The Best Food for Hunting Dogs in 2022

Ingredients to Look for in a Hunting Dog Food

There are several key ingredients that you should look out for when selecting a hunter’s special dog food. Here are the main ones.

Protein

Hunting dogs need amino acids to build strong muscles so that they can run around. For this, they need protein so look for foods that have a high protein content. Also, the protein must be derived from high-quality sources. Animal-derived protein is always preferable and lean meat and fish sources are the best.

Fat

Canine nutritional research has shown that it is better for sporting dogs to derive their energy from fat than from carbohydrates. This is because it is a longer-lasting source of energy that allows dogs to run further – it helps their endurance. In fact, the research has shown that fat is the best source of energy for both short duration and high-intensity activity as well as the long duration and moderate-intensity activity in dogs. Therefore, look for food that has a high-fat content.

Fiber

Your hunting dog’s intestines need to be able to absorb nutrients efficiently to keep them healthy. To do this, they need adequate amounts of healthy fiber. This also helps to keep the metabolism on track so that your dog will have plenty of energy.

Micro-Nutrients

The best dog foods have a careful balance of micro-nutrients to support all aspects of your dog’s health. This includes a balance of calcium and phosphorous for strong bones, chondroitin and glucosamine for healthy joints, and probiotics for healthy digestion.

Hunting Dogs Diet and Nutrition

Hunting dogs are the canine equivalent of human elite athletes and their diet and nutrition are very important to maintain their performance and keep them healthy. They need an appropriate feeding strategy with suitable premium dog food.

In terms of a feeding strategy, you need to closely match your dog’s energy requirements with their calorie intake. If you feed them too much, there is a danger that they will become obese. If you feed them too little, they will not have enough energy to complete their task. Keep a close eye on their weight and get advice from your vet. Always feed your dog after a hunting session and not before as they need adequate time to digest the food. Once a day is usually sufficient. Dogs do not suffer from low blood sugar like humans do because they rely on fat and not sugar for their energy. Therefore, they can go a day without food and still carry out the vigorous exercise.

Your hunting dog needs high-performance dog food that is calorie-dense and delivers a lot of energy. It needs to be easy to digest and it needs to contain a careful balance of fats and proteins as well as micro-nutrients to support a healthy metabolism.

Types of Hunting Dog Food: Canned Food Vs. Dry Food

This is a matter of personal preference and it is important that you find food that suits your dog and suits you as well. The main difference between canned and dried food is the water content. If you are feeding dried food, it is vital that you provide your hunting dog with plenty of freshwater.

Canned food is generally more expensive and more difficult to store. Once you have opened it, it has to be used up quickly. With dried food, you can buy it in bulk and use it up gradually which is more cost-effective. Also, look at the protein content. Often, the protein content is higher in dried food and your hunting dog needs a lot of protein. Canned food that is packed with cheap grains and fillers to make up the volume will not suit a hunting dog.

Common Health Problems in Hunting Dogs – How Diet Can Help Them

Hunting dogs are generally the healthiest canines because they lead such an active lifestyle. However, there are certain breeds that often work as hunting dogs and these breeds are prone to some recognized health problems. Some of these health issues can be partly prevented or helped by using a suitable diet.

Joint Problems

Many of the larger hunting dog breeds suffer from a condition called hip dysplasia. The hip is a vital joint in the dog’s body, it is the place where the thigh bone attaches to the pelvis by fitting into a socket. If the bones do not fit well together, it will cause pain and it can lead to a degeneration of the joint which is called arthritis.

Hip dysplasia is mainly inherited from the dog’s parents but excessive wear and tear and injury can make it worse. Hunting dogs inevitably use all of their joints a lot and wear and tear is a big issue. Foods that contain supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin can help with this.

Joint issues can also be reduced by making sure that your dog does not become obese. If your dog puts on a lot of weight, it will put a lot of strain on the joints. Diet plays a vital role in this. You need to balance the number of calories that your dog ingests with the amount of exercise that they are doing. This is a particular problem for senior hunting dogs that are not getting as much exercise as they used to.

Digestive Issues

The hunting dog breeds that have deep, narrow chests such as the Irish Setters and German Shorthaired Pointer can suffer from a condition called bloat. This is a torsion (twist) or dilatation (enlargement) of the stomach and can be fatal.

The timing of feeding your dog is crucial for the prevention of bloat. Never feed them less than two hours before a hunting session. Also, some owners are convinced that dogs that are fed on a more natural diet are less likely to get bloat. Therefore, you could try to protect your dog by picking food that has plenty of natural ingredients. Avoid foods that have corn, soy, and wheat. Artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives should also be avoided.

Infections

Hunting dogs spend a lot of time out in the countryside and this brings them into contact with infectious diseases that their urban cousins are less likely to encounter. Tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease are typical examples.

Therefore, it makes sense to keep their immune system as strong as you can. A diet rich in protein and with the right amount of fiber is crucial. Foods that have superfoods such as blueberries that deliver antioxidants are also useful for promoting a healthy immune system.

FAQs:

Q: When should I feed my hunting dog?

A: There has been a lot of research that indicates that the best time to feed a hunting dog is after a hunting or training session. It takes around 20-24 hours for a dog’s meal to be completely digested. Studies have also shown that a dog’s endurance is enhanced when they have an empty stomach but is reduced if they eat four hours before a hunting session. When a dog is fed 17 hours before exercise, they use more fat as energy. This is important because fat metabolism produces the best type of energy for use by the muscles and is best for endurance which is vital or hunting dogs.

Therefore, the scientific evidence seems to recommend feeding a hunting dog 24 hours before a session of intense exercise. This will help to prevent problems that can be caused by combining exercise with a full colon which includes irritation of the lining of the intestine.

Q: When shouldn’t I feed him?

A: When your hunting dog is accompanying you in the field, they will be exercising vigorously. You may think that giving them a big meal just before you head out is a good idea but the opposite is true. You should not feed a hunting dog for at least two hours before you head out on a hunt.

The main reason for this is the risk of bloat. Bloat is the common name given to a canine medical condition called gastric dilatation/volvulus syndrome (GDV). It is basically a twisted stomach and is a life-threatening condition, dogs can die within hours because the body goes into shock. It is caused by an accumulation of food and air in the stomach that causes it to flick over. The hunting breeds that are most at risk are the Weimaraners, German Shorthaired Pointers, Irish Setters, Labradors and Golden Retrievers.

A dog with GDV will appear restless, their abdomen will be stretched and they will have shallow, rapid breaths. They may attempt to belch or vomit but will bring nothing up. Their abdomen will appear swollen and will feel hard. Sadly, many dogs suffer profound shock and collapse. If your hunting dog is older than seven years, is a male and is anxious, they are most at risk.

Q: What is the difference between high-performance and normal dog food?

A: As the owner of a hard-working hunting dog, it is important that you understand what high-performance dog food is and why your hunting dog needs it. Hunting dogs need the energy content that a high-performance diet provides. A high-performance food has higher levels of both protein and fat than normal dog food.

High-performance dog food has specific ingredients that help your dog stay alert for long periods of time. They also build healthy muscles and promote rapid recovery times. Therefore, omega oils antioxidants, and calcium are important elements. A normal dog food provides less energy and focuses on maintaining healthy digestion as well as skin and dental health.

Our Top Pick

Our top pick of the best food for hunting dogs is packed with protein (88%) from meat sources including beef meal, pork meal, chicken meal, and fish meal. There is plenty of energy provided by the 20 % fat content and your dog will get 406 kcal per cup of food.

The Omega oils promote a healthy immune system and skin as well as selenium yeast which supports a healthy metabolism. The carefully balanced mineral components will maintain the integrity of the paw pads and the prebiotics and probiotics support healthy digestion.