5 Best High Calorie Dog Foods (2023)
What is the best high calorie dog food?
After careful analysis, our top recommended high calorie dog food is Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe.
At 522 kcal/cup it’s incredibly calorie dense and can help you dog gain weight quickly. It’s also got high quality protein sources and is packed with essential fatty acids to boost your dog’s health and immune system.
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Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat
best-high-calorie-dog-food Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Puppy & Performance Dogs Dry Dog Food
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Calories
522 kcal/cup
Protein
30%
Fat
20%
Fiber
3.8%
Our Score
1. Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat [ CHECK PRICE ]
2. Kinetic Performance Power 30K [ CHECK PRICE ]
3. Nature's Logic Chicken Meal Feast [ CHECK PRICE ]
4. VICTOR Classic High Energy [ CHECK PRICE ]
5. Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast [ CHECK PRICE ]
Vet's Advice
Vet: Rebecca MacMillan
rebecca-macmillan-breed-advisor
There may be scenarios where your dog requires high-calorie dog food to maintain optimum health.
High-calorie diets are needed for many high-energy working breeds of dogs because they may struggle to keep weight on due to the amount of physical activity they do.
Other pets suffering from certain health complaints may also benefit from a high-calorie diet to help keep their condition on.
It can be hard to determine the number of daily calories a dog needs, as it depends on age, breed, neutering status, and exercise levels.
You may find a calorie calculator helpful to work out your dog’s individual needs and resting energy requirements (RER).
Some working dogs will require two to five times their RER! Here’s what to look for generally when selecting a high-calorie food for your dog.
Choose a calorie-dense food
Compare the number of calories per cup between different brands to see which delivers the most energy for the same volume of food.
Feeding your dog with energy-dense portions may be easier than trying to increase the amount of their regular diet which may make them feel overly full.
Select calories that come from protein
Many diets contain calories that come from fat as the diet’s primary energy source. Whilst fats do provide useful calories and are part of a balanced diet, they don’t help to build lean muscle mass.
So, you should be looking for a diet that contains a higher proportion of protein compared to fat, with whole meat or meat meal appearing at the top of the ingredients list.
Avoid junk foods
Steer clear of overly processed foods and treats. It can be tempting to get calories into your dog in this way, but they won’t be receiving a nutritious wholesome diet.
The calories should come as part of a balanced diet with the right number of vitamins and minerals, too, so choose a diet that meets AAFCO requirements.
Compare Our Recommended Dog Foods
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
Top 5 Ingredients
Type
Lifestage
Calories
Protein
Fat
Fiber
Cost
Our score
Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat
best-high-calorie-dog-food Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Puppy & Performance Dogs Dry Dog Food
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Chicken Meal
Brown Rice
Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
Dried Plain Beet Pulp
Ground Grain Sorghum
Dry food
Adult and puppy
522 kcal/cup
30%
20%
3.8%
Kinetic Performance Power 30K
best-high-calorie-dog-food Kinetic Performance Power 30K Formula Dry Dog Food
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Chicken Meal
Chicken By-Product Meal
Chicken Fat (mixed tocopherol preservative)
Brewers Rice
Ground Sorghum
Dry food
Adult
462 kcal/cup
30%
20%
3%
Nature's Logic Chicken Meal Feast
best-high-calorie-dog-food Nature's Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
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Chicken Meal
Millet
Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
Pumpkin Seed
Yeast Culture
Dry food
All life stages
417.95 kcal/cup
36%
15%
5%
VICTOR Classic High Energy
best-high-calorie-dog-food VICTOR Classic High Energy Formula Dry Dog Food
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Beef Meal
Grain Sorghum
Whole Grain Millet
Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols)
Chicken Meal
Dry food
Adult
412 kcal/cup
24%
20%
3.8%
Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast
best-high-calorie-dog-food Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food
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Bison Meal
Peas
Pea Protein
Tapioca
Dried Egg
Dry food
Adult
400 kcal/cup
32%
18%
4%
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High Calorie Dog Food Reviews
Our Top Dog Food
Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Check Price
Kinetic Performance Power 30K Check Price
Nature's Logic Chicken Meal Feast Check Price
VICTOR Classic High Energy Check Price
Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Check Price
best-high-calorie-dog-food Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Puppy & Performance Dogs Dry Dog Food
Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Puppy & Performance Dogs Dry Dog Food
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Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Puppy & Performance Dogs Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
Top 5 Ingredients:
Chicken MealBrown RiceChicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)Dried Plain Beet PulpGround Grain Sorghum
Type: Dry food
Lifestage: Adult and puppy
Calories: 522 kcal/cup
Protein: 30%
Fat: 20%
Fiber: 3.8%
Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe is a top-quality diet whose high-calorie formulation is a great help for dogs that need to gain weight.
A diet that is exceptionally flavorful, Adirondack packs a powerhouse punch of protein with its inclusion of chicken meal in its formulation. This meat is rich in amino acids to promote healthy muscle development.
Adirondack places a high priority on the use of natural ingredients obtained from reputable sources to ensure maximum nutrition for dogs.
A diet that is considered to be among the best high-calorie dog foods on the market today, Adirondack is manufactured in the United States.
This premium-tier diet is free from artificial colors, flavors, fillers, corn, wheat, and soy. The omega 3 and 6 fatty acid content included in Adirondack fuels energy reserves and helps support coat and skin health.
For families looking for the best high-calorie food for their dogs, it’s hard to go wrong with Adirondack.
Pros
This diet is highly flavorful, encouraging even the pickiest of eaters to consume their meals heartily.
Owners like that this diet is calorie dense, meaning they have to feed less of it for their dogs to reach eating satisfaction. This increases the value of the food.
Dogs struggling to maintain a healthy weight found relief from this problem when fed this diet on an ongoing basis.
Owners noted that dogs fed this diet regularly had improved levels of energy.
Owners love that this diet includes nutritious whole grains in its recipe, believing these ingredients are an important help in achieving ideal digestion.
Cons
Some owners were disappointed that this diet is not recommended for large breed puppies because of its high protein content.
The kibble pieces in this diet are quite small. Some owners felt they may pose a choking hazard for medium to large breed dogs.
Some dogs disliked the taste of this food and would not eat it.
In rare cases, some dogs became itchy after a steady diet of this food. This is likely the result of a sensitivity to one of the ingredients in this kibble.
Some owners expressed they would prefer to feed a diet that is grain-free, particularly those with dogs suffering from allergies.
best-high-calorie-dog-food Kinetic Performance Power 30K Formula Dry Dog Food
Kinetic Performance Power 30K Formula Dry Dog Food
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Kinetic Performance Power 30K Formula Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
Top 5 Ingredients:
Chicken MealChicken By-Product MealChicken Fat (mixed tocopherol preservative)Brewers RiceGround Sorghum
Type: Dry food
Lifestage: Adult
Calories: 462 kcal/cup
Protein: 30%
Fat: 20%
Fiber: 3%
Kinetic Performance Power 30K Formula Dry Dog Food, an American-made diet, has been carefully crafted to support the nutritional needs of highly active dogs.
The basis of this high-quality food is several different meat proteins including chicken, menhaden fish, and eggs. This powerhouse helping of amino acids ensures excellent support for strong, lean muscle development.
There are healthy doses of essential fatty acids present organically in the included ingredients to help ensure good coat and skin quality and to provide excess energy to fuel an active lifestyle.
Kinetic Performance Power 30K is free from corn, wheat, and soy. Both digestive fiber and prebiotics have been added to this recipe to promote fluid digestive processes.
To ensure good joint health, glucosamine and chondroitin are also sprinkled liberally throughout this diet.
With so many nutritional benefits to its credit, it is not hard to see why families believe Kinetic Performance Power 30K is among the best high-calorie foods for dogs.
Pros
Owners are pleased to report their dogs saw an increase in energy when fed Kinetic Performance Power 30 K on a steady basis.
Dogs saw an improvement in their stool quality when fed a regular diet of this food.
Dogs fed a steady diet of Kinetic Performance Power 30 K displayed coats that were shiny, soft, and healthy.
This food is very calorie dense, and as a result, dogs need to eat less of it to reach full eating satisfaction.
Most dogs love the taste of this food. They consume their every meal with hearty enthusiasm.
Cons
Some dogs developed mild gastrointestinal distress when fed this food. This may be from too rapid a dietary change and will resolve in time.
Some dogs are uninterested in this food and will not eat it. A different Kinetic formulation may be a better choice for those dogs.
A few owners felt this diet was a little on the costly side.
This diet contains by-products, meat proteins that are considered to be less than optimal for dogs.
Kinetic Performance Power 30 K contains no supplements to help support optimal joint health in dogs.
best-high-calorie-dog-food Nature's Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
Nature's Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
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Nature's Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast All Life Stages Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
Top 5 Ingredients:
Chicken MealMilletChicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)Pumpkin SeedYeast Culture
Type: Dry food
Lifestage: All life stages
Calories: 417.95 kcal/cup
Protein: 36%
Fat: 15%
Fiber: 5%
Nature’s Logic Chicken Meal Feast offers dogs all of the high-quality nutrition they need to achieve and maintain their optimal body condition.
A food that prioritizes the use of only natural ingredients in its formulation, Nature’s Logic is free from corn, wheat, soy, and rice, common allergens that can negatively impact the health of dogs.
Nature’s Logic includes both highly palatable whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants to encourage fluid digestion and a flourishing immune system.
Among the superfoods found in this diet are kelp, blueberries, spinach, and cranberries. To boost digestion, probiotics, and digestive enzymes have also been supplemented.
For one of the best high-calorie dog foods, it’s hard to go wrong with Nature’s Logic.
Pros
Owners like that this diet prioritizes the use of all natural ingredients, giving them confidence that it supports optimal health and wellness in dogs.
Owners report the kibble size and shape is perfect for their dogs.
Dogs fed this diet regularly saw improved coat quality and an increase in their energy levels.
Dogs enjoy the taste of this food. They look forward to their every meal with great enthusiasm.
Owners note that this food is fresh smelling, helping them to feel this diet is nutritionally sound and of the highest quality to assist their dog’s with maintaining ideal wellness.
Cons
Some dogs had loose stools when fed this diet. This may be the result of too quick a dietary change and will resolve in time.
Some dogs disliked the taste of this food and would not eat it.
In rare cases, some dogs struggled to find eating satisfaction when fed this diet. When owners upped their portion sizes to help their dogs feel full, the dogs began to gain weight.
Some owners expressed they felt the protein content in this food was too high and interfered with proper digestion in their dogs.
A few owners indicated they found the kibble pieces in this diet were too small and may pose a choking hazard.
This diet does not contain any supplements to assist with joint health in dogs.
best-high-calorie-dog-food VICTOR Classic High Energy Formula Dry Dog Food
VICTOR Classic High Energy Formula Dry Dog Food
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VICTOR Classic High Energy Formula Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
Top 5 Ingredients:
Beef MealGrain SorghumWhole Grain MilletChicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols)Chicken Meal
Type: Dry food
Lifestage: Adult
Calories: 412 kcal/cup
Protein: 24%
Fat: 20%
Fiber: 3.8%
VICTOR Classic High-Energy Dry Dog Food is a high-protein diet that meets all the marks of what active dogs need to fuel their daily activity.
This formulation’s protein base includes beef meal, chicken meal, and pork meal, ensuring this diet is rich in the amino acids energetic dogs need to support the development of muscle mass.
VICTOR Classic High Energy makes use of whole grains that are easily digestible to promote fluid elimination and to keep energy levels stoked for performance.
One of the best high-calorie dog foods available today, families will be quite pleased with the results of VICTOR Classic High Energy.
Pros
Dogs fed VICTOR Classic High Energy on a regular basis had coats that were shiny, healthy, and soft.
This diet is so flavorful that owners are able to use it for their dogs’ meals as well as for training treats.
Even very picky eaters love this food and look forward to their every meal.
Owners are pleased to report their dogs had improved energy levels when fed a steady diet of VICTOR Classic High Energy.
Owners report that this diet does not have a strong or unpleasant smell to it.
Cons
In rare cases, some dogs had mild gastrointestinal distress such as nausea, loose stools, and gas when fed this diet. This may be the result of transitioning from the old food to the new too quickly. If this is the case, the problem will resolve in time.
Some owners noted their dogs’ breath took on a strong smell of fish when fed this diet consistently.
Some dogs disliked the taste of this food and would not eat it.
A few owners wondered if this food had recently undergone a formula change as their dogs were no longer doing as well on it as they once were.
Some owners expressed they would prefer to feed their dogs a grain-free diet, believing this is key to helping dogs suffering from allergies to find relief from their symptoms.
best-high-calorie-dog-food Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food
Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food
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Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
Top 5 Ingredients:
Bison MealPeasPea ProteinTapiocaDried Egg
Type: Dry food
Lifestage: Adult
Calories: 400 kcal/cup
Protein: 32%
Fat: 18%
Fiber: 4%
Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food offers dogs in need of weight gain a high-calorie nutritious diet to fuel their active lifestyles.
This top-tier diet has been enriched with l-carnitine to encourage a strong metabolism to assist with burning fat efficiently and building healthy muscles.
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are present in abundance in this diet, providing vital help for coat and skin health.
The main ingredient in Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast is bison meal, a lean meat and novel protein source that is unlikely to trigger allergic reactions in dogs.
This diet is rated as one of the best high-calorie foods for dogs, containing no grains or glutens.
It is rich in carbohydrates derived from antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to support good digestion and the development of a thriving immune system.
Pros
Owners like that this food is available in several different flavors, allowing them to offer their dogs some variety in their diet without sacrificing any nutritional quality.
Owners are pleased that this food contains no grains, believing it is a great help for dogs suffering from recurring allergies.
The stool quality of dogs fed this diet regularly was excellent.
Owners love that this food offers exceptional quality nutrition at a price point that is very reasonable.
Even the pickiest of eaters enjoys the taste of this food. Dogs lick their bowls clean after every meal.
Cons
Several owners expressed the kibble pieces differed in size with each different flavor. They disliked this.
A few owners indicated that there is three pounds less food in their bags now, but the price has remained the same.
Some dogs dislike the taste of this food and will not eat it. Thankfully, Earthborn Holistic has many different formulations with other proteins as their foundation. One of these foods may be a better choice for those dogs.
In rare cases, some dogs experienced recurring itchiness after a steady diet of this food. This is most likely the result of a sensitivity to one of the diet’s ingredients.
Some owners related that they prefer to feed their dogs a diet that includes some grains in its formulation.
How to Choose the Best High-Calorie Dog Foods
For dogs that are highly active or that have difficulty maintaining healthy body weight, it is a good idea to consider feeding a diet that is calorie-dense.
The best high-calorie dog foods derive their calories from top-quality ingredients that are included in their most natural form and that are rich in nutritional value.
Many dog foods that are high in calorie content take their calories from fats.
Though healthy fats are an important part of any diet, calories taken primarily from this food group do not help dogs to develop the muscle mass they require to remain highly active.
The average dog owner owns a dog whose weight should remain status quo or that could benefit from some weight loss.
This means that most owners are looking for a dog’s diet that helps prevent weight gain not encourages it. However, some dogs are picky eaters and others enjoy performance sports or an active lifestyle and need the extra calories to avoid becoming too thin.
In addition to this, some dogs gain weight easily and need to be kept on a low-calorie diet. For these dogs, it is important to find nutrient-rich food for weight management.
For owners whose dogs fall in this category, it is very important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and together come up with a diet that will be the most beneficial to the dog.
Among the health issues which can lead to weight loss in dogs are:
Parasites
Worms
Dental issues
Gastrointestinal distress
Advanced kidney disease
Cancer
Inflammatory bowel disease
Allergies
Stress
Anxiety
To help dogs that struggle with maintaining healthy body weight, owners should look for high-quality dog food that ideally has a minimum of 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat.
For dogs in desperate need of weight gain, it may be preferable to transition the dog to canned food or to feed a homecooked or raw diet to encourage a hearty appetite for more calorie-rich meals.
Experts agree that dogs that are extremely active do require more food to sustain their energy levels and keep their bodies in good condition.
As a general rule of thumb, these types of dogs require 1.5 to 2.5 times more food than their less active canine counterparts.
When choosing dog food for active canines, look for dog food brands that offer higher amounts of protein and fat as well as complex carbohydrates to fuel activity.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Dog Foods With High Calories
Determining how much of the best high-calorie puppy food to feed a dog can be challenging. The best place to start is by selecting a diet that is naturally high in calories.
These types of diets offer a power-packed calorie count packaged in normal-sized meal portions, allowing dogs to get maximum nutrition from servings of average size.
To ascertain precisely how much to feed active or underweight dogs, it is best to use the suggested serving size printed on the bag as a starting point.
This amount can be adjusted until the dog’s healthy weight gain goals have been met. For dogs that are poor eaters, free feeding is also an option that may encourage dogs to consume more daily calories.
Dietary Requirements for High-Calorie Dog Foods
The best dog foods with high calories to assist with weight gain contain only the highest quality nutrition obtained from the most reputable sources.
As a general rule of thumb, your dog’s food should contain a minimum of 30 percent protein. These proteins should be meats and included in their whole form if possible.
Meat meals offer a concentrated amount of protein that is sufficient quality to fuel the energy levels of very active dogs or dogs in need of weight gain. High-protein dog food should also be high in calories with high-quality fat sources.
Grain-free dog food is a good choice for high-calorie diets because grain-based carbohydrates are high in starch and low in the nutrition that is necessary for weight gain. To help an underweight dog gain weight, make sure their food is also packed with healthy fats.
However, by-products and plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are not ideal and are best avoided.
Care should be taken for any increase in weight to occur very gradually. Just as with weight loss, any accelerated gain in body mass puts strain on the body and can lead to the development of further health problems in the future.
The most effective way to allow for incremental weight gain is to begin feeding the dog smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.
This slight increase in food amounts will yield the desired rate in a manner that promotes good health.
Carbohydrates can be taken from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. The primary importance is that they are high in fiber and rich in antioxidants to encourage good digestion and a healthy immune system.
Healthy fats are an important component of any excellent quality diet for dogs. These should be taken from animal sources and include such foods as chicken fat and oily fish.
Healthy fats contribute to overall coat and skin health and also help to keep a dog’s energy reserves fuelled for performance.
Other helpful supplements which can greatly benefit dogs through their nutrition include prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Another alternative for dogs in need of weight gain is feeding a high-quality puppy formula that is rich in calories, protein, and optimal fats.
Things to Look for in the Best High-Calorie Dog Foods
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in high-calorie dog food:
Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list
Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
Contains healthy amounts of omega fatty acids to support coat and skin health
Formulated to include at least 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat if possible
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