Studies on Calorie Expenditure in Dogs
You may be surprised to learn that we know very little about how our pets burn calories. There exists a 70/30 percent rule that is followed by many pet health practitioners and veterinarians, but unfortunately there isn’t any evidence to support it. The rule suggests that pets going through weight loss programs where they are subject to regular exercise regimes lose 70% of their calories due to what is referred to as calorie restriction, and 30% due to loss from physical exertion.
There exists an extensive amount of research on the physiological effects of exercise in horses, but when it comes to our beloved best friends, cats and dogs, there is little to reference. Based on our internet research, here is what exists in terms of studies on calorie expenditure in dogs.
According to one study, a dog walking at a pace of 3.7 -4 miles an hour (~15 minute miles) will burn .8 calories per pound per mile. As a result, this would translate to a 20 pound dog burning a low average of 64 calories per 1 hour walk. It’s also worth noting how unlikely it is that most owners will be able to maintain a 15 minute per mile pace, which brings down the average for calories burned in a one hour walk. There aren’t any studies pertaining to slower walking rates, which makes it hard to state facts on the topic.
Another study tracks results of a 22 pound dog walking at a strong pace on a treadmill while submerged in 10 inches of water would burn about 64 calories in 30 minutes if maintaining a pace of 6.8 miles per hour. Consider this though, this pace is 2 miles an hour less than that of a marathoner! It it highly unlikely that an overweight dog could maintain the suggested pace for up to 30 minutes. And even if they were able to, the results still amount to only 64 calories burned!
It is amazing how much we know about calorie expenditure in humans during exercise. Charts are available that list countless types of exercise and the number of calories that are burned at various levels of intensity. Exercise machines equipped with monitors can also calculate calorie expenditure. So how many calories do animals burn during exercise?
This discussion is not to discourage exercise. It is merely meant to point out my often repeated phrase that “we tend to underestimate calories and overestimate exercise.” The expenditure of 64 calories for a 20 pound dog is not insignificant, but it is not monumental and easily cancelled by feeding practices.
Exercise is healthy. It also creates a stronger bond between owners and their dogs. The key is not to overestimate the value of exercise, especially for your pet. It is not going to contribute to 30% of weight loss but it is not wasted effort. As long as you are exercising at a pace that makes you sweat and the dog pant it is promoting a healthier lifestyle for both.
I just finished serving on the American Animal Hospital Association task force to establish guidelines for Dog and Cat Weight Management. One of the main concerns of our document’s reviewers was that we did not elaborate on exercise expenditure. Although all eight of us on the panel agreed that exercise is important in weight management, we could not produce any other credible studies to address their desired content. We could only infer from human studies, which unfortunately is not proof. We recommended more research in this area.
We know a little more in dogs. One study suggests that a dog walking at a pace of 3.7 -4 miles an hour (~15 minute miles) will burn .8 calories per pound per mile This means a 20 pound dog will only burn about 64 calories during a one hour walk. This calorie loss is easily cancelled by the treats the dog receives when it gets home to reward its athletic efforts. Furthermore, it is unlikely that most owners can maintain a 15-minute mile pace so the average one hour walk for a dog would burn fewer calories. How many? Again we don’t know as there are no studies at slower paces.
How many calories do dogs need to burn to lose weight?
The exact number of calories a dog needs to burn to lose weight will depend on several factors, including their size, age, level of activity and existing health conditions. Generally, a safe and healthy rate of weight loss for dogs is around 1-2% of their body weight per week.
To do this, they need to burn enough calories to create an energy deficit of 5-10% of their daily calorie intake. Therefore, to lose weight, a dog should eat a reduced calorie diet and exercise regularly to create an energy deficit.
The amount of exercise a dog needs for weight loss will depend on their individual level of physical activity. Dogs that are already very active may only need a moderate increase in daily activity, whereas more sedentary dogs may need more substantial exercise.
Ideally, canine weight-loss exercise should include both aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, jogging or swimming, and resistance exercises such as weight pulls, stairs or obstacle courses.
The exact number of calories your dog requires for weight loss will be determined by your veterinarian, who will take into account all of the factors mentioned above as well as your dog’s current health status.
They will then be able to advise you on an appropriate daily calorie intake and level of exercise that are right for your dog.
Mayo Clinic Minute: Burn calories without burning out on exercise
The exact number of calories a dog burns each day varies greatly depending on the size and activity level of the dog. Generally speaking, an average healthy 25kg dog burns between 40 to 50 calories per pound of body weight per day.
This means a 25 kg dog would burn an estimated 1000-1250 calories per day. However, intense activity, such as running and playing, can substantially raise the number of calories burned. Additionally, the metabolism of some dogs, like those with naturally higher activity levels, may also increase the number of calories they burn.