Abstract
Optimal dietary protocols for the athletic canine are often defined by requirements for endurance athletes that do not always translate into optimal dietary interventions for all canine athletes. Prior research studying detection dogs suggests that dietary fat sources can influence olfaction; however, as fat is added to the diet the protein calories can be diminished potentially resulting in decreased red blood cell counts or albumin status. Optimal macronutrient profile for detection dogs may be different considering the unique work they engage in. To study a calorically low protein: high fat (18:57% ME), high protein: high fat (27:57% ME), and high protein: low fat (27:32% ME) approach to feeding, 17 dogs were provided various diets in a 3 × 3 cross over design. Dogs were exercised on a treadmill and blood was taken pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, 10- and 20-min post-exercise to assess complete blood count, serum chemistry, blood gases, and cortisol; as well as rectal and core body temperature. Exercise induced a decrease in serum phosphorus, potassium, and increases in non-esterified fatty acids and cortisol typical of moderate exercise bouts. A complete and balanced high protein: high-fat diet (27:57% ME) induced decreases in serum cortisol and alkaline phosphatase. Corn oil top dressed low protein: high-fat diet (18:57% ME) induced a slightly better thermal recovery than a complete and balanced high protein: high fat diet and a high protein: low fat (27%:32% ME) diet suggesting some mild advantages when using the low protein: high fat diet that warrant further investigation regarding optimal protein and fat calories and thermal recovery.
Highlights
Research surrounding optimal feeding patterns for the canine athlete has been investigated since the early 1930s with significant advances in feeding endurance canine athletes [1,2,3]
This has led to firm recommendations that performance dogs be fed over 24% metabolizable energy (ME) as protein for all performance parameters to maintain red cell mass, maintain serum albumin status and promote less musculoskeletal injury; while the remaining caloric intake come from fat or carbohydrate depending on the athletic endeavor [1,2,3]
There were dietary decreases observed for the CO group compared to the Low Fat (LF) and High Fat (HF) groups for red blood cells (P < 0.01), hemoglobin (P = 0.04), white blood cells (P < 0.01), and neutrophils (P = 0.01)
Summary
Research surrounding optimal feeding patterns for the canine athlete has been investigated since the early 1930s with significant advances in feeding endurance canine athletes [1,2,3]. Considerable debate regarding the optimal amount of fat and protein needed to fuel the canine athlete continues; Kronfeld and colleagues suggest that carbohydrate is not necessary in the endurance dog diet [4]. Downey further clarified this idea studying beagles on treadmills showing that stamina improved when utilizing higher fat diets with approximately 69% metabolizable energy (ME) as fat versus 27% ME [5]. This has led to firm recommendations that performance dogs be fed over 24% ME as protein for all performance parameters to maintain red cell mass, maintain serum albumin status and promote less musculoskeletal injury; while the remaining caloric intake come from fat or carbohydrate depending on the athletic endeavor [1,2,3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
