About the Author: Jean Colt, a valued writer at MyPetDoggie and a dedicated student of English Literature at Yale University. Jean’s love for dogs, coupled with her literary skills, allows her to create engaging content that resonates with our pet-loving community. Her work reflects her passion for dogs and commitment to enhancing pet care knowledge.
To all the dog owners and lovers, do you ever pause and think about the calories of your dog? How those fascinating strolls with your pup can be a reason for burning calories for him and you as well. You may have thought about this but have never been able to break the methods to calculate those calories burned by your pup.
Just like us, dogs also come in different sizes. We adopt dogs of different ages, not necessarily young ones or fully grown up. Every dog has their specific energy level. And here let me clear you one thing, I am not talking about street dogs who walk from one corner to another.
I am highlighting those healthy walks on a regular basis. Such strolls refresh your mind, improve your heart health, and make you physically fit. We are not the only ones to get all these benefits, our fluff pups also gain these amazing benefits.
According to research, 10-pound dog would burn 32 calories when walking for one hour or 3.5 miles, whereas 15-pound dog would burn 48 calories and a 20-pound dog will burn 64 calories
So, How Many Calories Do Dogs Burn When Walking?
The calories burned by a dog depend on various factors which could be weight, age, walking pace, duration of walk, or even their breed. We can’t tell exactly but assume how many calories a dog can burn in general. Much research has been done on this as I quote above. No one, even I cannot tell you the exact count.
But an estimated value of 8 calories per pound of body weight per mile walked, has been provided. I have used this estimated value many times. I simply multiply my dog’s weight in pounds by the total number of miles walked and then multiply the resultant figure by 8. This way, I get an estimated number of calories burned.
Here is a formula I used:
Calories burned (kcal) = (weight in kilograms) x (distance in kilometers) x (3.2 + 0.39 x speed in km/h)
You can also keep a check on calories by maintaining a healthy weight for your dog. For this purpose, you can consult with your vet. He can guide you properly regarding the weight, health, and a proper diet for your dog. It is important to understand and keep a check on how many calories your dog burns, in order to maintain his health and weight.
Wrapping Up
Walking is beneficial for both you and your dog. Strolls with your dog will keep you healthy and fresh. You may keep wondering how many calories your dog burns when walking.
So that’s why I came up with this guide to solve your queries. Dogs of different breeds, ages, sizes, and shapes can have different numbers of total calories burnt while walking. Your dog’s pace can also be an important factor.
Your dog is not the only one who is burning calories while walking. You are also on the same path as him. You can calculate your BMR, determine your activity factor, measure the distance you walked, and count the steps you took while walking. These all collectively help you in the calculations. Rather than these, you can use a smartwatch or any calorie calculator to get your accurate calculations.
Walking is a light physical activity that helps your dog maintain his weight and heart health and reduces stress. Besides these health benefits, it also helps him to socialize and interact with his other fellows.
It boosts his mood. Be with him and provide him with the motivation he needs to be active. I hope I was able to provide you with the information you were looking for. If yes, then share with other dog owners too. So they can also keep a check on the number of calories and maintain their dogs’ health.
