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In this article, Doctor Delphine CLERO (veterinarian, PhD) and Christophe CARON (DEJEPS dog training) provide you with recommendations based on scientific studies concerning supplementation in sporting dogs.
Feeding your sporting dog in a qualitatively and quantitatively adapted way may seem simple to the sports practitioner with his dog, in particular when the latter uses an industrial food adapted for this type of dog (containing a fat content of 20 to 30% EM, and a protein content of 25 to 35% EM). If the quantitative objective in energy may seem simple to provide (maintaining a correct body condition), the precise quantity of macro and micronutrients to provide and the time of their intake are just as essential.
Depending on the type of dog, the type of effort, the level of practice, an adapted food ration cannot be identical for all dogs. Specific adapted contributions upstream, during, and downstream are essential for optimizing performance, recovery and injury prevention (Wakshlag et al., 2014).
Here we present some elements of supplementation, taken from scientific data published in dogs.
Optimize energy reserves and metabolism
In dogs, lipid metabolism is considered essential in endurance efforts, as soon as the duration of the effort exceeds 45 minutes (Hills, 1998). Before this time, carbohydrate oxidation remains an important element of energy supply to the muscle during exercise. It has been shown, particularly in sled dogs, that an immediate post-exercise carbohydrate intake helps maintain glycogen reserves. The dose studied is 1.5 g/kg of maltodextrin in the 20 minutes following the end of the effort (Wakshlag et al., 2002; Wakshlag et al., 2004). In racing greyhounds, a faster pre-exercise carbohydrate intake (fructose) is recommended by some, but no study has been interested in comparing the different types of intake.
For endurance efforts, the intake of short and medium chain fatty acids has been studied (Cléro et al., 2002). If this strategy is of interest in long and low intensity efforts, it should be studied on efforts requiring speed endurance effort, such as when sharing effort at more than 18-20 km/h for more than 45 minutes with one's dog (in a dog accompanying its master on a bicycle, or medium distance sled dog).
Indeed, over this type of speed-demanding distance, a certain number of practitioners report a decrease in speed performance after this type of intake, which could be linked to less good stimulation of the carbohydrate metabolism necessary for speed effort.
Support muscle development
The importance of proteins in sporting dogs has been highlighted since the 1970s, but interest in qualitative intakes is more recent. Pathological risks during a low protein intake (<20% of dry matter in the form of proteins in the ration), in particular exercise anemia and an increase in the frequency of muscle injuries have been demonstrated. Prevention of these problems has therefore included an increase in protein intake and the ratio between proteins and calories (protein-calorie ratio = 70 g/Mcal minimum) in industrial feed.
Beyond the quantitative intake, studies have looked at the intake of more qualitative proteins, particularly in supplements. While no impact of post-exercise protein intake has been demonstrated on the recovery of glycogen reserves, creatine kinases (used as a marker of muscle damage) increase less when the dog receives hydrolyzed egg proteins immediately after exercise (Wakshlag et al., 2014). The interest of this type of supplementation immediately after exercise in weight-pulling dogs, i.e. pulling a heavy load on land for a few meters, has been studied (meters (Kim et al., 2019). Although no direct impact has been demonstrated on traction time, a preventive effect is suggested by the authors.
Preventing other pathological risks induced by intense physical exercise
The interest of other amino acids has been studied, in particular due to a significant turnover of many amino acids during exercise. Glutamine supplementation has been proposed for many years as an essential supplement for active dogs, intense exercise leading to a decrease in serum glutamine concentrations (Gamble et al., 2018). This intake would improve the efficiency of the immune system. However, the precise recommended dosage is still unknown for this amino acid.
Chondroprotective supplements (chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine) may be useful (Wakshlag et al., 2014), if the dosage used is appropriate. However, this recommendation, which is valid in older arthritic dogs, has not been confirmed by any scientific study in dogs to date.
Finally, electrolytes are a less essential element in dogs than in other species, particularly humans. Indeed, since they do not sweat, only ultra-endurance dogs show a significant decrease in serum sodium and chloride levels after exercise. However, minerals including magnesium and, to a lesser extent, iron are reduced during intense physical exercise. A supplementary intake is therefore recommended (Franck et al., 2015).
Support hydration
Finally, it is important to remember that hydration is an essential element in preventing metabolic disorders as well as muscle damage. The interest of glycerol in both hunting dogs and sled dogs was presented by Dr. Arleigh Reynolds (Reynolds, 1997; reprinted in a symposium in 2019), veterinarian, and winner of major sprint races in North America. However, its use must be carried out with caution because an excess of glycerol can lead to irreversible kidney damage. A good dosage, and a good dilution are therefore essential.
In conclusion, if the use of a complete food dedicated to the sporting dog allows to cover the quantitative need in macro-nutrient, the coverage of the qualitative need is sometimes more incomplete. Chrononutrition also induces a variable assimilation depending on the time of ingestion in relation to the effort of certain nutrients, in particular maltodextrin or certain types of hydrolyzed proteins rich in BCAA. If little specific data on the dog exists today, the few existing data give a preponderant place to the notion of supplementation in the sporting dog before, during (during effort of several hours), and after the effort.
However, the adaptation must take into account the type of effort (a sprint or middle-distance dog does not eat like an endurance sled dog), the type of dog (a Labrador does not eat like a greyhound). If these two elements seem entirely logical, there is little data in the literature to date that allows us to refine supplementation for all dog sports and all dog morphotypes.
We will therefore remember the well-demonstrated interest of maltodextrin in post-effort, as well as that of branched amino acids to support muscle recovery. Unlike humans, electrolyte intake will be moderate before and after exercise, the loss being moderate with the exception of certain minerals for ultramarathon efforts (zinc, magnesium, iron).
The practical advice
Christophe Caron and Delphine Cléro chose Nutrimuscle to develop nutritional supplements for their dogs. Their Alaskan huskies and Eurohounds, with whom they compete and do daily professional sports, are supplemented during the winter season. The formulation is adapted to the timing of distribution in relation to the effort. Since the Husky-adventure team has been using supplements, they have noticed:
- better maintenance of the level of performance throughout the winter season of their athletes, including maintenance of the body condition score and permanent motivation to work;
- better muscle mass gain during training;
- better rapid recovery especially at the locomotor level of their dogs.
Scientific references
(1) Hill RC. The nutritional requirements of exercising dogs. J Nutr. 1998 Dec; 128 (12 Suppl): 2686S-2690S.
(2) Wakshlag JJ, Snedden KA, Otis AM, Kennedy CA, Kennett TP, Scarlett JM, Kallfelz FA, Davenport GM, Reynolds AJ, Reinhart GA. Effects of post exercise supplements on glycogen repletion in skeletal muscle. Vet Ther, 2002; 3 (3): 226-34
(3) Wakshlag JJ, Snedden KA, Reynolds AJ. Biochemical and metabolic changes due to exercise in sprint racing sled dogs: implications for post-exercise carbohydrate supplements and hydration management. Vet Ther ; 2004: 5(1):52-
(4) Reynolds AJ, Snedden, KA, Moon, PA, Wakshlag, J, and GA Reinhart. Oral Glycerol Supplementation increases Total Body Water and Intracellular Fluid Space in Sedentary Sled Dogs. ASEB, New Orleans, April, 1997
(5) Wakshlag JJ, Shmalberg. Nutrition for Working and Service Dogs. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 2014; 44 (4): 719-740
(6) Kim HT, Van Deventer GM, Dinallo GK, Frye CW, Zanghi BM, Wakshlag JJ. The effects of maltodextrin and protein supplementation on serum metabolites in exercising competitive weight-pulling dogs. Comparative Exercise Physiology 2019; 15 (1); 25 – 33.
(7) Gamble LJ, Frye CW, Hansen CM, Locasale LW, Liu X, Davis MS, Wakshlag JJ. Serum metabolomics of Alaskan sled dogs during endurance racing. Comparative Exercise Physiology 2018: 14 (3); 149 – 159.
