How much to feed
How much should I feed a very active or athletic dog?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A very active dog, such as one that runs, swims, or does structured sport several times a week, typically needs around 1.6 to 2 times its resting energy requirement, compared to about 1.4 to 1.6 times for an averagely active pet. In practical terms, that often means 15 to 30 percent more food than the standard chart figure for the same weight, adjusted based on how the dog's body condition actually responds.
Where the extra need comes from
Sustained aerobic activity, like running or swimming for 30 minutes or more, burns meaningfully more energy than a couple of moderate walks, and dogs doing agility, flyball, or similar sports add short bursts of high intensity effort on top of that.
The exact multiplier depends on session length and intensity, so a dog training twice a week needs less of an increase than one training most days.
Increasing the amount safely
Raise the daily total gradually, by about 10 percent at a time, over the weeks that activity ramps up, rather than jumping straight to a much larger portion on day one.
Splitting the increase across meals, rather than adding it all to one sitting, tends to suit active dogs better, especially around training or exercise sessions.
Checking the increase is right
Feel the ribs and check the waist every two weeks while activity is increasing, since a genuinely active dog can still gain weight if the food increase outpaces the real energy burned.
If your dog seems to be losing condition despite eating more, increase again by another 10 percent and reassess after two weeks. Keep an eye on energy levels too, since a dog struggling to recover between sessions can be a sign the increase has not quite kept pace with the actual training load.
Key takeaways
- A very active dog typically needs 15 to 30 percent more food than the standard chart figure for its weight.
- The exact increase depends on how often and how intensely the dog trains or exercises.
- Raise the amount gradually in 10 percent steps rather than all at once.
- Check body condition every two weeks while activity is increasing to confirm the amount is right.