32:
muscles and other organ tissues caused by strenuous activity. Protein is also a vital component in bodily functions such as transporting oxygen and energy to the muscles, regulating blood glucose levels, fighting infections, and repairing tissues. Many diets targeted for performance dogs contain 30% protein. However, dogs performing in different athletic activities can require varying amounts of protein and essential amino acids. For instance, studies have shown that sled dogs require a high protein, high fat diet, where 30 to 40% of energy comes from protein and 50% of energy comes from fat. Greyhounds were found to require a moderate protein (25% energy) and moderately high fat (30-50% energy) diet. At present there are conflicting opinions concerning whether protein from animal sources is of higher quality than protein from non animal sources. For instance, a study completed by Brown et al., concluded that "In a 16-week controlled experiment, a meat-free diet maintained haematological characteristics in sprint-racing sled dogs (Siberian huskies)". No deficiencies or side effects were noted in this study. However, in previous studies it was discovered that when feeding non animal protein diets to performance dogs, a larger prevalence of
68:
ingredients such as beet pulp or rice bran which are moderately fermentable. Total dietary fiber is not standard on pet food labels and generally only crude fiber is provided, which does not given an indication of the solubility of fermentability of an ingredients. If non-soluble or non-fermentable fiber is found within the diet, the animal is likely to experience increased fecal bulk and moisture as well as a diluted energy intake. Consequently, dogs may experience decreased nutrient absorption, dehydration, pathogenic bacterial growth in the gut and diarrhea. Avoiding diets with crude fiber levels over 3% or high inclusions of ingredients such as cellulose or peanut hulls will assist in preventing some consequences such as pathogenic bacterial growth, colonic atrophy and dehydration. Furthermore, there are some additional fibers such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) which will promote good bacteria and inhibit harmful ones, respectively. These two fibers are most important for animals fed a raw diet where pathogenic bacteria may be more prevalent.
54:
organs such as the liver and muscle. Direct carbohydrate levels are not displayed on feed labels due to the inaccuracy of current testing methods and varying methods in which certain sources may effect an animal's glycemic response. However, for canines it has been demonstrated that rice has the greatest blood glucose response followed by wheat, barley, corn and sorghum. Diets containing rice or wheat should be blended with some low level carbohydrate sources like (sorghum or barley) to prevent an animal's blood glucose from spiking.
77:
an essential mediator. The sporting dog should have access to water at all times. This is due to the fact that water intake needs are constantly adapting based on body water stores, exercise, food type, and sodium intake.12,13 Sporting dogs fed a raw or wet diet receive additional water from the high moisture content of these food types. This is in comparison to those fed a dry extruded diet. However, this does not mean sporting dogs fed a raw or wet diet should be offered less water throughout the day.
20:. Events include but are not limited to, agility trials, hunting and racing. These events are physically and metabolically demanding. As a result, canine athletes require specialized nutrition in order to perform at high levels during events and for maintenance and recovery. The main nutritional concern for sport dogs is adequate energy. A well-balanced diet, containing the appropriate amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber and micronutrients is essential to meet these energy requirements.
130:.23 This is important to consider with high performance sporting dogs due to the athlete's high prevalence of developing arthritis later in life. Various antioxidants will be used by the sporting dog to preserve animal and vegetable fats, vitamins and other ingredients prone to rancidity caused by oxidation, all of which are found in relatively high concentrations in performance canine diets.27 As a preventative of arthritis, other additives may be included in the diet. These include
41:
research on dogs for this topic is lacking. Studies completed by
Chausow and Czarnecki-Maulden conclude that more research needs to be done on iron bioavailability of plant and animal protein sources. Regardless of the source, when feeding the sporting dog, protein is an essential component of the diet. Nutritional demands must be met in order to achieve high performance levels.
86:
dogs and the inclusion rate of them is dependent on factors such as age, size, activity level, etc.19 Not meeting an animal's mineral and vitamin requirements can impact the level of performance tremendously.19 However, too high of a concentration of vitamins and minerals will increase the concentration of
151:
Endurance events are classified as prolonged exercise at submaximal levels of exertion. These events include dog sled racing, hunting and herding. To sustain this level of activity, energy is provided to the muscles through aerobic metabolism where high energy fat is utilized as the main fuel source.
76:
Dogs require a constant source of clean and fresh water. This is especially true for sporting dogs participating in high energy activities. High protein diets require increased water intake for removal of extra nitrogen via urination.12 Furthermore, to deposit protein within the animal, water is also
147:
There are many factors to be considered when choosing a sporting dog diet. These factors include breed, age, and the sport the dog will be participating in. It is important to select a diet that provides the necessary nutrients and energy to optimize athletic performance as well as maintain overall
85:
Additives are low-inclusion ingredients used to provide essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory and preservative factors. These are all important aspects in a high performance sporting dog diet. Vitamins and minerals are essential for all types of
53:
are avoided. In an ingredient label, starch (a complex carbohydrate) may appear as rice, wheat, barley, corn and/or other varying grains. These ingredients not only supply the dog with rapid and accessible energy while performing, but can also be used after exercise to replenish glycogen stores in
163:
In contrast, sprinting events are characterized by short bursts of speed that rely on anaerobic metabolism to provide energy to the muscles. Carbohydrates are the main source of fuel for these initial accelerations. Glycogen levels are depleted in the first several seconds of sprinting before the
67:
within the gut. Gut health is also promoted by increasing mucosal health, increasing the microbial balance, improving digestion, improving nutrient absorption and upregulating immunity. To insure this, owners should be looking to feed diets that contain 3%-7% of total digestible fiber (TDF) or
31:
is an essential component in any dog's diet. Muscle, hair, skin, ligaments, cartilage, and chest and abdomen organs are structurally supported by protein. In comparison to the average dog, a performance or sporting dog requires a greater protein intake. This is a result of wear and tear on
40:
can lead to anemia. As stated by
Chausow and Czarnecki-Maulden, it is generally accepted that animal sources of protein have more iron bioavailability than plant sources. Studies have been conducted to compare iron bioavailability when feeding animal and non animal sources of protein. However,
164:
muscles switch to aerobic metabolism that favours fat sources in dogs. A moderately high fat and high protein diet is beneficial, but it has also been suggested that increasing carbohydrates may support the initial sprint event, however this has not been scientifically proven.
138:
sulphate and omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA from fish oil.14,27 These factors have been shown to limit the development of chronic swelling and decrease existing inflammation caused by arthritis, which is essential in the high performance sporting dog.14,19
486:
Bazolli, R.; Vasconcellos, R.; de-Oliveira, L.; Sa, F.; Pereira, G.; Carciofi, C. (2015). "Effect of particle size of maize, rice and sorghum in extruded diets for dogs on starch gelatinization, digestibility, and the fecal concentration of fermentation products".
148:
health. Studies have shown that energy requirements are distance-dependent, meaning they are proportional to the distance travelled, not the speed of travel. Therefore, endurance events will have higher energy requirements than short-distance sprinting events.
537:
De Godoy, M.R.C.; Beloshapka, A.N.; Carter, R.A.; Fascetti, A.J.; Yu, Z.; McIntosh, B.J.; Swanson, K.S.; Buff, P.R. (2014). "Acute changes in blood metabolites and amino acid profile post-exercise in
Foxhound dogs fed a high endurance formula".
369:
Yamada, T., Tohori, M., Ashida, T., Kajiwara, N., and
Yoshimura, H. (1987). Comparison of effects of vegetable protein diet and animal protein diet on the initiation of anemia during vigorous physical training (sports anemia) in dogs and rats.
62:
Highly soluble or fermentable fiber from carbohydrate sources mentioned, and others, above also provide short chain fatty acids. These short chain fatty acids can represent approximately 10% of an animal's energy requirement through microbial
156:
from amino acids during endurance events and to aid recovery. Carbohydrates are required in lesser amounts. A study conducted on sled dogs found that dogs fed a high carbohydrate diet showed signs of
643:
Doering, T.M.; Reaburn, P.R.; Phillips, S.M.; Jenkins, D.G. (2016). "Dietary
Protein Strategies to Maximize Skeletal Muscle Repair and Remodeling in Masters Endurance Athletes: A Review".
387:
Tatala, S. Svanberg, U. and Mduma, B., (1998) Low dietary iron availability is a major cause of anemia: a nutrition survey in the Lindi
District of Tanzania.
424:
Chausow, D.G., and
Czarnecki-Maulden, G.L. (1988). The relative bioavailability of iron from feedstuffs of plant and animal origin to the chick.
90:
in the feed. Currently, it is stated that dog foods containing above 7% ash content may have long-term negative consequences on canines.1
407:
Chausow, D.G., and
Czarnecki-Maulden, G.L. (1988). The relative bioavailability of plant and animal sources of iron to the cat and chick.
152:
Several studies have shown an increase in stamina when dogs are fed a high fat diet. Increased protein is beneficial to support
616:
Davenport, G.M.; Russell, K.L; Altom, E.K.; Lepine, J.L. (2001). "Effect of diet on hunting performance of
English pointers".
562:
Silvio, J.; Harmon, D.; Gross, K.; McLeod, K. (2000). "Influence of Fiber
Fermentability on Nutrient Digestion in the Dog".
49:
Carbohydrates provide a quick energy source, increased palatability as well as fiber in canine diets; if disaccharides and
442:
Hill, R.C.; Bloomberg, M.S.; Legrand-defretin, V.; Burger, I.V.; Hillock, S.M.; Sundsrom, D.A.; Jones, G.L. (2000).
87:
157:
331:"An experimental meat-free diet maintained haematological characteristics in sprint-racing sled dogs"
715:
160:
and hypoglycaemia during intense exercise. Reducing the carbohydrate levels resolved these issues.
135:
28:
17:
185:"Optimal Nutrition for Athletic Performance, with Emphasis on Fat Adaptation in Dogs and Horses"
692:
660:
625:
579:
504:
465:
352:
308:
260:
206:
652:
571:
496:
455:
444:"Maintenance energy requirements and the effect of diet on performance on racing Greyhounds"
342:
298:
250:
196:
114:
have been demonstrated in numerous studies to decrease immune response DNA damage linked to
153:
37:
36:
was found in comparison to when dogs were fed diets containing animal protein. Poor iron
575:
16:
High performance sport dogs are those bred and trained to compete in various athletic
709:
99:
201:
184:
127:
64:
131:
91:
460:
443:
347:
330:
303:
286:
255:
238:
656:
123:
119:
95:
664:
629:
583:
508:
469:
356:
696:
500:
312:
264:
210:
107:
103:
683:
Kronfield, D.S. (1973). "Diet and the performance of racing sled dogs".
50:
115:
111:
33:
329:
Brown, W. Y.; Vanselow, B. A.; Redman, A .J.; Pluske, J. R. (2009).
597:
Downey, R.L. (1980). "Diet of beagles affects stamina".
183:
Kronfield, D.S.; Ferrante, P.L.; Grandjean, D. (1994).
481:
479:
557:
555:
553:
599:
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
678:
676:
674:
532:
530:
528:
526:
524:
522:
520:
518:
287:"The nutritional requirements of exercising dogs"
239:"The nutritional requirements of exercising dogs"
178:
176:
143:Diet considerations based on competitive event
8:
232:
230:
228:
226:
224:
222:
220:
459:
346:
302:
254:
200:
172:
7:
403:
401:
324:
322:
280:
278:
276:
274:
14:
1:
576:10.1016/S0899-9007(99)00298-1
202:10.1093/jn/124.suppl_12.2745S
645:Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab
732:
461:10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1566
348:10.1017/S0007114509389254
249:(12 Suppl): 2686Sā2690S.
195:(12 Suppl): 2745Sā2753S.
657:10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0102
304:10.1093/jn/128.12.2686S
297:(12 Suppl): 2686ā2690.
256:10.1093/jn/128.12.2686S
501:10.2527/jas.2014-8409
540:Journal of Nutrition
372:J Nutr Sci Vitaminol
243:Journal of Nutrition
189:Journal of Nutrition
285:Hill, R.C. (1998).
237:Hill, R.C. (1998).
685:J Am Vet Med Assoc
454:(12): 1566ā1573.
723:
701:
700:
680:
669:
668:
640:
634:
633:
613:
607:
606:
594:
588:
587:
559:
548:
547:
534:
513:
512:
495:(6): 2956ā2966.
483:
474:
473:
463:
439:
433:
422:
416:
405:
396:
385:
379:
367:
361:
360:
350:
341:(9): 1318ā1323.
326:
317:
316:
306:
282:
269:
268:
258:
234:
215:
214:
204:
180:
126:by attaching to
731:
730:
726:
725:
724:
722:
721:
720:
706:
705:
704:
682:
681:
672:
642:
641:
637:
615:
614:
610:
596:
595:
591:
561:
560:
551:
536:
535:
516:
485:
484:
477:
441:
440:
436:
423:
419:
406:
399:
386:
382:
368:
364:
328:
327:
320:
284:
283:
272:
236:
235:
218:
182:
181:
174:
170:
154:gluconeogenesis
145:
83:
74:
60:
47:
38:bioavailability
26:
12:
11:
5:
729:
727:
719:
718:
708:
707:
703:
702:
691:(6): 470ā473.
670:
651:(2): 168ā178.
635:
608:
589:
570:(4): 289ā295.
549:
514:
475:
434:
417:
397:
389:Am J Clin Nutr
380:
362:
318:
270:
216:
171:
169:
166:
144:
141:
82:
79:
73:
70:
59:
56:
46:
43:
25:
22:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
728:
717:
714:
713:
711:
698:
694:
690:
686:
679:
677:
675:
671:
666:
662:
658:
654:
650:
646:
639:
636:
631:
627:
623:
619:
612:
609:
604:
600:
593:
590:
585:
581:
577:
573:
569:
565:
558:
556:
554:
550:
545:
541:
533:
531:
529:
527:
525:
523:
521:
519:
515:
510:
506:
502:
498:
494:
490:
482:
480:
476:
471:
467:
462:
457:
453:
449:
445:
438:
435:
431:
427:
421:
418:
415:(9):1041-1050
414:
410:
404:
402:
398:
394:
390:
384:
381:
377:
373:
366:
363:
358:
354:
349:
344:
340:
336:
332:
325:
323:
319:
314:
310:
305:
300:
296:
292:
288:
281:
279:
277:
275:
271:
266:
262:
257:
252:
248:
244:
240:
233:
231:
229:
227:
225:
223:
221:
217:
212:
208:
203:
198:
194:
190:
186:
179:
177:
173:
167:
165:
161:
159:
155:
149:
142:
140:
137:
133:
129:
128:free radicals
125:
121:
117:
113:
109:
105:
101:
100:beta carotene
97:
93:
89:
80:
78:
71:
69:
66:
57:
55:
52:
45:Carbohydrates
44:
42:
39:
35:
30:
23:
21:
19:
688:
684:
648:
644:
638:
624:(1): 10ā23.
621:
617:
611:
602:
598:
592:
567:
563:
543:
539:
492:
488:
451:
448:Am J Vet Res
447:
437:
429:
425:
420:
412:
408:
392:
388:
383:
375:
371:
365:
338:
334:
294:
290:
246:
242:
192:
188:
162:
150:
146:
136:chondroitine
92:Antioxidants
84:
75:
65:fermentation
61:
48:
27:
15:
432:(2):175-185
395:(1):171-178
378:(2):129-49.
132:glucosamine
716:Dog health
605:: 273ā277.
546:(33): 1ā6.
489:J Anim Sci
168:References
335:Br J Nutr
124:arthritis
120:cataracts
96:vitamin E
81:Additives
710:Category
665:26402439
630:19753695
618:Vet Ther
584:10758366
509:26115282
470:11131600
409:Nutr Res
357:19480731
158:tying up
108:sage oil
104:rosemary
94:such as
697:4734973
426:Nut Res
313:9868242
265:9868242
211:7996286
51:xylitol
29:Protein
24:Protein
695:
663:
628:
582:
507:
468:
355:
311:
291:J Nutr
263:
209:
116:cancer
112:lutein
34:anemia
18:events
106:oil,
72:Water
58:Fiber
693:PMID
661:PMID
626:PMID
580:PMID
564:Nutr
505:PMID
466:PMID
353:PMID
309:PMID
261:PMID
207:PMID
122:and
110:and
689:162
653:doi
572:doi
497:doi
456:doi
343:doi
339:102
299:doi
295:128
251:doi
247:128
197:doi
193:124
88:ash
712::
687:.
673:^
659:.
649:26
647:.
620:.
603:16
601:.
578:.
568:16
566:.
552:^
542:.
517:^
503:.
493:93
491:.
478:^
464:.
450:.
446:.
428:.
411:.
400:^
393:68
391:.
376:33
374:.
351:.
337:.
333:.
321:^
307:.
293:.
289:.
273:^
259:.
245:.
241:.
219:^
205:.
191:.
187:.
175:^
134:,
118:,
102:,
98:,
699:.
667:.
655::
632:.
622:2
586:.
574::
544:3
511:.
499::
472:.
458::
452:1
430:8
413:8
359:.
345::
315:.
301::
267:.
253::
213:.
199::
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.