Why Active Dogs Have Different Needs

If your dog joins you for long weekend rambles, sprints after a ball for an hour, or works alongside you in the countryside, you will already know that their appetite and energy levels shift with the seasons. An active adult dog burns through calories far faster than a couch companion, and their body places different demands on protein, fat and micronutrients. Cooking at home gives you wonderful control over quality, but it also means you carry the responsibility for getting the balance right. Unlike a complete commercial food, a bowl of chicken and rice is not, on its own, a balanced diet. This article walks through the essentials so you can feed with confidence.

Protein: The Building Block of Muscular Work

Protein supplies the amino acids that repair muscle after exercise, maintain tendons and ligaments, and support a healthy immune system. For an active adult dog, a sensible starting point is around 25 to 30 per cent of their daily calories coming from good-quality animal protein, though this rises for dogs doing serious endurance work such as canicross or long hill days.

Variety matters as much as quantity. Rotating between proteins helps cover the full spectrum of amino acids:

• Chicken and turkey – lean, affordable and easy to digest
• Beef and lamb – richer in iron and zinc, useful for hard-working dogs
• Fish such as salmon, mackerel or sardines – excellent protein plus omega-3 fats
• Eggs – a complete protein and a handy topper for fussy eaters

Cook meat thoroughly, avoid added salt, onion, garlic and anything from the allium family, and remove bones that could splinter.

Fats: Fuel for Stamina and Shine

Fat is the most concentrated energy source in your dog's bowl, and active dogs rely on it heavily. Aim for roughly 15 to 20 per cent of daily calories from fat, adjusting upwards for dogs in heavy training. Fat also carries the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, and supplies essential fatty acids that keep skin supple and coats glossy.

Good choices include a little salmon oil, rapeseed oil or plain chicken fat stirred through the meal. Introduce any increase gradually over a week or two, because rich food given suddenly can trigger loose stools or even pancreatitis in sensitive dogs. If your dog has a history of tummy trouble, speak to your vet before loading up on fat.

Carbohydrates and Fibre for Steady Energy

Carbohydrates are not essential for dogs, but they are a practical, digestible fuel for active animals and a useful way to bulk out a meal economically. Well-cooked rice, oats, sweet potato, potato and pasta all work well. Fibre from vegetables such as carrots, green beans, courgette and spinach supports gut health and helps your dog feel satisfied.

A simple rule for a home-cooked bowl is roughly half protein, a quarter carbohydrate and a quarter vegetables by volume, then adjusted to your dog's condition. Watch the scales and the waistline – you should be able to feel the ribs easily without seeing them sharply, and see a clear tuck at the belly.

Vitamins, Minerals and the Gaps You Cannot Guess

This is where home cooking most often falls short. Meat alone is low in calcium and unbalanced in phosphorus, and it lacks sufficient vitamin D, iodine, zinc and certain B vitamins. Over months, those gaps can cause real harm, particularly to growing or hard-working dogs.

• Calcium and phosphorus – usually supplied via ground bone or a vet-recommended mineral supplement
• Vitamin D – needed for calcium absorption and bone strength
• Iodine – supports thyroid function and metabolism
• Zinc and B vitamins – important for skin, coat and energy release

The safest approach is to use a reputable complete vitamin and mineral mix designed for home-prepared diets, dosed according to your dog's weight rather than by eye. Ask your vet or a qualified canine nutritionist to check your recipe before you commit to it long term.

Portion Control and Feeding Through the Seasons

Portion control is not a one-off calculation. It changes with workload, weather and age. A dog who runs ten miles on a Saturday needs more food that week than one who spent it asleep by the fire. Start with a baseline amount, then fine-tune weekly by checking weight, energy and stool quality.

• Weigh food rather than guessing – kitchen scales beat cups every time
• Split the daily ration into two meals, or three for dogs in hard training
• Feed after exercise, not immediately before, to reduce the risk of bloat
• Increase portions gradually in cold weather and reduce them in the heat
• Keep treats to no more than ten per cent of daily calories

Staying Safe in the Great British Outdoors

A final word on countryside care, because what your dog eats and where they walk are closely linked. Keep your dog under close control around livestock, particularly in spring when ewes and lambs are in the fields, and always bag and bin waste. Avoid leaving cooked food unattended on picnics or in the car, and be alert to seasonal hazards such as conkers, acorns and blue-green algae in still water, all of which can be toxic.

Home cooking is a generous, thoughtful way to feed an active dog. Get the protein, fat, carbohydrate and micronutrient balance right, adjust portions as their work changes, and you will have a dog who is fit, glossy and ready for whatever the next walk brings.