A canine athlete is not simply a dog that goes for daily walks. It is a dog that exerts regular and sustained effort: a sled dog, a racing Greyhound, a highly active hunting dog, a working dog, or a dog participating in canicross or agility at a high level.

The majority of scientific knowledge comes from studies on sled dogs, Greyhounds, and some working dogs. Data concerning recreational canine sports remains limited.

Dogs utilize fats differently than humans

One of the main differences between dogs and humans concerns how their bodies produce energy.

Unlike humans, dogs very efficiently use fats during prolonged exertion. For endurance dogs, a diet sufficiently rich in lipids therefore more effectively supports exercise. Carbohydrates remain useful, but they do not hold the central role they have in many human sports.

Endurance and sprint: different needs

The endurance dog

In endurance dogs, studies show that a diet rich in lipids, combined with a sufficient protein intake, promotes performance while helping to preserve muscle mass.

Hill's work indicates that rations providing more than 50% of their energy as lipids improve endurance. A protein intake greater than 30% of energy also seems to help limit training-induced anemia.

These results mainly come from studies on sled dogs and cannot be automatically applied to all dogs participating in recreational sports.

The sprint dog

In Greyhounds, studies also show that a diet richer in lipids and lower in carbohydrates leads to better performance.

However, significantly increasing protein does not automatically improve speed. Hill's work even shows that a very high-protein diet can be less beneficial than a more moderate intake.

In other words, for canine athletes, more protein does not necessarily mean better performance.

Energy needs vary enormously

There is no single "canine athlete's ration."

In Greyhounds during training, energy requirements are approximately 155 kcal/kg^0.75/day.

Conversely, some sled dogs competing in endurance races can exceed 10,000 kcal per day in extreme conditions.

The needs of a dog occasionally practicing canicross are therefore nothing comparable to those of a sled dog or a highly active working dog. As Wakshlag and Shmalberg point out, nutrition must be adapted to the type of actual effort exerted.

When to feed a canine athlete?

Available studies do not allow for the definition of an ideal time between a meal and exercise.

In practice, it is recommended to avoid a heavy meal just before intense exertion to limit digestive discomfort and, in predisposed breeds, to avoid adding a risk factor for gastric dilatation-volvulus.

After exertion, the dog can be fed once it has calmed down, is properly rehydrated, and its body temperature has returned to normal.

Hydration is often the most underestimated factor

Water remains the most important nutrient for a canine athlete.

Dogs primarily regulate their temperature through panting. During exertion, especially in hot or humid weather, water loss increases rapidly.

A study conducted on working dogs showed that an enriched water intake, in addition to ad libitum water, promoted faster heart rate recovery and limited the rise in body temperature after 30 minutes of exercise.

Regardless of the discipline, good hydration is an integral part of performance, as well as recovery. Water should be available before exercise, during if possible, and after exercise.

Ideal weight remains essential

The goal is not to make the dog gain weight, but to maintain a physical condition adapted to its activity.

An overweight dog tires more quickly, dissipates heat less effectively, and puts more strain on its joints. Conversely, an underweight dog may lack energy reserves and recover less efficiently.

Adapting food intake to actual expenditure remains one of the best ways to preserve both health and performance.

What studies cannot yet confirm

Current knowledge is primarily based on sled dogs, Greyhounds, and some working dogs.

Recommendations concerning canicross, agility, herding, or other recreational disciplines are therefore often extrapolated from these models. The ideal proportions of protein, lipids, and carbohydrates for each of these activities remain poorly defined.

In practice

For the majority of dogs engaged in recreational sports activity, a good quality complete diet covers their nutritional needs.

However, dogs involved in very intense, repeated, or long-duration efforts may benefit from a ration specifically adapted to their discipline.

In all cases, three principles remain essential:

• adapt energy intake to the actual intensity of the activity;
• avoid a heavy meal just before significant exertion;
• ensure sufficient hydration before, during if possible, and after exercise.

Sources

1. Hill, R. C., Lewis, D. D., Scott, K. C., Sundstrom, D. A., Jones, G. L., Harper, S. E., & Olson, P. N. S. (1998). Effect of increased dietary protein and decreased dietary carbohydrate on performance and body composition in racing Greyhounds. American Journal of Veterinary Research.
2. Hill, R. C., Lewis, D. D., Scott, K. C., Omelchenko, N., Sundstrom, D. A., Williams, D. A., & others. (2000). Effects of low carbohydrate, high protein or high fat diets on performance of racing Greyhounds. American Journal of Veterinary Research.
3. Hill, R. C., Williams, C., Lewis, D. D., & others. (2001). Influence of dietary composition on athletic performance in dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research.
4. Ober, J., Gillette, R. L., Angle, T. C., & others. (2016). Nutrition and the canine athlete. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice.
5. Wakshlag, J. J., & Shmalberg, J. (2014). Nutrition for working and service dogs. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 44(4), 719–740.
6. Zanghi, B. M., Eye, M. H., & Gardner, C. L. (2018). Effects of a nutrient-enriched water supplement on thermoregulation and recovery following exercise in working dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.