The 5 Best High-Calorie Dog foods For Weight gain: Guide and reviews

If you are in a hurry and want to know right away:

I choose Bully Max High Performance Super Premium Dog Food as the best high calorie dog food for weight gain. 

Anyway, you might want to read the full article because I’ve put together some helpful tips on the subject.

Although the most common weight problem in dogs – as well as in humans – is obesity, there are those who need extra calories. Examples are very active dogs or dogs with a disease. In such cases, high-calorie dog food can be a wise choice. This way they can gain weight. My writing will be about that.

Let’s start!

Product table for the best high-calorie dog foods

[wptb id=3260]

Why might your dog need high-calorie food?

The caloric needs of dogs depend on a number of factors. When it comes to working dogs, it is clear that they burn more calories in one day. The same is true for animals that attend athletic events. In addition, calories are very important for the latter in order to maintain their muscle mass.

Another reason dogs might need such food is underweight. In most cases, dogs tend to be overweight than underweight. Although there are cases where the latter occurs rather. Underweight always has a reason. In many cases, it can indicate illness, so you should pay attention to that. 

Your dog may weigh less than normal for the following health reasons:

• Diabetes
  
  
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
  
  
• Intestinal parasites
  
  
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  
  
• Common illness
  
  
• Some kind of surgery
  
  
• Thyroid problems
  
  
• Liver disease
  
  
• Anxiety
  
  
• Dental problems
  

It is especially important that any of the above occurs, consult your veterinarian. However, what you can do yourself is to give your puppy high-calorie dog food to gain weight.

What are the signs that your dog is underweight?

There are several signs of this. Some are very conspicuous and some are less so.

• Ribs, hips, and shoulders are easy to see and feel (For some dog breeds this is not harmful, eg Italian Greyhound)
  

• Low energy level
  
• Poor coat
  
• Depression
  
• Changed eating habits

Of course, when you notice these, you don’t have to think about the worst right away. But it’s best to take the above signs as a warning. You can’t hurt anyone by acting quickly.

Put on weight on your dog safely

Although in many cases you have a good reason to put weight on your puppy, be careful. Things should not be rushed, and moving too fast is not a good idea. Puppies should not grow too fast. A veterinarian will know their exact calorie intake and the ideal weight.

The situation is similar in adult dogs. You can’t suddenly stuff your dog with food just because he needs more calories. Just help him gradually pick up some weight. He has not got into this condition in one day, and he will not be better in one day. 

This is especially true if a canine is very skinny and has been like this for a long time. You need to learn how to safely “fatten” such dogs. A simple rule of thumb is that if your dog consumes more calories than he burns, he will gain weight. 

The following tips and tricks can help a lot in how to put weight on your dog.

Frequency

Increasing frequency is one of the most effective ways to gain weight. If your dog eats more times, he is more likely to take in more calories.

Foods with more calories and protein

More protein helps build and maintain muscle mass. Make sure the extra calories don’t come from fat because it won’t have many positive effects.

Ad libitum feeding strategy

Do you know the feeling when you get bored and eat because of it? The ad lib technique means something like this. If you leave out food for your dog all day, he will eat more times. 

Treats

These are usually not only delicious but also have more calories. Of course, provide most of the nutrients from normal food to your dog. But sometimes some treat may come into play.

Puppy food growth formula

Foods for puppies contain more protein and more calories. Because of this, these foods are also good choices for underweight dogs.

Be careful with homemade weight gain dog food recipes

There are plenty of such recipes to be found on the internet. Although these are usually invented by people with good intentions, care must be taken. These dog foods are often unbalanced and can do more harm than good.

Make notes of everything

Record every small change in a journal. And also what impact these changes have had. This will make things easier not only for you, but for the vet.

Stress

Some dogs are very sensitive to stress. In this case, try to create calm conditions for him to eat. Of course, on New Year’s Eve, because of the many fireworks, he may not eat too much.

The most delicious snacks

There must be foods, for which your dog will do anything. Peanut butter, fried chicken, or any delicacy. Be careful with these foods, of course. But sometimes you can bring his appetite with something like that.

Moisture

Sometimes a dog doesn’t eat enough because he finds the food too hard. Switching to wet food or moistening dry food can solve this problem.

Factors to consider before buying

You may already have some idea of ​​what a good high-calorie dog food should be like. Nonetheless, I’ve put together a few things to keep in mind when choosing one.

Ingredients

Of course, this is the first most important aspect. Dog foods made from high-quality ingredients are more expensive but worth buying. Especially in this situation, as you may not want to make your dog even sicker. Also, check to see if the dog food in question has been tested and approved by the FDA. If so, you can safely buy it.

Type

As with all foods, high-calorie foods are available in several forms. Examples are dry foods, wet foods, powders, pastes, gels, treats. The latter few should only be used as supplements. Experience which is best for your dog. Also, keep in mind that some dogs may be in a condition where they cannot eat solid food.

Flavor

Fortunately, it is not true to say that what is healthy cannot taste good. High-calorie dog food usually tastes good. If you know your dog, you know what taste he likes. Watch out for any allergies. If he is allergic to chicken, even the world’s finest chicken-flavored dog food won’t do him any good.

Protein

As I mentioned, high-calorie dog foods contain more protein. This makes them tastier and richer in nutrients. Last but not least, it helps build and maintain muscle mass.

My top choices for the best high-calorie dog foods

Now we know how to make a worthwhile decision. Below is a selection of five high-calorie dog foods I have selected. Each product is excellent, but in the end, I will choose the one that I think is the best to gain weight.

Bully Max High Performance Super Premium Dog Food

This is an excellent quality high performance high-calorie dog food in kibble form.

As you might guess from its name, it’s very good for Pitbulls. After all, it is a great dog food for maintaining muscle mass.

However, you can also use it successfully on other dog breeds. 

Of the products listed here, Bully Max contains the most calories (535 calories per cup). It is also high in protein. For this reason, I recommend it mainly for very active dogs.

In addition, it is completely safe. It can also be given to pregnant and lactating dogs. It is also safe for adults, seniors and puppies older than four weeks. 

I really like about this product that it doesn’t contain soy, corn, or wheat. Therefore, in addition to its high caloric content, it is also easy to digest.

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

---

Eukanuba Premium Performance 30/20 Adult Dog Food

It is also a kibble form high-calories dry dog food. Excellent for very active dogs.

This product is also high in protein, so you can be sure that the extra calories come from a good source.

It is also a kibble form high-calories dry dog food. Excellent for very active dogs. This product is also high in protein, so you can be sure that the extra calories come from a good source.

Unfortunately, this dog food should not be given to dogs under one year of age. Its calorie content also lags behind that of other competitors (380 calories per cup). Although most dogs don’t usually need more than that. 

However, what I really like about this product is Eukanuba’s 3D DentaDefense. This formula contains minerals that preserve tooth health and prevent tartar formation. In addition, it contains even more minerals, vitamins, and other important nutrients. For example, glucosamine, which is important for joint and bone health. 

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

---

Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Adult Canned Wet Dog Food

This is the only canned food on the list. You can buy the product several times. So if your dog is fussy, you can try several options.

It’s a wholesome and balanced meal, meaning you don’t have to buy another product if you use it.

Its high-calorie content provides your dog with a lot of energy (483 calories per cup).

This dog food is made exclusively from natural ingredients. In addition, it’s grain free, which is good news for dogs that are sensitive to grains. 

If your dog prefers wet food or has dental problems, this is a good choice. It can also be given to elderly dogs. 

Although the cane itself is not expensive, if you have a large dog, he will eat a lot of this product. This can be quite expensive for you.

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

---

Purina Pro Plan SPORT Formula Dry Dog Food

The second Purina food on my list is available in kibble form.

You can choose from several bag sizes and flavors too. Check it out if you want to buy this product.

In the name of the product, 30/20 indicates that it contains 30% protein and 20% fat. Because of this, it also helps your puppy building muscle and provides him extra energy.

Like the other Purina product, it is made exclusively from natural ingredients. It also supports the joints as it contains Omega fatty acids and glucosamine. One cup contains 475 calories, which is pretty good.

What makes me really like this product is that it can be given to dogs of all ages. For puppies too. In turn, good quality must be paid for. Compared to other products, this is quite expensive.

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

---

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo’s product is another dry food for dogs. This product is also available in several flavors and in bags of different sizes. 

We have also become accustomed to the Blue Buffalo brand paying attention to quality.

The product contains only natural ingredients and no by-product meals. For the sake of digestibility, no wheat, soy, or corn was put in this dog food either. 

In addition to good quality meat, fruits and vegetables are also among the ingredients. Pellets called Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits have been added to the product. They contain vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals.

Unfortunately, this product should not be given to young or old dogs. In addition, its calorie content lags behind that of its competitors (379 calories per cup).

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

---

My choice

I was basically happy with each product. Each has advantages and disadvantages. However, the most sympathetic to me is the Bully Max High Performance Super Premium Dog Food. Although not the cheapest option, it is made of high quality ingredients. It is easy to digest and is one of the highest calorie dog foods on the market. If you don’t want to give it to a puppy under four weeks old, this is a perfect choice.

Click here to get one of the best high calorie dog food.

---

---