Homemade Treats to Help Your Dog Shed Excess Weight Recipes for Weight Loss

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

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5 Homemade Weight Loss Dog Food Recipes: Vet Approved Tips

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Many dog owners across the US struggle with their dogs weight and are trying to help their pets lose that weight. Before you start to panic or worry too much, try these homemade dog food choices, as they can help your pet healthily lose weight. They are all high in protein and low in fat or carbs, providing your dog with all the healthy nutrients they need.

Read the recipes we have listed for you below and try some of them outyoull surely notice an improvement!

The 5 Homemade Weight Loss Dog Food Recipes

1. High-Protein, Low-Fat, Beef, and Cod Recipe

Ingredients:	Lean ground beef, beef liver, cod, bell pepper, pumpkin puree, walnut oil, vitamin supplements
Total prep time:	45 minutes1 hour
Calories per recipe:	784 kcal
Fat:	19%
Protein:	60%
Carbohydrates:	21%

This high-protein, low-fat beef and cod homemade food is fantastic for your dogs, especially if you want them to lose weight. It has around 60% protein and other necessary nutrients to nourish your dog. While you may want to reduce carbs and fat, your dogs diet must contain a certain amount of healthy fats and proteins to prevent nutrient deficiencies. The beef in this recipe contains beneficial vitamins and minerals such as zinc, iron, selenium, vitamins A, B, B12, and B6. The pumpkin puree is an excellent source of fiber, and the whole bell pepper contains vitamins C, B6, and K1.

2. Healthy, Low-Fat, Homemade Dog Food

Ingredients:	Carrots, sweet potato, lentils, ground turkey or chicken, spinach, water
Total prep time:	30 minutes
Calories per recipe:	301 kcal
Fat:	37 g
Protein:	60%
Carbohydrates:	32 g

This healthy homemade meal will provide your dog with all the essential nutrients in a balanced amount to allow them to lose weight while staying healthy. The recipe contains plenty of animal-based protein, healthy fats, fiber for a healthy digestive tract, and vitamins. It is delicious too, so even the pickiest pups will adore this meal.

It takes only 30 minutes to prepare the entire meal, and you can make bigger batches and freeze them to save yourself some time.

3. Low-Carb Chicken Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:	Ground chicken, egg, coconut flour, fresh parsley
Total prep time:	40 minutes
Calories per recipe:	40
Fat:	2%
Protein:	4%
Carbohydrates:	0%

Another fundamental food to consider is the treats you give to your puppy. Especially when your puppy is still growing, too many treats during training can quickly lead to weight gain. Finding the perfect treats that are both healthy for their bodies and delicious enough can be tricky, but with this low-carb recipe, you wont have to search anymore. These chicken biscuits are incredibly healthy and only have four ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

The entire prep time takes about 40 minutes, and your puppy can enjoy these delicious treats right away.

4. Healthy High Animal-Protein Dog Food

Ingredients:	Ground beef, ground turkey, tuna, chicken gizzards, cottage cheese, eggs, rice, sweet potato, green peas, cauliflower, broccoli, apple, coconut oil
Total prep time:	1 hour
Calories per recipe:	132 kcal
Fat:	5.2 g
Protein:	12.7 g
Carbohydrates:	5.2 g

This homemade recipe is incredible for your furry friend because it contains all the best ingredients to keep them healthy. All the ingredients that go into making this recipe will ensure your dog gets enough protein, vitamins, and minerals while keeping the fat and carb level to a minimum. It is advisable to use calcium and vitamin supplements along with this recipe to make sure your dog has a balanced meal.

5. Low-Calorie Carrot Dog Treats

Ingredients:	Whole wheat flour, carrots, egg white, bone broth, unsweetened applesauce, chia seeds
Total prep time:	2 hours
Calories per recipe:	125
Fat:	8 kcal
Protein:	0.8g
Carbohydrates:	1.5 g

Another excellent idea for low-calorie treats is these lovely carrot treats with only six ingredients. This recipe is filled with amazing vitamins and minerals that will benefit your dogs mental and physical well-being. It contains vitamins A, C, and B3, along with zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Following this recipe will give you around 125 treats, saving you a lot of time and money on buying commercial dog treats, and it is a much healthier alternative.

Conclusion

After reading these amazing recipes, we encourage you to try some of them out. They require minimal time and effort and usually contain ingredients you already have in your kitchen. One thing is for surethey are delicious! Your dogs will adore eating these homemade meals and hopefully lose weight while doing so.

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Featured Image Credit: angelbandala, Shutterstock

Recipe: Homemade Weight Loss Dog Food

Being overweight is just as dangerous for your dog as it is for you. We know the risks of being overweight, but did you know that many of the risks to overweight humans are the same for overweight pets? If your dog needs to shed a few pounds, thishomemade weight loss dog food may help.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, about 54% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese. This equals about 41.9 million dogs in this country alone that need to lose weight.

New data released fromNationwide the largest provider of health insurance for pets in the United States shows that more than $50 million in pet insurance claims were filed in 2014 for diseases and health conditions related to pet obesity. That is a 10 percent growth since 2012!

Their findings were based on their database of more than 550,000 insured pets. They also released details on the top 10 canine obesity-related conditions in 2014, which were (in order):

Arthritis
Bladder problems/UTI
Low Thyroid Hormone Production
Liver Disease
Torn Ligaments in the Knee
Diabetes
Diseased Disc in the Spine
Fatty Growth
Chronic Kidney Disease
Heart Failure

The moral of this story is that an overweight dog is an unhealthy dog. If you want your pet to live the longest, healthiest life possible, you need to help him shed the extra weight. Ask your veterinarian if this homemade weight loss dog food would be a good solution for your dog's weight problems.

MORE INFORMATION:Dog Gut Microbiome Study What Causes Obesity In Dogs?

Homemade Weight Loss Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients

3 pounds whole wheat macaroni
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 pound ground beef (at least 90% lean)
1/2 pound chicken liver
1/2 pound beef heart
1 egg white
3.5 ounces sardines in water
1 pound broccoli
6,000 mg calcium
1 tsp. kelp meal
200 IUs Vitamin E (about 10 drops)

Directions

When your dog eats more calories in a day than he burns, it leads to weight gain. That's common sense, right? The reason I mention this is because you may just need to adjust the portions you're serving your pooch or increase the amount of exercise he gets each day. You can use commercial weight loss dog foods, but homemade recipes are just as good (if not better in some instances).

Before you switch your dog to a homemade weight loss dog food, consult your vet. They can help you decide whether a change in diet is needed or it's just a matter of portion control and an extra walk in the evening.

There are about 4200 kcal in this recipe, and it has 24 grams of fat per 1000 kcal. Keep in mind that the serving sizes below are only an estimation. Your veterinarian can help you decide the proper serving size for your pet, as age, weight, activity level and metabolism are all factors in figuring out the right amount to feed your pet each day.

Serving sizesper day are as follows:

175 kcal for a 5-pound dog
600 kcal for a 25-pound dog
1000 kcal for a 50-pound dog
1700 kcal for a 100-pound dog

Making this homemade weight loss dog food is pretty simple. Start by boiling the macaroni according to the instructions on the package. You'll also need to chop and boil the broccoli. While that's cooking, cut the chicken thighs, chicken livers and beef heart into bite sized pieces for your pet.

Add the chopped protein sources to a large skillet with the ground beef. Cook on medium heat until all the meat is thoroughly cooked. When the meat is completely cooked, add the egg white to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes until the egg white is cooked through.

In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, cooked protein sources, sardines, cooked broccoli, calcium, kelp meal and vitamin E. Stir until all of the ingredients are equally mixed.

Store the leftover homemade weight loss dog food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also make this food in bulk quantities and freeze it for up to 3 months.

READ NEXT:Ask A Vet How To Put An Overweight Dog On A Diet

Low Fat Dog Treats

These homemade low fat dog treats are made with oat flour, oats, pumpkin, and applesauce. They are a tasty snack for your furry friend!

So if you are looking for a great recipe for healthy low fat treats for dogs, youve found it! Now you can make your own with simple ingredients.

FYI This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Easy Low Fat Dog Treats Recipe

It doesnt take a lot of time to make these tasty treats. You dont have to roll out the dough and cut it with cookie cutters. Just shape it into balls and bake. The total time to make the treats is about 30 minutes.

Great for obese dogs in a weight loss plan. Not only are these low fat, they are also low calorie dog treats.

Theyre also great treats for dogs with pancreatitis or other health issues that require a low fat diet.

Best Treats For Obese or Overweight Dogs

This homemade dog treat recipe is a great way to give your dog something tasty without worrying about it affecting their calorie intake.

Since youll form them into bite-sized pieces, you dont have to worry about your pup overeating them. Plus, making your own dog treats lets you control all the ingredients. So if you think your dog needs to eat more fiber or protein, you can adjust the recipe.

This is a great option if your dog still asks for treats but you want to restrict their calorie intake and help them shed pounds.

The Best Things About Low Fat Homemade Dog Treats

Your furry friend will gobble up homemade treats and making them is a fantastic way to save money too! These natural dog treats cost less than store-bought and have dog-safe ingredients with no preservatives.

One treat has only 2 grams of fat.

These baked dog treats have a soft texture so they are great for senior dogs or dogs without teeth. They are full of wholesome ingredients that will help your dog maintain a healthy weight too.

Recipe Ingredients

The entire list of ingredients, quantities of each, and the step-by-step directions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post including nutritional information. First, I want to share a bit more information about the delicious ingredients.

Heres a list of what you need for this low fat dog biscuit recipe. If you want to make organic dog treats, make sure you use organic ingredients.

Oat Flour The base for the baked treats. Has healthy fats which lower the risk of heart disease.
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats For texture and added nutrients such as folic acid.
Banana A healthy fruit that helps bind the dough. A great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and essential fatty acids.
Pumpkin Puree A healthy vegetable dogs love.
Unsweetened Applesauce Adds moisture and a little sweetness.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

When you make this easy recipe for low fat dog treats, here are a few notes to keep in mind:

You can substitute pumpkin with plain mashed sweet potatoes or shredded carrots.

Do not use pumpkin pie filling because it may contain spices toxic to dogs.

You can make your own oat flour by placing uncooked old-fashioned rolled oats in a blender and blending until it has the consistency of flour.

For very low fat treats, substitute oat flour with brown rice flour. There are only 2.2 grams of fat in 1 cup of rice flour. They will also be low fat grain free dog treats.

If you use any other type of flour, such as all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour, the end results may vary due to the difference in the flour. They will not be gluten-free if using flour made from wheat.

Equipment Needed

You probably have most of the kitchen items you need to make these treats. Here are a few of them just in case:

How to Make Low Fat Dog Treats

These are the recipe steps and photos of the process for making low fat dog treats. I hope they help you make this healthy dog treats recipe!

You can scroll down to the bottom of this article for a printable recipe card.

Slice the banana and place the banana slices, pumpkin puree, and applesauce in a medium bowl.

Stir them until combined and smooth.

Add the flour and oats to the mixing bowl.

Stir until everything is mixed together.

Scoop out the dough and shape it into balls. Coat the balls with oats. Place them on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper (or use a non-stick baking sheet).

Bake in a conventional oven at 350F for about 20 minutes.

Transfer the baked treats to a wire rack to cool.

Serving Size and Information

How many homemade dog treats should you give to your canine companion? That depends on what else they ate that day because you need to consider your pets total daily intake. Being mindful of a dogs food consumption is just as important as it is with a human family member.

It also depends on the size of your dog. Small dogs need fewer calories than larger dogs. Maintaining a dogs healthy weight is important, so keep that in mind when feeding your dog treats in addition to their regular food.

Dogs also shouldnt overeat too many carbs, including healthy homemade dog treats. For this reason, I suggest only giving your pup one treat per day. Or perhaps two on special days.

How to Store Homemade Low Fat Dog Treats

Place the cooled treats in an airtight container or plastic zip-top bag. Store them in the refrigerator.

How long do homemade low fat dog treats last?

These homemade low fat dog treats will last up to 5 days when stored in the fridge in a sealed container.

For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag and freeze them. They will last up to 3 months when frozen. You can also use a vacuum sealer if you have one.

Can humans eat these low fat treats for dogs?

They sure can! Everything in these dog treats is safe for human consumption.

More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

Want to make more tasty treats for your dog? Check these out:

Not in the mood for making homemade dog treats? Check out my favorite dog treats on my Amazon dog treats list.

Low Fat Dog Treats

Tasty low fat dog treats are a healthy snack for your furry friend.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes Cook Time 20 minutes minutes Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

1 Ripe Banana
cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1 cup Pumpkin Puree or Shredded Carrots
2 cups Oat Flour
cup Old Fashioned Oats divided use

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F.
Slice the banana into a medium bowl.
Add applesauce and pumpkin puree. Stir to combine until the mixture is smooth.
Add flour and cup of oats and mix well.
Scoop out a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. You may need a little flour to coat your hands.
Roll the ball in the remaining oats.
Repeat making the balls with the dough and oats.
Place the balls on a non-stick baking sheet or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes.
Transfer the baked treats to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.