Preparing Your Hunting Dog for Time Afield

The cool, crisp autumn air also brings a call to action: Time to prepare hunting equipment -- and your dog -- to perform its very best. With higher energy and heightened awareness to the season’s sights and sounds, your dog is eager for the cherished ritual, too.

Nutrena's pet nutrition experts, the people behind its high performance Loyall formulas, provide these tips on how to meet the nutritional needs of dogs that need an extra competitive edge.
 

Build Energy Reserves

Most dogs, even those with a regular daily exercise program, are not acclimated to working for many hours a day. A sudden, several-day-long trip can take its toll. You can help your dog build energy reserves ahead of time with the proper feeding program. Be sure your nutrition formula provides a diet high in quality proteins so that muscle maintenance and repair can occur, and a diet high in fat that extends your dog's energy level. Keep in mind, it does take a few weeks for the dog to build its fat reserves and the benefits of a higher-fat diet to take effect.

Change Diet Gradually

Generally speaking, switch to a high protein and fat diet approximately one month before your first trip, and then continue with that diet throughout your hunting season. Once the season concludes, continue with this type of diet until your dog is at its pre-season body condition. Then wean back to a regular diet to maintain good condition the rest of the year. Ensure that with both switches, you allow your dog a period of 5-7 days to switch between diets, to help prevent any digestive upset.