With summer winding down and fall on the horizon, it’s almost time for hunting season—an exciting time for working dogs who love getting out there and putting their natural instincts to work. But when it comes to feeding these hard-working dogs during hunting season, should you be doing anything differently?
Common sense tells us that just like human athletes, dogs need more fuel when they’re more active. But there are a few more things to consider than simply adjusting their diet for increased activity.
Every dog is a little different and the right answer on how much extra to feed your pup during the hunting season and the off-season can vary every year. We can share some general guidelines but you will know your dog the best and may need to adjust how much you feed depending on how your dog is acting. You can always chat with your vet for personalized advice.
Common Tips for Feeding Working Dogs
We’ve done some digging to find tips from those who know working dogs best. While some advice varies, a few key tips kept popping up. Here are some of the most common recommendations:
1. Adjust According to Activity Level
The top tip we found is to adjust feeding based on your dog’s activity level. It makes sense—your dog will burn more calories on a full day of hunting than on a day spent lounging around. The general advice is to increase food volume during the hunting season and then scale back during the offseason.
2. Adjust Timing
Another common tip is to tweak the timing of your dog’s meals. Many working dog owners recommend avoiding feeding immediately before or after hunting. Instead, they suggest feeding once a day during the hunting season, usually in the evening.
3. Increase Fat and Protein
Working dogs tend to get more exercise during hunting season, which is why many owners suggest upping the fat and protein content in their food. Adding more protein and fat to their existing diet or switching entirely to a high-performance dog food with higher fat and protein levels can give your dog the extra energy they need for those busy hunting days. Just remember, if you’re switching foods, do it gradually to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach.
4. Be Flexible with Volume
It’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s weight and body condition during the season. If your dog seems to be losing weight or isn’t in optimal condition, you might need to increase their daily food intake. Some owners recommend adjusting the volume based on whether it’s a hunting day or not.
Daily Monitoring Makes a Difference
As a company focused on canine nutrition, the best advice we can offer is to monitor your dog’s weight and body condition daily. There are no hard and fast rules for feeding during hunting season—every dog is different, even within the same breed. Keeping a close eye on your dog will help you make the best decisions for their diet.
And, of course, we invite you to give Nextrition cold-pressed dog food a try. Since cold pressing preserves nutritional value, most dogs can eat less by volume while still maintaining optimal health. Nextrition could be the perfect gut-healthy dog food for your working dog during the busy hunting season.
