A dog that's slowed down with age still enjoys mealtime just as much, so the trick with a "lite" food is keeping it satisfying while quietly cutting the calories, rather than a recipe that just feels like less food for the same dog.

Autarky's Mature Lite Succulent Salmon is built around salmon at 30% and rice at 16%, with oats, maize, unmolassed beet pulp, chicken meal, potato, peas, alfalfa and added glucosamine, taurine and carnitine. Autarky describe it as a moderate-calorie recipe, with protein at 22%, fat at 5% — notably lower than a standard adult food — fibre at 6.5% and ash at 6.0%.

• 2kg bag, moderate-calorie dry food
• Salmon 30%, rice 16%
• Protein 22%, fat 5.0%, fibre 6.5%, ash 6.0%
• Glucosamine added for joint support; taurine and carnitine for heart health
• Autarky describe the recipe as hypoallergenic
• Introduce gradually over 5-7 days when switching food

What the label does not say. This recipe is not grain-free — it contains rice, oats and maize — and Autarky's "hypoallergenic" description refers to the recipe generally rather than a guarantee for any specific dog's sensitivities. Feeding amounts are given as a range by weight band (90-145g for a 5-10kg dog, up to 450g+ for 45kg+), to be split across two meals.

Who it's for: owners of a mature or less active dog who wants a lower-fat recipe to help manage weight, without switching to an unfamiliar single-protein diet.