Weight control dry dog food
Weight control dry food is formulated with fewer calories per bowlful than a standard adult recipe, usually by increasing fibre and protein relative to fat, so a dog can eat a similar-feeling portion while taking in less energy. It's aimed at dogs that are overweight or prone to putting weight on easily, rather than a general swap for every adult dog.
How weight control food differs
The main change from a standard recipe is calorie density — weight control formulas are built to be lower in fat and often higher in fibre, which helps a dog feel satisfied on a smaller amount of food. Protein is usually kept relatively high alongside this, supporting muscle while the calorie count comes down elsewhere in the recipe.
Several of the ranges we stock are labelled for senior or less active dogs specifically, since metabolism naturally slows with age and activity level, and a dog that's less active generally needs fewer calories than the same dog a few years younger.
Whether it's the right choice
Weight control food makes the most sense for a dog who's already carrying extra weight, one who's been neutered and prone to gaining since, or a breed known to put weight on easily. It isn't automatically the right choice for every senior dog — some stay lean and active well into old age and don't need a lower-calorie diet at all.
Whatever the reason for switching, weigh your dog regularly and adjust the daily amount fed based on the feeding guide and your dog's actual condition, rather than assuming the food alone will manage their weight without any portion control.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Adult Dog Turkey Veg
Complete dry food for adult dogs with turkey, chicken and salmon oil, 21% protein
From£3.39
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Common questions
- Does my dog need weight control food if they're a normal weight?
- Not generally — weight control formulas are designed for dogs that are overweight or prone to gaining, and a dog at a healthy weight doing well on their current food usually doesn't need to switch. If you're unsure whether your dog's weight is a concern, that's a good question for your vet at a routine check.
- Will weight control food make my dog lose weight on its own?
- The food alone rarely does all the work — it supports weight management by reducing calories per portion, but the amount you feed and how much exercise your dog gets both still matter. Follow the feeding guide as a starting point and adjust based on how your dog's weight and condition actually change.
- Is weight control food suitable for puppies?
- No — these formulas are designed for adult dogs and don't provide the higher energy and nutrient levels a growing puppy needs. Puppies should stay on a food formulated for growth, and any weight concern in a young dog is worth discussing with a vet rather than switching to an adult weight formula.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.