet to lose weight for dogs tastier, we can add olive oil with a sprayer to add some healthy fat. Remember to use lean beef.

Learn more about the usage and benefits of olive oil for dogs in our related guide.

The following homemade dog food for overweight dogs has protein, complex carbohydrates, vegetables and fiber. This provides a balanced diet and is low in fat, so it can help your dog lose weight in a healthy way. Cook the rice first, especially since brown rice takes longer to cook. Then add some combination of the following vegetables:

• Spinach
• Carrots
• Tomato

At the same time, grill or boil some skinless and boneless chicken breast. Cut the chicken into cubes and mix with the rice and vegetables. Ensure the food has cooled to just above room temperature to avoid the dog burning themselves. Always avoid adding seasonings or spices. They are bad for the dog's health and unappetizing for them.

Learn more about feeding poultry to dogs with our article on whether chicken broth is good for dogs.

It is a very healthy dish nutritionally and very low in calories because we can prepare it in the oven without any added fat. We cut the potatoes into thin slices and put them in the oven (with a little water). Then, when there are approximately 15 minutes left until the potatoes are finished cooking, we add the skinless fish fillets on top. Add some cooked vegetables for more fiber.

The ham you choose needs to be low in salt as this can dehydrate the dog and provide other problems. If you cannot find nay ham that is low in salt, you can choose some lean pork such as pork loin.

To start cooking this low-fat dog food recipe, simple boil the following vegetables in water:

• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Carrot

Turn off the heat and add the spinach at the end as they only take seconds to cook. Once it is wilted, drain the water immediately. Next, chop the ham or pork and stir it through.

The following recipe is a good treat meal for overweight dogs. However, it is not ideal for obese dogs. The pasta we use should be wholewheat pasta and be of good quality. The first thing we will have to do is chop a tomato and fry it with very little oil. Then we will boil the pasta and mix it with the tomato sauce. Finally we add canned tuna, but this tuna needs to be:

• Natural
• Without oil
• Without salt

Learn more about feeding this dish to dogs with our article explaining whether dogs can eat pasta or noodles.

With this recipe we will be able to include healthy fats in our dog's diet , which will not be harmful if consumed in moderation and there are of high quality. To prepare the mashed potatoes, boil them, drain them, add a little oil and mash. The best way to prepare salmon is as a fillet (without bones). Steam it or bake it en papillote so that it cooks in its own juices.

Learn more with our article asking can dogs eat salmon?

If you want to read similar articles to Homemade Dog Food for Weight Loss, we recommend you visit our Diets to lose weight category.