Energy expenditure in dogs can be broken down into three key components: Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), thermogenesis, and activity-related energy expenditure. BMR represents the energy required to maintain basic bodily functions at rest, influenced by factors such as body size, age, and breed. Thermogenesis refers to the energy used to regulate body temperature, with energy expended to generate heat in cold conditions and cool the body in heat through mechanisms like shivering or panting. Activity-related energy expenditure increases with physical activity, requiring more energy during exercise, especially for active or working dogs.
In this blog, we’ll explore these three areas of energy expenditure and dive into various activities you can enjoy with your dog. We’ll discuss the calories burned during different exercises and provide tips on choosing the right food to replenish the essential nutrients and calories your dog needs for recovery and sustained energy. Our goal is to help you select the perfect premium dog food recipe to fuel your dog’s lifestyle and energy requirements.
Three Main Components of Energy Expenditure for Dogs
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
BMR represents the amount of energy a dog needs to maintain basic physiological functions while at rest. It is influenced by factors such as body size, age, and breed. Larger dogs generally have a higher BMR compared to smaller dogs, though the relationship is not strictly linear due to variations in muscle mass and body composition.
Thermogenesis
Thermogenesis refers to the production of heat to maintain body temperature. Dogs expend energy to regulate body temperature, especially in cold conditions, where shivering and brown fat activation play a role. Similarly, energy is expended to dissipate heat during hot conditions through panting and seeking cool environments.
Activity-Related Energy Expenditure
Energy expenditure increases with physical activity. Dogs’ energy expenditure is higher during periods of exercise or play. The type of activity (e.g., walking, running, or working) influences the energy requirements. For instance, working dogs or dogs involved in intense physical labor may require significantly more energy than sedentary pets.
Below is an outline of different types of activities, calories burned and the right diets to help support nutritional needs.
- Walking
- Activity level: Low to moderate
- Calories burned: 50-100 calories per 30-minute walk (for an average 30-50lb dog).
- Food to support: High-quality dog food with a balanced mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates will support walking activity. Foods with chicken, lamb, or salmon provide lean protein to help maintain muscle health. Keep an eye on your dog’s weight, even if you walk everyday over feeding or feeding a diet with too many calories or fat/protein can increase risk of weight gain if the calories burned each day are low. High quality ancient grains as well as quality fiber sources like beet pulp can support healthy metabolism and weight.
- Running
- Activity level: Moderate to high
- Calories burned: 200-400 calories per hour (depending on the dog’s size and speed).
- Food to support: For more intense activities like running, your dog may need a higher-calorie food to replenish their energy stores. Foods with a higher fat content (like chicken fat, salmon oil, or flaxseed) help provide sustained energy.
- Fetch
- Activity level: Moderate to high
- Calories burned: 100-300 calories per 30-minute session (depending on intensity).
- Food to support: After a game of fetch, dogs can benefit from a recovery food that’s rich in proteins and carbohydrates as well as antioxidants. Also look for recipes with cartilage or that claim to include a certain level of glucosamine and chondroitin along with omega 3 to help with joint health and mobility during those sprints.
Swimming
- Activity level: High
- Calories burned: 200-500 calories per hour (depends on intensity and dog size).
- Food to support: Swimming is intense and burns a lot of energy, so your dog may need more caloric intake. Foods with a higher fat percentage, such as those made with fish oils or chicken fat, will help refuel them. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish (like salmon) are excellent for joint health, which is important for swimmers.
- Agility Training
- Activity level: High
- Calories burned: 300-500 calories per hour.
- Food to support: Agility is a physically demanding activity, so a higher-calorie/higher-fat, high-protein food is ideal. Look for formulas designed for active or working dogs. Foods with nutrient-rich ingredients like animal proteins and fats are great for maintaining energy levels. However, high quality carbohydrates that support energy for those short-term bursts of energy are just as important.
- Hiking or Trail Walking
- Activity level: Moderate to high (depending on terrain)
- Calories burned: 200-400 calories per hour.
- Food to support: Hiking is more of a consistent sustained energy. That’s where a balanced ratio of fat, protein and carbohydrates will help ensure the right energy is always available to your dog since they break down and release energy differently from macronutrient food sources. Highly digestible diets can help ensure the food your dog consumes is available for their bodies to use effectively.
- Playing with Other Dogs
- Activity level: Moderate to high (depending on the play intensity)
- Calories burned: 100-300 calories per 30 minutes.
- Food to support: Play burns off energy, and your dog might need balanced, high-energy food to stay fueled. Foods with healthy fats (like fish oil or chicken fat) and proteins will support recovery and help maintain muscle mass.
Working Dogs (e.g., Herding, Service Dogs, Search & Rescue)
- Activity level: Very high
- Calories burned: 500+ calories per hour (depending on the workload).
- Food to support: For working dogs, you want food that provides sustained energy. These dogs may need an “athletic” dog food that’s rich in calories, protein, and fat. Look for formulas specifically designed for active or performance dogs, with protein at 30% and fat at 20%. Also, look for added antioxidants for muscle recovery.
At Old Guard Pet Company, we’ve developed a variety of recipes designed to meet the unique needs of dogs with different activity levels and lifestyles. Our Patriot Power recipe is ideal for high-energy dogs that engage in daily, intense exercise, providing the perfect fuel to keep them performing at their best. For dogs with lower to moderate activity levels, our Big Guns and All-American recipes deliver balanced nutrition to support their energy needs. Crafted with a small-batch, slow-cooking process, our recipes are highly digestible, ensuring your dog gets the maximum nutrients to stay active and healthy.
Have questions or need personalized recommendations? Contact us at and we’ll help you find the perfect recipe to keep your dog happy and thriving.
