Low Fat Dog Food

Most dogs thrive on diets containing at least a moderate amount of healthy fat, and many active dogs are routinely fed high fat dog foods without problems.

There are, however, dogs that require a low fat dog food, most commonly as a result of illness.

Here is the subjects I am going to touch on this page:

• When to Feed a Low Fat Food
• Homemade Low Fat Dog Food
• Low Fat Foods for Weight Loss
• How Much Fat Is Low Fat

When to Feed a Low Fat Food

The most common reasons a low fat dog food is indicated are:

Hyperlipidemia - A condition characterized by elevated levels of fat molecules in the blood. Hyperlipidemia may be primary (usually associated with certain breeds of dogs; e.g., Miniature Schnauzers) or secondary to another disease.

Most commonly hyperlipidemia occurs as a result of hypothyroidism (insufficient production of thyroid hormones), diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes), Cushings disease (hyperadrenocorticism), protein-losing nephropathy (kidney disease resulting in protein loss in the urine), as well as some liver diseases.

A low fat dog food is typically recommended for dogs with serum triglyceride concentrations greater than 500 mg/dl.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency - EPI is a maldigestion disorder characterized by the progressive loss of the pancreatic cells that produce digestive enzymes. Without treatment, dogs with EPI literally starve to death due to their inability to absorb sufficient nutrients from the food they eat.

Traditionally, low fat dog foods have been recommended in cases of EPI, but recent research suggests that dogs with EPI often respond better to a diet with moderate levels of fat than a low fat diet.

Whether or not fat needs to be restricted in cases of EPI depends on the individual dog. There is also evidence indicating that hydrolyzed protein sources can be beneficial. Moreover, some dogs with EPI do very well on a grain-free diet.

Regardless of whether grains are fed, fiber levels should be low (no more than 4%). Finally, medium-chain triglycerides (a type of fat that does not require pancreatic enzymes for digestion) found in unrefined coconut oil are very helpful in cases of EPI.

Pancreatitis - Pancreatitis is a disorder characterized by inflammation of the pancreas. It may be acute or chronic.

Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly and can be life-threatening, while chronic pancreatitis is characterized by recurring or persistent low-grade inflammation of the pancreas. Periodic flare-ups of chronic pancreatitis can turn into acute pancreatitis.

While a low fat dog food is always indicated in the immediate aftermath of acute pancreatitis, it's not always necessary for dogs to remain on a low fat diet for life after a single episode of pancreatitis.

High fat meals, however, should be avoided if there is any history of pancreatitis at all. In cases of chronic pancreatitis or repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis, a low fat diet is highly recommended.

There are other conditions (IBD, for instance) that may respond to a low fat dog food. I suggest you talk to your vet if you think your dog may benefit from reduced dietary fat levels.

Homemade Low Fat Dog Food

Is possible to do as well. If your dog refuse to eat commercial low fat diets you can see if Homemade Low Fat Dog Food is more successful.

Low Fat Dog Foods for Weight Loss?

Many weight management dog foods are formulated with low levels of fat based on the fact that a gram of fat provides 9 calories, compared to 4 calories per gram for proteins and carbohydrates.

Unfortunately most of these dog foods are also low in protein and high in carbohydrates and fiber. In theory, the fiber is supposed to help dogs feel satisfied on less food or lower calorie fare. In practice, it doesn't quite work that way.

Research demonstrates that neither soluble, nor insoluble fiber increases satiation or promotes weight loss in dogs. Moreover, when high amounts of fiber are combined with low levels of fat and protein as is frequently the case, there is a significant risk of long-term nutrient deficiencies.

If your dog needs to lose weight or has a tendency to put on weight, a better approach for weight management consists of a diet that's high in protein with a moderate to low amount of fat, and low levels of carbohydrate.

How Much Fat Is Low Fat?

You find out how you can calculate the amount of fat in your dogs normal food or low fat dog food. This is important to know as you just can’t look to see the percentage of fat in the dog food and go for the one showing lowest percent value.

It also depends on the energy density of the food as well.

If you look to see the percentage of fat in the dog food and go for the one showing lowest percent value it might not be that one with the lowest fat content.

Confused?

You wont be after reading How Much Fat Is Low Fat page.