Home Dog Food High-Calorie Dog Food

High-Calorie Dog Food

By the Dog Health Handbook team · Updated · Fact-checked against current veterinary references (see sources)

Key takeaways

  • Working dogs, nursing mothers, puppies and underweight dogs may need extra calories.
  • A dog losing weight while eating well usually has a medical problem: see your vet first.
  • Switch to a more calorie-dense complete food rather than adding fatty toppers.
  • Keep treats and toppers under 10% of daily calories.
  • Starved dogs need a slow, vet-guided restart to avoid refeeding syndrome.

Table of Contents

Research Who needs it Why a dog is thin Adding calories Performance diets Puppies Very thin dogs How fast to gain Homemade food FAQ Sources

High-calorie dog food packs more energy into each cup, which helps dogs that burn a lot of calories, such as working and sport dogs, nursing mothers and growing puppies, or dogs that need to regain weight.1,2 The safest way to add calories is to switch to, or mix in, a complete and balanced food that is more calorie-dense, rather than piling on fatty toppers.3,4 If your dog is thin for no clear reason, see your vet first: weight loss often has a medical cause, such as worms, diabetes or a digestive problem.5,6

See your vet before adding calories if your dog:

  • Is losing weight while eating normally or even more than usual5,6
  • Is very thin, with ribs, spine and hip bones clearly visible7,8
  • Has large, pale, greasy stools or ongoing diarrhea6
  • Has stopped eating, eats less, or seems to have mouth pain5

Waiting usually makes weight loss harder to fix.5 A starved or neglected dog needs a slow, vet-guided restart, because feeding too much too fast can be dangerous.9,8

What the Research Says

  • Some dogs need huge amounts of energy. Sled dogs in training can burn about 4,000 to 5,000 kcal a day, and racing can push that past 10,000 kcal.10
  • Nursing mothers need the most. A nursing dog can need 2 to 4 times her usual calories, depending on litter size.1
  • Calorie density varies a lot. Endurance diets hold about 500 to 600 kcal per cup, while sprint diets have about 300 to 400.2
  • Fat fuels endurance. In an older beagle study cited by Cornell researchers, a diet with about 69% of calories from fat gave better stamina than one with about 27%.11
  • Starved dogs need a slow start. Shelter protocols start an emaciated dog at one third of its resting calories and build up over several days to avoid refeeding syndrome.8,9

Which Dogs Need High-Calorie Food?

DogHow much more energyWhat to feed
Working and sport dogsCan be well above maintenance, depending on the work1,10A performance or work diet with more animal fat1
Pregnant dogs, last thirdAt least 20% to 30% more than usual1A growth (puppy) diet from the start of pregnancy1
Nursing mothers2 to 4 times maintenance1A complete growth diet, available freely1
PuppiesAbout 3 times resting needs before 4 months, 2 times after12A growth or all life stages food1,13
Underweight or recovering dogsEnough to reach ideal weight, increased in steps8A complete, calorie-dense food after a vet check5

Why Is My Dog Skinny Even Though He Eats a Lot?

A dog that loses weight while eating well, or eats more than ever, usually has a medical problem rather than a food problem.5 Common causes include:

  • Intestinal worms. Bring a fresh stool sample to your vet. See worms in dogs.5
  • Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The pancreas stops making digestive enzymes, so dogs lose weight despite a huge appetite and pass large, pale, greasy stools. A blood test confirms it, and enzyme powder in each meal treats it.6 See EPI in dogs.
  • Diabetes. Diabetic dogs may eat ravenously and still lose weight.5 See diabetic dog diet.
  • Gut disease and chronic diarrhea. Working dogs with chronic large-bowel diarrhea gained about 2 kg on average once it was treated with fiber.14,5
  • Other conditions, including some cancers and adrenal, thyroid, liver and kidney disease.5
  • Simply not enough calories for a very active dog.10,2

If your dog is thin and eating less, think of dental pain, nausea, heart disease or cancer. Household changes, such as a bossy housemate dog at the food bowl or a moved bowl, can also play a part.5 See dog not eating.

Check your dog's body condition score. On the 9-point scale, scores of 1 to 3 are too thin: ribs are easily felt and may be visible, and hip bones start to stand out.7 See our body condition score guide.

How to Add Calories Safely

  1. Get a vet check first if the weight loss is unexplained.5
  2. Switch to a more calorie-dense complete food. Performance, growth and recovery diets pack more calories into each cup. Check "Calorie Content" on the label for kcal per cup.1,2,13
  3. Change over gradually, across about a week or more, to avoid an upset stomach.15
  4. Feed for the target weight. Shelter vets estimate a thin dog's ideal weight at about 20% to 30% above its current weight and work up to feeding for that.8
  5. Keep extras under 10%. Toppers, treats and table food should be no more than 10% of daily calories, so the diet stays balanced.3
  6. Weigh weekly and recheck body condition, adjusting as you go.8,7

Be careful with fatty add-ins

Fatty extras such as meat fat, greasy leftovers or ground beef are an easy way to add calories, but they can upset the stomach.16 A fatty meal can also trigger pancreatitis in some dogs, and table scraps raised pancreatitis risk in one study.17,18 Skip them for dogs with a history of pancreatitis or high blood fats, such as many Miniature Schnauzers.4 We found no veterinary source that recommends adding oils to boost calories, so ask your vet before you do. See pancreatitis in dogs.

Performance Diets for Working and Sport Dogs

Active dogs need different fuel depending on their sport. Endurance dogs burn mostly fat, while sprinters use more carbohydrate.2,10

Endurance (sled dogs, long hunts)Sprint (racing, agility)
Fat (dry matter)Up to 35%212% to 17%2
ProteinAbout 24% to 30% of calories, or more10,11About 24% of calories10
Calories per cupAbout 500 to 600 kcal2About 300 to 400 kcal2
  • Give the body time to adapt. Switch to a high-fat diet as training increases, allow 4 to 6 weeks, and taper back in the off-season.2
  • Time meals around work. Feed about a third of the day's food before a work shift.1 Sprinters do best on small meals the day before an event.2
  • Water matters most. Offer small amounts of cool water often. Electrolyte drinks aren't needed.2,1
  • Watch for stress diarrhea, which is common in working dogs. Fiber and probiotics can help.2

Puppies: Growth Food, Not Extra Calories

Puppies need lots of energy, but they need it from a food made for growth. Feed a growth or all life stages food, and keep large and giant breeds on a large breed growth diet.1,19 In the first 5 months, puppies gain about 2 to 4 grams a day for every kilogram of their expected adult weight.1 Don't free-feed large breed puppies or push fast growth with extra calories: it raises the risk of excess fat and skeletal problems.19 If your puppy seems thin or isn't growing, see your vet and check for worms.5

Feeding a Very Thin or Rescued Dog

A dog that has been starved, or has eaten very little for several days, is at risk of refeeding syndrome. Suddenly giving lots of food can cause dangerous shifts in fluids and minerals such as phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.9 Older and critically ill dogs are at higher risk.9

Vets restart these dogs slowly. A typical shelter protocol:8

  • Day 1: one third of the dog's resting calorie needs
  • Day 2: two thirds
  • Day 3: full resting needs, held for at least a week
  • Week 2: food for the dog's current weight and life stage
  • Week 3 on: if all is well, food for the estimated ideal weight, with a recheck after about 3 to 6 weeks

Weight should hold steady in the first week. Quick early gain may be water rather than real recovery.8 Your vet will check blood minerals and may give vitamins.8 Please don't attempt this without a vet.

How Fast Should a Dog Gain Weight?

We found no published weekly weight-gain target for healthy underweight dogs. Slow and steady is the safe approach. Shelter protocols increase food in weekly steps and reassess after 3 to 6 weeks.8 For comparison, vets aim for weight loss of only about 1% to 2% of body weight a week.20 Weigh your dog once a week, score body condition, and ask your vet to recheck every few weeks until your dog reaches a body condition score of 4 to 5.7,3

Homemade High-Calorie Food

Homemade "weight gain" recipes are popular online, but most homemade dog food recipes are incomplete. In a UC Davis study, 95% of 200 recipes lacked at least one essential nutrient.21,22 If you want to cook, ask a board-certified veterinary nutritionist for a balanced recipe.21 Don't feed raw meat or raw eggs to add calories: they can carry harmful germs.23

For the opposite problem, see overweight dog and our dog weight calculator.

Food and Nutrition QuickLinks

How Much to Feed High-Calorie Food Colitis Diet Pancreatitis Diet Sensitive Skin Food Urinary Diet Kidney Diet Liver Diet Diabetic Diet Overweight Dog Dog Not Eating

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I add to my dog's food for more calories?

The safest option is a more calorie-dense complete food, mixed in gradually. Keep toppers and treats under 10% of daily calories, and avoid fatty scraps, which can upset the stomach or trigger pancreatitis.

How can I fatten up my skinny dog?

See your vet first to rule out worms, EPI, diabetes and other illness. Then feed a complete, calorie-dense food for your dog's ideal weight, increase in steps and weigh your dog every week.

What do you feed a very skinny dog?

A very thin or starved dog needs a vet visit and a slow restart, starting with a fraction of normal food and building up over several days. Feeding a lot at once can cause refeeding syndrome.

How do I help my puppy gain weight?

Feed a growth or all life stages food in measured meals, and check with your vet for worms or other problems. Don't push fast growth in large breed puppies.

Why is my dog losing weight but always hungry?

Weight loss with a big appetite often means a medical problem, such as EPI, diabetes, worms or gut disease. See your vet soon rather than just feeding more.

How long does it take for a dog to gain weight?

There's no set timeline. Expect gradual gains over several weeks, with food increased in steps and rechecks with your vet every few weeks.

Ask Our Team a Question

Help Others by Sharing Your Dog Health Related Question or Story!

Have a Question, Request or Want to Share a Story that could help others? Our team will answer questions for free!

Please include information such as your dog's medical history, age, sex, breed, symptoms, diet, changes in behavior and medications. Providing pictures by uploading them below can also be of help.

We will do our best to get back to you quickly (it depends on how many questions we receive each day). If you do require an immediate response we suggest using this online dog veterinary service that is available now.

[ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional)[ ? ]

 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

(first or full name)

(e.g., City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

  •  submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)

Sources and further reading

This article was rewritten and fact-checked on October 30, 2026 against current veterinary references and specialist guidelines:

  1. Sanderson SL. Feeding Practices in Small Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual (professional version), reviewed November 2023, updated October 2024.
  2. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center (DogWatch reprint quoting Wakshlag JJ). Feeding Your Performance Dog. Cornell University, undated.
  3. Cline MG, Burns KM, Coe JB, Downing R, Durzi T, Murphy M, Parker V. 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 2021;57:153-174.
  4. Steiner JM (reviewed by Carney P). Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats. Merck Veterinary Manual (professional version), reviewed and updated September 2025.
  5. Eldredge DM. Why Is My Dog Losing Weight? Whole Dog Journal, April 1, 2024, updated August 26, 2025.
  6. Steiner JM. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Dogs and Cats. Merck Veterinary Manual (professional version), reviewed and updated September 2025.
  7. WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. Body Condition Score: Dog. World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Nutrition Toolkit, 2025.
  8. ASPCApro. Feeding Protocol and Nutrition Best Practices for Emaciated Dogs. ASPCA, undated, accessed October 2026.
  9. MSPCA-Angell. Refeeding Syndrome. MSPCA-Angell clinical resource, February 11, 2026, modified April 28, 2026.
  10. Wakshlag JJ. The new age of working dogs. Article PDF hosted by Petfood Industry, posted February 2015.
  11. Ober J, Gillette RL, Angle TC, Haney P, Fletcher DJ, Wakshlag JJ. The effects of varying concentrations of dietary protein and fat on blood gas, hematologic serum chemistry, and body temperature before and after exercise in Labrador Retrievers. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 3:59, 2016.
  12. Sanderson SL. Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, updated September 2024.
  13. Association of American Feed Control Officials. Reading Labels. AAFCO, page last modified June 11, 2024.
  14. Alves JC, Santos A, Jorge P, Pitães A. The use of soluble fibre for the management of chronic idiopathic large-bowel diarrhoea in police working dogs. BMC Veterinary Research 17:100, 2021.
  15. Tufts Your Dog (quoting Linder DE). Why It's Important to Switch to a New Food Gradually. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, undated.
  16. Linder DE, Halbreich E. Does My Pet Need a 'Bland Diet'? Petfoodology, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, February 22, 2022.
  17. Hunter T, Panning A, Ward E. Pancreatitis in Dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals, updated February 6, 2026.
  18. Lem KY. Evaluation of dietary factors associated with spontaneous pancreatitis in dogs. Thesis, Texas A&M University, 2010 (CORE record).
  19. Canadian Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, Grant C, Williams K, Downing R. Feeding Growing Puppies. VCA Animal Hospitals, updated February 4, 2025.
  20. Linder DE. How Fast Is Too Fast For My Pet To Lose Weight? Petfoodology, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, October 9, 2018.
  21. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (UC Davis News Service). Homemade dog food recipes can be risky business, study finds. University of California, Davis, July 15, 2013.
  22. Stockman J, Fascetti AJ, Kass PH, Larsen JA. Evaluation of recipes of home-prepared maintenance diets for dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;242(11):1500-1505.
  23. American Veterinary Medical Association. Raw or undercooked animal-source protein in cat and dog diets (policy). AVMA, accessed October 2026.

About this article

Last updated : fully rewritten using the Merck Veterinary Manual, Cornell University, published sport and working dog nutrition research, ASPCApro and MSPCA-Angell refeeding protocols, WSAVA and AAHA guidelines and Whole Dog Journal; added the research summary, a who needs extra calories table, a performance diet table, a refeeding protocol, key takeaways and FAQ.

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian.