How to Feed High Energy Hunting Dogs

The dogfood you feed your high-energy dog makes all the difference between having a healthy, high performing hunting dog or having a dog that is prone to injury and poor performance. Your high energy hunting dog has special nutritional needs for high performance and a long healthy life. Hunting dogs, and other high energy dogs have nutritional needs similar to the needs of an athlete. Therefore, special care must be given to the dogfood you feed your hunting dog. Research indicates that fat, protein and fiber content--in the proper proportions--are essential to the well being of your dog. To help your hunting or other high energy dog have a healthy long life, feed your dog a dogfood that is blended according to the following guidelines:

Instructions

    • 1

      Provide your dog with a dogfood blend that is nutrient dense, with energy provided by animal protein. For optimum performance and to prevent injury, your high-energy dog should eat 32% to 40% protein that is provided through animal sources, such as chicken. High protein is essential to the maintenance of muscle and keeping body fluids at optimal levels.

    • 2

      Provide your hard working dog with a dogfood that is 20% fat, which delivers high energy in a small amount of food. A dogfood that is high in fat feeds your dog's muscles, allowing the muscles to utilize oxygen, which translates into higher energy.

    • 3

      Provide your high energy dog with a dogfood that has 4% to 7% of fiber. Fiber is important to your dog's performance and physical well-being. Just like the other ingredients of your dog's food, the source of fiber is also important. One satisfactory fiber source is beet pulp.