The best dog fatty tumor diet options

If your dog is getting older then you may have noticed some strange lumps which may have begun popping up on his body. These are lipomas, otherwise known as fatty tumors. In many cases these tumors are benign, and they won’t cause your dog any grief. In some cases though they can become quite large, and if they are negatively impacting your dog’s quality of life, then you may need to consider taking him in for surgery to remove them. However, there is some research that suggests diet could be attributed to these growths. While it’s still too early for these findings to be conclusive, some believe that these tumors can be reduced or even removed completely with diet changes. In this article we’re going to explore those findings for some all natural solutions to fatty tumors which you can try for your dog.
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If your dog is getting older then you may have noticed some strange lumps which may have begun popping up on his body. These are lipomas, otherwise known as fatty tumors. In many cases these tumors are benign, and they won’t cause your dog any grief. In some cases though they can become quite large, and if they are negatively impacting your dog’s quality of life, then you may need to consider taking him in for surgery to remove them.

However, there is some research that suggests diet could be attributed to these growths. While it’s still too early for these findings to be conclusive, some believe that these tumors can be reduced or even removed completely with diet changes. In this article we’re going to explore those findings for some all natural solutions to fatty tumors which you can try for your dog.

What are fatty tumors and what causes them?

A lipmoa is a mass of fat cells which for whatever reason decides to begin growing somewhere on your dog. Instead of laying flat like normal fat cells do, these cells form into a mass. While the exact cause of these growths is still debated, there is some evidence that diet or metabolism may be to blame.

That has lead some pet parents to seek out diet changes which can help their dogs to cope with these fatty tumors. So what kind of diet are we looking for? Some experts suggest that high carbohydrate diets could be to blame for these growths, and that starving tumors of carbs could help to shrink or even completely remove them.

Commercials dog foods that you find in your local super market, and even some of the ones at your local pet store are full of items your dog really does not need to survive. Pet food manufacturers include these items because it makes the food cheaper for them to produce. Most of them don’t really care if this is not healthy for your dog.

If you are feeding your dog your typical grocery store brand dog food, then take a look at the ingredients label. In many cases you’ll likely see that the first ingredient is corn. That’s because this is a cheap filler item that adds calories but not nutrition. Dogs can actually have a difficult time digesting foods which are predominantly composed of carbohydrates, and this could effect their metabolism. Dogs on higher carb diets also tend to be more overweight, which vets have also

What kind of diet should I try to reduce fatty tumors?

When feeding your dog you should aim for a diet that is high in healthy protein and fat and low in carbohydrates. Focus on feeding fresh foods or wet foods. Dry foods, while convenient, will always have more carbohydrates than wet food options, and they also tend to have more ingredients. This makes it harder to get away from unnecessary items your dog just does not need.

High quality protein sources

Look for foods which feature high quality whole meats like salmon, duck, turkey and organ meats. Avoid heavily processed or rendered meat meals which have much of their nutrients cooked out of them.

High quality fats

While many people think low fat would be the way to go, this is not true. High quality fats are great for your dog, and they will particularly benefit from those that come from fish that can give them excellent skin and coat health on top of other benefits.

Low carbohydrates

While there may be some disagreements on the exact cause of lipomas and many medical conditions for dogs. Most vets will agree that feeding your dog a lower carbohydrate diet will only benefit them both in the long and short term. Toss out any options which list corn and preferably grains. However, if it’s a small amount in an otherwise high quality food them it may be acceptable. There should however be no carbs within the first few ingredients on the list. Manufacturers are required to list ingredients in order of prominence, and if a grain is the first ingredient, that means the food is mostly made of it.

Our top food picks for dog fatty tumor diet choices

In this section we’re going to go over our top dog fatty tumor diet options. All of the foods we have selected use only human grade whole food ingredients, and they contain minimal carbohydrates. This makes them excellent low carb choices for pups who are struggling with tumors.

Please keep in mind that your pup is an individual and there is no one size fits all approach to diet. You may need to try a couple of options before you find one that is perfect for them. However, all of these recipes are limited ingredient, and that’s extremely helpful in determining what your dog is sensitive to.  Here’s our top picks for low carb dog diets!

#1 NomNomNow

If you’re interested in feeding your dog the freshest food they can possibly get, then this is it. This pet food delivery company cooks all of their foods fresh, and then delivers them to your door every week. While they do include some carbohydrates in their recipes, many of them are healthier options, and they are not the primary ingredient. These are also extremely limited diets making them great options for dogs who have allergies or sensitivities. This is also a good choice for pups who may have a weakened immune system due to cancer treatments and can not eat a raw food diet due to safety concerns. Our recommended recipe is their Chicken Chow-Wow recipe, because it’s the lowest carb option they offer. They use healthier sweet potatoes instead of less nutrient rich grains and starches.

best dog food available

As you can see, this food features only four main ingredients, making it an excellent choice for dogs with allergies. All of the common allergen trigger foods are removed and replaced with healthier veggies that add vitamins for your pup. Some dogs do have issues with chicken though, and if this is the case, then their pork recipe is a close second on the low carb scale. While this is certainly the most expensive option on the list, it is undeniably the best. If you’re interested in feeding your pup like a little doggy king, then you can learn more about NomNomNow here. This food is a great choice for a dog fatty tumor diet, or just a healthy alternative for any dog.

#2 – Dave’s 95% Meat

non prescription diabetic friendly dog foods

While not as well known as many other brands, Dave’s provides excellent, low carb nutrition to pups. These diets are nutritionally sound but still manage to be 95% meat based. The food contains no grains, starches, rice or other items, and they are packed full of healthy meat. The meat content is a combination of whole meats, organ meat and tasty broth. This is also a surprisingly affordable option which many pet parents will enjoy. All of Dave’s foods are also made in the USA. Here’s the full ingredients list for this food:

Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Flaxseed, Agar-Agar, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid

This food is also suitable for dogs with weakened immune systems, because it is cooked. If your dog has cancer, then you can feed them this food safely without worry of bacteria harming them. If your dog is sensitive to many kinds of proteins, then this may be a great product for them as well. This food actually comes in many varieties, and they do not share ingredients. Many commercial dog foods always use chicken or chicken fat, but these diets are protein independent (except the beef and chicken flavor), and they only use the labeled protein, nothing else. Flavors include Turkey, chicken and beef, all options that most dogs will readily eat. Interested in learning more about this great food? You can read reviews and pick some up here!

#2 Wysong Archtype

digestible cat food

Archtype is actually a freeze dried diet. If you’d like to feed your dog a raw food diet, then this is a convienient option. Raw diets are not recommended for dogs with cancer or other ailments which could leave them with a low immune system however. This is because since the foods not cooked there is a risk for food borne illness. While a healthy dog will shake this off, it could be very hard on a dog who is ill and suffering from a weak immune system. If your dog is ill, then you should feed them the Epigen instead.

Archtype is freeze dried, and you can actually feed it to your dog dry, or you can also use water to reconstitute it. The later is recommended, because it’s likely that your dog could use more liquids, and this is the easiest way to get them into him. This food also does not have quite as much protein as the canned variety. While it does offer great nutrition, and it is free from starches and grains, it does contain some vegetable matter. Here’s the ingredients for the rabbit flavor.

Rabbit, Natural Flavor, Taurine, Organic Blueberry, Organic Barley Grass, Chia Seeds, Broccoli Sprouts, Carrots, Plums, Whey, Sea Salt, Dried Kelp, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Yeast Culture, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins (Ascorbic Acid [source of Vitamin C], Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus lactis Fermentation Product.

As you can see there is a good deal more ingredients here than the previous product. None of these ingredients are bad though, and this food is still very low in carbohydrates. It includes no starches, instead focusing on healthier fruits and veggies like broccoli sprouts and blueberries. It’s a convenient choice for raw feeding, but for limited diets, and a great dog fatty tumor diet choice. You can read more about Archtype here.

How to transition your dog to his new diet

If your dog has been eating a high carbohydrate diet previously, then you may need to transition him to his new diet slowly. Sudden diet changes can make animals sick, and if your pup is already sensitive then you may need to approach this cautiously. Begin by sprinkling or mixing in the new food with the old food, but use only a small amount of the new recipe.

Once your dog has accepted it with no issues, then you can begin slowly eliminating the old food until it is gone and he is eating the new food completely. Keep in mind that some dogs may take up to two weeks to fully transition to a new food. Others of course may have no trouble switching right away, this will of course depend on your individual pet. If your pup has a history of stomach issues though, it’s best to take it slow to avoid any messy accidents.

What about supplements?

You don’t have to stop at diet, there are actually some supplements which may help to reduce or remove fatty tumors without surgery. While some pet parents have reported success using these supplements, others noticed no effect. Some noted that soft fatty tumors were visibly reduced, but harder tumors were more persistent and did not seem to budge. While these supplements are not guaranteed, the cost is nominal, and it’s worth a try before you consider surgery for your dog. It’s certainly an affordable first step, and if it does help, then it will be worth the nominal cost to avoid surgery.

Michelle Rei
Michelle Rei
Michelle is a pet parent turned amateur pet product researcher. After adopting a fur baby with digestive issues caused by bad pet food, she's poured hundreds of hours into research to find the best of the best to help him and other pets live happier and healthier lives.
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