Active and working dogs — including sled dogs, sporting breeds during hunting season, agility competitors, and high-energy pets who exercise 2+ hours daily — have caloric and macronutrient needs dramatically different from couch dogs. Performance dogs can burn 2–4x their resting energy requirement during work. They need 28–35% protein for muscle repair, 18–22% fat for sustained energy, and highly digestible formulas to prevent exercise-induced diarrhea.
Best Overall
Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20
Best Budget
Taste of the Wild High Prairie
Best Premium
Orijen Original
What is the best dog food for active dogs?
Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 is our top pick for active dogs — 30% protein and 20% fat specifically formulated for dogs doing sustained physical work. It's the most widely used performance food among professional trainers, sled dog handlers, and competitive dog sport athletes. AAFCO feeding trials conducted.
How much more should I feed my active dog?
A moderately active dog (1–2 hours exercise daily) needs about 20–40% more calories than a sedentary dog. A working dog (field trials, sled racing, herding) may need 50–200% more. Calculate based on work level, not just breed. Weigh your dog monthly and adjust portions based on body condition score — muscle gain is positive, but weight loss means underfueling.
Independent ranking. We are not sponsored by any brand featured on this page. Picks are selected based on ingredient quality, AAFCO compliance, and available feeding trial data.
| # | Product | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20Editor's Pick | Daily high-intensity exercise + endurance sports |
| 2 | Orijen Original | Maximum protein quality for performance |
| 3 | Taste of the Wild High PrairieBest Value | High-energy dogs with grain sensitivity |
Performance Formula
Key Ingredients
Brand
Nestlé Purina — the most trusted performance food among professional dog handlers; AAFCO feeding trials; widely used in Iditarod and hunting dog programs.
Pros
Cons
High-Protein Kibble
Key Ingredients
Brand
Champion Petfoods — 85% animal ingredients; superior protein bioavailability for muscle repair after hard exercise.
Pros
Cons
Grain-Free Performance
Key Ingredients
Brand
Diamond Pet Foods — affordable novel protein formula for active dogs; palatability is high, making it useful for picky working dogs.
Recall History
2012 recall for Salmonella (resolved).
Pros
Cons
Feed 2 hours after vigorous exercise, not immediately before or after. Feeding immediately before exercise contributes to bloat risk and GI upset during activity. Feeding immediately after causes blood to be diverted to digestion before muscles can properly recover. A small snack (10% of a meal) 3+ hours before a long working day is fine for sustained-energy sports like field trials.
For most working dogs on a quality performance kibble, additional supplements aren't necessary. Exceptions: omega-3 supplementation (fish oil) can benefit joint health in dogs doing repetitive athletic work; electrolyte supplements may help in extreme heat or sustained aerobic work (sled dogs running 100+ miles). Avoid protein powders intended for humans — they're not formulated for canine physiology.