If you have an active dog, you may have found that you struggle with keeping weight on your dog, no matter how much you feed them. Some breeds also struggle to maintain their body weight, especially while they’re young. A food formulated for active dogs may help you maintain your dog’s body weight and build muscle without having to break the bank by overfeeding a lower energy dog food. To help you find the right food for your active dog, we’ve reviewed the 10 best foods for active dogs.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Ollie Lamb with Cranberries Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Nutrient-dense wet food
May support urinary tract health
36.7% protein and 30% fat on a dry matter basis
Click to Save 50%
Best Value
Diamond Hi-Energy
Supports digestive health
Adequate nutrients for most active dogs
Contains nutrient-dense ingredients
Check Price
Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20
30% protein and 20% fat content
527 kcal per cup
Formulated to optimize oxygen metabolism
Check Price
Best for Puppies
Eukanuba Puppy Pro
Designed for active puppies
28% protein and 18% fat content
DHA supports brain development
Check Price
Vet’s Choice
Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe
Ethically sourced ingredients
34.5% protein and 37.9% fat on a dry matter basis
Very high in nutrients for active dogs
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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Active Dogs
1. Ollie Lamb with Cranberries Recipe Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
Click Here to Save 50% with Ollie
Main ingredients: Lamb
Protein content: 36.7%
Fat content: 30%
Calories: 1,804 kcal/kg
The Ollie Fresh Lamb with Cranberries recipe is the best overall dog food for your active dog. This food contains nutrient-dense ingredients like lamb, lamb liver, kale, green beans, butternut squash, and cranberries may help support urinary tract health. This food has a 36.7% protein content and 30% fat content on a dry matter basis, making it ideal for active dogs.
This food is sold on a subscription basis, and you can add additional recipes to your subscription if you’d like for your dog to have some variety. Many of the other wet food recipes have similar fat and protein contents to the lamb recipe. Since this is a subscription-based food, it retails for a premium price.
Pros
Nutrient-dense wet food
May support urinary tract health
36.7% protein and 30% fat on a dry matter basis
Subscription-based food
Your subscription can be customized as desired
Other recipes contain similar nutrient profiles
Cons
Premium price
Diamond Hi-Energy is the best dog food for your active dog for the money. This dog food contains 24% protein and 20% fat, so it is a little lower than some of the other active dog foods, but it is still adequate for supporting your active dog’s health. It contains chicken by-product meal, which has a bad reputation but is actually a nutrient-dense ingredient in your dog’s food.
Nutrient-dense wet food
May support urinary tract health
36.7% protein and 30% fat on a dry matter basis
Subscription-based food
Your subscription can be customized as desired
Other recipes contain similar nutrient profiles
- Nutrient-dense wet food
- May support urinary tract health
- 36.7% protein and 30% fat on a dry matter basis
- Subscription-based food
- Your subscription can be customized as desired
- Other recipes contain similar nutrient profiles
Premium price
- Premium price
Check Price on Chewy
This food contains probiotics to support digestive health and omega fatty acids to support skin, coat, joint, and heart health. It’s also a good source of vitamin B12, which supports healthy energy levels. While this food is a great option for your typical active dog, it may not contain enough nutrients for active working dogs.
Pros
Best value
Adequate nutrients for most active dogs
Contains nutrient-dense ingredients
Supports digestive health
Vitamin B12 supports healthy energy levels
Good source of omega fatty acids
Cons
Less fat and protein than other options
Not ideal for active working dogs
The Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 food is our third pick food for active dogs. This food contains 30% high-quality protein from salmon, as well as 20% fat. It comes in at 527 calories per cup, making it ideal for active working dogs.
Best value
Adequate nutrients for most active dogs
Contains nutrient-dense ingredients
Supports digestive health
Vitamin B12 supports healthy energy levels
Good source of omega fatty acids
- Best value
- Adequate nutrients for most active dogs
- Contains nutrient-dense ingredients
- Supports digestive health
- Vitamin B12 supports healthy energy levels
- Good source of omega fatty acids
Less fat and protein than other options
Not ideal for active working dogs
- Less fat and protein than other options
- Not ideal for active working dogs
This food is formulated to optimize oxygen metabolism, ensuring your dog has high levels of endurance and energy. It’s a good source of live probiotics to support digestive health, and it contains amino acids to support muscle recovery after activity. It also contains omega fatty acids and glucosamine to support joint health. This food does retail for a premium price.
Pros
30% protein and 20% fat content
527 kcal per cup
Formulated to optimize oxygen metabolism
Supports digestive health
Amino acids support muscle recovery
Omega fatty acids and glucosamine for joint health
Cons
Premium price
- Eukanuba Premium Performance Puppy Pro Food – Best for Puppies Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal
Protein content: 28%
Fat content: 18%
Calories: 360 kcal/cup
If you’re feeding an active puppy, the best food option is the Eukanuba Premium Performance Puppy Pro food. This food contains 28% protein and 18% fat, along with 360 calories per cup, making it ideal for active, growing puppies.
30% protein and 20% fat content
527 kcal per cup
Formulated to optimize oxygen metabolism
Supports digestive health
Amino acids support muscle recovery
Omega fatty acids and glucosamine for joint health
- 30% protein and 20% fat content
- 527 kcal per cup
- Formulated to optimize oxygen metabolism
- Supports digestive health
- Amino acids support muscle recovery
- Omega fatty acids and glucosamine for joint health
It’s a good source of DHA, which supports brain development, and glucosamine and chondroitin, which support healthy joints. It contains a tailored antioxidant complex to protect against the negative effects of exercise, as well as amino acids to support muscle growth and healing. The cylinder-shaped kibbles are designed to slow your puppy’s eating speed. This food does retail for a premium price that may be out of some people’s budgets.
Pros
Designed for active puppies
28% protein and 18% fat content
DHA supports brain development
Supports joint and muscle growth and health
Cylinder shape slows eating speed
Cons
Premium price
- See Also: Eukanuba Dog Food Review
The Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe canned food is our vet’s choice food for active dogs. This wet food contains lamb muscle and organ meats. It contains 34.5% protein and 37.9% fat on a dry matter basis, making it exceptionally high in nutrition for your active dog. In fact, 91% of the dry matter content of the food is made from animal protein sources. It contains ethically sourced ingredients, making this food a responsible option.
Designed for active puppies
28% protein and 18% fat content
DHA supports brain development
Supports joint and muscle growth and health
Cylinder shape slows eating speed
- Designed for active puppies
- 28% protein and 18% fat content
- DHA supports brain development
- Supports joint and muscle growth and health
- Cylinder shape slows eating speed
This is a grain-free food, which may not be appropriate for all dogs, so make sure to discuss this with your vet before transitioning to this food. It does retail for a premium price when fed as the primary food source for a dog.
Pros
Vet’s pick
34.5% protein and 37.9% fat on a dry matter basis
Very high in nutrients for active dogs
91% animal protein dry matter content
Ethically sourced ingredients
Cons
Grain-free
Premium price
The Purina One True Instinct contains real turkey as the number one ingredient, and it has a 30% protein content and 17% fat content, making it a good food for active dogs that need a lower fat diet. It’s lower in calories per cup than most active dog foods as well.
Vet’s pick
34.5% protein and 37.9% fat on a dry matter basis
Very high in nutrients for active dogs
91% animal protein dry matter content
Ethically sourced ingredients
- Vet’s pick
- 34.5% protein and 37.9% fat on a dry matter basis
- Very high in nutrients for active dogs
- 91% animal protein dry matter content
- Ethically sourced ingredients
Grain-free
Premium price
- Grain-free
- Premium price
This food is a good source of omega fatty acids to support skin, coat, joint, and heart health. It also contains antioxidants to support immune health. This food is one of the more budget-friendly picks we reviewed. It’s designed to be highly palatable, but some people find their picky eaters aren’t a fan of this food.
Pros
30% protein and 17% fat content
Lower in fat and calories than most active dog foods
Good source of omega fatty acids
Contains antioxidants to support immune health
Budget-friendly option
Cons
May not work for picky eaters
For very active dogs, the Inukshuk 32/32 food is the best food choice because it comes in at 720 calories per cup of food. This extremely nutrient-dense food contains 32% protein and 32% fat. It’s a good source of omega fatty acids for skin, coat, and joint health. It’s also a good source of prebiotics for digestive health.
30% protein and 17% fat content
Lower in fat and calories than most active dog foods
Good source of omega fatty acids
Contains antioxidants to support immune health
Budget-friendly option
- 30% protein and 17% fat content
- Lower in fat and calories than most active dog foods
- Good source of omega fatty acids
- Contains antioxidants to support immune health
- Budget-friendly option
May not work for picky eaters
- May not work for picky eaters
Since this food is a concentrated formula, it requires less amount of food and produces less waste, making backyard cleanup easier. This is one of the more premium-priced foods we reviewed, but you will feed significantly less of it than most other foods. Since this food is quite rich, some people report it being difficult to transition their dogs to this food without diarrhea.
Pros
720 kcal per cup
32% protein and 32% fat content
Good source of omega fatty acids
Supports digestive health
Concentrated formula produces less waste
Cons
Premium price
May be difficult to transition dogs to this food
The Victor Purpose Performance food is lower in fat than most active dog foods at 18% fat content, but it does contain 26% protein. It’s composed of 81% meat protein on a dry matter basis, and it’s a nutrient-dense food. The VPRO Blend in this food supports digestive and immune health.
720 kcal per cup
32% protein and 32% fat content
Good source of omega fatty acids
Supports digestive health
Concentrated formula produces less waste
- 720 kcal per cup
- 32% protein and 32% fat content
- Good source of omega fatty acids
- Supports digestive health
- Concentrated formula produces less waste
Premium price
May be difficult to transition dogs to this food
- Premium price
- May be difficult to transition dogs to this food
It’s a good source of omega fatty acids and amino acids. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for extra joint support. This food is less nutrient-dense than some of the other options, so it may not be suitable for extremely active working dogs. For the amount of food you receive, this is one of the more budget-friendly food options.
Some people report finding the size of these kibbles to be too small for large dogs, making it difficult for them to eat this food.
Pros
Lower in fat and calories than most active dog foods
81% meat protein on a dry matter basis
Supports digestive, immune, and joint health
Good source of omega fatty acids and amino acids
Budget-friendly option
Cons
Not ideal for active working dogs
Small kibbles may be difficult to eat
The Merrick Grain Free Real Duck Dinner canned dog food contains 36.4% protein and 31.8% fat content on a dry matter basis. It’s lower in calories than most other active dog foods, so it may not be ideal for extremely active working dogs. It’s a grain-free food, which isn’t ideal for all dogs, so talk to your vet about this food.
Lower in fat and calories than most active dog foods
81% meat protein on a dry matter basis
Supports digestive, immune, and joint health
Good source of omega fatty acids and amino acids
Budget-friendly option
- Lower in fat and calories than most active dog foods
- 81% meat protein on a dry matter basis
- Supports digestive, immune, and joint health
- Good source of omega fatty acids and amino acids
- Budget-friendly option
Not ideal for active working dogs
Small kibbles may be difficult to eat
- Not ideal for active working dogs
- Small kibbles may be difficult to eat
This food is a good option to be fed as a primary food source or as a food topper, although it retails for a premium price if used as the primary food source. This is a highly palatable food with a soft texture, making it a good option for dogs with eating difficulties.
Pros
36.4% protein and 31.8% fat on a dry matter basis
Lower in calories than most active dog foods
Can be fed as a primary food or as a topper
Highly palatable
Good option for dogs with eating difficulties
Cons
Grain-free food
Premium price
For active dogs with food sensitivities and restrictions, the Zignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Meal is a great option. This food contains 28% protein but only contains 15% fat, making it ideal for dogs that need a lower fat food. It’s a good source of omega fatty acids for skin, coat, joint, and heart health.
36.4% protein and 31.8% fat on a dry matter basis
Lower in calories than most active dog foods
Can be fed as a primary food or as a topper
Highly palatable
Good option for dogs with eating difficulties
- 36.4% protein and 31.8% fat on a dry matter basis
- Lower in calories than most active dog foods
- Can be fed as a primary food or as a topper
- Highly palatable
- Good option for dogs with eating difficulties
Grain-free food
Premium price
- Grain-free food
- Premium price
It contains oats, which provide healthy fiber to maintain your dog’s digestive health. This food retails for a premium price, and many people report finding this food to be exceptionally smelly due to the fish proteins in it. The kibble pieces are also very small and may be too small for large dogs.
Pros
Good option for dogs with food sensitivities
Lower in fat and calories than most active dog foods
Good source of omega fatty acids
Healthy fiber sources support digestive health
Cons
Premium price
May be smelly
Small kibbles may be difficult to eat
Good option for dogs with food sensitivities
Lower in fat and calories than most active dog foods
Good source of omega fatty acids
Healthy fiber sources support digestive health
- Good option for dogs with food sensitivities
- Lower in fat and calories than most active dog foods
- Good source of omega fatty acids
- Healthy fiber sources support digestive health
Premium price
May be smelly
Small kibbles may be difficult to eat
- Premium price
- May be smelly
- Small kibbles may be difficult to eat
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Foods for Active Dogs
Why Do Some Dogs Need Active Dog Food?
If your dog goes for a walk once or twice a day, then it’s unlikely that your dog needs food for active dogs. Active dog food is higher in calories, fat, and protein than your average dog food. This ensures that these foods can meet the needs of dogs that burn more calories per day than the average pet dog.
Dogs that regularly participate in high-energy sports and activities often need food that can not only provide them with the energy they need but also support the health of their muscles and joints and help their bodies heal after strenuous activity. Activities like long-distance running, hiking, bikejoring (mushing), swimming, and sledding may all require more energy-dense food. Dogs with jobs, like police dogs, and dogs that have difficulty maintaining their body weight may also need active dog food.
In some instances, pregnant and nursing dogs may require active dog food to provide them with the nutrients necessary to develop, birth, and feed puppies. If you think your dog might need an active dog food, it’s a good idea to talk to your dog’s vet for their recommendations. These foods are not appropriate for all dogs, and it’s important that your vet rules out any medical cause for concern before switching your dog to an active diet.
Conclusion
When it comes to feeding your active dog, the best thing you can do is feed it high-quality dog food. These reviews comprise our favorite high-quality foods that are made specifically with active dogs in mind.
The best overall food for active dogs is the Ollie Fresh Lamb with Cranberries recipe, which is a subscription-based food that contains nutrient-dense ingredients. The more budget-friendly option is the Diamond Hi-Energy food, which is slightly lower in fat and protein than some of the other options but is still a great option for active dogs.
Our third pick is the Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 food, which is high in calories. For puppies, the best option is the Eukanuba Premium Performance Puppy Pro food. If a veterinarian-recommended food is important for you, check out the Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe food.
Featured Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock
