Is your dog definitely not one of those pets that love to lie on the sofa? On the contrary, does he love to exercise and can spend long hours on walks during which he is never short of energy? Find out how to feed your active dog and ensure that he never runs out of energy to play.
The right amount of nutrients is essential
Just as with people, a well-balanced diet must be the basis of nutrition for dogs. The body needs a daily dose of essential nutrients – both macronutrients such as protein and fats, as well as many vitamins and minerals. It is important to ensure that your dog is fed high-quality dog food that has meat and vegetables as its main ingredients and that does not contain ingredients of unknown origin or additives such as preservatives and flavour enhancers. It is also important that the food contains small amounts of cereals, as these should be limited in your pet’s menu.
Remember that for dogs, the main source of energy is fats and not – as in the case of humans – carbohydrates. It is the fats that prevent your dog from losing too much weight during periods of intense activity. So make sure that the fat content of your chosen food is sufficient for your dog.
There is one more point worth mentioning. There is a reason why many dog foods are compared to human, low-value food and fast food – and can have a negative impact on your dog’s body. So make sure that the basis of your dog’s diet – irrespective of the level of activity – is a high-quality, correctly balanced food that provides all the necessary active ingredients.
Consult your vet about his diet
If your dog spends many hours being active, you may want to consult his diet with your vet. As a rule of thumb, food packaging will tell you exactly how much food to give your dog based on his age and weight. Very active dogs may have a higher caloric requirement. The same is true for athletes – those who train a lot need more calories. So it’s worth asking your vet when you visit if you should feed your dog slightly larger portions if they are much more active than other pets.
Opt for wet food
A dog that is very active has an increased need not only for calories, but also for water. As well as giving your dog fresh water (which he must always have access to!), it is worth feeding him wet food. This food is a very good alternative to dry food. First of all, it contains a lot of water, so it also hydrates your dog’s body. It is also easier to digest and dogs often prefer wet food to dry food because it is tastier and more filling.
The fact that wet food for dogs is more digestible is very important. If your dog takes a long time to digest a meal, he will certainly not feel well while walking or running – and in some cases may end up vomiting. For this reason, it is better to rely on wet food before the planned activity – with, of course, an interval of a few hours between eating and activity.
So don’t limit yourself to giving your dog dry food, and try to balance your dog’s diet to include wet food. Dry dog food should only form part of your dog’s menu. Your dog will appreciate this.
Don’t feed your dog leftovers from dinner!
This is one of the basic mistakes made by dog owners. It has probably happened more than once that while you and the household were eating dinner, your dog stared at you with sad eyes and looked REALLY hungry. Of course, this is just doggy appearances – there was probably food waiting for him in his bowl or he was after a meal. On the other hand – sometimes it’s hard not to give in, and from there it’s only a step to giving your dog a piece of something from a human plate. Unfortunately, this is a mistake. Firstly – by doing so, you are teaching your dog that begging is an effective way to get a treat. Secondly – the dog is not always able to digest human food well, which can result in digestive problems. So try to only give your dog what you are sure will not harm him in any way.
Nutrition for active dogs – summary
The most important rules for a healthy diet for your dog are the same, regardless of how active your pet is. The diet should be well balanced, rich in the most important nutrients. However, it should be borne in mind that active dogs will have a higher calorific requirement and the proportion of fats in the menu should also be slightly increased. Access to fresh water is also of paramount importance – also when playing outdoors. If in any doubt, it is worth consulting your vet.
