Hey,

Happy Wednesday!

Also, happy Active Dog Month! Yes, another Wednesday email, another dog-related day/week/month to mention. 

How active is an active dog? It’s a bit like asking, how long is a tail? Dogs’ activity levels vary not only among different dogs, but the same dog. My boy can be like a coiled spring one day, a very elaborate and expensive soft furnishing the next.

It’s not a precise science, but we each have a pretty good idea of what the term means — much as we'd say a dog has a short or long tail with some degree of confidence — and whether it applies to our dogs. 

What a dog eats is, of course, entwined with their exercise levels. If they’re a whirl of perpetual motion, certain foods will help provide the necessary energy. Likewise, you don’t want to keep pumping gas into a car that rarely leaves the driveway.

There’s also a question of cause and effect, too. Is a dog more sedate because they’re not getting enough energy from their food? It might be worth looking at their diet and maybe even chatting with your vet or a nutritionist if you’re worried.

If your dog is active, there are certain things you should look for in, or add to, their dog food — and those depend on the kind of activity they enjoy. Endurance exercise relies on aerobic metabolism, while during short bursts of activity, the metabolism remains anaerobic.

If it’s endurance we’re talking about — long hikes or days swimming at the lake, for example — your dog needs fat for sustained energy and increased protein to help condition the body for that exercise and repair muscle damage. 

You can find what they need is a lot of meat-heavy fresh dog foods and raw dog foods, and we also have a list of Best High Protein Dog Foods.

 Deal of the day: Ollie 

60% Off Your First Box of Ollie + Free Sweet Potato Treats (until 4/30)

If your dog's a sprinter not a hiker — more Usain Bolt than Bill Bryson — carbohydrates are the most available source of energy. Carbs aren't always shown on dog food labels but there’s a simple way to calculate them.

And that's not all. Our in-house nutritionist, Laura Ward, says:

“There are three nutrients which are valuable for active dogs, over and above the requirements for a complete and balanced diet. They are:
 

Omega 3 – especially a source of EPA and DHA. Omega 3 has properties to soothe inflammation, which is great for protecting active joints.

Probiotics – great to support brain health and focus.

L-carnitine – this works on the mitochondrial system, which uses fat to provide energy.

You can look for these things in a bought dog food or you can add them, either through supplements or natural sources.

Fish oil or algal oils are the primary sources of Omega 3. Indeed, fish is a good source of Omega 3 generally. Plain live yoghurt or plain kefir will add probiotics to your dog’s diet, and if you want L-carnitine, that’s in meat and fish.”

And remember, whether you have a springy Springer Spaniel or a layabout Lab, you can use our dog food calculator to get an idea of their calorific needs.

I hope you and your dogs have a bounce in your steps for the rest of the week. 
 

Until next time,

Andrew

Editor
The Dog Food Advisor
Saving Good Dogs From Bad Dog Food