Do active dogs need more calories?
Cara Breitenberg
2025-10-01 20:54:58
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Dogs involved in demanding tasks like hunting, herding, agility training, or other physical activities will require more calories than those with moderate exercise routines. Sportsman's Pride Fieldmaster is designed specifically for active and working dogs, providing the high-calorie content needed to fuel their activities. Generally, active dogs require between 30 to 50 calories per pound of body weight per day. Puppies and young adult dogs engaged in high-energy activities may need more frequent meals with higher protein and fat content to support growth and energy demands. While feeding your high-energy dog, be mindful of additional snacks and treats, these should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. Feeding your high-energy dog the right amount of food is essential for their performance and health.
Nash Rosenbaum
2025-09-29 23:34:26
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A dog who gets a lot of exercise may need twice as many calories—maybe even more—in comparison to what they would need if they were less active.
A dog’s activity level is another important factor in determining how many calories they should take in.
Use one of the following multipliers to convert your dog’s RER to their maintenance energy requirement (MER) in calories per day:
Light exercise2
Moderate exercise3
Heavy exercise6
Puppies require more calories than adult dogs of the same size.
A puppy’s calorie needs are highest when they are less than 4 months old.
Individual Variation It’s also important not to overlook the variations among individual dogs or even within one pup over time.
Due to differences in their physiology, some dogs simply have higher metabolic rates and burn more calories than others.
Highly muscular dogs need to take in more calories than less muscular dogs who weigh the same amount, because muscle burns more calories than fat.
A dog’s body type is another important consideration.
Aidan Ullrich
2025-09-16 13:59:48
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More Exercise Means More Calories.
The science is straightforward: increased activity burns more calories.
Additionally, mental stimulation involved in learning new skills also contributes to caloric demand.
Starting from a standard complete dog food, active dogs may require anywhere from 5% to 25% more calories than a normal pet.
Breed, size, and age also influence calorie needs, as larger or younger dogs generally require more energy intake.
Portion sizes vary, but working dogs typically consume 1.5 to 2.5 times the food amount of less active dogs.
Environmental factors such as hot or cold temperatures also affect these needs.
Adjusting Food Intake if Activity Drops During injury recovery, rest periods, or between competitions, decrease your dog’s food intake to match reduced activity.
Feeding a very active or working dog requires balancing increased calorie demands with the right nutrient profile — high-quality protein, fats, and moderate carbohydrates.
Austin Zulauf
2025-09-16 11:39:22
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High Activity: Working dogs, athletic breeds, or pets that engage in regular intense exercise need more calories to fuel their active lifestyle.
For Highly Active Pets: High-energy formulas with increased protein and fat content are ideal for very active dogs.
Our Superior Care line also includes options for active dogs, providing the extra energy they need without compromising on nutrition.
Increasing Activity: If you're helping your pet become more active, gradually increase their food intake to match their new energy needs.
Activity Levels and Caloric Needs
High Activity: Working dogs, athletic breeds, or pets that engage in regular intense exercise need more calories to fuel their active lifestyle.
The amount and type of food your pet needs can vary significantly based on their size, age, breed, and most importantly, their activity level.
A sedentary indoor cat will have very different nutritional requirements compared to an active working dog.
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