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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Fat has a complicated history in human dietary trends, but it’s a necessary component of a balanced diet for dogs. In addition to being a concentrated energy source, fat is required to absorb specific vitamins and plays a crucial role in essential bodily processes.
A low-fat diet isn’t the best choice for many dogs—even for those who need to lose weight. That said, some dogs have trouble tolerating high levels of dietary fat. Veterinarians typically reserve low-fat dog food recommendations for pups with pancreatitis, liver disease, or irritable bowel syndrome.
If your veterinarian recommends low-fat dog food, there are plenty of options. We’ve assembled a list of nutritionally complete, low-fat recipes in various categories to help you choose the best food for your dog’s individual needs and preferences.
Best Wet: Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken in Gravy Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
Featuring boneless, skinless chicken breast as the primary ingredient, this wet dog food from Weruva contains 9.3% fat measured as dry matter. (We’ve converted all key nutrients into dry matter to better compare the different types of food on our list.) Because it’s very low in fat, it’s also fairly low in calories—keep this in mind when determining how much to feed your dog.
The texture of the food is similar to shredded cooked chicken mixed with a smooth gravy. Potato starch and xanthan gum are the only carbohydrate sources, mainly used to thicken the gravy.
Given its limited-ingredient formulation, this wet food is easily digestible for dogs. It’s rich in animal-sourced protein with minimal carbohydrate content. (Note: While this recipe doesn’t contain fish ingredients, it may be processed on equipment shared with Weruva’s fish-based pet foods.)
Key Nutrients:
- 675 kcal/kg
- Protein: 66.7%
- Fat: 9.3%
- Fiber: 3.3%
- Moisture: 85%
Ingredients: Chicken (Boneless, Skinless, White Breast), Water Sufficient for Processing, Potato Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement
Find on Chewy Find on Amazon Find on PetcoBest Dry: SquarePet VFS Digestive Support Low Fat Formula Dry Dog Food
If your dog prefers the crunchy texture of dry dog food, consider this low-fat formula from SquarePet. It relies primarily on animal-sourced protein from fish ingredients, with a protein content of nearly 28% and a fat content of under 7%.
This recipe also features an easily digestible formula comprised largely of animal proteins and whole grains. To further support digestive health, the food is enriched with probiotics and prebiotic fiber.
As with any dry dog food, this formula is much lower in moisture than the average canned or fresh dog food. Ensure your dog has plenty of fresh water available to support their hydration. This is especially important for dogs with pancreatitis who are prone to dehydration due to chronic vomiting or diarrhea.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,495 kcal/kg
- Protein: 27.8%
- Fat: 6.7%
- Fiber: 4.4%
- Moisture: 10%
Ingredients: Ocean Whitefish Meal, Ocean Whitefish, White Rice, Tapioca, Quinoa, Brown Rice, Miscanthus Grass, Natural Flavor, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Chicory Root, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamins (Ascorbic Acid (Source of Vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Minerals (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Salt, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product
Find on Chewy Find on AmazonBest Dehydrated: The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Fish & Oat Recipe
This dehydrated formula from The Honest Kitchen features nutrient-rich whole grains with white fish as a lean source of protein. Measured as dry matter, the food contains 30.6% protein and 9.8% fat. At about 97 calories per ounce, the caloric density is somewhere between the average dry dog food and wet dog food.
In contrast to kibble cooked at high temperatures, dehydrated dog food is rendered shelf-stable by removing the moisture. Its texture is similar to freeze-dried raw dog food, and the product is designed to be rehydrated before feeding. Consider soaking it in bone broth to give your dog a boost of beneficial nutrition.
Compared to the brand’s other flavors, this fish recipe contains 5.4% less dry matter fat than The Honest Kitchen’s whole-grain chicken recipe. And while the fat content is similar to the brand’s whole-grain beef formula, this fish recipe offers over 5% more protein on a dry matter basis.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,400 kcal/kg
- Protein: 30.6%
- Fat: 9.8%
- Fiber: 5.5%
- Moisture: 8.5%
Ingredients: Dehydrated White Fish, Organic Barley, Organic Oats, Dehydrated Eggs, Organic Flaxseed, Dehydrated Potatoes, Dehydrated Carrots, Dehydrated Pumpkin, Dried Parsley, Minerals [Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite], Taurine, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement]
Find on Chewy Find on Amazon Find on PetcoBest Subscription: Ollie Fresh Dog Food (Verified Review)
While some dogs can benefit from a low-fat diet, it’s important to keep your dog’s calorie needs in mind when shopping for dog food. A fresh dog food subscription service like Ollie might be useful if you need help determining how much to feed your dog,
When you sign up for Ollie, you’ll provide basic details about your dog, like their age, weight, and health status. Ollie then uses that information to estimate your dog’s calorie requirements and sends you the appropriate amount of food each month—or according to your schedule of choice. In our testing, we found Ollie to be a convenient fresh-food option that was more affordable than some of the competition. We were also impressed with the degree of customizability and appreciated the safety and nutrition guardrails set in place.
All of Ollie’s fresh dog food recipes feature a single source of animal protein. This Chicken with Carrots recipe offers one of the lowest concentrations of fat—about 11.5% measured as dry matter.
Key Nutrients (for Chicken with Carrots recipe):
- 1,298 kcal/kg
- Protein: 30.8%
- Fat: 11.5%
- Fiber: 7.7%
- Moisture: 74%
Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Carrots, Chicken Livers, Peas, Potatoes, Spinach, Cranberries, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salmon Oil, Salt, Taurine, Zinc Gluconate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulphate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Potassium Iodide
Find on OllieBest Chicken-Free: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
If your veterinarian recommends a diet both low in fat and chicken-free, this dry dog food from Natural Balance could be a good option. It’s also a limited-ingredient formula with a relatively short list of whole foods to help improve digestibility.
With salmon and menhaden fish meal as the main ingredients, this dry food contains 26.7% protein and 11.1% fat. Both these ingredients contain omega-3 fatty acids, but menhaden fish oil offers a concentrated source. Omega-3s are good for your dog’s skin and coat and may also provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,450 kcal/kg
- Protein: 26.7%
- Fat: 11.1%
- Fiber: 5%
- Moisture: 10%
Ingredients: Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Tapioca Starch, Potatoes, Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Brewers Dried Yeast, Potato Protein, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Dl-Methionine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Dicalcium Phosphate, Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Rosemary Extract
Find on Chewy Find on Amazon Find on PetcoBest Fresh: JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni (Verified Review)
Pet parents who like the idea of fresh food but don’t want to sign up for a subscription plan may find JustFoodForDogs a good fit. This brand offers an assortment of gently cooked frozen and shelf-stable high-moisture foods that pet parents can order from various online sources.
Made with turkey muscle meat and turkey liver, this Pantry Fresh recipe is rich in lean protein, which our Rover test pup found especially tasty. It contains 32% protein and just 8% fat. It’s also fairly low-calorie, with just 35 calories per ounce. Compared to the brand’s other flavors, it contains nearly 4% less dry matter fat than the Chicken & White Rice recipe but offers comparable protein content.
Key Nutrients:
- 1,235 kcal/kg
- Protein: 32%
- Fat: 8%
- Fiber: 6%
- Moisture: 75%
Ingredients: Turkey, Whole Wheat Macaroni, Carrots, Zucchini, Broccoli, Tapioca Starch, Turkey Liver, Cranberries, Cod Liver Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Bitartrate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Iodide, Taurine, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Ferrous Fumarate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Niacin, Manganese Gluconate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid
Find on Chewy Find on Amazon Find on Petco Find on Just Food for DogsBest for Seniors: Stella & Chewy’s Wild Red Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Stew
As they start to slow down with age, senior dogs often require fewer calories than active adult dogs. Protein remains integral, however, in helping to support lean muscle mass. This Chicken & Turkey Stew from Stella & Chewy’s offers a moisture-rich, digestible protein source with limited fat content.
Measured as dry matter, this formula contains 46.7% protein and just 13.3% fat. The food consists of shreds of chicken and turkey with bite-sized chunks of carrot and potatoes. Numerous dog parents comment that even their picky eaters find the formula appealing.
All three of Stella & Chewy’s Wild Red stews offer comparable dry matter protein and fat content. This Chicken & Turkey recipe is the most calorie-dense, however, which helps ensure senior dogs get the calories they need without having to eat large portions.
Key Nutrients:
- 922 kcal/kg
- Protein: 46.7%
- Fat: 13.3%
- Fiber: 13.3%
- Moisture: 85%
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Pumpkin, Carrots, Turkey, Potatoes, Tapioca, Sunflower Oil, Salt, Flaxseed Oil, Guar Gum, Calcium Sulfate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Potassium Iodide, Beta-carotene, Folic Acid
Find on Chewy Find on Amazon Find on PetcoBest for Small Breeds: Tiki Dog Aloha Petites Variety Pack Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
Packaged in 3.5-ounce pouches, Tiki Dog wet food is a convenient choice for small breed dogs. This variety pack includes six chicken-based formulas. While the Chicken Huli Huli recipe is a single-protein formula, the other five are supplemented with additional protein sources like shrimp, tuna, beef, salmon, or duck.
Featuring chicken muscle meat and chicken organs, this low-fat Tiki Dog recipe contains 50% dry matter protein and 12.5% fat. Of the six recipes in this Tiki Dog variety pack, the Chicken Huli Huli recipe is the least calorie-dense. All six formulas offer equal dry matter protein, fat, and fiber content.
Key Nutrients (for Chicken Huli Huli recipe):
- 745 kcal/kg
- Protein: 8%
- Fat: 12.5%
- Fiber: 12.5%
- Moisture: 84%
Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Mung Bean, Sweet Potato, Carrot, Chicken Heart, Chicken Gizzard, Kale, Sunflower Oil, Canola Oil, Locust Bean Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Flaxseed, Tuna Oil, Disodium Pyrophosphate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Turmeric Powder, Calcium Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Reduced Iron, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Copper Glycine Complex, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Biotin Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Beta-Carotene, Folic Acid
Find on Chewy Find on Amazon Find on PetcoBest for Large Breeds: Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe with Freeze-Dried Turkey
To help support lean muscle mass in large-breed dogs, this dry dog food from the Wellness CORE line is infused with pieces of freeze-dried turkey. It delivers about 39% protein, primarily from turkey muscle meat, turkey meal, and chicken meal. In addition to digestible animal protein, these poultry meals also supply joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin.
Chicken fat is the primary source of fat in this recipe, though it also contains omega-3-rich salmon oil, with a fat content of 11.1%. This food is marketed as a healthy weight maintenance formula, so it’s a little lower in calories than the average dry food at about 94 calories per ounce.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,301 kcal/kg
- Protein: 38.9%
- Fat: 11.1%
- Fiber: 14.4%
- Moisture: 10%
Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal (source of Glucosamine), Chicken Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Lentils, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Ground Flaxseed, Tomato Pomace, Turkey Liver, Turkey Hearts, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavor, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Spinach, Broccoli, Carrots, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Kale, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract
Find on Chewy Find on Amazon Find on PetcoBest for Picky Eaters: Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Lamb, Brown Rice & Pearled Barley Whole Grain Dog Food
Every dog has their own preferences for food flavor and texture. When your dog stops eating their regular food, switching to a new flavor can sometimes help. Numerous pet parents report finicky dogs enjoying this multi-protein dry food from Solid Gold. Featuring plenty of animal protein from lamb, fish, and eggs, this recipe relies primarily on animal-sourced fats to help provide flavor. The food contains 24.4% protein, 11.1% fat, and 97 calories per ounce.
While many of Solid Gold’s recipes are grain-free, this Hund-n-Flocken formula is grain-inclusive. Nutrient-rich brown rice, pearled barley, and oatmeal are the primary carbohydrate sources.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,410 kcal/kg
- Protein: 24.4%
- Fat: 11.1%
- Fiber: 4.4%
- Moisture: 10%
Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, Chickpeas, Peas, Rice Bran, Ocean Fish Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Eggs, Ground Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Carrots, Salmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Pumpkin, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid), Blueberries, Cranberries, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Rosemary Extract, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product
Find on Chewy Find on Amazon Find on PetcoHow We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive analysis of customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We chose dog food formulated according to AAFCO’s nutrient profiles for dogs, prioritizing nutritionally complete recipes that contain a maximum of 15% dry matter fat. Our picks are also influenced by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
