Feeding an active dog may seem daunting, but it’s all about providing quality nutrition. Your furry friend needs high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and limited complex carbohydrates to fuel their energy. It’s crucial to provide your dog with nutrient-dense food or high-performance dry dog food, rather than cheap options that offer little nutritional value.
Be mindful of the amount of food you give your dog, and keep an eye on their muscle mass and weight to ensure you’re not overfeeding. While macronutrients such as proteins, amino acids, fats, and carbs are important, your dog also needs essential micronutrients like vitamins, trace elements, and minerals.
The Role of an Athletic Dog’s Diet
Just like humans, athletic dogs need a specific diet to maintain their high-performance levels. Whether your dog is participating in sports competitions or working as a rescue dog, it is essential to provide them with adequate nutrition. Think of it like a car needing fuel to run, an athletic dog cannot do its job without proper nutrition!
High-performance dogs are those that work hard and need a lot of energy to do their job. They may pull sleds, participate in athletic competitions, or go for long runs or hikes. Regardless of their activity, it’s important to make sure your high-performance dog is eating well, or their performance and health may suffer.
Feeding athletic dogs is not as simple as giving them as much food as they want. Many athletic dogs need up to 10,000 calories per day, which is a lot more than the 800 calories needed by a medium-sized dog with moderate activity levels. However, it’s not just about the amount of food; the type of food and when to feed it also matter. The nutrients required by your dog for optimal performance will be discussed later in this passage.
It’s important to pay attention to the type of food given, the portion size, and the intervals between meals. Some dogs may only need special diets during certain training seasons, while others may need a high-performance diet all year round. Also, it’s essential to start feeding your dog a high-performance diet at least 8 weeks before a big event to see the best results.
Important Nutrients When Feeding Athletic Dogs
Below are the essential nutrients required by your athletic dog. This should be used as a rough guide only — it is important to remember that every dog has individual dietary needs dependant on an endless list of factors. Do your homework, but also pay attention to your dog’s health and the quality of his performance!
Proteins
Much of the top high-performance dog food contains 20 to 30 percent protein. It is not only important that your dog eats a diet high in protein; but that the protein is high-quality. Some brands rely on vegetable protein and although the label may boast “high protein” it is likely to simply increase your dog’s body fat whilst reducing his or her muscle mass.
If the protein comes from meat by-products there is no guarantee that your dog will be able to efficiently digest and use it. By-products are animal parts such as feet, beaks, and tails, rather than muscle (also known as striated tissue). High-quality proteins contain amino acids needed for your high-performance dog to restore damaged tissue, build muscle and produce essential hormones.
Unlike regular dogs, athletic dogs are constantly putting their muscles under stress, meaning they will constantly need to be repaired. Aside from growth and repair, protein is also used as an energy source together with carbohydrates and fats.
Essential Fatty Acids
These fatty acids include omega-6 and omega-3 which your dog needs to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Some may think a thick, shiny coat of fur is only pleasing aesthetically, making a somewhat “handsome” dog. But it’s crucial your dog has a healthy coat of fur to provide protection from the element, as well as from parasites it may be exposed to during high-performance activity. These fatty acids can be found in meat such as chicken and fish.
Fats are also important for endurance activities lasting more than a few minutes. After a short burst of energy during which carbohydrate stores will be used up, the body turns to its fat stores to keep its energy levels going. Any increase in fat in your dog’s diet should be made gradually to allow his digestive system to adjust.
Before feeding your dog a high-fat diet, be honest with yourself about his or her activity levels. Feeding your dog high-fat dog food when he doesn’t truly require it will just leave you with a very overweight dog. If you can get the dosage right, fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 will provide added benefits for your dog such as improved cardiovascular health and strong joints.
Carbohydrates
Unlike normal dogs who may do moderate exercise, high-performance dogs experience greater benefits from grains or even better, complex carbohydrates (sweet potatoes, for example). High-performance dog foods often contain finely ground grains including barley and cornmeal. Your dog’s digestive system can quickly and efficiently absorb and use these for quick bursts of energy. This fast energy form is especially useful for dogs who compete in sports or activities such as sprinting that require short bursts of energy.
Many high-performance dogs benefit from being fed little and often, as this offers more efficient digestion and balanced blood sugar levels. It is best to avoid “carbo-loading” as this can leave your dog sluggish and may cause digestive difficulties, impacting negatively on health and performance. Some diets decrease carbs a lot, such as keto or paleo.
Vitamins
The most important vitamins for athletic dogs are vitamins A and D as well as B-complex vitamins such as B1, B3, and B12. Vitamins do not directly provide energy, but they are essential in the process responsible for allowing a dog’s body to use energy from their stores.
Vitamin A and vitamin D are fat-soluble and can lead to toxicity of the liver in high quantities. It is wise to seek expert advice on the dosage which will be determined by your dog’s level of activity, type of activity, breed, and size. Vitamin A helps to maintain tendons, muscles and healthy skin and fur. Dogs with vitamin A deficiency may appear weak, whilst displaying a dull skin and coat. Don’t ignore the signs – your dog may be lacking this essential vitamin! Unlike dogs, humans cannot produce vitamin D in their skin, so they rely on an adequate supply from their diet. This vitamin helps to repair and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and nerves — essential for an athletic dog!
B-complex vitamins (present in chicken, fish, and seeds) work alongside vitamins A to K to ensure that a dog’s body functions like a well-oiled machine. B vitamins are the basic building blocks needed to ensure that basic bodily functions can be carried out. The efficiency of the tiny metabolic processes going on inside your dog will have a huge impact on how it performs on the outside, so whether your dog is raw-fed, or kibble fed — don’t skip B-vitamins! Always consult an expert if you are unsure whether your dog is getting enough.
Minerals
Minerals are often overlooked by dog owners as they are the smaller nitty, gritty components of an athletic dog’s diet. Nevertheless, if you wish to own a happy, healthy high-performance dog who can function at optimum proficiency, then minerals are a must! Sodium chloride, potassium, magnesium — these are all minerals!
Minerals have multiple functions but are best known for their role in regulating fluid- balance, allowing nerves and muscles to function, producing hormones and transporting oxygen in the bloodstream. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus also aid in the formation and protection of bone and cartilage.
Top 7 Best Dog Foods for Athletic Dogs
Here are the reviews of the top 7 best dog foods for muscular and athletic dogs. All dogs can use this diet but you generally want to feed that much proteins to dogs with a lean muscle mass. Weight pulling dogs are ideal candidates for such dog foods, but also agility and herding dogs.
1. Bully Max High Performance Dog Food
— Best Dog Food For Athletic Dogs
Bully Max High Performance is the only 5-star rated performance dog food, not containing corn, wheat or soy. It is also the only meat-based formula in its own class. It provides more calories than any other formula on the market; providing 535 calories per cup. Such a dense nutritional profile gives your dog all the energy and strength to deal with any training; ideal for dogs gaining lean muscle mass.
Besides providing your dog with all the energy it needs with the kibble’s high calories content, it also supplies proteins and amino acids needed for the dog’s best performance and stamina. Indeed, Bully Max performance food provides your dog 30% more protein and 20% more fat than any other product in the market; making your dog look stronger and healthier.
The Bully Max High Performance Premium Dog Food is created with the best all-natural meat-based ingredients; specially created to improve your dog’s performance and appearance. This Bully Max’s athletic dog food is the healthier choice for all breeds and all ages, it is created for dogs from 4 weeks and older; suitable for pregnant and nursing dogs; it is easy to combine with any diet.
2. Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20
— High-Protein, High-Fat Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Formula is a complete dog food with a third of protein and a fifth of healthy good fats. The best part of its content is the glucosamine that helps your dog by strengthening joints’ structural performance and mobility. This great formula besides having glucosamine also contains real chicken as it first and best ingredient. More than containing simple proteins, this kibble for athletic dogs also contains various amino acids that help your dog recover and rebuild stronger muscle in the best way possible, and faster, after a good training session.
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance dog food is for athletic and muscular dogs that exercise a lot. It is made of great ingredients: chicken, brewer’s rice, fish meal (natural source of glucosamine), fish oil, dried egg, vitamin E, and so on. This quality kibble provides the healthy fats your dog needs to fuel its high and intense activity levels. This special formula increases the metabolism of your dog and gives endurance for the whole day. This formula helps optimize oxygen metabolism for increased endurance. Enhanced stamina is really important for your dog to be able to perform long training sessions on top of the regular daily activities.
3. Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Canned
— Best Canned Dog Food For Athletic Dogs
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is the best food for athletic and picky dogs, and yes, these dogs exist ha! Sure, it is a little bit more of an investment but you end up getting better quality as it is a wet food that is a lot tastier than dry kibble. It contains salmon, whitefish, herring, sweet potatoes, and delicious greens; all this provides the great taste and flavor which identifies this product.
This flavorful wet dog food for strong dogs is a 100% grain-free product which makes it very digestible and nutritious for your dog. The digestive system of your dog is one of the most important parts of your dog’s overall well-being that needs special attention and care; by feeding Wellness CORE to your dog you improve the performance of the digestive system thereby promising your dog a healthier life. (At least, that’s what the marketing says!)
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Wet is full of antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and probiotics; each bite that your dog takes of this product will provide all the nutrients and vitamins needed to become healthier for long term life. This quality canned dog food not only hopes to lengthen the life of your dog but also to improve the dog’s immune system, provide your dog with healthier eyes, teeth, and gum, enhance its digestive system, and healthier skin and coat.
4. AvoDerm Natural Dog Food
— Great Anti-Oxidant Formula!
AvoDerm Natural Dog Food is a high-protein dog food ideal for very active adult dogs. It is very rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants coming from quality chicken, lamb, and turkey. It also embeds avocado, apple, brown rice, flaxseed, alfalfa meal, herring, and kelp meals. There are many other ingredients that provide many benefits for your dog.
This great AvoDerm dog food contains as one of its mains ingredients omega-rich Californian avocados which have a boatload of great benefits ranging from softer skin to being a natural source of vitamins and antioxidants for a healthier immune system. This kibble does not contain corn, wheat, or artificial colorings. It is a highly digestible formula perfect for preventing digestive problems in dogs.
With such great ingredients, AvoDerm Natural Dog Food provides your dog all the energy and health boost to be happy and perform any activity in the most performing way possible. Avocado and avocado oil both help your dog to be protected from the inside out as it creates a great immune system reinforcement.
5. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High-Protein Kibble
— Best Grain-Free Dog Food for Athletic Dogs
Taste of the Wild High Protein Natural dry dog food is a highly digestible formula with superfoods and antioxidants to prevent your dog to look older before time. It contains bison, venison, lamb meal, chicken, egg, sweet potato, peas, potatoes, canola oil, tomato pomace, and ocean fish meal, amongst other healthy goodness. All this creates a unique mix that provides your dog with all the energy and stamina to perform very high-intensity training.
This renowned kibble contains roasted bison as its first and main ingredient which provides your dog with enough proteins to develop lean, strong muscles. This formula made of real meat gives an optimal amino acid profile providing energy to recover and feel good after any training session. This all-natural dog food is complemented with fruits, vegetables, and superfoods that work as natural antioxidants; providing your dog vitamins, minerals and a fatty acid blend for its skin, coat, and cognitive functions.
Taste of the Wild High Protein Dog Food contains trusted and sustainable ingredients from around the world and it is made of no grain, corn, wheat or any other filler; it doesn’t contain artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It is an all-American dog food, a family-owned business, and is trusted since it is formulated with the scientifically-advanced food safety protocols.
6. Dog Protein Powder by Muscle Bully
— Top Protein Powder For Dogs!
This whey protein powder by Muscle Bully is not an actual dog food but rather a great protein supplement for athletic dogs; it is easy to add to each or some meals to increase your dog’s muscle-building process and thus increase its best performance. You can help your dog become stronger and healthier by turning any kibble into a complete high protein dog food.
Muscle Protein for Bullies is perfect to build bigger muscles and provide emphasized visual definition of dog’s muscle mass. By giving this protein to your dog you are helping to create a well-balanced and athletic-looking dog with improved physical abilities. This canine protein supplement also supports your dog’s skin, nails, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Your dog will look and feel healthier from the inside after few weeks on such supplementation. There also have been some studies that show that this product helps with the prevention of cancer and tumor reductions in dogs.
Protein supplementation is also perfect for growing puppies; since it provides the organs and internal support systems the nutrients they need to grow. The puppy will turn out healthier and stronger, being able to play and exercise with a lot less risk for injuries and joint problems in the future.
7. Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Base Mix
— Healthiest Human-Grade Food For Athletic Dogs!
Honest Kitchen Human-Grade Dehydrated Base Mix is an amazing and super healthy dehydrated base for a dog meal. It’s really easy to prepare just by adding offal or meat to it, and you will have a great balanced plate of food for your dog. It is all-natural; not containing by-products, preservatives or GMOs, just by adding warm water you can create a healthy and delicious food preparation for your dog. This preparation meets the FDA safety standards making it safe and appropriate for your dog’s everyday diet, but also for humans since it is completely human-grade!
This dehydrated base mix is a portion of really practical dog food, easy to prepare or to give raw to your dog. Since it is grain-free, it is appropriate to be combined with other ingredients to comply with your dog’s protein restriction or preferences. It is a really rich base antioxidant and allows versatility. It is made to create a unique plate of food for your dog’s everyday meal; it is perfect to create a balanced meal for adult and seniors dogs, great for all breeds and sizes.
Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Base Mix is all American; completely created in the USA with no China process involved in its creation. Each plate created with this amazing dog food contains sweet potatoes, peas, cabbage, organic coconut, apples, spinach, pumpkin, bananas, celery, organic kelp, and organic honey, plus vitamins and mineral premix. These additional micronutrients include tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, thiamine; a whole mix of richness and great ingredients to improve your dog’s dietary well-being.
Athletic Dog Feeding FAQ
We have also answered a few common questions we received and read about feeding very active working and service dogs.
Do athletic dogs need whey protein supplements?
The simple answer is no. Athletic dogs do not need whey protein supplements if they are getting adequate protein from their diet. Dogs are physiologically smaller than humans so although you may rely on whey protein shakes yourself when hitting the gym hard, it doesn’t mean your dog should. Because dogs are typically much smaller than humans, it is much too easy to go overboard and give them too much whey protein. This may have negative consequences for their digestive system.
Experts have even suggested that the ingredients in whey protein supplements may be harmful to dogs, even in correct amounts. Whey is not a natural ingredient; therefore, dogs have not evolved to tolerate or digest it. It is also likely to make your dog’s stools very smelly! If after reading this you still wish to give your dog a whey protein supplement, consult an expert to ensure that you do it in the safest way possible.
What is the bioavailability of micronutrients for dogs?
Bioavailability is the amount of a substance that is absorbed into the body’s systemic circulation. When discussing dogs and their meals, it is the proportion of micronutrients that are digested and absorbed by a dog’s body, rather than being passed through as waste. The bioavailability of micronutrients for a dog will depend heavily on the quality of the food you feed it.
Some dog foods have much more bioavailability than others — in other words, they are more digestible than others. Bioavailability is affected by many factors, for example, whether a protein is animal-based or plant-based and the temperature that the protein is cooked at. Animal-based proteins — discounting animal by-products- are usually of a higher quality because they contain more muscle and are more bioavailable. Additionally, food that is not cooked to within an inch of its life will also have higher bioavailability. This is because fewer enzymes will be destroyed during the cooking process and can, therefore, be used by your dog to aid digestion.
To optimize bioavailability of micronutrients for your dog, look for foods that are dehydrated, freeze-dried, raw or frozen as these won’t have been subjected to such high temperatures. It may also be favorable to switch your dog to a raw diet so that nutrients remain present in their most natural form, providing maximum bioavailability.
Is raw feeding better for athletic dogs?
In many ways yes, a raw diet is better for an athletic dog mainly because of its bioavailability, as mentioned above. You will also have the added benefits of knowing exactly what you are putting into your dog’s body — no hidden chemicals! Many dog owners are now opting for a raw-fed diet because it brings their dog as close to nature as possible, which is generally healthier.
Raw-fed diets also avoid cheap, low-quality proteins (by-products) and do not run the risk of reducing bioavailability by cooking at extreme temperatures and damaging enzymes. They are more expensive than readily manufactured high-performance dog food, but the health benefits are worth the cost. Owners reported their dogs had healthier teeth, a more luxurious coat, and increased energy levels — they even said their dog’s stools smelt much more pleasant!
A raw-fed diet is an excellent choice for non-athletic canines too. It might require a bit more research and advice from experts to get it right, but the benefits are invaluable. Some dogs may struggle with the transition from kibble to raw food — an upset stomach being the most common issue — but this is temporary and will usually pass.
Should I feed my dog once or several times a day?
All dogs are different, but usually, high-performance dogs will reap the benefits of having several smaller meals a day, rather than one huge one. Dogs are like humans in this sense; bodybuilders and athletes will usually eat 5 or 6 small meals a day rather than 2 or 3 large ones.
Experts suggest eating little and often puts less stress on a dog’s body and helps them recover better after intense exercise. It can also help to keep energy levels constant, helping your dog to perform optimally throughout his or her day.
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Nonetheless, the frequency of your dog’s meals will depend on many factors such as the type and duration of the activity performed and the speed of the dog’s metabolism. Again, pay attention to your dog — it may be a case of trial and error to see what suits him best. What works for some dogs, may not work for others.
Should I feed my dog after exercise?
No, it is recommended that you do not feed your dog immediately after intense levels of activity. By doing this you are making your dog vulnerable to a bloated and/or a twisted stomach (a twisted stomach can prove life-threatening). This problem is more common in larger dogs, but smaller dogs can be affected too.
It is recommended that you wait at least 30-60 minutes after your dog’s intense activity has ended before attempting to feed them. Vets also warn that the same problem can arise from feeding your dog just before exercise, so the same rule applies. Keep your dog hydrated with water whilst you are waiting to feed them and try not to give in to those sad “feed me” eyes, as you don’t want to have a poorly dog!
What are the best carbohydrates for athletic dogs?
The best carbohydrates for dogs are those that provide energy quickly and can be readily absorbed by your dog’s digestive system. These tend to be finely ground carbohydrates including barley, corn meal and grain sorghum that your dog does not have to work as hard to digest.
It is best to give your dog carbohydrates that are as nutrient-dense as possible. For example, grain sorghum is high in antioxidants, B-vitamins and minerals. Even though these carbohydrates are packed with great stuff, always pay attention to how much carbohydrate you are feeding your dog! Your dog’s diet should never be higher in carbohydrates than it is in protein and fat.
One comment on “How To Feed Athletic Dogs — Guide, FAQ & Reviews”
sad, But… I think you got bought off by commercial advertisers rather than be what you profess to be an ethical breeder. Read the NY Times article mentioning the brands of Cancerous dog foods. Then tell me you are promoting the right principals. Athletic dogs are like every other dog, in many respects except they have a greater ability to do the Athletic feat. So feeding them a good based protein diet is more than sufficient. Then read the reviews on Bully food diets and tell us that this is a smart move. It is NOT!