Dog food to support weight control

If you’ve been told by your vet that your dog should lose some weight, weight management food can be a fantastic solution. These special formulas are less calorie-dense, which means you can often feed your dog a more satisfying amount compared to regular food, helping them lose weight without constant portion cutting. They're typically low in fat but rich in fibre, which helps your dog feel full and content. Plus, the higher protein levels are key for maintaining healthy muscle mass while they slim down. Weight loss diets also tend to have increased mineral levels, ensuring your dog still gets all the essential nutrients, even on a reduced-calorie plan. At Tails.com, we're here to help your dog reach their ideal weight. Just regularly update your dog's weight and body condition score (which tells us if they're ideal, underweight, or overweight) in your account, and your personalised meal plan will then adjust their calorie intake and feeding amounts accordingly. Magic!

If your dog is very overweight, it's a good idea to weigh them every 1-2 weeks at first and stay in regular contact with your vet. They'll be able to guide you on how long your dog should stay on a weight management food. The good news is that for many dogs, weight management food can be used indefinitely, even after they've reached their ideal weight. It's a great way to help prevent them from gaining weight again. Just remember that feeding amounts might need to be adjusted over time. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask your vet or get in touch with our experienced Tails.com team – we're here to help.

When it comes to helping your dog lose weight, the most important factors are the fat, fibre, protein and calorie content of their food – not whether it's wet or dry. However, wet food can be a great tool to help your dog feel more satisfied on their weight loss journey. Because it has a higher water content, you'll actually feed a larger volume of wet food for the same number of calories. This can make them feel fuller and more content. You can even achieve a similar effect by soaking dry kibble in water before feeding.

When choosing a weight management dog food, focusing on the fat, fibre, protein and calorie content is more important than whether it contains grains or not. If a grain-free food is marked as a "light" diet or for weight control, it should be a suitable choice for your dog's needs.

A high-protein diet can be a helpful tool for weight loss in dogs. Here's why: protein helps your dog feel fuller and more satisfied, which can reduce overall food intake. Plus, it's excellent for helping them maintain their valuable muscle mass as they lose weight. However, for a high-protein diet to truly support healthy weight loss, it needs to be carefully balanced with low fat and plenty of fibre. This combination ensures your dog feels full without consuming too many calories, and that the weight they lose is fat, not muscle.

If your dog needs to gain a little weight, the first step is often to simply offer a bit more of their regular food. However, we know some dogs just can't manage larger meal sizes. In these cases, a higher-calorie diet can be really helpful. This allows them to get the extra nutrients they need from smaller, more manageable portions. At Tails.com, we're here to help your dog reach their ideal weight. Just be sure to regularly update your dog's weight and body condition score (which tells us if they're ideal, underweight, or overweight) in your account. Your dog’s personalised meal plan will then automatically adjust their calorie intake. Magic!

Grain-free dog food shouldn't cause weight gain – unless it's particularly high in calories and fat, or if your dog is eating more than they need to maintain a healthy weight.

High-protein dog food won't necessarily lead to weight gain. The key is the overall fat and calorie content. If a high-protein diet is also high in fat, then it's much more likely to contribute to your dog gaining weight.