Food change? Regular to Weight Management?

I have a mix that is a year and a couple months old. She is a little overweight (I know, no one's fault but my own). I have decreased her food intake by 20%, drastically decreased her treat intake, and increased her excersize. There has not been a noticable change in her weight.

Additionally, her vet and I have come to a conclusion that she does much better on a high fiber food. I currently have her on Nature's Variety Prairie Venison (3.9% fiber). I was wondering if I should switch her to Wellness Weight Management? The only thing that concerns me is the very low protien in that food (17%). Here is how the two foods match up:

Nature's Variety:
Crude Protein (min) 26.0%
Crude Fat (min) 14.0%
Crude Fiber (max) 3.9%

Wellness:
Crude Protein (min) 17.0%
Crude Fat (min) 6.0%
Crude Fiber (max) 8.0%

Should I switch her or just keep her on what she is on?

Personally, I favor decreasing normal food over switching to weight management formulas. Usually because the weight management formulas have more fillers. But Wellness is an excellent brand, so it will probably be fine.

Decreasing food intake by 20% isn't that much. When my lab needed to lose weight, I cut her food in half. She lost the weight with no problem, and labradors are known to resist weight loss. (I'm sure it helps that she is exremely active). I think that at your dog's age, they need to have their food cut back a little anyway since they aren't growing much any more. So decreasing by 20% isn't that dramatic if you take into account the natural decrease in calorie needs. If I were you, I would decrease her food again and see if that works, before I switched to a weight management formula.

I would not be concerned about the protein difference if your dog is not really active or involved with a performance type of activity.

I recently switched to Wellness (not weight management formula) and have been very satisfied with the results.
If you are happy with the food your are currently feeding but can't seem to get the weight off... feed less

I have used Wellness Weight Management for my cat and my mom's dog. My cat is 10 years old and very inactive, and within 6 months he dropped ALL his extra weight and is now lean and healthy. My mom's dog is 2 years, he was overweight his whole life (she's not real great with regulating their food/treats). We increased his exercise moderately, but he's sensitive to temperatures so we couldn't take him out as often as we should have, but it's been a little less than 6 months, he was supposed to be 9lbs, he weighed 14.5lbs when we started, and now he's at 11.5lbs. So we've had great success, and aside from weight both pets are healthy, shiny, great teeth, etc. I would use it for 6mos-1 year, or however long it takes to get the weight off and then a few months after that too, and then maybe mix 1/2 and 1/2 with the Nature's Variety food? That way she gets the high fiber and weight management, but with the added benefit of the high protein. Or even just add some plain raw meat to her Wellness, that would probably be even better for her.

Good luck!

For a dog that is only a year+ old, you shouldn't have to go with a weight maintenance food. Those are primarily for dogs who are aging with lower metabolism and/or sedentary breeds (bulldogs) that take a 20 minute walk and then nap all day. Additionally, here's the dilemma with weight maintanence foods: dogs process food differently than we do. High protein and fat diets (if the dog isn't overeating) usually result in a lean dog (and heavy on the complex carbos generally results in a fat dog). So I'd prefer the higher protein and fat option.

I'd go with two strategies:
--lower the serving size your dog gets (based not on her current weight but the weight she should be at) and include in that serving size any treats and rawhides she gets (which can sneak in as extra calories).
--up her exercise level even more. Some of it is going to be on you (talking more and longer walks, going running with her). But some of it can be other activities: playdates with other dogs, going to a dog park, taking classes (especially performance events like Rally-o, agility or flyball). If the weather allows it and your dog likes the water, go throw a ball in the lake or the surf and let your dog get some water aerobic activity.