How much fat should be in your dog's food? It's one of the questions I'm asked most as a vet, and many owners assume the answer is "as little as possible". That idea comes from decades of low-fat messages in human nutrition, but that thinking doesn't necessarily translate into canine nutrition.
Fat is an essential part of a dog's diet, and dogs handle it very differently from us. In people, diets high in saturated fat are linked to atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty plaque that clogs arteries. Dogs are naturally resistant to it, and in the rare cases they do develop it, there's usually an underlying condition such as an underactive thyroid or diabetes.
What matters is choosing the right fat level for your dog and feeding the right amount, which makes it much easier to keep them lean. And keeping your dog lean is one of the most important things you can do for how long, and how well, they live.
The short answer: Most healthy pet dogs do well on a low to moderate fat dry food, ideally around 12 to 16% fat. Very low-fat diets (under about 10%) are a medical tool for conditions such as pancreatitis. High-fat foods (18 to 20% and above) are designed for dogs with very high energy needs, such as working dogs, canine athletes, and dogs in the third trimester of pregnancy or feeding puppies. For the average family dog, they're easy to overfeed.
Why does keeping your dog lean matter so much?
In a landmark 14-year study of Labradors, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs fed 25% less than their littermates stayed lean and lived a median of 13 years, compared with 11.2 years for their heavier siblings. The lean dogs also stayed healthier for longer, not needing treatment for chronic conditions such as arthritis until 12 years of age on average, compared with 9.9 years.
A much larger study of more than 50,000 pet dogs across 12 breeds, published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, found the same pattern. In every breed, overweight dogs had shorter lives, by as much as two and a half years.
Why do dogs need fat in their diet?
Fat carries essential fatty acids for skin, coat and joints, so every complete dog food has to contain a minimum amount. AAFCO, the nutritional standard many complete and balanced foods (including ours) are formulated to, sets this at 5.5% on a dry matter basis for adult dogs and 8.5% for puppies and All Life Stages foods. Above that, dry dog foods range from around 7 to 8% fat right up to 20% or more.
Fat is also a very concentrated source of energy, and it makes food taste good. We all know that one from our own plates: it's the fat that makes chips, cheese and a good roast so hard to stop eating, and dogs are no different.
Which fat level does your dog need?
| Fat level | Typical fat in dry food (on the label) | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Very low fat | Under about 10% | Dogs with pancreatitis, hyperlipidaemia or certain other medical conditions, on veterinary advice |
| Low to moderate fat | Around 10 to 16% | Most pet dogs |
| High fat | 18 to 20% and above | Working dogs, hunting dogs, canine athletes, and mothers in late pregnancy or feeding puppies |
Very low fat (usually under 10%)
Diets this low in fat are prescribed for dogs with acute or recurrent pancreatitis, hyperlipidaemia (high blood fat levels) and a few other specific medical conditions. Some foods marketed as everyday diets are under 10% fat, but healthy dogs gain nothing from going this low.
Low to moderate fat (around 10 to 16%)
Suits most pet dogs, from couch companions to dogs who get a good daily walk or run.
High fat (18 to 20% and above)
Built for working farm dogs, hunting dogs and serious canine athletes. Dogs in the third trimester of pregnancy or feeding puppies can also benefit, as their energy needs can be several times higher than normal, especially large-breed mums with big litters.
These foods often contain 4,000 kcal/kg or more of energy, and all that fat makes them very tasty. For the average family dog, that combination makes them very easy to overfeed.
Breeding your dog? Read Feeding pregnant and lactating dogs for detailed guidance on what to feed and when.
Can fatty food upset a dog's stomach?
Yes, it can. Fat is the most complex nutrient for dogs to digest. That's why some dogs with sensitive digestion settle better when they move from a high-fat food to a low or moderate one, and why a sudden jump in fat, from rich leftovers or a new food, can cause an upset tummy.
In the worst case scenario, a fatty meal can trigger pancreatitis.
What fat level is best for a dog with pancreatitis?
Therapeutic low-fat diets are used for dogs with acute pancreatitis, and dogs with chronic or recurrent pancreatitis often need them for life. However, as very low-fat foods tend to be less palatable, long-term feeding can be a challenge.
Where possible, I like to see dogs that have fully recovered from an episode of pancreatitis, and whose fasting triglyceride (blood fat) levels are back to normal, move back onto a diet of around 12 to 14% fat. Many dogs who have had pancreatitis do well on a low to moderate fat food.
If your dog has had pancreatitis, talk to your vet about whether a low to moderate fat food suits them, and I'm always happy to answer questions about our food.
Which dog breeds are prone to high blood fats?
Hyperlipidaemia (high blood fat levels) is very common in Miniature Schnauzers, and can also occur in breeds such as Shetland Sheepdogs, Bull Terriers, Briards, Rough Collies, Dobermans and Rottweilers. High blood fats raise the risk of pancreatitis, which is why many owners of these breeds specifically choose to feed a low to moderate fat diet.
What fat level is best for a dog that needs to lose weight?
Gram for gram, fat provides more than twice the calories of protein or carbohydrate. That's why diets designed for weight management or weight loss are usually lower in fat, so your dog can eat a satisfying amount of food for fewer calories.
But it's total calories that count: if you overfeed a low-fat food, your dog can still put on kilos.
It's also why Ocean Fish works well as an everyday food for keeping your dog at a healthy weight. It sits in the low to moderate range at 12% fat, isn't too high in calories at 3,720 kcal per kilo, and contains 28% protein, mostly from fish rather than plants, which is why dogs still love the taste.
If your dog needs to lose a little weight, you can often use Ocean Fish for that too, simply by feeding a carefully measured, smaller amount.
This is where the protein really matters. When a dog loses weight, you want them to lose fat, not muscle. Good-quality animal protein helps them hold on to their muscle while the fat comes off, and helps keep them feeling full.
Dogs with a significant amount of weight to lose usually do better on a veterinary weight-loss diet, which is lower in calories, higher in protein and usually noticeably higher in fibre than a standard diet, so they stay full and keep their muscle.
How do I compare the fat content of different dog foods?
The fat figure on a label includes the food's moisture, which makes comparisons between foods with different moisture levels tricky. To compare fairly, convert to a dry matter basis:
- Subtract the moisture percentage from 100 to get the dry matter.
- Divide the fat percentage by the dry matter, then multiply by 100.
For example, a dry food with 12% fat and 10% moisture is about 13% fat on a dry matter basis. A wet food with 4% fat and 78% moisture is about 18% fat on a dry matter basis, which is higher than it first looks.
Why does a dog food label say "minimum" fat?
Pet food labels list fat as a guaranteed minimum. It's a labelling requirement, not a sign the food is high in fat: it means the food contains at least that amount, and the actual level is usually close to it. A food labelled "minimum 12% fat" is still a low to moderate fat food.
Do senior dogs need a low-fat diet?
Not automatically. Many older dogs need fewer calories as they slow down, but that's best managed by adjusting portions rather than cutting fat. Older dogs naturally lose muscle, so good-quality protein matters more with age, not less. A low-fat diet is only needed if your vet recommends one for a medical reason.
The bottom line
Fat is an essential part of every dog's diet, and the right level depends on your dog's overall energy needs and any specific health conditions. Most healthy pet dogs do best on a low to moderate fat food of around 12 to 16%, with very low-fat diets kept for specific medical conditions and high-fat foods for dogs with very high energy needs.
Whatever you feed, it's total calories that keep your dog lean, and that matters more than most owners realise: lean dogs live longer, healthier lives, in some breeds by as much as two and a half years.
Next in our healthy weight series: Is my dog overweight? How to check your dog's body condition at home.
Keen to see how your dog goes on Ocean Fish? Shop Ocean Fish or start with a trial pack.
References
- Kealy RD et al (2002). Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 220:1315-1320.
- Salt C et al (2019). Association between life span and body condition in neutered client-owned dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 33:89-99.
