5 Things to Remember When Feeding Your Hunting Dog

Which is the best type of food for your hunting dog? How often should he eat? Is there an optimal time to feed him?

These are questions that many dog owners never ask themselves. But what you have to understand is that hunting dogs have unique nutritional needs that must be met for them to perform their best. This means that when and what you feed your dog has a direct impact on his overall performance.

For instance, a dog fed too soon before the start of a hunt might not be able to reap the full nutritional benefits of a meal. What’s more, is that for a hard-working dog every ounce of energy counts.

With that said, let us identify the five most important things you need to remember when feeding your hunting dog.

1. A High Protein/Fat Ratio is Best for Performance

We all know that hunting dogs burn a ton of calories. This means that the amount of protein and fat in a dog’s food plays a vital role not only in his overall health but also ability to perform. Research shows that athletes get most of their energy from fats. As a result, they need to be fed diets containing 15-20% crude fat. This really allows their muscles to adapt to high-performance levels.

In addition, hunting dogs require protein to build and maintain their muscles. As a result, their diet should contain at least 25% of protein-most preferably from meat. Studies have shown that dogs fed with plant-based protein experience more musculoskeletal injuries than dogs consuming meat protein.

It might be useful to note that when you raise the protein/fat ratio, you might also have to raise your dog’s mineral and vitamin components in proportion. This can be done through supplements. There are a number of supplements out there that you can easily carry in your hunting bag and feed your dog from time to time.

2. Feed Only Once A Day

Did you know that it takes approximately 20-24 hours for a dog’s meal to be totally digested and eliminated as a bowel movement? As a result, feeding your dog once daily is optimal for its digestive function and performance. Working dogs should be fed approximately 24 hours before any intense activity.

This can help to prevent digestion problems that lead to things like bloody stool which have been linked to vigorous exercise. Nutritional studies have revealed that a dog’s endurance performance is doubled when on an empty stomach as compared to having eaten 4 or less hours before any exercise. The studies have further indicated that feeding 17 or more hours before exercise results in much greater use of fat as energy.

3. Avoid Supplementing Your Dog’s Diet With Calcium

If you’re not sure about the type of vitamins that your hunting dog needs, you’re better off not supplementing. Just stick to a healthy diet. The biggest mistake owners make is, supplementing their dog’s diet with calcium, when they have not been told to do so by a veterinarian. What you need to understand is that calcium competes with vitamin D in the gut. This can result in serious complications.

4. Avoid Feeding Your Dog Treats That Aren’t Specifically Made For Canines

While it might be tempting to give your hunting dog treats like sports bars or gel packets that you have one you when in the field it’s never advisable. While these may be tasty and the dog may love them, in they won’t help fuel his performance.

5. Avoid Sudden Changes In Food

Drastic food changes can affect any dog, further resulting to gastrointestinal problems. To avoid this, make sure that any change in your dog’s diet is introduced slowly in a span of over four weeks. This offers your dog adequate time to adjust to the changes, ensuring a healthy digestive system.

Parting Shot

Dogs don’t sweat, they pant to cool off. Therefore, it is important to carry water in your hunting backpack if you’ll be running with your dog for more than 30 minutes. You’ll also need some type of bowl, that easily fits in your pack as well.

Many outdoorsmen prefer something made from rubber that is collapsible since they hardly take up any space. And of course, resist the temptation to share your energy drink with your pooch, canines don’t need electrolytes or carbohydrates as this will only result in gastrointestinal distress.

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