Pet Weight Loss: Dog Foods That Help

The war against obesity is being investigated at the University of Calgary by Dr. R. Reimer. Dr. Reimer believes oligofructose, a fiber found in foods, will help prevent obesity and improve blood cholesterol in human. It was the encouraging results from animals studies done by Belgian researchers that made Dr. Reimer optimistic about the role of oligosaccharides in weight control. Pet owners optimistic about helping their pets stay a normal weight should also be excited about opportunities provided by oligofructose.

Oligofructose is not a chemical or a drug. It’s a natural ingredient in food that increases the feeling of fullness and satisfaction after eating. With a normal feeling of fullness, pets will be content eating the correct amount of food and won’t beg for more. Oligofructose stimulates fullness by increasing the satiety hormone called glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1). Oligofructose molecules increase GLP-1 by turning on the DNA in intestinal cells so that they produce more GLP-1. Oligofructose also helps the good bacteria in the intestines flourish. It is not digested into sugar and makes no caloric contribution.

Because animal studies of the benefits of oligofructose were effective with a very difficult group—genetically obese rats—dogs with normal genes should be easy to help through oligosaccharide supplementation. True, oligofructose is not a magic wand that will instantly cause dogs to become the ideal weight, it is a positive factor that has no potentially negative side effects.

Where can dogs get oligofructose? It's a natural ingredient in may foods: grains such as barley, and vegetables such as Jerusalem artichoke, burdock, chicory, leeks, onions, and asparagus. Of these, the safest sources of oligofructose for pets are barley and artichoke. Where can you get barley for your pet? That's really easy. The second ingredient in Azmira Lifestyle Lamb—after lamb—is barley. The second ingredient in Azmira Classic Beef—after beef—is barley. Thus, for many dogs, Azmira foods are ideal to help with weight control.