Just like humans, dogs may struggle with excess weight. However, it’s more than just an aesthetic problem. Weight gain in dogs can contribute to a variety of health conditions that can shorten their lifespan and diminish their quality of life.
Fortunately, helping your dog shed pounds is easier than dieting yourself. Dog foods formulated for weight loss offer nutrient-dense ingredients in lower-calorie recipes, so you can ensure your dog is satisfied while losing excess fat.
Based on dog owner reviews, here are our top choices for the best dog foods for weight loss made in the USA, so that you can help your dog’s health with trusted ingredients.
A Glance at Our Top Picks (2023 Update)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Ollie Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Range of protein and formulas
Nutrient dense
Convenient subscription and delivery
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Best Value
Nutro Ultra Adult Weight Management Chicken, Lamb & Salmon Recipe Dry
Chicken as main ingredient
Nutrient dense
No by-product meal, wheat, or soy
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Premium Choice
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Satiety Support Weight Management Dr
Formulated for satiety and weight control
Complete and balanced nutrition
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Hill’s Science Diet Adult Light with Chicken Meal & Barley Dry Dog Foo
Low-calorie formula
Nutrient-dense ingredients
No artificial colors, flavors, ingredients
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Vet’s Choice
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Wet Dog Food
Formulated for weight loss
High protein-to-calorie ratio
American suppliers
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The 8 Best Dog Foods for Weight Loss Made in the USA
1. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
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Main ingredients: Turkey breast, kale, lentils, carrots, coconut oil, turkey liver, blueberries, pumpkin
Protein content: 39%
Fat content: 25%
Calories: 1,298 kcal ME/kg
Ollie is the best overall dog food for weight loss made in the USA. For this review, the turkey dish with blueberries was selected, but Ollie offers a range of different proteins and fresh and baked formulas. Turkey is the first ingredient to provide the optimal protein and fat combination in a lean animal source. It’s also packed with nutritious foods that add nutrients without empty calories, such as kale, carrots, lentils, and coconut oil. Pumpkin and turkey liver are also included.
Ollie is only available with a subscription plan. You fill out a profile for your dog and choose your recipes, delivery schedule, and more, then it’s conveniently shipped to you. Though this plan is convenient, a subscription isn’t ideal for everyone. It’s also expensive. Lentils are high on the ingredient list, which is controversial for their possible connection to heart problems in dogs.
Pros
Range of protein and formulas
Nutrient dense
Convenient subscription and delivery
Cons
Not available in stores
Lentils high on ingredient list
Expensive
Nutro Ultra Adult Weight Management Chicken, Lamb & Salmon Recipe Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for weight loss made in the USA. This food contains chicken as the main ingredient with lamb and salmon for tons of protein and flavor. Nutrition also comes from a blend of nutrient-dense, low-calorie ingredients that give your dog vitamins and minerals without empty calories.
Range of protein and formulas
Nutrient dense
Convenient subscription and delivery
- Range of protein and formulas
- Nutrient dense
- Convenient subscription and delivery
Not available in stores
Lentils high on ingredient list
Expensive
- Not available in stores
- Lentils high on ingredient list
- Expensive
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, whole grain sorghum, whole grain barley, whole grain oats, brewers rice
Protein content: 26%
Fat content: 9%
Calories: 325 kcal/cup
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All ingredients are sourced from trusted farmers, and no by-product meal, wheat, or soy protein is used. This formula is appropriate for overweight adult dogs or to maintain a healthy weight. Several reviewers complained of the quality of the kibble, however.
Pros
Chicken as main ingredient
Nutrient dense
No by-product meal, wheat, or soy
Cons
Quality control issues
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Satiety Support Weight Management Dry Dog Food is the premium choice for a weight loss food for dogs. This veterinary-exclusive dry dog food is formulated to help dogs feel full and satisfied without overindulging. The high fiber content helps keep your dog’s appetite sated.
Chicken as main ingredient
Nutrient dense
No by-product meal, wheat, or soy
- Chicken as main ingredient
- Nutrient dense
- No by-product meal, wheat, or soy
Quality control issues
- Quality control issues
Main ingredients: Powdered cellulose, chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat gluten, wheat, corn gluten meal, natural flavors
Protein content: 28%
Fat content: 7.5%
Calories: 214 kcal/cup
This formula is designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs. Along with high protein, the recipe contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint and bone health, soluble and insoluble fiber, and a range of essential vitamins and minerals. This food is only available with a prescription. Reviewers with small dogs said the kibble was too large for them to eat comfortably.
Pros
Formulated for satiety and weight control
Complete and balanced nutrition
Cons
Prescription only
Kibble is too large for small breeds
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Light Dry Dog Food offers precise nutrition for health and weight management. Savory chicken meal and barley are the main ingredients to ensure your dog gets balanced nutrition with lower calories. L-carnitine and fiber help dogs feel full in between meals and encourage healthy portion sizes.
Formulated for satiety and weight control
Complete and balanced nutrition
- Formulated for satiety and weight control
- Complete and balanced nutrition
Prescription only
Kibble is too large for small breeds
- Prescription only
- Kibble is too large for small breeds
Main ingredients: Chicken meal, cracked pearl barley, pea fiber, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, corn gluten meal
Protein content: 20%
Fat content: 5.5%
Calories: 271 kcal/cup
Every ingredient is tested for purity and nutrient content that exceeds industry standards. The formula is all natural with no artificial colors, flavors, or ingredients. This food is formulated for adult dogs from age one to six that require fewer calories. Some reviewers said their dogs wouldn’t eat the food, however.
Pros
Low-calorie formula
Nutrient-dense ingredients
No artificial colors, flavors, ingredients
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Overweight Management Wet Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
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Main ingredients: Water, chicken, liver, powdered cellulose, rice, soy protein isolate, meat by-products, carrageenan
Protein content: 7.5%
Fat content: 1.0%
Calories: 245 kcal/can
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Canine Formula Wet Dog Food is the vet’s choice for the best dog food for weight loss made in the USA. Specially formulated to help dogs lose weight while maintaining muscle, this food formula has a high protein-to-calorie ratio that ensures adequate nutrition without adding pounds. The added fiber helps your dog feel fuller and sated longer.
Low-calorie formula
Nutrient-dense ingredients
No artificial colors, flavors, ingredients
- Low-calorie formula
- Nutrient-dense ingredients
- No artificial colors, flavors, ingredients
Some dogs don’t like it
- Some dogs don’t like it
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Main ingredients: Water, chicken, liver, powdered cellulose, rice, soy protein isolate, meat by-products, carrageenan
Protein content: 7.5%
Fat content: 1.0%
Calories: 245 kcal/can
Made in collaboration with nutritionists, researchers, and veterinarians, this is an ideal diet for weight loss for all breeds of dogs at any life stage. Like all Pro Plan formulas, this diet is made in the USA and features ingredients sourced from American suppliers. It is available only through prescription, however, so you will need veterinary approval. It’s also a little pricey, as with all prescription diets.
Pros
Formulated for weight loss
High protein-to-calorie ratio
American suppliers
Cons
Prescription only
Expensive
Purina ONE Natural Weight Control+Plus Healthy Weight Formula Dry Dog Food offers tender, meaty morsels and crunchy kibble to keep mealtime interesting for your dog. Real turkey is the first ingredient to ensure adequate nutrition without added calories. Fiber is added to promote satiety and discourage begging between meals.
Formulated for weight loss
High protein-to-calorie ratio
American suppliers
- Formulated for weight loss
- High protein-to-calorie ratio
- American suppliers
Prescription only
Expensive
- Prescription only
- Expensive
Main ingredients: Turkey, rice flour, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, oat meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn
Protein content: 27%
Fat content: 8.0%
Calories: 320 kcal/cup
This food has no fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives, so your dog is getting the most “bang for its buck” with calories and nutrition. It also has a variety of other healthy ingredients, including added calcium, omega-6 fatty acids, and multiple sources of antioxidants. All formulas are manufactured in Purina-owned facilities in the USA. Several reviewers said that the bags were “full of dust,” leading to a lot of waste for the price.
Pros
Blend of morsels and kibble
Real turkey as first ingredient
Manufactured in Purina-owned facilities
Cons
Quality control issues
Earthborn Holistic Weight Control Dry Dog Food is specially formulated for weight control in dogs that need help staying lean and healthy. The low-fat formula features a combination of turkey and Pacific whiting for healthy muscle growth and maintenance, as well as omega fatty acids for skin and coat health. Blueberries, cranberries, carrots, apples, and spinach round out the nutrition for vitamins and minerals without empty calories.
Blend of morsels and kibble
Real turkey as first ingredient
Manufactured in Purina-owned facilities
- Blend of morsels and kibble
- Real turkey as first ingredient
- Manufactured in Purina-owned facilities
Main ingredients: Turkey meal, brown rice, buckwheat, pumpkin, pearled barley, oatmeal, tapioca, dried egg
Protein content: 25%
Fat content: 7.0%
Calories: 315 kcal/cup
The recipe is free of legumes, peas, or lentils, and always made in the USA. The formula was changed recently, and numerous reviewers have complained of gastrointestinal upset in their dogs after eating.
Pros
Two protein sources
Complete nutrition
Free of legumes, peas, and lentils
Cons
May cause digestive upset
ACANA Red Meat Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food includes numerous animal ingredients, such as ranch-raised beef and Yorkshire pork. The remainder of the recipe includes a rich blend of fruits, vegetables, and botanicals for vitamins, minerals, and probiotics.
Two protein sources
Complete nutrition
Free of legumes, peas, and lentils
- Two protein sources
- Complete nutrition
- Free of legumes, peas, and lentils
May cause digestive upset
- May cause digestive upset
Main ingredients: Beef, deboned pork, beef meal, whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, whole green peas, pork meal, beef fat
Protein content: 29%
Fat content: 17%
Calories: 388 kcal/cup
All ingredients come from a trusted group of farmers, ranchers, and fishermen, prepared in a Kentucky-based kitchen. The food contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. This food is grain-free, which may not be ideal for all dogs. Several reviewers said their dogs wouldn’t touch the food, even with toppers, so it may not be suitable for picky eaters.
Pros
Beef and pork
Rich blend of ingredients
Kentucky-based kitchen
Cons
Not good for picky eaters
Grain-free
Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Dog Foods for Weight Loss Made in the USA
Along with feeding a weight-management food, you can help your dog maintain a healthy weight with other lifestyle changes.
Beef and pork
Rich blend of ingredients
Kentucky-based kitchen
- Beef and pork
- Rich blend of ingredients
- Kentucky-based kitchen
Not good for picky eaters
Grain-free
- Not good for picky eaters
- Grain-free
Increase Exercise
Weight management is a combination of caloric intake and burning calories through exercise. Along with a low-calorie diet, you can increase the amount of exercise your dog receives to increase its daily caloric needs. Without extra food, it’ll burn stored fat for energy.
It’s important to consider your dog’s needs, however. Start exercise gradually to avoid injury or overexertion. Build up to more activity with short play sessions and walks until your dog’s weight and fitness levels improve. Like people, weight loss in dogs takes time and effort.
Avoid Excess Treats
If you’re giving your dog a lot of treats each day but neglecting to consider them in overall caloric intake, your dog can pack on the pounds quickly. This is especially true of small dogs since even tiny treats are a significant percentage of daily calories.
Try offering fewer treats each day or get soft treats that you can break into small pieces each time. Your dog won’t notice the difference, but the calorie reduction will help over time.
Avoid Table Food
Feeding table scraps can be problematic for several reasons. Aside from giving your dog potentially toxic foods, offering table food too often can dramatically increase calories.
There’s nothing wrong with an occasional treat from your own meal but do your best to stick to regular dog treats—especially during the weight-loss period. If you must offer people food, avoid high-calorie treats like French fries, animal fat, and cheese.
Consult with Your Vet
Any time you embark on a weight loss journey with your dog, it’s important to keep your vet in the loop. Your vet may be able to recommend some options or pinpoint lifestyle changes you can make.
In addition, some dogs are overweight because of medical conditions rather than overeating. If this is the case, your dog will not be able to lose weight by just exercise and diet restriction alone. Your vet can help you treat—or rule out—any underlying conditions that cause weight gain.
- See Also: 11 Best Dog Foods Made in the USA
Conclusion
If your dog struggles with weight loss, you have plenty of options for healthy, low-calorie foods. Ollie is our best overall pick for its variety of recipes and healthy ingredients. For value, choose Nutro Ultra Adult Weight Management Chicken, Lamb & Salmon Recipe Dry Dog Food. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Satiety Support Weight Management Dry Dog Food is the premium choice for a weight loss food for dogs. Our vet’s choice is Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Canine Formula Wet Dog Food.
Featured Image Credit: Image Credit: Reifous, Pixabay
