What kind of feed should you give your dog before a long distance race?

Janne Karin Brodin

To get the best result out of a long distance sledge dog, dry feed is probably not the best to give it at the lunch break. The reason for this is that the amount of energy in dry feed cannot compete with the amount of energy in fat rich wet feed

Wolves and dogs are specialized long distance runners with a large oxygen intake, which is a prerequisite for endurance and for the combustion of fat.

Hunder er spesialiserte langdistanseløpere med et høyt oksygenopptak Dogs are specialized long distance runners with a large oxygen intake Photo: Jan Reinertsen

The energy source (fat or carbohydrates) is especially interesting when it comes to feed for hunting and sledge dogs. It is not as important for less active family dogs. Family dogs are usually given dry feed where about 50% of the energy comes from carbohydrates.

Intensity and length of the race are vital
The run intensity of a sledge dog will normally be around 30 to 40% of maximum oxygen intake, and the dog may run for up to twelve hours without long rests or feeding breaks. Dry feed based on carbohydrates will normally not give enough energy to keep a long distance sledge dog at it for the duration of the race. The dog does need carbohydrates for essential body functions, but the carbohydrates do not need to be supplied in the food. The dog’s body is capable of making glucose from protein in the feed.

A research study on the feeding of sledge dogs was carried out at Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences by Associate Professor Øystein Ahlstrøm. Sledge dogs usually fed fat rich wet feed were for a period given dry feed, and then went back to wet feed. Among other factors, the change in activity level was evaluated.

The choice of feed for active dogs should reflect the intensity in activity
The results from the study indicate that feed rich on carbohydrates has an influence on the level of activity. Increased intensity can be positive when it comes to short runs , but it can have a negative influence on the results for long distance runs, when it is important to keep the speed down so that the fat burning process dominates and the glucose reserves last longer.

Hunder er spesialiserte langdistanseløpere med et høyt oksygenopptak Dogs are specialized long distance runners with a large oxygen intake Photo: Jan Reinertsen

Updated: 11.06.09
Printerfriendly version

Del med en venn:

Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences

P.O. Box 5003
N-1432 Ås

Phone: +47 64 96 51 00
Fax: +47 64 96 51 01

E-mail: iha@umb.no

Webmaster: Janne Karin Brodin