High Calorie Dog Treats: 15 Awesome Hiking Snacks for Dogs

High-energy dogs need high-energy treats to fuel them on their adventures. Make sure to pack high-calorie dog treats on your next hiking trip to give your dog the energy he needs to keep up.

Snacks should be a staple in your dog’s hiking gear so make sure one of these treats makes your checklist. Look for treats that offer lots of nutrition from healthy proteins, fats, and carbs so that your dog can maintain the energy levels needed for long hikes and navigating rough terrain.

15 Best High-Calorie and High-Protein Dog Treats

Your dog would probably be satisfied with just about any treat, but to fuel your pup on a challenging hike, you need a high-calorie or high-protein dog treat to provide energy.

To help you find the right hiking treats for your dog, we put together our top 15 high-calorie dog treats:

1. Tilted Barn Dog Treats

Tilted Barn Dog Treats are tasty, meaty pup-peroni sticks that are a real crowd-pleaser (yes, we’ve tried them, and they’re delish!). They are easily broken into bite-sized pieces for on-the-go snacking but aren’t too big or calorie-dense to feed whole.

Available in beef, bacon, or lamb, Tilted Barn soft and chewy dog treats are loaded with flavour, protein, and fat. Lamb is both the highest calorie and highest fat flavour in the line.

The only downside to this snack is that once opened, these snacks need to be refrigerated, so they are better to pack in a small cooler or with an ice pack.

2. Benny Bully’s

One of the original players in the freeze-dried treat game, Benny Bully’s offers minimally processed beef liver in a conveniently portable format. Though freeze-dried liver is not going to be the highest-calorie treat, they are packed with protein to help your pet feel energized and invigorated for longer hikes and adventures. 

Choose from the original Benny Bully's Liver Chops, or surprise your pooch with one of their many other flavours, including cranberry, pumpkin, or coconut. They are also easy to snap into smaller pieces to allow for more frequent rewards and training along the way.

3. ValuePack Canadian Beef Liver Bites

Liver lovers rejoice! There is no better value than ValuePack Canadian Beef Liver Bites. These snack-sized, single-ingredient freeze-dried liver treats are a bite full of protein and a burst of flavour that dogs love. They are available in 250g, 450g, and 900g sizes.

They are the perfect lightweight snack for on the go. Throw a handful of Liver Bites into a treat pouch and you are ready for adventure. Each bite is small enough to make treating easy and safe, and these snacks are the perfect boost of energy from protein and fat to help your pooch keep up with you on longer day hikes.

Looking for a little more variety? ValuePack also offers turkey, chicken salmon, and cod bites to help you find a high value and motivating treat for your pooch.

4. Plato Thinkers

Everyone loves a pepperoni stick, so how about a pup-Peroni stick for your pooch? Plato Thinkers are made with over 90% meat and contain fish oil for an extra boost of healthy fats and oils.

Pick from salmon, duck, lamb, turkey or chicken thinkers, all of which can be purchased in bulk sizing or handy, individually wrapped singles that make travelling with them a breeze. Small hiking companions need snacks too, so check out Plato Mini Thinkers for a bite sized version of this popular snack.

5. Stella & Chewy’s Wild Weenies

Nothing says outback adventures like hot dogs grilled over an open fire. Why not share your favourite campfire snack with your dog by offering him some Stella & Chewy's Wild Weenies?

These little sausage-shaped snacks are made with over 97% meat and organs for a high-protein punch to nourish your pet. Try one of these tasty flavours: Cage-free duck, game bird blend, grass-fed lamb, or the red meat recipe.

6. Oven-Baked Tradition Fillets

Based on classic homemade recipes and wholesome ingredients, Oven-Baked Tradition Fillets are the easiest way to bring along 100% fresh chicken or tuna meat.

These individually wrapped snacks are an excellent way to supplement healthy protein and calories in between meals on your hike. These tender and delicious chicken and smoked bacon fillets are a great way to offer your dog a high protein snack on your hike.

7. Blue Wilderness Trail Treats

If your dog is more of a cookie monster, then check out Blue Wilderness Trail Treats. Both high-protein dog treats and grain-free Trail Treats are made for dogs that feel at home in the wild.

These crunchy biscuits are available in turkey, duck, or salmon and offer healthy omega fatty acids from flaxseed.

8. Spot Farm Basic Jerky Tenders

This family-owned company has been a leader in premium jerky treats for dogs, and Spot Farms has raised the bar again with Spot Farms Basics Jerky Tenders. Treats don't have to be complicated to be delicious and nutritious, which is why these jerky snacks are made with human-grade chicken.

Being high in protein and calories, these tasty meat strips are an excellent snack to fuel your dog, no matter where your adventure takes you.

9. Dogswell Jerky

They are the perfect blend of high-energy nutrients and functional support all in one delicious snack. Dogswell Jerky treats are a soft and chewy jerky snack that are easy to pack on a hike and can help give your dog the energy to conquer the trails at your side.

These high protein salmon jerky treats also contain flaxseed oil, biotin, vitamin e, and zinc to help support your dog's skin and coat health.

10. Jay's Tasty Adventure Snack Mix

Trail mix is a classic hiking snack for people so why not treat your pooch to the same adventure delicacy? Jay's Tasty Adventure Snack Mix is the perfect variety of flavours and textures to keep treating on the trail exciting and simple.

This mix includes crunchy beef liver crisps, pork liver bites, superfood jerky and the ever-popular bacon soft chews. Each protein-packed treat is a meaty and delicious boost of energy to help keep your dog energized throughout your adventures.

11. Open Farm Jerky Strips

For a significant protein boost, Open Farm Jerky Strips are a great on-the-go hiking snack. With over 70 calories per treat, these tender and chewy jerky treats are loaded with protein and healthy fat to help energize your pup on the trails.

We know your dog will love them, but Open Farm dog treats are something you can feel good about feeding your pooch. Their ingredients are sustainably sourced and 100% traceable, so you know exactly where each ingredient comes from.

12. Cocotherapy Maggie’s Macaroons

A sweet treat will boost both energy and spirit. Maggie’s Macaroons use 100% human-grade, organic, and non-GMO ingredients in these decadent snacks. With flavours like Coconut Apple Pie, Coconut Lemoncello, and Coconut Vanilla Flax, they look and smell good enough to eat yourself (and you can!).

Dogs use fat for energy very efficiently, especially when that fat comes from healthy sources like coconut oil. Maggie’s Macaroons contain over 40% fat, so these high-calorie treats are ideal for providing a simple and tasty boost of energy.

13. Nulo Freestyle Jerky Strips

Nulo Freestyle Jerky Treats are slow cooked to lock in flavour and produce a tender and satisfying snack for the trails. These jerky treats are high in protein to offer plenty of calories and energy, plus a proprietary probiotic blend to help ensure better nutrient distribution.

These larger treats are perfect for big dogs, but can easily be broken into small pieces for more frequent treating or for smaller canine hiking pals.

14. The Honest Kitchen Jerky Harvest Bars

When you need a boost of energy, you reach for a power bar, and now you can do the same for your pooch. The Honest Kitchen Harvest Mini Bars are a nutrient packed snack that offers your dog much needed energy on the go.

Using human-grade ingredients, each treat contains a perfect blend of healthy animal protein, whole grains, and perfectly paired fruits and veggies to create a hearty and nutritious snack. Each slow roasted mini bar makes a perfect travel treat.

15. Fruitables Whole Jerky

Our final pick for the top 15 high-calorie dog treats is Fruitables Whole Jerky treats. Offered in full-sized jerky strips or bite-sized jerky pieces, Fruitables Jerky is high in protein and calories for a snack that provides that extra boost of energy your dog needs.

Single ingredients bison or salmon are the top sellers, but Fruitables duck or turkey and sweet potato bites are among their mouth-watering options.

How to Safely Store Dog Treats on a Hike

Depending on where you are hiking, you may want to be sure that your pup's treats are safely stored. The smell of these high-calorie goodies could also be attractive to other dogs and wildlife.

When you are hiking the trails in the wilderness, you must always be aware that you may not be the only animal in that area. Keep your dog's tasty snacks in resealable bags or air-tight containers, and store them in a treat pouch or your backpack.

Never leave any food out, or you may end up with some unwanted visitors. 

Find out what other gear you should bring on your next hike with your dog:

High Calorie Dog Treat FAQs 

What are high-calorie dog treats, and why are they beneficial for hiking dogs? 

High-calorie dog treats are snacks packed with energy to fuel active dogs during hikes. They provide essential nutrients and help sustain energy levels during outdoor adventures.

What ingredients should I look for in high-calorie and high protein dog treats for hiking? 

Look for real food ingredients. High quality animal protein and fat, and whole grains will offer both nutrition and calories to energize your dog on your hike. Single ingredient treats, like freeze dried liver or chicken jerky are an easy option.

How can I determine the appropriate serving size of hiking treats for my dog? 

The serving size depends on your dog's size, activity level, and the duration of the hike. The general rule is that treats should be less than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake, but a few extra calories on a difficult hike can be beneficial. Make sure to properly balance their treats with the meals and activity.

Are high-calorie and high-protein dog treats suitable for all dogs, or are there specific breeds or conditions to consider? 

High-calorie treats are generally suitable for most dogs when fed in moderation. Dogs with digestive issues, or certain diseases or health conditions may not limit high calorie treats. If you are unsure whether high calorie dog treats are safe for your pet, check with your vet.

Can I use homemade high-calorie dog treats for hiking, and are there any safety precautions to keep in mind? 

Homemade treats can be a great option, but ensure they are made with dog-safe ingredients and avoid toxic foods like chocolate or raisins. Always carry fresh water for your dog during hikes.

What are some examples of high-calorie dog treats that are ideal for hiking adventures? 

Some examples include freeze-dried meat treats, sweet potato chews, or high-quality jerky treats. These treats provide a boost of energy, calories, and nutrition for your hiking companion.