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The 11 Best Dog Foods For Active Dogs

If you have an active dog, you may have noticed that no matter how much you feed them, they struggle to maintain their weight. Some breeds also have difficulty maintaining their body weight, particularly when they are young. A diet designed for active dogs may assist you in maintaining your dog's body weight and building muscle without breaking the budget by overfeeding a lower energy dog food.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has analyzed the best dog foods for active dogs to help you discover the ideal food for your active dog.

Guide to Choosing the Best Dog Foods for Active Dogs

What Is the Purpose of Active Dog Food?

If your dog goes for a stroll once or twice a day, he or she is unlikely to require active dog food. Active dog food has more calories, fat, and protein than regular dog food. This guarantees that these diets can fulfill the nutritional requirements of dogs who burn more calories per day than the normal pet dog.

Dogs that frequently participate in high-intensity sports and activities require food that not only provides them with the energy they require, but also supports the health of their muscles and joints and aids in the healing process after hard exercise. Long-distance running, trekking, bikejoring (mushing), swimming, and sledding are among activities that may necessitate more energy-dense diet. Dogs with jobs, such as police dogs, and dogs that struggle to maintain their body weight may also require active dog food.

In rare cases, pregnant and nursing dogs may need active dog food to give the nutrients they need to conceive, deliver, and nurse puppies. If you believe your dog may require an active dog diet, consult with your veterinarian for advice. These foods are not suited for all dogs, and it is critical that your veterinarian rule out any medical concerns before transitioning your dog to an active diet.

Conclusion

The best thing you can do for your active dog is to feed him high-quality dog food. These evaluations include our favorite high-quality meals designed exclusively for active dogs.

The Ollie’s Fresh Lamb with Cranberries recipe, which is a subscription-based diet with nutrient-dense ingredients, is the best overall food for active dogs. The Diamond Hi-Energy food is a more affordable alternative that is somewhat lower in fat and protein than some of the other selections but is still a fantastic option for active dogs.

Our third choice is the high-calorie Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 meal. The Eukanuba Premium Performance Puppy Pro food is the ideal choice for pups. Check out the Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe food if a veterinarian-recommended diet is vital to you.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes our evaluations and guide assist you in finding the best dog foods for active dogs.

Reviews

Hi-Energy Diamond

  • Ingredients: chicken byproduct meal
  • 24 percent protein content
  • Fat percentage: 20%
  • 433 kilocalories per cup

Diamond Hi-Energy is the most economical dog food for your active dog. This dog food has 24% protein and 20% fat, which is somewhat lower than some of the other active dog diets, but it is still enough for maintaining the health of your active dog.

It contains chicken by-product meal, which has a poor connotation yet is a nutrient-dense element in your dog’s diet.

This product contains probiotics, which help with digestion, as well as omega fatty acids, which help with skin, coat, joint, and heart health.

It’s also high in vitamin B12, which promotes healthy energy levels. While this meal is ideal for the average active dog, it may not provide enough nutrition for energetic working dogs.

Pros

  • Best price
  • Enough nutrition for the majority of active dogs
  • Ingredients are high in nutrients.
  • Promotes intestinal health
  • Vitamin B12 promotes normal energy levels.
  • Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids

Cons

  • It has less fat and protein than other alternatives.
  • Not recommended for vigorous working dogs.

 

Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Performance

  • Primary ingredients: salmon
  • Protein content is 30%.
  • Fat percentage: 20%
  • 527 kilocalories per cup

Our third choice for energetic dogs is the Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 diet. This dish provides 30% high-quality protein from salmon as well as 20% fat. It has 527 calories per cup and is perfect for energetic working dogs.

This meal is designed to enhance oxygen metabolism, giving your dog a lot of endurance and energy. It includes amino acids to aid muscle repair after exercise and an excellent dose of active probiotics to assist digestive health.

It also includes omega fatty acids and glucosamine, which help to maintain joint health. This meal does come at a premium price.

Pros

  • Protein content of 30% and fat content of 20%
  • 527 calories per cup
  • Designed to improve oxygen metabolism.
  • Promotes intestinal health
  • Amino acids aid in muscle repair.
  • Glucosamine and omega fatty acids for joint health

Cons

  • Premium cost

 

Recipe for Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb

  • Primary ingredients: lamb
  • 34.5 percent protein content
  • Fat percentage: 37.9%
  • 586 kilocalories per can

Our veterinarian recommends Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe canned food for active dogs. Lamb muscle and organ meats are included in this wet dish.

On a dry matter basis, it includes 34.5 percent protein and 37.9 percent fat, giving it an excellent source of nourishment for your energetic dog.

In reality, animal protein sources account for 91 percent of the food’s dry matter composition. It is made using responsibly sourced ingredients, making it a responsible choice.

This is a grain-free meal that may not be suitable for all dogs, so consult your veterinarian before making the switch. When eaten as a dog’s principal food source, it does command a premium price.

Pros

  • Vet’s choice
  • On a dry matter basis, it contains 34.5 percent protein and 37.9 percent fat.
  • Extremely nutrient-dense for active dogs
  • animal protein dry matter content of 91%
  • Ingredients sourced ethically

Cons

  • Grain-free
  • Premium cost

 

One True Instinct by Purina

  • Primary ingredients: turkey
  • Protein content is 30%.
  • 17 percent fat content
  • 365 calories per cup

The Purina One True Instinct features genuine turkey as the first ingredient, and it contains 30% protein and 17% fat, making it a wonderful meal for energetic dogs that require a reduced fat diet. It also has less calories per cup than typical active dog diets.

This diet contains omega fatty acids, which are beneficial to the skin, coat, joints, and heart. It also includes antioxidants, which help to maintain immunological health.

This cuisine is one of the more affordable options we looked at. It’s intended to be extremely appealing, however some folks discover that their finicky eaters don’t like it.

Pros

  • Protein content is 30% and fat content is 17%.
  • Contains less fat and calories than typical active dog diets.
  • Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Antioxidants are included to boost immunological health.
  • a less expensive choice

Cons

  • It might not work for finicky eaters.

 

32/32 Inukshuk

  • Ingredients: chicken meal
  • Protein content is 32%.
  • Fat percentage: 32%
  • 720 kilocalories per cup

The Inukshuk 32/32 food is the finest choice for exceptionally active dogs since it has 720 calories per cup. This exceptionally nutrient-dense dish has 32% protein and 32% fat.

It contains omega fatty acids, which are beneficial to the skin, coat, and joints. It’s also high in prebiotics, which are beneficial to digestive health.

Because this meal is a concentrated mix, it uses less food and generates less waste, making backyard cleaning easier. This is one of the more expensive foods we tested, but you will feed far less of it than most others.

Because this meal is fairly rich, several individuals claim that it is difficult to convert their dogs to it without causing diarrhea.

Pros

  • 720 calories per cup
  • Protein content is 32% and fat content is 32%.
  • Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Promotes intestinal health
  • A concentrated recipe generates less waste.

Cons

  • Premium cost
  • Transitioning dogs to this diet may be tough.

 

Victor Purpose Achievement

  • Ingredients: beef meal
  • Protein content is 26%.
  • The fat content is 18%.
  • 399 kilocalories per cup

The Victor Purpose Performance food contains 18% less fat than typical active dog diets, however it does include 26 percent protein. It’s composed of 81% meat protein on a dry matter basis, and it’s a nutrient-dense food. This food’s VPRO Blend promotes digestive and immunological health.

It’s high in omega fatty acids and amino acids. It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin for further joint assistance. Because it has less nutrients than some of the other alternatives, it may not be ideal for particularly energetic working dogs. This is one of the more affordable food alternatives for the amount of food you receive.

Some users claim that the size of these kibbles is too small for large dogs, making it difficult for them to eat.

Pros

  • Contains less fat and calories than typical active dog diets.
  • On a dry matter basis, animal protein accounts for 81% of the total.
  • Aids in digestive, immunological, and joint health.
  • Contains omega fatty acids and amino acids.
  • a less expensive choice

Cons

  • Not recommended for vigorous working dogs.
  • Small kibbles might be tough to consume.

 

Dinner with Merrick Grain-Free Real Duck

  • Main course: deboned duck
  • 36.4 percent protein content
  • 31.8 percent fat content
  • 358 kilocalories per can

On a dry matter basis, the Merrick Grain Free Real Duck Dinner canned dog food has 36.4 percent protein and 31.8 percent fat. Because it has less calories than most other active dog diets, it may not be suitable for particularly active working dogs.

It’s a grain-free diet, which isn’t suitable for all dogs, so consult your veterinarian before purchasing.

This food is a good alternative for feeding as a primary food source or as a food topper, however it is expensive if utilized as the major food source.

This is a highly appealing meal with a soft texture, making it an excellent choice for dogs that have difficulty eating.

Pros

  • On a dry matter basis, it has 36.4 percent protein and 31.8 percent fat.
  • Contains less calories than typical active dog meals.
  • It can be provided as a primary meal or as a supplement.
  • really tasty
  • Excellent choice for dogs that have difficulty eating.

Cons

  • Food without grains
  • Premium cost

 

Meal of Zignature Select Cuts Trout and Salmon

  • Primary ingredients: Trout
  • Protein content is 28%.
  • Fat percentage: 15%
  • 376 calories per cup

The Zignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Meal is an excellent choice for active dogs with dietary allergies and restrictions. This meal has 28% protein but only 15% fat, making it excellent for dogs that require a reduced fat diet.

It contains omega fatty acids, which are beneficial to the skin, coat, joints, and heart.

It contains oats, which give fiber that is good for your dog’s digestion. This dish costs a lot of money, and many people complain about how stinky it is because of the fish proteins in it. The kibble bits are also quite tiny, maybe too little for larger dogs.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for dogs with dietary sensitivity.
  • Contains less fat and calories than typical active dog diets.
  • Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Fiber sources that are high in fiber promote digestive health.

Cons

  • Premium cost
  • It may be stinky.
  • Small kibbles might be tough to consume.

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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