Find the Best Nutritional Options for a Healthy and Lean Dog in the UK

As dog owners, our love for our pets often leads to us showering them with extra treats and food, but it’s important to ensure they maintain a healthy weight. Overindulging can result in your dog gaining unnecessary pounds, making them less active and putting their health at risk.

It can be tough to resist those adorable puppy eyes when they beg for extra food at the dinner table. However, giving in too often could cause your dog to gain weight quickly, especially if others in the household also sneak them snacks. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is essential for ensuring they stay energetic and enjoy a long, healthy life.

We’re here to help guide you in making the best choices for your dog’s diet. Knowing when your dog is overweight and what steps to take to manage their weight can be difficult, so let’s break it down.

How to Tell if Your Dog Is Overweight
The simplest way to assess your dog’s weight is to visit your vet, but if that’s not an option, you can measure their weight against the recommended BMI for their breed and age. If your dog’s weight is higher than the norm, it might be time to consider a diet plan.

How to Manage Your Dog’s Weight
Exercise and a balanced diet are key in helping your dog lose weight. Below is a selection of the best diet dog foods available in the UK, all formulated to support weight loss while keeping your dog healthy and satisfied.

Best Diet Dog Foods for Weight Management

1. Royal Canin Satiety Support
Ages: 12 months and up
Tailored for dogs with obesity or diabetes, this high-protein food helps preserve muscle mass while promoting safe weight loss. Only purchase this food if recommended by your vet.
Price: £14.99 – Pets at Home

2. AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health Weight Management Adult Dog Food
Ages: 1-7 years
This vet-approved food reduces fat by 50% compared to standard adult kibble. It contains digestible chicken protein and prebiotics for a healthy gut.
Price: £54.99 – Pets at Home

3. Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management
Ages: 12 months and up
Specially designed to help dogs burn excess fat and regulate their appetite, this food encourages natural energy use to assist with weight loss.
Price: £72.49 – Pets at Home

4. Barking Heads Fat Dog Slim
Ages: 12 months and up
This tasty diet kibble contains 30% less fat than regular kibble. It’s also packed with glucosamine, chondroitin, and L-carnitine to promote weight loss and overall health.
Price: £12.92 – Amazon

5. IAMS Low-Fat Chicken Kibble
Ages: 12 months and up
A budget-friendly choice, this low-fat, non-GMO chicken kibble helps with weight control and supports a strong immune system with added vitamins.
Price: £27.54 – Amazon

6. Pooch & Mutt Slim & Slender
Ages: 12 months and up
Packed with free-range chicken and sweet potato, this kibble promotes fat burning while supporting digestive and skin health with Nutra-Bionic supplements.
Price: £15.99 – Pooch & Mutt

7. Vet’s Kitchen Sensitive Care Turkey & Sweet Potato
Best for Senior Dogs
This grain-free food is designed for older dogs, providing joint support with glucosamine and taurine, as well as fat-burning L-carnitine.
Price: £8.20 – Pets at Home

8. Forthglade Salmon Grain-Free Cold Pressed Dog Food
Ages: 2 months and up
Made with natural ingredients, this salmon-based food is perfect for dogs with poultry allergies and supports gut health.
Price: £14.49 – Amazon

By choosing the right food and providing regular exercise, you can help your dog shed those extra pounds and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.