Nutrition for Active, Working and Sporting Dogs

• The energy needs of working and sporting dogs vary widely (see table), because each activity has unique performance requirements that influence energy and nutrient needs of individual dogs. 

Anticipated energy requirements of selected canine working and sporting activities
Adapted from Shmalberg (2014) and Wakshlag & Shmalberg (2014)

^aThe exercise amounts for many of these activities have not been reported. In general, short periods of activity, even if vigorous, have small effects on total calorie requirements. The moderate and high categories depend greatly on the distance traveled and the ambient temperature. This is based on typical active dog lifestyle maintenance energy requirements of 132 x (BW_kg^0.75). 

• Exercise intensity and duration determine whether a dog’s metabolism relies predominantly on fatty acids, glucose or both (see figure). This information can help guide appropriate diet selection. 

• Sporting and working dogs perform their best when maintained in lean body condition (4 to 5 on a 9-point scale).
  • Regularly monitor body condition (e.g., ribs, waist and tummy tuck) at home and adjust food amounts as needed to keep dogs from becoming too thin or too heavy.
  • The amount of calories provided may need to be adjusted seasonally ꟷ during the off-season, during training and during frequent activity.
• Not all active working and sporting dogs need a performance dog food.
  • Some dogs, such as sprinting dogs, perform well on a high-quality, highly digestible adult maintenance food that is balanced with moderate protein, fat and carbohydrates.
  • Dogs involved in endurance activities may need a performance formula that is higher in fat and protein, especially palatable and highly digestible so they can physically eat enough.
• Dehydration can reduce performance in exercising and hard-working dogs.
  • Hydration is important in exercising dogs for two reasons:
    • Exercise is a heat-producing activity.
    • Water is required to help dissipate heat and to remove the byproducts of energy metabolism.
  • All exercising dogs require more water than dogs at rest.
  • Dogs lose water quickly during panting, which is how they cool themselves.
  • The amount of water required by an exercising dog will depend on a dog’s body weight, the ambient temperature and humidity, efficiency of evaporative water loss during panting, and exercise duration and intensity.