Feeding for Function - How Nutrition Supports a Healthy, Active Dog
Food is more than fuel. It shapes how your dog moves, recovers and ages.
For dogs Born To Explore™ - whether that’s coastal hikes, trail runs, or daily adventures - nutrition should support lean muscle, joint health and sustained energy, not excess weight.
Why overfeeding is easier than you think
Dogs don’t self-regulate well when food is freely available. Even small overestimations in portion size can lead to gradual fat gain - especially when combined with treats, chews or table scraps.
In fact, treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake. What feels like “just a little extra” can quickly tip the balance
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Protein, fibre & satiety
Diets designed to support healthy weight tend to:
Contain adequate, high-quality protein to preserve lean muscle
Include natural fibre to help dogs feel full
Promote steady, sustained energy release
Support healthy digestion and gut comfort
Diets with higher quality protein help active dogs maintain muscle mass while preventing fat accumulation - especially important as dogs age or slow down slightly.
Portion precision matters
Measuring food by eye or scoop is surprisingly inaccurate. Weighing food - even occasionally - ensures consistency and prevents “portion creep” over time. Add a mark on the food dispensing scoop for easy daily feeding.
A few grams extra per meal may not seem like much, but over months it adds up.
Movement + feeding enrichment
Mental stimulation plays a role too. Slowing down how dogs eat:
Improves satiety
Reduces boredom-related overeating
Encourages natural problem-solving
Puzzle feeders, scatter feeding or using part of their meal as training rewards all support both mental and physical health.
When weight loss is needed
If a dog is already overweight (BCS 6+), a structured approach is key:
Gradual calorie reduction
High-quality, balanced nutrition
Increased low-impact movement
Regular monitoring with your vet
Crash dieting is never the answer - steady, sustainable change protects joints, metabolism and wellbeing.
