How many calories does walking a dog burn?

Walking a dog at a moderate pace burns roughly 3.5 calories per minute for a 70 kg person, which works out to about 105 calories in a 30-minute walk. The exact figure depends on your weight, walking speed, and terrain. Hilly routes and brisk paces increase calorie burn by 30% or more compared to a flat, slow stroll.

How long should I walk my dog each day?

The NHS recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, and dog walking counts towards this target. Most dogs need 30 to 60 minutes of walking daily, though active breeds like collies and spaniels may need more. Splitting walks into two sessions helps both you and your dog stay active throughout the day.

Does my dog burn calories walking too?

Yes, dogs burn calories during walks just as humans do. A general estimate is that a dog burns roughly 0.8 calories per kg of body weight per kilometre walked. A 20 kg dog walking 2.5 km burns around 40 calories. Active breeds with higher metabolisms will burn more, and uphill terrain increases the energy expenditure further.

Dog Walking Calorie Calculator

Estimate calories burned while walking your dog

Published by UltraCalculatorsLast reviewed: 28 Mar 2026v1.0Report an issue

Dog walking is one of the easiest ways for UK adults to meet the NHS recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Beyond keeping your dog healthy and happy, regular walks burn a meaningful number of calories and contribute to weight management, cardiovascular health, and mental wellbeing. The number of calories you burn while walking your dog depends on your body weight, how long you walk, your pace, and whether the route is flat or hilly. Dogs also burn calories during walks, and understanding their energy expenditure helps you adjust feeding amounts to maintain a healthy weight. Our dog walking calorie calculator estimates calories burned for both you and your dog, plus an approximate distance based on your walking pace. Whether you are planning a brisk morning walk or a leisurely evening stroll, this tool helps you track the fitness benefits of your daily dog walks.

How to Use This Calculator

To calculate calories burned walking your dog: 1. Enter your weight in kilograms. This is the biggest factor in determining your calorie burn. 2. Enter your dog's weight in kilograms. 3. Set the walk duration in minutes. The default is 30 minutes, which is a common daily walk length. 4. Choose your walking pace. Slow is a leisurely stroll (about 3 km/h), moderate is a steady walk (about 5 km/h), and brisk is a power walk (about 6.5 km/h). 5. Select the terrain. Hilly terrain increases calorie burn by roughly 30% compared to flat ground. 6. Review results for your calories burned, estimated distance, and your dog's estimated calorie burn.

How It Works

The calorie calculation uses MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values, which represent the energy cost of an activity relative to rest: MET values for dog walking: - Slow pace: 2.5 MET - Moderate pace: 3.5 MET - Brisk pace: 4.5 MET Hilly terrain adds a 30% multiplier to the MET value. Your Calories = MET x Weight (kg) x Duration (hours) Walking speeds for distance estimate: - Slow: 3 km/h - Moderate: 5 km/h - Brisk: 6.5 km/h Distance = Speed x Duration (hours) Dog calorie burn uses approximately 0.8 kcal per kg per km walked. Dog Calories = Dog Weight (kg) x Distance (km) x 0.8 For example, a 70 kg person walking at moderate pace for 30 minutes on flat ground: MET = 3.5. Calories = 3.5 x 70 x 0.5 = 122.5 kcal. Distance = 5 x 0.5 = 2.5 km.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Moderate 30-minute walk on flat ground

Inputs: Your weight: 70 kg. Dog weight: 20 kg. Duration: 30 minutes. Pace: Moderate. Terrain: Flat.

MET value for moderate pace = 3.5.
Duration in hours = 30 / 60 = 0.5 hours.
Your calories = 3.5 x 70 x 0.5 = 122 kcal.
Distance = 5.0 x 0.5 = 2.5 km.
Dog calories = 20 x 2.5 x 0.8 = 40 kcal.

Result: You burn approximately 122 kcal and your dog burns about 40 kcal during a 30-minute moderate walk covering 2.5 km. Two of these walks daily would contribute 244 kcal of energy expenditure.

Example 2: Brisk 45-minute walk on hilly terrain

Inputs: Your weight: 85 kg. Dog weight: 30 kg. Duration: 45 minutes. Pace: Brisk. Terrain: Hilly.

MET value for brisk pace = 4.5.
Hilly terrain multiplier = 4.5 x 1.3 = 5.85.
Duration in hours = 45 / 60 = 0.75 hours.
Your calories = 5.85 x 85 x 0.75 = 373 kcal.
Distance = 6.5 x 0.75 = 4.9 km.
Dog calories = 30 x 4.9 x 0.8 = 117 kcal.

Result: A brisk 45-minute hill walk burns approximately 373 kcal for you and 117 kcal for your 30 kg dog. The hilly terrain adds a significant boost compared to the same walk on flat ground.

Example 3: Gentle stroll with a small dog

Inputs: Your weight: 60 kg. Dog weight: 8 kg. Duration: 20 minutes. Pace: Slow. Terrain: Flat.

MET value for slow pace = 2.5.
Duration in hours = 20 / 60 = 0.333 hours.
Your calories = 2.5 x 60 x 0.333 = 50 kcal.
Distance = 3.0 x 0.333 = 1.0 km.
Dog calories = 8 x 1.0 x 0.8 = 6 kcal.

Result: A short 20-minute slow walk burns around 50 kcal for you and just 6 kcal for your small dog. Even short walks add up over the week and contribute to the NHS activity guidelines.

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