Although at first glance pet nutrition does not seem like something complicated, in certain situations it requires a little more attention in order to provide all the necessary nutrients for the development and healthy life of the pet. A well-planned diet must be adapted first of all to the physical characteristics, but also to the character of the dog, its needs and lifestyle. Active dogs, such as working and hunting dogs, but also those who are simply excited by nature and love to play and run all day, require a slightly different diet in order to lead a healthy life and have enough energy for numerous daily activities. That is why it is very important to be well informed about the nutritional needs of your pet, but also to take into consideration the amount and type of his daily activity, so that you know how to feed an active dog.
Be careful with snacks
Although you may be tempted to reward your active dog frequently with his favorite treats, always remember that these should be a treat, not a meal replacement. Although they contain a very large number of calories, dog snacks do not have sufficient nutritional values that are necessary for four-legged pets, and especially not for those who are very active and spend the whole day running or performing various activities. Far from needing to completely eliminate snacks from their diet – they are a great reward and treat that will always make your pet happy, but they are also just a supplement to a diet that is properly balanced and contains all the necessary nutrients for proper growth and development active pets.
Coordinate meal times with activity times
Keep in mind that meal times should never be close to your dog’s activity times, as this can cause a number of stomach upsets. Make sure that at least an hour passes between the activity and the meal, in order to avoid discomfort such as diarrhea, vomiting, pain and other problems of the digestive tract. Although active dogs need more food and calories, they should have one to two meals a day like other dogs, so schedule these meals so they don’t interfere with other activities during the day. Make sure that you do not suddenly increase the caloric value of the meal, but that you introduce these changes in the dog’s diet gradually so that the organism can get used to a higher intake of food and nutrients.
What should food for active dogs contain?
Most industrially produced dog food has clear markings for which type, weight and size of dog it is intended for, but it would still not be bad to know what this food should contain so that your dog has enough energy during the day. Active dogs sometimes need up to four times more energy than usual, so it is necessary to provide them with all the necessary substances through their diet. To begin with, food for active dogs should be high in protein, containing more than 28% protein in the case of dry food, or 7% in the case of wet food. Fats are also very important, so in dry food they should be represented by more than 20%, while in wet food it is 5%. Considering that many dogs have problems with their hips and joints, make sure they eat food rich in minerals and vitamins that are necessary for their proper functioning, and in some cases you can even add certain supplements to their diet, of course all in agreement with your a veterinarian.
What if the dog’s activity level changes?
Don’t ever forget that there will be situations in which your active dogs will be less active than is usual for them, so on those days you have to adjust the diet to the new situation. Adjust the calorie intake to their movements on those days, so that they do not take in more nutrients than they need, because most dogs are prone to overeating, and consequently obesity, which can have serious and negative consequences for their health. This diet reduction should not be sudden either, but gradually reduce the amount of food and its nutritional value during these less active days. Although obesity in dogs is a very common challenge today, malnutrition can occur in extremely active dogs as the opposite problem, so if you notice any signs of this condition, talk to your veterinarian to determine what you need to change in your active pet’s diet. Having an active dog as a pet really has many advantages, because not only will you always have company for training and sports activities, but your pet will be able to help you with many duties, such as working and hunting dogs, shepherd dogs , but also those who found their calling in life in the police and rescue ranks. In order for them to live healthily and have enough strength and energy to perform all the activities they enjoy without problems, you must provide them with food that is adapted to their needs. Don’t forget that in addition to physical activity, dogs also need mental stimulation so that they don’t get bored and avoid their unwanted behavior. In addition to activity level, when organizing meals for your dog, take into account his age, weight and breed, as key guidelines for determining the optimal amount and appropriate composition of meals.
