11 High-Energy Bars for Dogs Perfect for Hiking Adventures

Topping our list is the TurboPUP bar, a product that famously got its start on the show Shark Tank. This isn’t just a snack; it’s a complete meal replacement bar designed for performance dogs. Created by a passionate outdoorswoman, these bars are formulated to meet AAFCO standards, meaning they provide balanced nutrition for adult dogs. They’re perfect for those multi-day backpacking trips where carrying a heavy bag of kibble is out of the question.

Ingredients and Sourcing: The main ingredient is grain-free flour, followed by real chicken, which provides a high-quality protein source. They also include healthy fats from sources like olive oil and nutrient-dense additions like chia seeds and sweet potato. All ingredients are sourced in the USA, and the bars are human-grade, so you could technically take a bite yourself (though your pup might not want to share!). The texture is chewy and easy for dogs to break down, even when they’re panting and tired on the trail.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: The TurboPUP bar is the ultimate choice for serious adventurers, backpackers, and working dogs. If you need a reliable, nutritionally complete, and lightweight food source for a long day or multi-day trip, this is the gold standard.

While not a traditional ‘bar,’ Zuke’s Power Bones are specifically designed to provide quick bursts of energy during high-exertion activities. Think of them as the doggy equivalent of an energy gel or chew that a human marathon runner might use. They’re small, soft, and packed with a blend of carbohydrates and protein to support muscle recovery and replenish glycogen stores.

Ingredients and Sourcing: Zuke’s prides itself on using wholesome ingredients. The Power Bones feature real meat (like beef or chicken) as the first ingredient, followed by energy-rich carbs like potatoes and maple syrup. They also include a blend of herbs and spices known for their natural benefits. They are free from common fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. Made in the USA, Zuke’s has a long-standing reputation for quality and safety in the pet treat world.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: Zuke’s Power Bones are perfect for pet owners who want to provide quick, easily digestible energy boosts during activities like fetch, agility, or shorter hikes. They’re the ideal ‘pick-me-up’ to keep your dog from hitting a wall.

Looking for a sustainable and nutrient-dense option? The RUFF BAR is an innovative choice that’s gaining popularity. These bars are made with a unique blend of familiar ingredients like beef and dates, combined with a novel protein source: cricket powder. Before you get squeamish, cricket protein is incredibly sustainable, packed with amino acids, and highly digestible for most dogs.

Ingredients and Sourcing: The foundation of the RUFF BAR is simple and clean. They typically contain dates, peanut butter, beef, and cricket protein. This combination provides a fantastic balance of fast-acting carbs from the dates and sustained energy from the proteins and fats. The company is transparent about its sourcing, focusing on high-quality, all-natural ingredients without any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. It’s a great choice for the eco-conscious pet owner.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: The RUFF BAR is for the modern, environmentally conscious dog owner. If you value sustainability and want to give your dog a high-quality, novel protein source that’s gentle on their tummy, this is an outstanding choice.

From the makers of the iconic human energy bars comes a treat for our furry friends. Clif Pet Plant Based Jerky is a fantastic option for dogs who may have sensitivities to common animal proteins. While marketed as ‘jerky,’ its purpose and ingredient profile align perfectly with the need for a healthy, portable trail snack. It’s chewy, easy to tear into smaller pieces, and designed for digestibility.

Ingredients and Sourcing: As the name suggests, these treats are entirely plant-based. The primary ingredients are often pea protein, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin, providing a blend of protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. They are easy on the digestive system and offer a different nutritional profile than meat-based bars. Clif brings its reputation for quality sourcing to its pet line, ensuring ingredients are wholesome and free from artificial additives.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: Clif Pet Jerky is the perfect trail companion for dogs with sensitive stomachs or specific protein allergies. It’s also a great choice for owners who prefer a plant-based diet and want their dog’s snacks to align with their values.

The Front Porch Pets Go Bar is designed with simplicity and performance in mind. These bars are crafted to deliver a potent mix of energy without any unnecessary fillers or complicated ingredients. They are dense, chewy, and satisfying for a hungry pup, making them a great choice for bridging the gap between meals on a particularly strenuous day of hiking or playing.

Ingredients and Sourcing: These bars are proudly made in the USA with a focus on natural ingredients. A typical formula includes rolled oats for complex carbs, honey for a quick energy lift, peanut butter for protein and healthy fats, and molasses. Some varieties also include yogurt for added probiotics. The ingredient list is short and easy to understand, which is a huge plus for owners who are careful about what their pets consume.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: This is an excellent all-around energy bar for the average canine adventurer. If you want a straightforward, no-fuss bar made from ingredients you’d find in your own kitchen, the Go Bar is a reliable and tasty choice.

Another option that deviates from the ‘bar’ format but serves the same purpose is Doggie Dailies Energy Chews. These soft chews are more like supplements, packed with ingredients intended to boost stamina and support muscle function. They’re perfect for senior dogs who are still active but need extra support, or for any dog ahead of a challenging physical activity.

Ingredients and Sourcing: Doggie Dailies focuses on functional ingredients. You’ll find things like Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for cardiovascular health and energy production, L-carnitine for converting fat into energy, and amino acids for muscle support. The base is often chicken or duck for palatability. They are manufactured in the USA in an FDA-registered facility, giving owners peace of mind about quality control.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: Doggie Dailies Energy Chews are best for the owner who is looking to support their dog’s overall athletic performance and recovery, rather than just providing calories. They are an excellent addition to the routine of a canine athlete or an aging but still adventurous companion.

For the truly hardcore canine athlete, K9-Power Super Fuel is a top-tier choice. This isn’t a bar, but a high-performance powder that you mix with water to create an energy-packed ‘shake’ for your dog. It’s designed for maximum endurance and rapid rehydration, making it ideal for dogs who compete in dock diving, flyball, or join their owners for long-distance trail running.

Ingredients and Sourcing: Super Fuel is scientifically formulated. It contains easily digestible carbohydrates for immediate energy, whey protein isolate for muscle repair, and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) for sustained fuel. It also includes electrolytes to help with hydration and prevent cramping. K9-Power is a respected brand in the working dog community, known for its research-backed formulas and high-quality ingredients.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: K9-Power Super Fuel is the go-to for elite canine athletes and dogs participating in extreme endurance activities. If your ‘hike’ is more like a 15-mile trail run, this is the fuel your dog needs to perform their best and recover quickly.

Looking for a light, crunchy, and protein-packed snack? Redbarn Protein Puffs are a fun and effective way to give your dog a boost. These airy puffs are made with human-grade casein, a slow-release protein found in milk, making them great for muscle maintenance during and after activity. They’re incredibly lightweight, so you can pack a lot without adding bulk to your bag.

Ingredients and Sourcing: The star ingredient is milk casein, baked with natural flavors like cheese or peanut butter. They are grain-free and gluten-free, with a simple ingredient panel. Redbarn is a family-owned company that has been around for decades, and they manufacture their treats in their own facility in the USA, ensuring high standards of quality and safety.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: Redbarn Protein Puffs are perfect for the owner who wants to supplement their dog’s protein intake on the trail without adding a lot of fat or calories. They’re a fantastic, high-value reward that won’t weigh down your dog (or your pack).

Here’s a unique option that combines sustainability with wholesome nutrition. Portland Pet Food Company’s Brew Biscuits are made with upcycled spent grains from local breweries in the Pacific Northwest. These grains are still packed with fiber and protein, and when combined with other natural ingredients, they make for a hearty, crunchy trail snack.

Ingredients and Sourcing: The base is spent grains (barley, oats, rye), which are then mixed with other simple, human-grade ingredients like organic beef broth and peanut butter. The result is a hard, crunchy biscuit that’s great for your dog’s teeth and provides slow-release energy. The company’s commitment to sustainability and local sourcing is a major selling point.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: For the eco-friendly hiker who loves supporting small businesses, these Brew Biscuits are a perfect fit. They are a wholesome, crunchy snack ideal for casual to moderate hikes, offering a satisfying crunch and sustainable energy.

The Honest Kitchen is renowned for its human-grade, dehydrated pet foods, and their treats live up to the same standard. The Goat’s Milk N’ Cookies are slow-baked in small batches and packed with nutritious ingredients. Goat’s milk is easier for many dogs to digest than cow’s milk and is rich in probiotics, making these cookies a gut-friendly energy source.

Ingredients and Sourcing: These cookies feature whole-food ingredients like goat’s milk, barley, and peanut butter. The Honest Kitchen is incredibly transparent about its sourcing, ensuring everything is 100% human-grade. This means the ingredients come from the same supply chain as human foods, guaranteeing a higher level of quality and safety. The cookies are bite-sized and have a satisfying crunch.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: These cookies are for the discerning pet owner who prioritizes ingredient quality above all else. They are a fantastic, healthy, and digestible snack for any hike, providing a gentle boost of energy without any junk.

Plato’s On The Go! Energy Bars are specifically designed for the trail. They are individually wrapped, making them incredibly convenient to toss in a pocket or backpack. These bars are soft, easy to break apart for portion control, and formulated with a limited number of high-quality ingredients to provide sustained energy for your active pup.

Ingredients and Sourcing: These bars shine with their ‘90% meat’ formulas. The first ingredients are real chicken or duck, providing a massive protein punch. They also include natural ingredients like sweet potato and cranberry for antioxidants and carbohydrates. Plato air-dries their treats, a process that helps preserve the nutrients and flavor of the ingredients naturally. They are made in the USA and are free from grains, corn, and artificial additives.

Pros & Cons

Verdict: For the ultimate in convenience and high-protein fuel, Plato’s On The Go! bars are unmatched. They are perfect for the hiker who wants a no-mess, no-fuss, powerfully packed protein snack to keep their dog going strong on any adventure.

With so many options, how do you pick the right one? Here are the key factors to consider when shopping for your trail buddy’s fuel.

Ingredients & Nutrition

Always read the label! Look for whole-food ingredients at the top of the list, like real meat (chicken, beef), healthy fats (flaxseed, olive oil), and complex carbohydrates (oats, sweet potato). These provide sustained energy. Avoid bars with vague ingredients like ‘meat by-products,’ artificial colors, chemical preservatives (like BHA or BHT), and excessive fillers like corn and soy, which offer little nutritional value.

Calorie Density

Consider the intensity of your adventures. For a short, two-hour hike, a lower-calorie treat like Clif Pet Jerky might be fine. But for an all-day mountain climb, you’ll want a calorie-dense meal replacement bar like TurboPUP to properly replenish the thousands of calories your dog will burn. Match the fuel to the activity.

Digestibility

The last thing you want on a trail is an upset stomach. Choose bars with ingredients that are known to be gentle on a dog’s digestive system. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, look for grain-free options or novel proteins (like cricket or duck) that they may not have been exposed to before. Probiotics are also a great bonus ingredient.

Portability & Packaging

This is a practical but important consideration. Individually wrapped bars are super convenient but create more trash to pack out. Resealable pouches are great for multiple small treats. Consider the bar’s texture—will it crumble into a mess in your pack, or will it hold its shape? Will it get sticky in the heat? Choose packaging that works for your hiking style.

Can I just give my dog a piece of my own energy bar?

Absolutely not! This can be very dangerous. Many human energy bars contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, especially xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely poisonous to them. They can also contain chocolate, raisins, and macadamia nuts, all of which are harmful. Always stick to bars specifically formulated for canines.

How often should I give my dog an energy bar on a hike?

This depends on the dog and the hike’s intensity. A good rule of thumb is to offer a small piece of a bar or a few energy chews every 60-90 minutes of strenuous activity. This provides a steady stream of fuel rather than a big spike. Always provide plenty of fresh water alongside any snack to aid digestion and hydration.

Do these bars replace a full meal?

Some do, and some don’t. It’s crucial to read the packaging. Products like the TurboPUP bar are formulated as ‘complete and balanced’ meal replacements. Most others are supplemental snacks, meant to be given in addition to your dog’s regular meals. Don’t rely on snack bars to provide all of your dog’s daily nutrition unless they are specifically designed for that purpose.