Weight Loss Supplements For Dogs

Weight loss supplements are well known in human weight loss but less utilized in pets. In addition to Omega-3s there are some other proven weight loss supplements. When combined with the right diet and exercise program, these weight loss supplements will safely bring down your dog or cat’s weight.

Obese and overweight animals are more prone to many diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Extra weight also makes them more likely to develop arthritis and become prone to knee and hip injuries.

An ideal dog weight loss programs will begin with a calorie restrictive diet. This just means you will need to reduce and measure out the amount of food you are feeding your pup on a daily basis. A great tip is to purchase a dedicated measuring cup for your dog’s food.

Incorporating weight loss pills to a dog’s diet can be very beneficial. With an all-natural carbohydrate blocker, pets can safely lose weight without having a severe reduction in food in-take. Stimulants aren’t added to these weight loss supplements. Simply give your furry friend a chewable tablet 10 minutes before a meal, to help prevent them from using starchy carbohydrates as a source of energy. Instead, their body will begin to burn body fat for a source of energy.

Weight control for dogs is easier to obtain with these supplements. They’ll be able to control their appetite while also maintaining normal insulin levels.

Best Dog Supplements For Weight Loss

Weight loss supplement or pill may seem like an easier solution but there is still little research surrounding the long-term safety for dogs. Below are some of the best supplements available in the market;

L-Carnitine

L-Carnitine is a vitamin-like substance made from amino acids. It is found naturally in proteins from animal sources and can help with weight loss in both humans and animals.

This substance helps the dog’s body cells produce energy from fats. It sticks to fatty acids and transports them from the body of the cell to mitochondria, which is a cellular organ which produces more sustained energy.

Dirlotapide

Dirlotapide is an effective pharmaceutical drug developed specifically for overweight and obese dogs to help them lose weight. Unlike the above two supplements that were first used for people, Dirlotapide is actually only approved for use in dogs.

This drug restrains the release of dietary fats from cells in the intestines into the bloodstream. That is done because the accumulation of fat in these intestinal cells leads to feelings of fullness and decreased appetite. Basically, Dirlotapide is used primarily as an appetite suppressant for dogs on a restricted calorie diet.

White kidney bean extract

This extract has been found to prevent the breakdown of starch and its absorption by the body. Starch blockers like white kidney bean extract are known to interfere with a specific digestive enzyme, alpha amylase, which breaks down starch into simple sugars. Without the action of alpha amylase, starch cannot be broken down and absorbed into the body.

In a study of 17 overweight or obese dogs that were given starch blocker sprinkled on their meals for nine weeks, 15 (88%) lost an average of 4.61% of their bodyweight. Dogs who weighed less than 50 pounds were given 500 mg of this starch blocker. 

DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a steroid hormone involved with the production of testosterone and estrogen sex hormones. Studies have documented increased weight loss in calorie restricted weight loss patients receiving this supplement. The increase in sex hormones and their potential health side effects were of concern to the researchers in these studies. This supplement should be used with extreme caution and only under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Check for any underlying medical conditions.

If after following a specific dog weight loss program and providing adequate exercise, your dog is still not losing weight, it’s time to visit the vet to rule out any medical conditions. Older dogs especially can suffer from hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease which can cause weight gain.