Hunting Season Diet

[Jmnhunter]

Do you guys switch to a higher protein/fat diet for the hunting season (using your same brand dog food)? I saw in the PF magazine that it is recommended to do so a month or so before hunting season starts

[Todd Caswell]

I feed the same 30/20 food year round, but they get worked year round as well..

[gspman]

No, same stuff year 'round.

[Ryan_V]

Same stuff here as well

[LABS4ME]

I used to do the switch and find that it is mostly hype by the food companies to increase sales of their higher priced food. Whatever your dog needs to get through the other 9 months will most likely get him throught the 3 months of hunting. Most sporting dog owners tend to use higher end food to begin with.

If you are actively training and trialing your dog year round, chances are you are feeding a dog food to conincide with that activity and keep him at his peak physically. Chances are it is a high fat high protein low grian food...

If you have a 'pet' 9 months and hunt on weekends, whatewver food you currently use will be fine to get him through the hunting months. If he is in good shape now, he should remain so through the hunting season. No different than you or I... we don't change our diet based on walking a pheasant field 4-6 days a month...

The one exception might be the guy who has a 'pet' 8-9 months and then turns around and actively hunts most every day. That dog would most likely benefit from an increased caloric diet and the additional protein for muscle building and repair...

Good Luck!

Ken

[CJH]

^ Great Post and spot on!!!

[brittman]

I have found that staying with my same old high quality food all season long works well for my dogs. I can tell by their midsection if they need a little supplemental feeding ... usually some fried burger or burger grease on top. I suppose not scientific, but it seems to work well for my dogs.

[BLACKJACK]

I feed the Diamond Maintenace nine months of the year but then about October 1 I will switch over to the Diamond Premium, I think the higher protein and fat content helps when they're working hard in the cold and in their outdoor kennel. I also think portion size is very important, no matter what you feed, if its too much, they'll get fat. Right now my female lab gets one mushroom can full morning and night, with a little side treat, and shes lean, almost too lean. Plus I throw dummies for her every day.