The Best Kibble for Neutered Dogs

It does not happen to every neutered dog, but the truth is that most of them see their metabolism change or become calmer, which makes them put on weight more easily. We can head this off by feeding them the best kibble for spayed or neutered dogs and with a little advice on exercise.

Spaying and neutering are not the same thing, but their effects on metabolism are similar: they make our dog put on weight easily. Here at SoyUnPerro we want to make things easier for you, so we have put together a guide to the best feeding options for your neutered dog. Shall we begin?

What Makes a Good Kibble for Neutered Dogs

The fact that our dog is neutered does not mean we should stop feeding them high-quality food. We simply have to make sure the fat level is right and that the ingredients it contains will not make them put on weight easily, as grains do.

There is no better food for a dog than natural food, the kind you can put together yourself from fresh, natural products. In the world of canine nutrition this goes by the name of the BARF diet. Not everyone has the time to prepare it, though, and many prefer to move to more convenient options such as commercial dog food, called kibble, croquettes or "balanceado" depending on the country.

Let's look, then, at what characteristics a good kibble for neutered dogs needs to have, based on its ingredients and analytical composition.

A Moderate Fat Level

Fats are what supply our dog with energy, but they are also what makes them gain weight. We should not be looking for a very low-fat food, since fats are necessary.

We should avoid kibbles containing excessively high levels, though. Ideally a good kibble for neutered dogs will have around 15% fat or less.

Grains

One of the few grains that is acceptable and even beneficial for a dog in small amounts is rice. A little rice in the composition is not a bad thing; we should completely avoid grains such as maize or wheat, however, since they contribute no nutritional value and encourage our dog to become overweight.

If we go for a completely grain-free food, that is also a good option. But remember that what they leave out in grains, they will make up for with legumes, which are also fattening. The best option in a good food for neutered dogs is one with a little rice or, failing that, one that is grain-free.

Ingredient Quality

It hardly needs saying that the quality of the ingredients used is a key factor. We should always go for kibbles containing fresh meat, or failing that dehydrated meat, as their main ingredient, since meat meals or by-products are of far poorer quality.

We should also watch out for manufacturers splitting a single product across several ingredients, for example: peas, pea fibre, vegetable fibre. In this case it is all pea, but it is broken into groups to avoid having to state on the label that it is one of the main ingredients.

The Best Kibble for a Neutered Dog

I am a professional trainer and canine nutrition expert. Over the course of my life I have fed a great many dogs, healthy and sick alike. And I still do, obviously. I have tried many brands and ranges of dog food (kibbles) and I am very clear about which are good quality and which are not.

Quality Kibbles for Neutered Dogs

You already know my favourite option for feeding spayed or neutered dogs. Beyond that one, though, there are a few other options that are also worth considering for their good quality.

Try not to pay too much attention to the design or the brand, but to the ingredients. What is your dog's favourite flavour? Choose the most suitable one for them and rotate when you see they are getting bored of the taste (eating the same thing forever gets boring, without fail).

Acana Light & Fit

A light kibble for neutered dogs, with meats among its main ingredients and free of grains. Moderate in energy, low in fat and using high-quality ingredients. It is without doubt another excellent option for feeding our neutered dog.

Beef & Vegetables by NFNatcane

We continue with another excellent option for feeding our neutered dog to keep them from becoming overweight. Made without grains, using high-quality meat as its main ingredient and moderate in fat and calories, Beef & Vegetables is a very good option to bear in mind.

Other Brands That May Interest You, but Are Not Recommended

I wanted to see what other dog websites recommend so I could compare their opinions with mine, and I got one or two surprises. Some sites recommend products that are far from advisable for neutered dogs, simply because those are the only options they have for earning commission.

So to keep you from falling into the trap, here is a guide to brands and ranges of food for neutered dogs that are better avoided. They are neither healthy nor appropriate, since they will make your dog put on weight.

• True Instinct: It has no low-calorie ranges; it is not suitable for neutered dogs.
• Eukanuba Daily Care: It contains grains that are far from advisable, such as maize and wheat.
• Taste of the Wild: It has no range for neutered dogs, low in calories.
• Royal Canin Sterilised: An excess of grains that are far from advisable, such as maize and wheat.
• Hill's HPD Canine Metabolic Mini: It also contains wheat and maize.
• Ultima Light: It also contains wheat and maize.
• Purina ProPlan Light: It includes wheat and maize among its ingredients.

I cannot understand how someone who claims to know about dogs and canine nutrition can end up recommending these ranges as good kibbles for neutered dogs. Just looking at the ingredients shows they are not quality products; they use a great many filler grains such as wheat and maize.

Personal Recommendations

Choosing a good kibble is absolutely necessary to control their weight, but we also have to make sure we give them a suitable daily amount. And where possible, split that amount into two or three meals.

Exercise is essential too: having them come along while we run, cycle or skate can be a great option. If we are not very sporty, we can let them play with other dogs or chase a ball for a while. Long walks are also a good way of staying trim.