If you have a hunting dog at home, you likely follow a specific feeding routine for them throughout the year.
Some people have strong opinions about their feeding strategy during and outside of hunting season. If your dog needs more energy for those days, it might make sense to provide them with more calories.
We also know that a sudden change to a dog’s diet can cause intestinal distress and other health issues.
This content’s goal isn’t to decide one way or the other. It provides generalized information to help you make the best choice for your hunting dog(s) at home.
Energy Needs for Hunting Dogs
If you select a high-calorie commercial dog food, you’re supplying your companion with about 500 calories per cup.
When you have a 50-pound hunting dog and an all-day adventure planned, the animal could easily expend over 2,200 calories during the entire day. That’s compared to burning about 1,500 calories while being a couch potato.
That means your two cups of chow, often offered in the morning and at night, might not be enough to supply them with enough energy.
If your dog gets tired in the mid-afternoon, experiences behavior changes, or decides to give up, it might be due to not getting enough to eat to meet their energy needs.
If you select Purina Pro Plan Performance food at home, you’d want to consider adding 1.5 cups to their daily regimen to meet the additional energy requirements of hunting.
Cold Weather Can Impact a Dog’s Diet
When the weather turns cold, your dog’s metabolism spikes. They’ll burn more calories being outside, even if they aren’t actively hunting with you. Wet, damp, snowy days tend to put the highest demands on an animal’s energy needs.
As a general rule, consider adding about 8% more food to your dog’s bowl for every 10°F or 5°C that the temperature drops.
When to Feed Your Dog for Hunting
Although you wouldn’t want to spend all day hunting on an empty stomach, that might not be the best option for your canine companion.
Morning meals for dogs don’t always digest properly if you spend an entire day hunting. It’ll sit there in the gastrointestinal tract, drawing energy resources away from their muscles. In severe situations (albeit rare), bloating and torsion problems could develop.
Some hunting dogs have a morning feeding routine. If you think they need it, consider making it a lighter meal. You can follow up after returning from the day’s events.
Snacks while hunting are not generally needed. If you need a meal and get those begging eyes from your companion, a small treat shouldn’t hurt anything.
When you are done for the day, provide the nutrition that your dog requires to renew their energy reserves, restore muscle tissue, and prepare for the next day. It often helps to feed wet food after hunting for additional hydration.
If you want for about an hour after hunting to feed your dog, you’ll lessen the chances of bloating and torsion.
