How much to feed
How many calories does a one hour walk burn for a dog?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A one hour walk at a moderate pace typically burns somewhere between 150 and 400 kcal for an average sized dog, with the exact figure depending heavily on the dog's weight, pace, and terrain. This is already factored into the general activity multipliers used for daily feeding calculations, so it is more useful as context than as something to add on top of a normal day's food.
Why the range is so wide
A small 5kg dog walking briskly burns considerably fewer total calories than a 30kg dog covering the same route, simply because of the difference in body mass being moved, even though the smaller dog may work harder relative to its size.
Pace and terrain matter too. A relaxed amble burns noticeably less than a brisk walk with hills or off lead running mixed in.
How this fits into daily feeding
The activity multipliers used in standard daily calorie calculations, such as 1.6 times resting energy for an average dog, already assume a normal amount of daily walking, so a typical one hour walk does not usually need to be added as extra food on top of the calculated daily total.
Extra food only becomes appropriate if your dog's activity is meaningfully above what is typical for its multiplier category, such as adding a second long walk on top of an already active routine.
When it is worth adjusting for
If you significantly increase your dog's walking routine, such as starting daily hour long walks where there were previously only short ones, that is a genuine activity increase worth reflecting in a higher activity multiplier.
Track body condition over the following few weeks rather than adding calories immediately, since the effect of new exercise on weight takes time to show clearly and reacting too soon can overshoot the mark.
Key takeaways
- A one hour walk typically burns 150 to 400 kcal, varying with the dog's size, pace, and terrain.
- This is already accounted for in standard daily activity multipliers, so it usually does not need extra food on top.
- A meaningful, sustained increase in walking routine justifies a genuine increase in the daily calorie target.
- Track body condition over a few weeks after any exercise change before deciding whether to add more food.