Hunting Dog Nutrition 101: Choosing the Best Food for Hunting Dogs

Hunting dogs are more than just pets – they’re dedicated working companions that require specialized nutrition to perform at their best. Whether they’re in the field tracking game or relaxing at home with their family, it’s important to give them the nutrition they need to excel.

Understanding these unique challenges will help you choose the right food to fuel your hunting dog’s stamina, strength, and overall well-being. In this guide, you’ll learn the key factors that affect a hunting dog’s diet and how to select the best food to keep them thriving in the field and at home.

Common Factors that Impact What You Should Feed Hunting Dogs

When it comes to feeding your hunting companion, pet parents should consider the specific challenges that hunting dogs face in their daily lives. Addressing these factors can help you decide which food can help your dog thrive.

Endurance

Hunting dogs are often hard at work and unlike casual exercise, hunting requires dogs to maintain high energy levels for extended periods, which could be six hours or more.

Working in cold conditions can also cause dogs to burn extra calories to maintain their body temperature while staying active. Between the extra activity and environment, hunting dogs need their food to provide extended hours of energy for a long hunt.

Muscle recovery

The physical demand of hunting puts significant stress on a dog's body. The recurring strain of repeated sprinting, jumping, and navigating rough terrain takes a toll on their muscles.

One of the most common challenges associated with all this activity in the field is injury. Muscle strains, sprains, and other minor injuries are significant concerns for hunting dogs, and a complete, balanced diet can help them build and repair body tissues. Dogs also tend to lose muscle mass as they age, but proper nutrition can help slow this process so that they can stay stronger and mobile for longer.

Joint issues

Hunting dogs are regularly on the move, but all that activity can take a toll on their joints. There are a couple of reasons why hunting dogs are more prone to joint issues:

• High impact activities: Hunting dogs are more likely to do a great deal of running, jumping, and other activities that put stress on their joints over time. Whether they’re out hunting or simply playing at home, ongoing impact can lead to conditions like hip dysplasia and other joint issues.
• Breed predisposition: There are a variety of dog breeds that are naturally more likely to develop joint problems. Larger dogs like Bloodhounds carry around more weight, which places added stress on their joints. Meanwhile, smaller breeds like Basset Hounds are predisposed to joint problems due to their bone structure.

Immune system support

Gut health is important for all breeds, but hunting dogs face specific challenges that can make it especially important. All dogs tend to gnaw and chew, but dogs on the hunt can encounter and nibble on numerous different types of woodland and wildlife.

Chewing on and/or swallowing any of these flora or fauna can pose potential problems for your dog’s health. 70-90% of a dog’s immune system resides in their gut, so anything foul they find while hunting can lead to digestive issues or other complications. As such, it’s important to consider your dog’s gut health when it comes to their diet.

Dehydration

Drinking plenty of water is important for people and dogs alike, and hunting dogs can be especially prone to dehydration when they’re hard at work. Hunting, playing, and any extra activity can pose problems for your dog:

• Increased fluid loss: Hunting dogs lose significant amounts of water through panting and physical exertion, especially in warm weather.
• Recovery needs: Dehydration can affect a dog's ability to regulate body temperature and recover from exercise.
• Hydration management: Hunting dogs don’t have the same access to clean water while out on a hunt and can become dehydrated or resort to drinking dirty water as a result.

Essential Components for Hunting Dog Diets

Now that you know what challenges hunting dogs face, it’s important to ensure that your dog’s food includes key elements to address factors like endurance and joint support. Let's learn the crucial components that should be in every hunting dog's diet and understand how each one supports their unique needs.

• Plenty of animal protein: Animal protein provides essential amino acids that support your dog’s immune system, muscle health, and more.
• Healthy fats: Fat plays an important role in providing dogs with the energy they need. Dog food that features a good amount of fat from animal protein and ingredients like Omega-3 fatty acids support endurance and nourish their skin and coat.
• Carbohydrates: High-quality carbohydrates are an excellent source of energy, which is especially important for active dogs.
• Functional support: Dog foods or supplements with canine-specific probiotics or ingredients like Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate can offer advanced nutrition that support digestive health, joints, and other issues.
• Plenty of hydration: Make sure that your dog has plenty of fresh water available, whether you’re out hunting or back home. Dog food toppers are also a good option for dogs who need more hydration, as toppers have a higher water content and can make your dog’s meals easier to chew.

How to Choose the Right Hunting Dog Food

Selecting the right food for your hunting companion requires careful consideration of your dog's specific needs and the dog food available to you. Here's how you can evaluate your options and make an informed choice.

Consider your dog’s specific needs

While hunting dogs share many traits, their needs can still vary. There are a few factors that can dictate which type of dog food you choose.

• Age: Puppies, adults, and seniors all have different dietary needs, so you’ll want to pick a formula best suited for them. Look for food tailored to your hunting dog’s age or opt for an all life stages dog food that’s address both maintenance and growth.
• Size: Hunting dogs can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and a Jack Russell Terrier has different dietary needs than a Labrador Retriever. Choose a formula that’s made for your dog’s size, whether they’re large, small, or medium sized.
• Current health issues: Different issues can and should cause you to tailor your dog’s diet appropriately. For example, a hunting dog with sensitive skin could benefit from a formula like Bil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Skin & Stomach Support that has guaranteed amounts of linoleic acid.
• Personal preferences: Some dogs are just pickier than others, and hunting dogs are no exception. Avoid foods that rely on sprayed-on fat and look for slow-cooked formulas with more high-quality protein. Dog food toppers can also encourage picky dogs to eat their food.

Read the dog food label

Dog food labels contain plenty of information that can make or break whether they’re right for your best friend. Each label is required to include specific details so that you can make informed decisions – you just need to know where to look.

Some information is a bit more straightforward, as you can typically tell if dog food is made with chicken or is meant for puppies right away. Other details are less obvious, but very important. Once you have some dog food in mind, check out the following details to see if they’re right for your hunting dog:

• Nutritional adequacy: This statement can quickly tell you if the food in question meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Food Control Officials (AAFCO). If it’s not there, it’s safe to skip that product.
• Guaranteed analysis: This section tells you the levels of protein, fat, and other important nutrients contained in a product so that you have a better idea of just how much nutrition they get in each serving.
• Ingredients list: This list breaks down exactly what is in your dog’s food and organized by most to least prominent. It also helps you look for specific ingredients, such as names of essential amino acids.

If you need some help decoding dog food labels, read our guide on the different items you’ll find on a label and what they mean for you and your dog.

Consult with experts

It doesn’t hurt to get some outside advice from people who have experience with hunting dogs. Contact your veterinarian to discuss feeding options for your dog, especially if your furry friend has any health issues.

Hunt Down the Right Dog Food for Your Best Friend

Remember, it might take some trial and error to find the right food. Pay attention to how your dog responds to different options and be prepared to adjust their food based on their performance and health needs.

Want to learn more about how you can help your furry friend stay happy, healthy, and well fed? Sign up for the Best Friends Club for more educational articles, special tips, and members-only discounts on Bil-Jac treats and other products.

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