Low-fat dog food as a diet food

When looking for the best dog food for your four-legged friend, you sometimes come across a wide variety of different types of dog food. Hypoallergenic dog food , low-carb dog food or simply grain-free dog food . There is a huge selection of diet food for dogs. We'll tell you when you should switch to low-fat dog food and whether it's suitable for every dog.

Function of fats in our four-legged friends: Does highly digestible dog food have any benefit?

Fats, also known as "lipids", are chemical compounds made of glycerin and fatty acids. Before they are absorbed into the bloodstream, they must be broken down by enzymes into smaller components - the fatty acids. These have many functions in the bodies of our furry friends. Fatty acids are not only needed to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Stored in cell membranes, they also influence the condition of the skin and mucous membranes as well as the immune system. But what is probably best known is that stored in the body's own fatty tissue, fats not only serve as protection against the cold, but also as an energy store in times of food shortages.

Fats have very diverse functions. However, not all fatty acids are absorbed through food. For example, the dog's body can produce fats from carbohydrates. Accordingly, the intake of fats in the diet is only necessary for essential fatty acids such as omega-3 fatty acids or α-linolenic acid.

Fats are basically not bad and are important for the bodies of our four-legged friends. However, things get difficult when the little ones suffer from diseases such as pancreatitis, i.e. inflammation of the pancreas, or a chronic intestinal disease .

Pancreatitis: Low Carb as a Treatment

Pancreatitis in dogs, also known as pancreatitis, is an inflammation of the large gland of the digestive tract. When healthy, the pancreas of dogs produces digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin and, above all, helps to digest the food in the dog's stomach.

There are several reasons why pancreatitis can occur in dogs, for example due to certain medications, very fatty diets, as a result of obesity, local circulatory disorders or bacterial infections. Among other things, pancreatitis can also be inherited. Although all four-legged friends can get pancreatitis, boxers, collies and Yorkshire terriers are particularly known to be affected by pancreatitis. In the long term, serious injuries can damage the liver, heart and kidneys of the furry friends.

Since the pancreas no longer produces enough digestive enzymes, dogs with pancreatitis have difficulty digesting carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Low-fat dog food is therefore a good alternative so that your furry friend can once again run around the lawn without any problems. This highly digestible dog food can alleviate symptoms and reduce health problems. Low-fat dog food can also prevent the disease from progressing. Divided into three to five meals a day, low-fat dog food relieves the gastrointestinal tract and thus ensures greater tolerance than normal dog food. It can be helpful, especially in the case of significant weight loss, to consult a vet before switching to low-fat dog food. This way you can get a recommendation on the optimal composition of the highly digestible dog food for your four-legged friend.

Low-calorie and low-fat dog food for a slim figure

Has your furry friend lost a little of his dream figure over the winter? Low-fat dog food can not only be useful for pancreatitis, but can also help to reduce your four-legged friend's weight. Obesity in dogs can lead to various diseases such as diabetes and arthritis. In addition to sufficient exercise, temporarily changing the diet can be a useful way to reduce weight. This way, your furry friend can once again jump around the fields lively and full of energy in the spring.

The advantages of high-quality low-carb diet food

In addition to preventing disease, low-fat dog food has several other benefits, which we have listed here:

• Reduction/inhibition of the progression of pancreatitis
• Weight loss in dogs with obesity or overweight
• Easily digestible
• Reduces the formation of fatty tissue around the internal organs in older or inactive dogs

Low-fat dog food is therefore not only suitable for dogs that are overweight or have pancreatitis, but can also be used for digestive problems or for older and inactive dogs.

Types of low-protein and low-fat dog food

As with any dog ​​food, the question arises with low-fat dog food: wet or dry food? We have listed the advantages and disadvantages for you.

wet food

As with other dog foods, low-fat wet food is particularly suitable for dogs that are reluctant to drink. This means that the amount of liquid consumed can be increased, as wet food consists of 75% moisture. Wet food is therefore easier to digest than dry food and is therefore particularly suitable for dogs with digestive problems.

dry food

The advantages of dry food are of course its long shelf life and ease of use. In addition, croquettes prevent plaque and support the dog's natural chewing instinct. However, dogs that are fed only low-fat dry food have to drink eight times as much as a dog that is fed wet food. This can be a hindrance during a bout of pancreatitis in combination with diarrhea and an already existing lack of water.

Cold-pressed dog food

When cold-pressing dog food, high temperatures and pressure are avoided. This preserves the important vital substances and minerals in the pellets. Although there is a theoretical risk of higher bacterial contamination, cold-pressed food offers advantages such as ease of handling and a longer shelf life. However, pay attention to water consumption: If your dog has problems with the pancreas, you should pay particular attention to ensuring that he drinks enough.