best dog food for older dogs to lose weight

How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

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In the U.S., 56% of dogs are overweight or obese, and that excess weight is tied to an astonishing array of health problems. When it comes to preventing dog obesity, or even the slow creep of excess pounds, simple awarenessknowing what your dogs weight should be, and keeping on top of any fluctuationsis the first step. Just a few pounds can make a big difference.

You can seek your vets counsel on your dogs ideal weight, but a quick way to assess good canine condition at home is to ask:

• Does your dog have an hourglass shape when you stand behind them and look at them from above?
• Do they have a waist?
• Can you easily feel their ribs?

If youre answering no for all three, theres a good chance your dog needs to lose weight. Now what? Here are some vet-approved tips for helping your dog safely shed excess pounds and keeping them in good condition.

The Food Factor

For dogs, as for humans, losing weight really comes down to two things: food and exercise. And for a dog owner trying to manage or reduce their dogs weight, food is most important by far.

Weight loss begins and ends at the food bowl for dogs and cats, Ernie Ward, DVM, and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), tells us. Weight loss for humans and dogs is 60-70% diet and 30-40% exercise.

For dog owners who have active lifestyles, its easy to overestimate the impact of physical activity on weight maintenance. So even for active dogs, its important to establish clear guidelines for daily caloric intake.

Get Specific With How Much Youre Feeding

Heres where things can go sideways. Humans may or may not choose to count calories as a guide for what theyre eating, with some opting for other methods of keeping to a healthy regime (Do my pants fit? Great!). But when it comes to the long-term management of your dogs weight, its essential to establish a concrete benchmark for how much to feed. This means determining the number of calories your dog needs every day.

Its not a good idea to rely on the feeding guidelines on the average pet food package. There are many factors that will influence your dogs dietary needs, including breed, size, activity level, and whether theyre spayed or neutered. Standard kibble-bag feeding ranges are generally too broad for your dog, and many owners end up over-feeding based on too-generous and too-vague suggested portion sizes, typically measured in cups and scoops.

The feeding guidelines on pet food packages, says Ward, are based on active adult dogs for all life stages. Spaying or neutering, for example, reduces energy requirement by 20 to 30%, he says. So, if your pet is spayed or neutered, and not particularly active, you can already be overfeeding by 20 or 30% or more.

When it comes to determining the ideal caloric intake, its important to consider a number of factors. We take a couple of things into considerationwe look at body condition score, we look at muscle condition score, we look at lifestyle, and any concurrent medical conditions, Dr. Ward says. We start by determining, OK, how many calories should you be feeding?

As a starting place, there are also many tools online to provide rough feeding guidelines based on weight and breed. You might start by consulting the guide published by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

For at-home calculating, you can use the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula. Take your dogs weight in kilograms, multiply by 30, and add 70 (or, take their weight in pounds, divide by 2.2, multiply this figure by 30, and add 70). You can then factor in a metabolic energy requirement (MER), depending on things like health and whether theyre spayed or neutered.

Typical MER factors include:

• Weight loss1.0 x RER
• Neutered/ Spayed Adult1.6 x RER
• Intact Adult1.8. x RER

Ask your veterinarian about the MER and calculating and determining how your dog can lose weight safely. Tools like the MER multiplier table on the web provide estimates, but every dogs metabolism is different, so be sure to keep monitoring your pets weight.

You can also sign up for a fresh-food plan (like the ones offered to customers of The Farmers Dog). A plan like this makes it easy to determine the correct total caloric intake and food portions based on your dogs very specific requirements, and also makes it easy to adjust daily calories based on changing weight-management needs.

Food Quality Is Also Key

In addition to calorie counting, another important part of weight maintenance or weight loss is feeding lower-carb, whole, fresh food.

Many ultra-processed dog foods are full of carb-based fillersas Dr. Ward has noted, when you actually break down the ingredients on the label, many of them top out at over 60% or more carbohydrates. Fresh diets provide quality protein, but also the fiber and moisture that can keep your dog satisfied, without carb-y fillers.

Feeding nutrient-dense, bioavailable food will keep your dog healthy as they reduce their overall intake of food.

Treats Count, So Count Them

Another way to help your dog drop some extra weight is by controlling, and possibly reducing, their treat intake. Here, again, quality and quantity matter.

Nobody wants to deny their dog treats, as they are often helpful training aids, and its fun to see the excitement they generate. But its important to keep a close eye on how many treats your dog actually eats in a day and what their caloric impact is. Treats should be factored into, and comprise no more than, 10% of total daily calories.

Dog owners who feed their dogs healthy food, yet still feed them highly processed, high-carb, high-calorie treats, are potentially missing a big source of weight gain and health issues. And if you feed your dog too many treats (more than 10% of their daily intake of food), you can undo the benefits of the balanced diet youre feeding.

Many vets recommend using single-ingredient treats like fresh veggies and fruit. Baby carrots, celery, broccoli, green beans, cucumbers, blueberries, apples, and bananas all make healthy treats and, unlike mystery-meat treats, can contribute to your dogs health (use apple and banana in smaller amounts due to higher sugar content).

As for peanut butter, make sure its truly a special (rare) treat, and doled out in limited amounts; this dogand humanfavorite has a hefty 100 calories per tablespoon. Also, ensure that the peanut butter youre using doesnt contain Xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. For a lighter, and perhaps better, substitute, try plain canned pumpkin, which weighs in at just five calories per tablespoon.

Its also worth stepping back and considering why youre giving your dog treats. Our bond with our dogs is so special, and every dog owner wants to see the happy excitement a treat brings. But you can get that joyful response with healthy treats, or with smaller portions. I typically tell owners that dogs get the same enjoyment, and you can get the same reaction, from a small piece of a treat as you can from the whole thing or a handful, says Alex Schechter, DVM. There are many ways to show love and bond with your pet. It doesnt have to be all about food.

Safely Increase Exercise

Food is key, but no weight loss plan, or health maintenance plan, is complete without exercise. The most obvious, and important, activity for your dog is walking. Regular walks dont just exercise your dogs body; they provide crucial mental stimulation and that all-important opportunity to sniff. The amount of walking your dog needs, or wants, depends on their breed and general health. But while conventional wisdom says that some dogs need less exercise than others, all dogs need to move.

While the recommended minimum of daily exercise is 20 minutes, twice a day, many dogs will need much more. For many breeds, an hour of exercise a day is a good target. If your dog needs to lose weight, try to increase the amount of exercise they currently do. So, if thats none, or barely any, start with short intervals of walking. If youre already exercising, try lengthening your walk or other activity by 10-20%.

Ask your vet about the best types of activities based on your pets breed, age, gender, and current physical condition. Introduce new activities slowly to avoid injury. And, unless your dog has been trained for or slowly introduced to these kinds of activities, leave the extreme sports to your own weekend hourstoo-vigorous, or repetitive activity can put your dog at risk of joint problems. Also, keep weather conditionslike high sunin mind if your activities are outdoors. The sun creates the potential for heat stroke and burnt paw pads.

Rule Out a Medical Condition

If youve established and are staying within caloric boundaries and youre still not having any luck helping your dog lose weight, a visit to the vet could be in order to rule out a medical condition. Weight gain and lethargy can be symptoms of conditions like hypothyroidism and Cushings syndrome. The latter, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, usually occurs in older dogs, and can also cause frequent urination, hair loss, and weakness.

Weight Loss (and Maintenance) Is a Long Game

If you determine that youre overfeeding, work with your veterinarian to create a weight-loss schedule based on the appropriate calories so that your dog doesnt lose weight too fast, which is unhealthy.

Overall, the best weight management strategy is to develop good habits that are applied, consistently, long-term.

People (humans) want to rush weight loss, says Dr. Ward. Thirty days to bikini season! But this is a long process. Its years of making small decisions that help. When youre deciding on sharing your pizza crust with your Pomeranian, if you do it once, OK. But if you do it once a week for five years, thats a problem.

This article was vetted by a vet. Reviewed by Alex Schechter, DVM, founding veterinarian atBurrwood Veterinary.He was previously founding veterinarian atPure Paws Veterinary Care.

Weight Loss In Old Dogs: Our Veterinarians Share What To Do

This article was updated on October 19th, 2022

Weight loss in older dogs can be slow and subtle, or it can be sudden and noticeable. Either way, if you have a dog who is losing weight its important to figure out why its happening.

This is because sudden weight loss could be a symptom of an underlying health problem and sometimes this problem can be serious.

The earlier you find out whats causing the pounds to drop off, the better your chances of getting the issue under control quickly, ensuring your senior friends quality of life is maintained in his twilight years.

You see your dog every day and are in the best position to notice any changes, even if theyre small or seem insignificant. Its especially important to be on top of this when Fido is a senior.

In this article, we will discuss when old dogs typically lose weight and when you should be concerned about it. We will also review the top 8 causes of weight loss in older dogsand, finally, review what you should feed your old dog, with easy tips & tricks that can make a big difference.

Older Dogs Often Lose Weight As They Age

As many as 40% of seniors dogs (Source) actually gain weight as they enter their senior years (age 6-8 for larger dogs and 8-10 for smaller dogs). However, as time goes on and old age progresses to very old age, most dogs begin to lose weight and have difficulty maintaining their body condition.If your old dog is entering very old age, this could be the reason why your old dog is slowly losing weight.

This stage of life actually requires more calories and readily digestible protein sources to help your very elderly dog keep lean muscle (Jump to our section on: What Should You Feed An Older Dog That Is Losing Weight?). However, it is essential to keep in mind that weight loss could also be the sign of a more serious medical condition. This is why we recommend that your vet perform a full medical exam if weight loss appears to be a concern. Lets discuss now when you should be concerned about an old dog losing weight.

When You Should Be Concerned about an Old Dog Losing Weight

So, what is considered to be significant weight loss? What size dropis enough that it could be a sign of illness, or at least warrant a trip to your veterinarian?

Veterinary standards suggest that if your dog has lost 10% or more of his normal weight, then its something to be concerned about.

Not panicked, but concerned. Not all weight loss means trouble. Its not unusual for even healthy senior dogs to lose weight slowly as they age. Things which can cause this type of weight loss include:

• Loss of muscle mass
• Reduced appetite
• Poor absorption/digestion of food

If the weight loss happened gradually, its less likely to be caused by a serious health problem. If the weight loss happened fast, and especially if you notice other symptoms, it becomes very important to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. In any case, its obviously important to rule out an illness, even if the weight loss is slow or subtle.

However, once given a clean bill of health, there are some simple steps you can take to help keep weight on your older dog (as long as he/she isnt overweight to begin with).

If your older dog has lost 10% or more of his body weight over the past few months (or within a year) then a trip to your veterinarian for a full check-up would be advisable.

You also need to visit the vet asap if your dog:

• stops eating completely
• vomits, dry heaves and/or has diarrhea
• is severely constipated or his belly is distended
• seems stressed or is panting/pacing/whining
• is lethargic, depressed or confused
• is acting differently

Top 8 Causes Of Weight Loss In Older Dogs

Most health problems result in more than one symptom: weight loss in older dogs can be a sign of several conditions, and its often the OTHER symptoms that will give your vet the right clues. If you notice that your senior dog is losing weight, pay close attention to his other bodily functions and behaviors and make a note of anything that seems out of the ordinary. Is there anything else that seems off with your old friend?

This will give your vet more ammunition to use when making a diagnosis. Here are the top causes of weight loss in older dogs:

1. Dehydration:

If you notice weight lossand

• Dry rubbery gums
• Lethargy
• Sunken eyes
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Less urination
• Dark urine

Possible Cause:

The aging process can cause overall loss of fluids and weight loss in older dogs. This is normal, but it means that you need to make sure that Fido gets plenty of fresh water every day.

What you can do: You can increase his fluid intake by adding broth (low sodium) to his kibble. Canned dog food (wet) contains much more water per cup than dry food does, so mixing some with the dry kibble can also help. Senior dogs whose senses of smell or taste are fading, who have dental issues, or who have become picky eaters, can also often be encouraged to eat more this way too.

Diseases that affect older dogs can also cause dehydration, so have Fido checked out by your vet to make sure theres no underlying health problem.

2. Dental problems

If you notice weight lossand

• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty eating/chewing
• Bad breath
• Swollen or bleeding gums

Possible Cause:

Weight loss in older dogs can sometimes be caused by something as simple as broken or decaying teeth, gingivitis, or gum disease. There are more serious oral conditions such as tumors too. Your vet needs to look inside your dogs mouth as soon as possible.

3. Diabetes

If you notice weight lossand

• Excessive thirst
• Excessive urination
• Increased appetite
• Lethargy
• Repeated urinary tract infections

Possible Cause:

Diabetes can cause an older dog to lose weight because it stops his body from getting the energy it needs from glucose the way it normally would. So, his body tries to convert fat, or protein into energy instead. This doesnt work very well at all, and Fido will soon use up any reserves he has, and no matter how much he eats his system cant keep up and hell continue to lose weight. Learn more about diabetes in older dogs.

4. Cancer

If you notice weight lossand

• Decreased appetite
• Sudden lethargy
• Unusual bleeding
• Lumps, bumps or swelling
• Distended abdomen
• Limping or lameness
• Unusual urination frequency or amount

Possible Cause:

Cancer is one of those diseases that can be very difficult to diagnose through visible symptoms alone. There are many different types of cancer, and some of them have no obvious symptoms until theyve become advanced and spread. BUT you know your senior dog better than anyone else, and you are in the best position to notice what might be very subtle changes that couldbe warning signs.

Please dont panic and assume Fido has cancer if he fits one or two of the symptoms above, but have your veterinarian give him a thorough check-up and mention ANYTHING you think might be relevant.

5. Liver or gallbladder disease

If you notice weight lossand

• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Increased thirst
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Pain (panting/pacing/drooling)
• Pale or yellow gums
• Yellowing of skin/eyes

Possible Causes:

• Liver disease
• Gallbladder disease

The signs of liver disease in dogs can be very subtle, but sudden weight loss is one of them. The yellowing of gums or skin (jaundice) often indicates a liver or gallbladder problem. Several of these symptoms could point to other digestive problems, so again dont panic and assume that Fidos liver is at fault. Only your vet can make an accurate diagnosis.

6. Kidney disease

If you notice weight lossand

• Increased thirst
• Excessive urination (may contain blood)
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Pale gums
• Depression or lethargy

Possible Cause:

As dogs get older, major organs stop working as efficiently as they used to. Kidney disease can come on so slowly that you dont notice it until the kidneys start to fail. In fact, the kidneys are great at compensating until they are about 70% damaged, so often when signs appear, the disease has already progressed quite far.

This is another reason to be very careful about monitoring Fidos overall health carefully and get help if you notice weight loss in older dogs, especially if its accompanied by any other signs of illness. Early diagnosis of any problem makes the prognosis better!

7. Heart disease

If you notice weight lossand

• A chronic cough
• Tires easily
• Exercise intolerance
• Excessive panting
• Irregular heartbeat
• Restlessness

Possible Cause:

Heart problems in dogscan show subtle signs early on, and mistaking these for the normal slowing down of old age isnt unusual. But, as with most diseases, the earlier a diagnosis is made the better. Many heart conditions can be managed with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes if theyre caught early on. Learn more.

8. Lower back issues or hip arthritis

If you notice weight lossand

• Wobbling
• Lameness
• Scuffing the toes
• Incontinence

Possible Causes:

• Lower back issues, such as spondylosis
• Hip arthritis

Lower back and hip issues can lead to difficulty walking normally in the hind quarters which can lead to depletion of muscle mass. Its a common sight for an elderly dog to look pretty chunky at the front end, but skinny in the hind quarters as the lower back and hips are the most common areas for age-related orthopedic issues to occur.

If you are aware that your dog has an elongated back or hip dysplasia, talk to your vets about lifestyle management to prevent them from developing into degenerative orthopedic conditions.

Summary: Below is an infographic summarizing these 8 common conditions causing weight loss in senior dogs, with a summary list of typical symptoms:

What Should You Feed An Older Dog That Is Losing Weight?

If no underlying medical conditions are found, and a healthy older dog loses weight, make sure that its diet is adequate. As discussed above, older dogs, especially very old dogs, need a calorically dense diet, so they do not have to consume as much to obtain their caloric needs. The protein source needs to be high-quality and easily digestible. If the dog has issues with deceased taste or smell, top-dressing the food or soaking it in an attractant may be helpful.

There are many diets on the market for senior dogs. Assuming your dog has no underlying health conditions that require special dietary needs, the most important factors to consider are protein, fat, and fiber:

It was previously believed that protein should be restricted in senior diets because it may potentially damage the kidneys. Though this is true in dogs with kidney disease, it is not the case with animals with normally functioning kidneys.

Determining whether the kidneys are healthy and functioning well is vital, and screening blood work should be performed on all dogs at least annually.In healthy older dogs, their diet needs to contain increased protein, and a minimum of twenty-five percent of the calories should be from protein.

Fat should be restricted in elderly dogs with health issues such as pancreatitis or any digestive sensitivities to fat. During the early stages of older age, a moderate fat content in the diet will be helpful to control weight gain in a dog with a slowing metabolism.

Then, as the dog becomes truly geriatric, adding high-quality fats to the diet will not only make the diet more attractive to a picky eater, but also increase the calorie content and improve protein efficiency.

Fiber, like fat, may have opposite roles in the early stages of old age as opposed to the later stages. In the beginning, adding fiber to the diet is a great way to satiate, or give a feeling of fullness, to a dog when they eat. A dog consuming more fiber will feel full and satisfied while also consuming fewer calories. Fiber may also be used to alleviate constipation issues.

Again, however, diets often need to be lower in fiber in our truly older dogs to allow for more caloric density in the food and make the diet more easily digestible.

Properly feeding an aging dog can extend their healthy and happy years dramatically. It is vital to rule out any medical conditions and consult with a veterinarian if any questions or concerns arise.

Read more with our 9 Tips to Get Your Old Dog To Eat More or our recommendations for Best Dog Food For Senior Dogs.

What To Do About Weight Loss In Old Dogs

A premium dog food that is a good fit for your golden oldies health and age, along with appropriate exercise, is often enough to keep dogs at an acceptable weight no matter how old they are.

Lots of dogs gain weight as they get older, and a gradual thickening of the waistline is pretty normal. In an otherwise happy, healthy older dog this isnt usually cause for concern.

But rapidweight gain in older dogs, just like rapid weight loss, is a different story, and needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian.

If your senior dog seems a little thinner, but its a change that has happened gradually, its less likely to be caused by a serious health problembut its unusual enough to warrant a visit to the vet. However, if the weight loss is sudden (or slow but obvious), and especially if you notice any other signs that Fido isnt feeling well or acting normally, then its very important to have him examined by your veterinarian asap.

Treating the weight loss itself can only be done by treating the problem which is causing it to happen, and the only person who can make an accurate diagnosis is your veterinarian.

Theres no need to panic or assume the worst, many times its something simple at the root of the problem, and even chronic or serious illnesses can be treated or managed.

All dogs should be seen for a thorough examination with a veterinarian at least annually, but senior dogs should be seen bi-annually. Dogs cannot talk and are therefore unable to tell anyone when there is something amiss. It is also essential to bear in mind that our canine companions age much faster than we do.

Weights should be tracked, and any changes without explanation may be cause for concern. If a weight loss is noticed, it is essential to provide a thorough history to your veterinarian. Changes to the dogs life such as food changes, medications or supplements added or discontinued, stress or significant life events, injuries, and any new or abnormal behaviors should be documented. Based on the history provided and a physical exam, the veterinarian will perform necessary diagnostic tests.

So, get Fido that check up and you can get peace of mind!

Do Older Dogs Eat Less?

Studies have shown that older dogs require an average of 20% fewer calories to keep the same weight as their younger counterparts. Senior dogs who continue to eat the same quantities on the same diet may start gaining weight: as dogs enter more mature years, it is indeed common for them to add extra weight.Like in humans, changes to the metabolism cause the body to burn fewer calories and store more in the form of adipose (fat) tissue.

As a result, obesity is a frequent issue with older dogs: a nutrition study for aging dogs (link) mentioned that 40% of older dogs are overweight.Most dogs that are considered seniors will do well on a diet with less fat and fewer calories initially.

However, as time goes on and old age progresses to very old age, most dogs begin to lose weight and have difficulty maintaining their body condition.If your dog is entering very old age, this could be the reason for the weight loss.

This stage of life actually requires more calories and readily digestible protein sources to help the very elderly dog keep lean muscle. Complicating matters for these very old pups, decreased appetite, due to changes in taste and smell, can make eating a difficult task: physical issues such as arthritis can make picking up, chewing, and swallowing food difficult.

A consultation with a veterinarian is essential to address any medical conditions and identify a diet tailored to your senior dogs specific needs.

It may be helpful to raise food bowls off the ground, add substances to improve the smell and taste of the food, and use foods that are calorically dense with easily digestible protein sources. Dogs with specific medical conditions may also require special diets. Read our 9 Tips to Get Your Old Dog To Eat More.

Related posts about senior dog nutrition:

• Dr. Jamie Whittenburg is a Veterinarian Director at 'Senior Tail Waggers' and Director and Owner of Kingsgate Animal Hospital, a full-service animal hospital in Lubbock, TX. She graduated from Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and has over 17 years of experience working as a veterinarian & hospital director.

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• Dr Jo De Klerk, BVetMed (Hons) MScTAH MRCVS, is a principal Veterinarian at JDK Veterinarian Services . She is a board-certified veterinarian, who earned her Honors of Veterinary Medicine from the prestigious Royal Veterinary College in London in 2014. She is registered with the RCVS and SAVC and has a Masters degree in Animal Health and a Certificate in Veterinary Pain Management. She is the author of 11 books including "Old Dog Love: A Common-Sense Guide to Caring for Your Senior Dog", and a writer for Veterinary Practice Today.

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Disclaimer: This website's content is not a substitute for veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian for healthcare decisions. Read More.