The Eukanuba Adult
Dog Guide.

Just because he's no longer a puppy does not mean his
owner cannot learn a few new tricks.

Performance Diets for Performance Dogs

If you're a Husky training for the Iditarod, you're going to be a big eater — think 10,000 calories per day. The work performed demands such a caloric intake: The dog teams propel themselves 1,151 miles from Anchorage to Nome in subzero conditions over tundra, through mountain passes and across rivers — often in whiteouts. Mushers know that without the right kind of nutrition, the dogs don't have the stamina to do well in the race. From experience, they've learned that these performance dogs need a nutrient-dense food — they simply can't eat the volume necessary to fulfill their caloric needs. They also know they must consume the food in small doses. Asking the dogs to do otherwise would be akin to feeding them Christmas dinner before running a marathon. At Eukanuba, we've come to similar conclusions. We've studied not only sled dogs but also those that hunt, compete in agility and field trial competitions, and perform rescue missions as well as pets that run or hike with their owners. And based on our findings, we've developed a unique food called Eukanuba Premium Performance for the athletic canine. Here's what we know about the specific needs of these animals:

What "Super Dogs" Need

"Working dogs" — which include animals that compete regularly as well as weekend warriors — need more calories than other canines because their activities demand more of their bodies. But, as we mentioned above, they need a food that is loaded up with extra protein, carbohydrates and fat that is easy to consume. See, while they might be able to chow down large portions, their stomachs would quickly process the food. This means that the body, overwhelmed with the act of digestion, could not absorb all the nutrients presented in the meal. The dog could actually be left with a nutritional deficit. We solved that problem by loading the following ingredients into our formula:

  • High-quality, animal-based protein like chicken, fish and lamb. This provides essential amino acids to build muscle, repair tissue and synthesize hormones. (Note: Some brands use only vegetable protein. This is problematic because feeding such vegetable proteins may actually reduce muscle mass while increasing body fat.)
  • "Quick energy" carbohydrates such as finely ground corn meal, barley and grain sorghum (a kind of cereal) that can be processed by the body efficiently.
  • High-quality fat from chicken and fish. These provide omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to keep the coat and skin healthy. This is critical as the fur protects the animal from heat and cold, as well as from parasites.
  • Fermentable fiber. We put beet pulp into our products so that the body can effectively absorb nutrients and move it through the system.
When Dogs Need It

Even sled dogs don't need performance food all the time. In the summer, for example, they're lolling in their kennels and need about 800 calories per day. So, when do you begin to up the ante? Our scientists agree you should begin serving a performance diet eight weeks prior to an event that would stress the dog. To avoid stomach upset, you'll want to gradually mix in the performance food with your dog's usual fare over a three-day period. (Feeding performance food to a dog who is not exercising regularly will result in unhealthy weight gain.) Of course, if your dog is a regular runner throughout the year or herds sheep in all four seasons, there is no reason to ever serve a maintenance food.

Feeding the athletic dog is just as important as teaching him about the work he'll do. And when you prepare his body properly, he'll be able to reach the goals you set — whether that means finishing a 5K or racing the Iditarod.

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