The Keys to Nutrition for Sporting Dogs
By Dr. RuthAnn Lobos
Proper nutrition is essential for both human and canine athletes to perform at their best.
Finn, my 10-year-old yellow Labrador, is my running companion, hiking buddy and hunting partner. As an endurance runner, I know the importance of proper fueling for endurance for myself. As a veterinarian, I know our athletic, highly active dogs need the same.
With the abundance of pet food options in the marketplace, knowing what to look for both inside and outside the package can offer guidelines to provide the optimal nutrition for your sporting dog. This, coupled with a thorough conversation with your veterinarian, is foundational for support of the health of your specific canine.
WATCH: PURINA Sporting Dog Shorts: Nutrition
START WITH THE BAG
Before diving into what is inside the bag of food, two critical pieces of information on the outside of the bag are:
- the manufacturer’s phone number
- the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement
The first allows a quick point of contact should you have questions regarding quality control, ingredient sourcing, or the team of experts who formulate the diets.
The AAFCO statement indicates what species the food is formulated for, what life stage or stages it should be fed in, and lastly whether it is complete and balanced or only for supplemental use.
Using these two pieces of information is the first step to understanding if pet food meets the basic criteria for your specific sporting dog.
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WHAT’S INSIDE?
In looking at the intense demands of athleticism and endurance on our sporting dogs, providing the right balance of key nutrients will help support their physical health, energy level and overall performance. These nutrients, like protein, fat and carbohydrates, are served up through a combination of ingredients, like chicken and salmon, fish oil and rice. Each of these nutrients play specific roles in our sporting dogs.
PROTEIN
Protein (from sources like chicken, beef and salmon) is essential for muscle development and repair. Protein also provides the building blocks for a healthy immune system. It also is the main component of the largest organ in the body, the skin.
Lastly, protein is a source of energy for sporting dogs, especially important in puppies as they have a higher requirement with all the growing and developing, they are doing.
FATS
Fats (from sources like canola and fish oil) play a number of roles for sporting dogs. Fats are a concentrated source of energy (a.k.a. calories). The specific fatty acids DHA and EPA are critical for brain and vision development in puppies and also help support healthy joints.
It is important to note that unlike humans, who use glycogen sourced from storing carbohydrates for endurance, dogs prefer fat as their fuel for endurance. Such that when the ratio of protein to fat is 30/20 in their diet, their muscle cells produce a greater number of mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of the cells and drive endurance. This helps keep them by our side, enjoying life’s adventures longer and better fueled.
CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates from sources like rice, oats and corn provide energy and can also provide fiber, which promotes digestive health. According to a study in Nature magazine in 2012, dogs have evolved from their wolf ancestors and do possess a gene that allows them to digest and absorb carbohydrates, thus making them omnivores. Also, using carbohydrates for quick energy can spare the dog from using lean muscle to fuel their metabolic needs.
DON’T FORGET WATER
Another important nutrient for endurance, peak performance and overall health is water. It is involved in almost every cellular activity in the body. It helps regulate body temperature, remove waste products, and is a critical component to bone and cartilage health.
One technique for keeping sporting dogs hydrated is floating their food, in other words adding enough water to cover the kibble in their bowl. This not only increases their water intake but may aid in the speed of digestion of their meal.
TIMING AND PORTION SIZE
Timing of feeding, and portion size, are two other important aspects of fueling sporting dogs.
Ideally, dogs would consume most of their calories in the evening, letting the effort of digestion, the blood flow and water it requires to occur while the dog is resting. This also may help reduce the risk of gastric torsion, also known as bloat.
Knowing how much to feed is specific to the dog’s individual metabolism, age and activity level. Purina conducted a 14-year study with 48 Labrador retrievers to investigate the potential benefits of slight caloric restriction. What the researchers discovered is that feeding to ideal body condition (reference the BCS chart for visual) has been shown to not only extend the health span of a dog but also their lifespan by 1.8 years.
In order to know how much you’re putting in the bowl, using a true 8-ounce measuring cup when feeding will help if you need to increase or decrease the quantity they’re eating. Resisting those puppy dog eyes begging for extra snacks and treats in the short term has major benefits in the long term.
Proper nutrition is essential for sporting dogs to perform at their best. A well-balanced diet from a reputable pet food company that includes adequate nutrients, and hydration can help ensure sporting dogs remain healthy and ready to excel in their chosen field.
Dr. RuthAnn Lobos serves as a senior veterinarian for Nestlé Purina PetCare. Dr. Lobos joined Purina in 2005.