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Best Dog Food for Weight Gain 2025
Written by Joe Holyoake
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 01/03/2024, edited: 02/28/2025
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Many parents have to work hard to ensure their dog doesn’t get too chubby, but there are some who have the opposite challenge.
There can be a variety of reasons why dogs need to gain weight. Some athletic breeds just have a very high rate of metabolism, while others shed pounds as they age. There are also canines who suffer from diseases that cause weight loss, such as cancer, diabetes and intestinal parasites.
It’s always best to consult with a vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s weight loss to figure out the primary cause. They may recommend switching to high-calorie dog food to help them meet their ideal weight.
So, how do you choose the right dog food for weight gain? Well, there are some general guidelines to bear in mind.
“To help a dog gain weight, provide high-quality dog food with higher protein and fat content,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants.
“Add lean meats, eggs, or fish to their diet. Include small amounts of healthy fats like olive oil. Feed smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Avoid fillers and low-quality ingredients in their food. Consult a vet for a personalized weight gain plan, especially if your dog has underlying health concerns.”
Around 30% protein is a good benchmark to aim for. Fat levels should also be higher than normal, with 20% more than acceptable. Be sure to check the ingredient list to check that these are healthy fats — such as from fatty meat or Omega fatty acids — rather than derived from less-than-desirable sources.
In addition, the number of calories each dog needs each day will obviously depend on their size, breed and amount of exercise they do, but the food you should give them should have at least 300 calories per cup — and more if you can find them.
A lot to think about, right? Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work and singled out some of the best dog food for weight gain.
Overview
Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Patties
5
Vet recommended
Although there have long been proponents of feeding dogs a diet that predominantly features raw meat, it’s only really become a mainstream option in recent years — thanks in no small part to products such as Open Farm’s freeze-dried beef patties.
These convenient patties allow parents to give their dogs a raw diet without regular trips to the butcher and packing their fridges full of various animal parts.
Take the beef recipe as an example. These are made up of a whopping 95% beef meat, organs and bone, leading to protein levels of 41% and fat levels of 38%. And with 64 calories in each patty, it’s easy to get your dog bulked up with a few of these in their bowl.
Perhaps best of all, Open Farm gets the thumbs-up from Dr Georgia Jeremiah, a pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants.
“Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. The company also prioritizes the use of ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients,” she says.
Now you can see why we recommend this as a good dog food to help gain weight. Flavors include beef, turkey, chicken and surf and turf.
Open Farm Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The brand is recommended by Dr Georgia Jeremiah, one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants
- The first four listed ingredients are beef meat, heart, liver and kidney
- The protein and fat levels are large enough for canine weight gain
- The freeze-dried patties are a convenient way of feeding dogs a raw diet
Considerations & Concerns
- The freeze-dried formula might not be ideal for dogs in need of moisture with their food (although parents can add hot water or broth)
- The size of the patties might be unmanageable for dogs with smaller jaws
- The fat levels might be too high if you’re looking to keep a dog lean
What Pet Parents Say About Open Farm
“Finally, humane dog food from sustainable farms! As a vegan, this dog food is super important to me. It is the only dog food on the market (that I’ve found) that has incredibly strict and measured regulations on the human treatment and life quality of the farm animals. In a perfect world my dogs wouldn’t require meat in their diet but they do…Added bonus: the sustainable farms that are sourced have a much lighter impact on the environment which is another perk. And my dogs love it!”
“I have a VERY picky Ridgeback that has fought me for over a decade on the types of dog food I give her. To this day she will still grab mouthfuls of dry dog food, spit it on the floor and individually inspect each kibble and maybe decide to earth them if she’s hungry enough. Not only is she [super] picky but she also sometimes has eye watering gas from the foods. I switched her to this wet and dry food 5 months ago, she eats it without concern and even though she does still have some gas it has no smell! She’s also more energetic overall which is a big difference from other foods I have given her in the past. I won’t give her anything but Open Farm foods now. It’s worth the money!”
Read more reviews on Consumer Rating.
Product image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
A Pup Above
5
Vet recommended
You might think the answer for how to fatten up a dog is easy — just give them more food. It’s not that easy, however. Give them too much low-quality food and you could be filling your dog with meals that pass straight through them.
Choose fresh dog food and you can be assured your dog will be digesting more of their food. This is because it contains top-quality human-grade ingredients that have only been lightly cooked — not bulky, processed food that’s been cooked to smithereens.
We’re big fans of A Pup Above for this reason, but don’t just take our word for it.
“A Pup Above offers human-grade dry and fresh food options that are cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutrients,” says Dr Georgia Jeremiah. “Their recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and contain no GMO ingredients, antibiotics, or growth hormones found in many vegetable and meat products.”
Plus, A Pup Above’s products are conducive to healthy weight gain. The protein levels are reassuringly high, especially compared to other fresh food companies. The mixture is also dense when it comes to calories, meaning your dog doesn’t need to eat loads to get the requisite amount. It’s available in chicken, beef, pork and turkey flavors.
A Pup Above Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The ingredients are human-grade and the meals are made in a USDA human-grade facility
- The rate of 10g of protein per 100 calories is promising for healthy weight gain
- The food is cooked using the sous-vide method, which retains more nutritional goodness than regular cooking
- The company also sells dry dog food if you want to mix and match
Considerations & Concerns
- The cost is undeniably expensive, especially if you have multiple dogs in your household
- The meals aren’t tailor-made for your dog unlike other fresh dog food companies
- The meals arrive frozen and must be kept either in the fridge or freezer, so parents need space in these appliances
What Pet Parents Say About A Pup Above
“The quality of the food is above all others! My dogs devour the frozen patties in minutes. As a dog mom, I appreciate the cooking techniques, locally sourced ingredients, veterinary formulated recipes, and the ability to track all ingredients! What more could I ask for for my family members?”
“I am so impressed by A Pup Above’s formulas and science behind them! I can confidently feed my dog… balanced fresh, [human-grade], food and it is able to be conveniently stored in my freezer! My poodle is EXTREMELY picky so finding a food he likes is like finding a needle in a hay stack. He is a [task-trained] assistance dog so needs all the nutrients he can get to work hard daily!”
Read more reviews at Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from the A Pup Above website. Copyright A Pup Above.
Crave High Protein Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
4.5
Best dry dog food for weight gain
As a general rule of thumb, dry dog food contains less protein and fat than wet, fresh, or raw dog food. However, there are some notable exceptions — Crave’s adult recipe is one of them.
You’ll spot some pretty impressive nutritional figures on the packaging. All four recipes — which each use real meat or fish as the first listed ingredient — have a minimum of 34% protein and the fat levels sit at 17%. This is very much high fat dog food with an ample amount of protein, too.
In addition to that, the calories hover at the 450 per cup mark, which is more than ideal for dogs in need of some serious sustenance. The fact that each recipe has a minimum of 2.5% Omega 6 fatty acids is helpful for healthy weight gain, too.
All of this comes from top-quality components, too. Try as you might, you won’t find any artificial flavors, colors or preservatives in the ingredient list. If your dog prefers dry food for whatever reason, we’d point you in the direction of Crave.
Flavors include beef, chicken, lamb and white fish and salmon.
Crave Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The protein levels sit at a minimum of 34%, which contributes to healthy muscle growth
- The high calorie-density can help your pet gain weight with regular-sized portions
- The first listed ingredient is always real meat or fish, rather than meal or byproducts
- The fact there are four flavors is useful for parents of picky pooches
Considerations & Concerns
- The dry formula isn’t suitable for dogs that need more hydration in their diet
- The price is slightly higher than many other dry dog foods (but for good reason)
- The food is only suitable for adult canines, rather than puppies or nursing mothers
What Pet Parents Say About Crave
“This dog food has made a world of difference for my two bloodhounds. My male was struggling to put weight on and had a very coarse coat. They both shed like crazy and had [diarrhea] frequently. It has been about a month that my dogs have been eating this and my male has (healthily) gained at least ten pounds which he desperately needed. They both now have extremely soft coats, solid bowels and love the taste. The shedding has decreased significantly also. I cannot say a single negative thing about this dog food.”
“My picky 13 yr old toy Cockapoo has weighed between 6-7 lbs most of his life even though he eats VERY WELL, and has no health issues. He's always been active even though he sleeps way more now, but he just can't seem to get fat or meaty. He loves this food SO MUCH, and so far we've had no issues. He does feel a little more heavier but I haven't weighed him… hopefully, this food will fatten him up.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare US.
Ziwi Peak
4.5
Best wet dog food for weight gain
Don’t be fooled by the relatively low protein and fat percentages for Ziwi Peak’s wet dog food — usually just under 10% for protein and just above 5% for fat. These recipes are deserving of a place in our list of the best dog food for weight gain.
That’s because these are very much high calorie dog food. Each can contains around 500 calories, making it a great choice for canines in need of a few more pounds.
And these are good calories, too. The recipes contain 91% meat, organs and green-lipped mussels, the latter of which is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.
Ziwi Peak is a company that really cares about the provenance of these ingredients, as well. This means protein sources will either be grass-fed, free-range or wild-caught in New Zealand. Let’s just say this sustainable approach puts a lot of other dog foods on the market to shame.
There’s a good selection of flavors; tripe and lamb, venison, chicken, beef, mackerel and lamb, and lamb.
Ziwi Peak Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The amount of calories per can is generous enough for weight gain
- The fact there are six flavors allows the option for variety in your dog’s diet
- The recipe is made up of 91% real meat, organs and mussels, rather than derivatives
- The high moisture content helps provide hydration to a dog’s lifestyle
- The brand’s sustainability credentials are top-notch
Considerations & Concerns
- The protein and fat levels can be beaten by other dog foods
- The products aren’t always the easiest to find online and are sometimes out of stock
- The price is considerably higher than most other wet dog foods
What Pet Parents Say About Ziwi Peak
“We need to fatten up our active pooch. Mixing a third of a can with his crunchy nuggets seems to be working. The pooch loves it.”
“My fur baby just loves this food, eats it like there is no tomorrow and I see him gaining some weight back.”
“Not sure why anyone would give this less the 5 stars. High quality ingredients make for happy healthy dogs. Yes [it's] expensive but you will extend the life of your dog and save on vet bills. My two dogs are my kids and they deserve to have a high quality diet as much as I do.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Ziwi Pets.
Merrick Grain-Free Wet Puppy Food
4.5
Best vet recommended puppy food for weight gain
In general, puppy food is more geared towards weight gain than adult recipes. This is because young dogs are at a formative stage of life during which they’re growing quickly and need lots of protein to support this. Any new parent will be able to tell you that puppies burn an awful lot of energy as they explore the world.
As such, you won’t find it as difficult to find puppy food that’s rich in fat and protein. However, if you need inspiration, we’d point you toward Merrick’s Puppy Plate cans. The chicken recipe contains 395 calories per can, which makes it particularly rich and filling. The beef recipe isn’t far behind with 363.
Dr. Jeremiah says, “Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.”
What we really like about it, though, is that these calories come from real meat as the first listed ingredients, followed by broth, vegetables and fruits. Lower down on the ingredient list, you’ll find all the essential vitamins and minerals a growing dog could need, including DHA for healthy brain development.
This is how to put weight on a dog in a way that’s doing them good at the same time.
Merrick Puppy Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The recipes both have real meat listed as the first ingredient
- The brand is recommended by Dr Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert
- The addition of DHA to the recipe helps healthy cognitive development
- The calorie count is great for fattening up puppies
Considerations & Concerns
- The fact there are only two recipes doesn’t really allow for a great amount of variety
- The crude protein and fat levels are easily beaten by fresh or raw meals
- The company has been subject to recalls in the past
What Pet Parents Say About Merrick Puppy Plate
“My puppy loves this food. He was a stray and has been gaining weight and his coat is looking better.”
Read more reviews at Petco.
“Our little girl means the world to us. Due to not gaining weight, we have been told by our vet to continue with puppy-canned food. Most puppy foods seem to be too rich for her stomach, so we decided to try this since it seems to have more vitamins and minerals. Needless to say, we have not had the vomiting, belching and not wanting to eat issues we did have with others. She gets excited about her meals now and will actually eat it all. We have also seen her coat have more of a sheen to it and it seems to be a lot softer than before.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Nulo Premium Jerky
4
Best treats for weight gain
Treats and snacks are usually higher in calories than dog food, as it makes them a good incentive for dogs to learn tricks and commands.
Usually, vets advise that treats or snacks shouldn’t form more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. However, if you’re wondering how to put weight on a dog, offering a few more snacks throughout the day to boost this figure might be a good tactic.
Most dogs won’t have too much of a problem with being given a few more treats, especially if they’re part of the Nulo jerky range. These soft bites are made from real meat and a handful of other ingredients, and can be high in calories — the duck and plum option packs 46 calories into each four inches.
In addition to the limited selection of high-quality ingredients, they’ve been supplemented with probiotics to support digestive and immune health. And there’s not an artificial color, flavor or preservative to be seen in the mix, either. Choose from beef with coconut, duck with plum, chicken with apples, salmon with strawberries, or turkey with cranberries.
Nulo Dog Jerky
Why Wag! Loves It
- The treats all have meat or fish as the first listed ingredients
- The high calorie-density makes it a good option for extra sustenance in between mealtimes
- The fact there are five variations adds welcome options for parents of fussy pups
- The inclusion of probiotics helps boost digestive and immune health
Considerations & Concerns
- The treats are only intended to be supplemental to a dog’s diet rather than the main food
- The quality comes at a premium, with the cost higher than many other dog treats
- The treats need to be eaten within thirty days of opening the packet
What Pet Parents Say About Nulo Jerky
“These treats are *amazing* [. My] dogs are pretty picky and get bored quickly if treats are given repetitively during training. These are a HUGE hit. They're soft enough to easily break into small bits with just your fingers. I only give 4 stars because the price point for the very small package is painful.”
“I’m the property of a 14 yr old Papillon. She’s had some trouble maintaining a good appetite [and] eating healthy foods; she got very sick, refusing to eat anything at all for a while. Possibly due to severe arthritis pain. A very healthy food for her is duck [and] venison treats & dog food. I recently discovered Nulo grain free duck jerky. She absolutely LOVES it!! Her other [favorite] food is rotisserie chicken - this I’m not so thrilled about! But she’s eating Nulos duck treats, so that’s fabulous progress!!”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Nulo.
FAQ
How do I know if my dog needs to gain weight?
What food should I give a dog that needs to gain weight?
Should I give my underweight dog dry, wet, fresh or raw dog food?
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