Hunting dogs, such as Beagles and Labradors, are unique breeds that need a proper diet to hunt and thrive. Puppy owners generally know them as attractive dogs that can be very active and loving towards their human companions. Finding the best dog food for hunting dogs is essential because inadequate nutrition can lead to injuries and poor health in general.
Hunting dogs are typically used to search, search, localize and export a wild animal. So, picking the right type of food requires a little research, but it is crucial for your dog.
Editor’s Pick: 5 Best Dog Food for Hunting Dogs
However, look for a high-quality combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. In fact, you may find them in different shapes and sizes.
But you will find a thing common in all of them, which is an active lifestyle. And because of these extra energy and activity costs, those puppies require a bit different food than some traditional dogs.
Eukanuba Premium: Dry Dog food Hunting Dogs
This dog food for hunting dogs knows that working and sporting dogs are just ordinary and need an excellent diet to handle stress. In fact, this hunting dog food has come out with 30% protein and 20% fat to give active dogs the stamina they need for maximum performance.
I have a 15-year-old lab/greyhound boy who cannot eat. Moreover, it was quite tough to maintain his weight with constant diarrhea. Our veterinarian set him on each particular diet with dry food, and nothing came of it.
My puppy continued to deteriorate. Since I wanted to get more protein, fat and calories, I researched and found Eukanuba dry food and started. Best of all, if my dog is hungry, he will cut out Eukanuba instead of the other products that we have tried, where others didn’t work.
Thanks to superior quality ingredients, your dog will digest much more than cheaper food, so expect to feed it. There is also less wastage to collect!
Purina Pro Plan Dry Dog Food
This best hunting dog food has manufactured for active dogs as well as a big gun for dog owners and athletic dogs. Moreover, the recipe collects the diet in a way that optimizes oxygen metabolism to increase stamina.
Our breeder now uses this mixture solely for his puppies. We can quickly get this best dog food for hunting dogs at a reasonable price. In fact, we can transfer it to the high-level phase without any problems.
This 30/20 mixture is full of energy and ideal for puppies, working and athletic adults as well as many small active breeds. But if you do not have a working animal, the slightly less wealthy may be more suitable for an older race.
As long as they continue to do this, we will continue to buy. It is a food rich in protein and quality. For the highest pocket, this is a great price.
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
The Diamond Naturals dry recipe has come out with guaranteed probiotics and superfoods for digestive support and optimal nutrition. I regret taking so long to find this dog food for hunting dogs.
In fact, I buy this product just because of the elements. There are several types of fruits and vegetables. And it also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for working dogs or very dramatically.
I have been feeding my dog Diamond since she was a puppy, she is five years old and probably the most suitable dachshund I have ever seen.
People always asked me how she got so muscular. I am sure I owe this mainly to this food. It is not rounding, like most dachshunds, it has a flat stomach.
However, my puppy likes the taste, and she never looked at me. She always seems delighted with the food.
Moreover, it’s nice to know that she loves what she eats every day. I am very impressed and recommend it to anyone who has a sports dog!
CANIDAE All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
CANIDAE Premium dry dog food has come from genuine food ingredients for all dogs and dogs with hypersensitivity. It drove me crazy.
About a month has passed since we started our 10-year-old dog with this best hunting dog food. For the last six months, my dog had a shallow level of arthritis. So we could not train much.
However, she began to gain weight and became very lethargic. Our daughter was a veterinarian in a different situation and told us that the dog food recommended by our veterinarian was high in protein and overweight (and our dog did not want to eat).
I did a lot of research and decided to try this food for dogs. We want the last months/years of our dog to be happy, and we especially want to thank the Canidae producers for the larger and thicker dogs that allowed us to make this possible!
Active Series Dry Hunting Dog Food
I did extensive research on good food without adding pea protein, white potato, legumes, and lentils, but can’t find anything. I met Sport Dog Food while searching for DogfoodAdvisor in a simple search for “the best lab food.” Let me start by saying that these hunting dog foods are excellent and completely changes the game for the feed industry.
It has a little wheat, but there is no typical rice like other brands. In fact, it contains two ingredients, such as millet and sorghum. It is entirely free from wheat, soy and corn.
They use a significant amount of animal protein to increase protein, and the price may be slightly higher than the others. However, it saves a lot in the long run.
It also contains a lot of kcal, so be careful not to overfeed your dog and eat low-calorie delicacies between meals if weight gain can be a problem. So, I’m glad that this brand exists, go ahead!
Buying guide of the Best Dog Food for Hunting Dogs
Many factors control the quality of best dog food for hunting dogs. Let’s check it out!
Types of Food
You can pick canned, dried or raw on your choice, the needs of your dog or other factors. Fresh food takes more time to cook. In fact, this type of diet needs plenty of hard work.
Canned
These types of foods are usually rich in protein, and the dogs love them. It also contains fewer carbohydrates, making them paragon for a hunting dog.
Canned food has fewer amounts of preservatives because the cans act as preservatives. It is simple to take and digest. In most cases, it may not produce bloating.
However, be sure to have a glance at the labels. Some brands contain various ingredients and gels that may not be beneficial or harmful to your pet.
Dry
Croquettes are generally cheaper and simpler to stock. In fact, dry food has the best nutritional content, which you should remember if your pet hunts several days a week. Ensure that the dog always has fresh water, as the dryness of these products requires more absorption of water.
Mixing high quality dry and wet products gives you the best result in both worlds. Carefully think through all the ingredients and combine them several times a week. However, it prevents your puppy from getting used to one type of food and offers the best of both types.
Nutritional requirements of Hunting Dogs
Nutritional requirement is a vital fact, while selecting the foods for hunting dogs. So, here we go to find out the necessary nutrients.
Fat: Sport dogs derive their energy mainly from the fat year-round, regardless of whether they participate in intense and active hunting activity or are breaking moderate exercise. They use fat to maintain stable energy.
Protein: Protein helps the muscle mass that hunting dogs need, given their regular working lifestyle.
Accessible to digest Carbohydrates: Eating carbohydrates carefully is suitable for your puppy. But you must deliver them within one hour of training for optimal use, including updating and restoration.
Vitamins and minerals: Be sure to ensure that your dog’s food contains vitamins and minerals that are introduced through vegetables and fruits to maintain a healthy immune and digestive system.
Water: Water is vital for your working dog, so make sure you keep it hydrated. Some canines do not take sufficient water for optimal hydration. In this case, you need to lure them with a small amount of bone broth mixed with their water.
Special Nutritional and Dietary Considerations
This is the most important and last factor indeed. You cannot keep that aside!
The level of activity determines calorie intake:
Hugely active dogs need much more calories than a running dog, but not always in full hunting mode. Consult your dog’s diet and consult your veterinarian to make sure your puppy is getting the right calories for his level of activity.
Spraying/sterilization influence calorie requirements: If the dog is intact, it will also affect calorie intake. So, be sure to contact your veterinarian to find out what to expect and how best to feed your puppy.
Fewer carbohydrates: People tend to improve their performance, but this does not apply to dogs. Digestible carbohydrates help your dog recover right after a hard day of training or hunting.
Feed one time per day: Your dog’s stamina is better on an empty stomach. Feed after the hunt and rest your dog’s body to process the food he eats.
Tender stomachs: You need to feed only with natural ingredients and avoid fillers to evade unpleasant bloating.
What to avoid while taking Hunting Dog Food?
Never give your hunting dog unnatural ingredients. Meat products, toppings like corn, soy and wheat to save money from producers and do more harm than good to your beloved dog. Also, you need to avoid common allergens if you suspect that your dog cannot tolerate food.
Dog allergens include dairy products, wheat, chicken, and cereals. Although not all dogs need a grain-free diet, many of these recipes are available on the market.
If your dog is allergic to grain or anything else, you will see the signs of itching, licking your legs, and even hair loss. Your veterinarian and exclusive diet can find the source of your dog’s problems.
Common Food Related Diseases of Hunting Dogs
As hunting dogs are so common in outdoors, some common health problems can result from exposure to data. Hunting dogs are always out of the water, exposed to heat or colds, brushes and absorb the natural water of the lake. You can carry a first aid kit for you and your hunting dogs.
Also, make sure your puppy has enough fresh water so that they cannot drink as fast as the water they are hunting nearby. It is also essential in the hot summer when dogs are subject to heat exhaustion. Following are some common diseases of hunting dogs.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia implies your puppy is suffering from shallow body temperature. Hypothermia may vary depending on severity. If your dog is prone to intense cold and has signs of mental retardation, slowed breathing, muscle stiffness, and chills, your dog may show signs of Hypothermia.
If you can diagnose early, prevent Hypothermia by raising your dog’s body temperature. You want to relax the dog indoors, cover it with blankets and leave it in a warm blanket.
If a severe stage has reached, the veterinarian will use warm intravenous fluids or an enema for your dog with warm water. In extreme cases, oxygen and blood may also need.
Also, you can prevent Hypothermia with the help of common sense. Wear a coat on cold days to warm your dog. Take regular breaks indoors, even if your puppy sits in the heated car.
Keep your dog away from ice water or warm them soon after the exposure. If so cold outside, do not go for hunting.
Tick disease
Ticks are quite common in the United States but are especially prevalent in the Midwest and Northeast. While most deer ticks are not harmful when quickly detected and removed, about 30% of them contain Lyme disease. If you are a hunter, you need to vaccinate your hunting dog with Lyme bacteria vaccine.
However, it is vital for preventing illness, and it should be visible when you use your dog for hunting. If you notice that your canine gets Lyme disease at an early age, antibiotics are also very effective in treating this disease.
Symptoms of Lyme disease can be challenging to diagnose. It takes your dog some time to show signs. If they do, the condition has existed for a long time.
Symptoms including leg pain, muscle stiffness, pain while walking, lethargy, and loss of appetite are quite common. At first glance, this may seem like a leg injury. But if you have recently gotten ticks and you haven’t vaccinated your dog, it’s best to have a blood test done.
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria got its name from the blue-green foam of the lake, found in the both fresh and sea waters. Usually found in late summer or early fall, when the water is hot!
However, these bacteria kill dogs when they swim in the water and swallow them. Hot, dirty water is the living place of those bacteria. If you see pond scum or foam, these are the signs of bacterial growth.
Of course, in all sources of water, there are no poisonous flowers, be guided by common sense. These flowers are very toxic and even deadly. If your dog absorbs cyanobacteria, it will show signs of vomiting, seizures, or open skin lesions.
However, it is essential to contact your veterinarian immediately. To avoid exposure, take less drinking water with you so that your dog is less likely to use contaminated water.
Flush your dog soon after get out of the water and stay away from water that is very dirty or very still. In fact, it is not worth the damage it can do.
Blastomycosis
A stem fungus (Blastomycosis) is a mushroom found on the floor of a forest, or swamp. In these areas, of course, you will find geese and other birds of prey. Dogs absorb their smell in infected areas, and their nostrils rise.
However, there is no method to identify it. Also, there is no vaccine out there to prevent it. Dogs are born with traces of smell, and they point noses on the ground, where they become sensitive to traces of bacteria.
If your dog was in these places and suddenly opened, leaking leg ulcers, experiencing a loud cough and becoming inactive. It is better to take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Plenty of treatments out there to fight the fungus and keep your dog healthy! If you presume there may be Blastomycete fungi in this area, call your local veterinarian.
FAQs on Hunting Dog Food
What do you feed your hunting dog?
A diet high in fat and protein can be the best option for your hunting dog. Carbohydrates should also be part of the mixture. For example, many foods for hunting dog contain 30% protein and 20% fat. Also, the rest of the volume is trace elements, moisture, and carbohydrates.
How many times a day should you feed a hunting dog?
This answer is not self-evident. In fact, it depends on several factors. Feeding about 7–8 cups per day can also lead to the need to feed twice a day. But you have to feed most (~ 75%) of the food immediately after training, and then rest for 5–6 hours.
How much protein should my dog have?
Your dog may need around 1 g protein/lbs of SPEC every day. In the case of cats, the amount is about 2 g protein/lbs of SPEC daily. Cats are strictly carnivorous, while dogs are omnivorous like a human. In fact, dogs do not need such a large amount of protein in their diet.
How can I get my hunting dog to gain weight?
Get rid of the pieces and check the number of calories. You can try them with what is equivalent to a denser food that carries more calories per cup. See also if you are going to feed canned goods. If a supplement motivates you, you can make them eat more.
How can I increase my dog’s calorie intake?
Of course, you have to be conscious of the overweight for your dog. You aim to return your dog a healthy weight that your dog has the energy to run, and play. It will make your dog feel happy and thus increase the level of calorie.
Final Verdict
We hope we can help you realize the contrast between a regular diet and a high-performance diet. Those top dog foods are of the highest quality, suitable for different stages of life and breeds.
But you must pay attention to the essential factors. And they are protein levels, key ingredients, and recommended serving sizes.
Their diet should contain mainly limited digestible carbohydrates, fat, and moderate protein. Each of these products will provide your puppy with not only the nutrition but also the energy needed for an active and happy life. Your best buddies are alert, focused and active during the day with one of these croquettes in their stomach.
If you are raising a puppy of a hunting dog or saving an adult hunting dog, now you have to know about the needs of the food and nutrition. However, you can better care for them to provide their life with the best dog food for hunting dogs.
