Best Dog Food for Weight Gain

Our top 9 picks — ranked by ingredient quality, nutritional balance, and verified recall history.

📊 9 products 🔍 Independently ranked 📅 Last reviewed May 2026
#1
The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe
Best Dog Food for Weight Gain

The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe

★★★★★ 5.0 / 5.0

Switching to a well-balanced, high-quality fresh food such as The Farmer’s Dog Chicken recipe can help encourage an underweight dog to eat. This particular formula gets a 5-star rating from us. It boasts the highest protein and fat content in the range of just four recipes and contains an organic zinc compound which is particularly beneficial for dogs with a reduced appetite. A zinc deficiency can lead to an altered sense of taste and cause a dog to eat less.

Main Ingredients
Chicken, chicken liver, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
46%
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#2
Ollie Chicken with Carrots
Best Wet Dog Food for Weight Gain

Ollie Chicken with Carrots

★★★★ ★ 4.5 / 5.0

Ollie’s Chicken and Carrot recipe provides a well-rounded, nutrient-dense diet that supports healthy weight gain in dogs, especially when combined with the personalized feeding approach that Ollie offers. The use of whole, minimally processed ingredients in this recipe, including fresh chicken and carrots , means your dog is getting high-quality nutrients without fillers or artificial additives. This can help with digestion and nutrient absorption, making it easier for a dog to put on weight.

Main Ingredients
Chicken, rice, carrots, chicken livers, peas
Type
Grain-inclusive
Protein Percentage
31%
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#3
Go! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Lamb + Wild Boar Recipe
Best Dry Dog Food for Weight Gain

Go! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Lamb + Wild Boar Recipe

★★★★★ 5.0 / 5.0

This Go! Solutions Carnivore recipe is calorie-dense, meaning it provides a significant amount of energy per serving. This is ideal for weight gain because it allows dogs to consume more calories without needing to eat large volumes of food. The rich, meaty flavor of lamb and wild boar is highly palatable, which also encourages dogs to eat more. This is particularly important for dogs that are underweight and may not have strong appetites. Additionally, the formula is designed to be easily digestible, so dogs can absorb more nutrients effectively, aiding in weight gain.

Main Ingredients
De-boned lamb, lamb meal, de-boned salmon, herring meal, lentils
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
36%
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#4
Best Senior Dog Food for Weight Gain

Best Senior Dog Food for Weight Gain

★★★★★ 5.0 / 5.0

Nom Nom Beef Mash provides a nutrient-dense, high-calorie option that is ideal for dogs needing to gain weight . With its high-quality beef, healthy fats, and balanced nutrition, it supports lean muscle growth, overall health, and weight gain in a delicious and easily digestible form. The ability to customize portions further enhances this food’s suitability for dogs with specific weight gain needs. This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from beef and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 35% protein, 17% fat and 40% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.

Main Ingredients
Human grade ingredients
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
35%
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#5
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken and Sweet Potato
Best Puppy Food for Weight Gain

Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken and Sweet Potato

★★★★★ 5.0 / 5.0

Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken and Sweet Potato is an ideal option for puppies that need to gain weight due to its high-calorie, protein-rich, and balanced formula. The use of real chicken, healthy fats, and easily digestible carbohydrates provides the necessary energy and nutrients for healthy weight gain and overall development. We highly recommend this palatable and nutrient-rich recipe for supporting the growth and health of underweight puppies.

Main Ingredients
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
32%
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#6
Raised Right Adult Chicken
Best High Protein Dog Food for Weight Gain

Raised Right Adult Chicken

★★★★★ 5.0 / 5.0

Despite being low in carbohydrates, this chicken formula is calorie-dense and suitable for dogs that need to gain weight. The emphasis on high-quality chicken protein, healthy fats, and minimal processing ensures your dog can gain weight in a healthy, muscle-building way. While high in protein, the recipe is also balanced with the necessary vitamins and minerals to support overall health. This includes essential nutrients for bone health, immune function, and overall vitality, ensuring your dog receives all the nutrients they need to thrive.

Main Ingredients
Chicken thigh, chicken heart, chicken liver, carrots, cranberries
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
61%
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#7
Annamaet Original Ultra Chicken Meal & Brown Rice
Best Dog Food for Huskies to Gain Weight

Annamaet Original Ultra Chicken Meal & Brown Rice

★★★★★ 5.0 / 5.0

Annamaet Original Ultra Chicken Meal & Brown Rice is particularly well-suited for Huskies that need to gain weight due to its high-quality protein, calorie density and balanced nutrition. The food’s focus on easily digestible ingredients, healthy fats, and slow-burning carbohydrates makes it ideal for supporting the unique metabolic needs of Huskies, helping them to gain weight in a healthy, sustainable way while also supporting their active lifestyle and maintaining their thick coats.

Main Ingredients
Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), whole dry eggs, herring meal
Type
Grain-inclusive
Protein Percentage
36%
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#8
Now Fresh Large Breed Adult Grain-Free Recipe with Turkey, Salmon & Duck
Best Dog Food for Great Danes to Gain Weight

Now Fresh Large Breed Adult Grain-Free Recipe with Turkey, Salmon & Duck

★★★★★ 5.0 / 5.0

Great Danes have slower metabolisms but need a calorie-dense diet to support their massive size. This food is designed to be nutrient-dense, providing the necessary calories to help a Great Dane gain weight without overfeeding. The balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates ensures that the calories are delivered in a healthy, controlled manner without risking obesity. This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from turkey and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 30% protein, 14% fat and 48% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 48%.

Main Ingredients
De-boned turkey, whole dried egg, potatoes, peas, potato flour
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
30%
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#9
Wellness Core Grain-Free Large Breed Original Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal & Turkey Meal recipe
Best Dog Food for Pitbulls to Gain Weight

Wellness Core Grain-Free Large Breed Original Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal & Turkey Meal recipe

★★★★★ 5.0 / 5.0

Although Pitbulls are not typically classified as large breeds, this Wellness CORE Large Breed formula offers additional joint and bone support, which is beneficial for a muscular and active breed like the Pitbull. The recipe includes balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus, as well as glucosamine and chondroitin, which support joint health. The food’s emphasis on lean proteins, healthy fats, and digestibility ensures that Pitbulls can gain weight in a healthy, controlled manner while maintaining their muscular build and overall health.

Main Ingredients
Deboned chicken, chicken meal (source of glucosamine), turkey meal (source of chondroitin sulfate), lentils, peas
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
38%
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How we ranked these: Every food on this page is scored using our transparent methodology — 40% ingredient quality, 30% independent third-party rating, 20% recall history, 10% manufacturing transparency. No partner gets favorable placement; commissions don't influence the rankings.

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