High Protein Low Calorie Dog Food

Dogs that are overweight or obese may need a radical change in their diets in order to lose the extra pounds and get healthier. Most veterinarians will recommend a switch to a diet high in proteins but low in calories and fat in order to ensure weight loss that doesn't affect health or energy. There are a few companies leading the market in high-protein formulas right now.

Hill's high-protein, low-calorie dog food is ideal for pets who are overweight or dealing with medical conditions directly related to their weight (such as diabetes or Cushing's Disease). This is also the only commercial dog food widely available that is high in fiber. Hill's Science foods do contain a lot of grains, including rice brand, peanut hulls and ground oats, so they are not ideal for dogs that need to have their blood sugar in check. Also, keep in mind that the food contains ground whole grain corn, which many dogs are allergic to. The company also sells a RD Hill's Science Diet formula, available only through veterinarians. Prices vary from $20 to $40 for a 20-lb. bag, depending on the type you choose.

Dick Van Patten's Original Ultra Reduced Calorie Formula for Dogs is made with premium quality meats, using no bones or other animal by-products, making it higher in protein that most dog foods in the market. It also contains lots of vegetables and healthy vegetables, including carrots, fresh potatoes and brown rice. Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils help make this dog food not only nutritious, but also optimal to improve the health of coat and vision. There are no artificial preservatives, dyes or flavorings added. The food contains 27 percent less calories than the company's standard formula, which is already lower in calories than most available dog foods. A 15-lb. bag sells for about $30.

Royal Canin has several low-calorie formulas, the most popular being its Canine Calorie Control CC 32 High Protein Dry Food. The food is only available with a prescription, directly from your veterinarian. The formula is lower in calories than other dog foods, but higher in protein (to ensure that your dog won't lose lean body mass while losing weight). The food is also enriched with L-carnitine, antioxidants and glucosamine to ensure optimal health despite the reduced content of fat and calories. A 16-lb. bag sells for $38.99.

If you want more options, you can always look for dog food with certain labels on it to ensure that you are sticking to the low-calorie, high-protein formulas. Foods that claim to be "light" or "lite" are usually at the same level than those that are low calorie, so they could be easily exchanged. Be careful of those that read "reduced calories," though, as this only means the formula has fewer calories than the original formula, which can still mean the total numbers are high. Also, formulas that are not especially formulated for overweight dogs may not contain higher amounts of protein, so they should be chosen carefully.

Many vets recommend homemade recipes for overweight dogs who need a diet high in protein but low in calories. This can be easily accomplished by using raw meat, eggs (but control the amount of yolks, as they're high in phosphorus) and chicken, and mixing this with high-quality veggies such as carrots for added fiber. High-fiber foods increase the satiety level without providing too many calories, making them a great choice for overweight pets.