NUTRITIONAL PRINCIPLES FOR ACTIVE AND WORKING DOGS OF ALL BREEDS

NUTRITIONAL PRINCIPLES FOR ACTIVE AND WORKING DOGS OF ALL BREEDS

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Depending on the lifestyle and conditions of detention, the dog can maintain one or another level of activity and physical activity. At the same time, highly active and working pets need a special diet that will take into account the increased energy consumption and other needs of such dogs. What do you need to know about their nutrition? Why are they special?

WHY ARE DOGS TRAINED?

Dog training is of great importance: with its help, not only ordinary obedience is achieved, but also service and sports dogs are trained.

Working dogs include:

• Official: search, sentry, rescuers;
• Driving;
• Hunting.

In addition, many sports can be practiced with an active domestic dog: canicross, agility, frisbee, weight pulling, and many others.

At the same time, working and sports dogs are constantly in sports mode, like any professional sportsman. Carrying out service, constant training, and high physical activity stress the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune systems, musculoskeletal systems and are a stress for the dog's body.

Any animal reacts in a certain way to a state of stress. First, the dog tries to adapt - to develop certain reactions to the changed external conditions. But if this fails, the body becomes depleted.

WHAT HAPPENS TO A DOG'S BODY WHEN EXPOSED TO STRESS?

• The tone of the endocrine system increases.
• Heart rate and breathing increase.
• Muscles tense.
• The vessels are narrowed.
• The pressure rises.
• Blood sugar rises.
• The breakdown of adipose tissue and protein occurs.
• A lot of energy is consumed.
• The supply of nutrients and energy in the body decreases.

Lack of nutrient material at this moment leads to a decrease in the functions of systems and organs. The dog's pulse and respiration become less frequent, blood pressure drops, blood glucose decreases, muscle weakness develops, the blood supply to organs and tissues deteriorates, and digestive system disorders are observed.

All this depends on the type of nervous activity of the dog, its heredity, feeding conditions, and maintenance, therefore, the owners of such dogs need to take particular care of their pets and carefully select their diet.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DIET FOR AN ACTIVE OR WORKING DOG?

Proper feeding of active and working dogs should take into account the number of nutrients and energy, as well as their quality - easy digestibility and bioavailability. These nutrients include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Muscle work, activation of physiological functions of the body leads to the breakdown of nutrients supplied with food. If there are not enough of them in the feed, then substances are consumed to perform the work, which should have been used for the construction of organs and tissues. Their lack leads to depletion of the animal and, accordingly, intolerance to active physical and informational loads.

WHICH FOOD TO CHOOSE?

Thus, food for active and working dogs should contain an increased amount of fat as a source of energy, available protein for rapid muscle tissue recovery during prolonged exercise, and anti-inflammatory components to protect the musculoskeletal system during the period of work.

PRO PLAN ® All Size Adult with OPTI POWER ® Complex is specially designed for adult dogs with a high level of physical activity. The increased content of fat, high-quality protein, and omega-3 fatty acids helps to increase the dog's stamina during exercise, helps to quickly restore nutrient and energy losses after active work, and also helps prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Remember, active working dogs require regular exercise and proper rest, which, when combined with proper nutrition, will allow your pet to achieve high results and stay healthy.