Sponsored by: Eukanuba
Upland and waterfowl hunting takes us to some of the most stunningly gorgeous places around. But they’re often wild and unknown—and that oftentimes includes camp life! So to keep our dogs running hard throughout the season, we have to watch what they eat and drink. Eukanuba's Dr. Jill Cline shares some health tips for your sporting dog to help make your season great.
Hungry dogs that tend to gulp their food during hunting season should be fed several smaller portions to help maximize nutrient absorption.
Proper Feeding
Everyone works up an appetite during a hunt, but when it’s time to put on the feed bag, don’t give your pup too much food. “Hungry dogs gulp food,” Cline said, “and if they’re not chewing properly, it’s difficult for absorption in the GI tract to occur. The sudden volume of food causes them to feel full when they’re not, and that means they may not be getting the proper amount of nutrients. Feed your dog several smaller portions with a space of time in between.”
Working dogs need a lot of clean water, so pack in plenty.
Hydration
A 44-pound dog can lose between 0.5 and 1.5 gallons of water per day, depending on his activity and the environmental conditions.1 At a minimum, an active dog should consume as much water as he’s losing. There’s a simple rule of thumb to calculate water intake, and it’s by food consumption. “Simply multiply the number of cups of dry food offered daily by three cups,” Cline said. “So three cups of food would mean a dog should drink nine cups (a little over 0.5 gallon) of water. Keep in mind that this target is the minimum amount of water an active dog should drink each day when exercising outside. This amount or more will help reduce the risk of dehydration but may not prevent it.”
Dogs like to cool down in puddles, but allowing them to drink from them isn’t a good idea.
Clean Water
Cooling off in a mud puddle is one thing, but drinking from it can cause illness. “Bacteria and protozoa found in standing mud puddles can cause giardia and diarrhea, which reduces dogs’ performance,” Cline said. “And there is no telling what kinds of toxins are in those puddles. Runoff may contain weed killer or fertilizer used in nearby fields.”
If you’re hunting in dry terrain, Cline suggests wearing a vest with a CamelBak bladder or carrying several bottles of water and a collapsible bowl. “If your back makes the water warm and your dog won’t drink warm water, freeze it before you leave,” Cline said. “The frozen bladder will keep hunters cool, too. Otherwise, look for a stream or river. Running water isn’t 100% clean, but it’s much cleaner than mud puddles.”
Dogs that self-clean after a hunt in an agricultural field may ingest fertilizers or pesticides. If you’re in doubt, then rinse off your dog to be safe.
Washing Up
Dogs lick to clean themselves, but there are a few things they shouldn’t be licking. “Dogs trying to remove burdock, beggar’s lice, or cockleburs from their coats can swallow the seeds, which can get lodged in their throats or GI tracts,” Cline said. “Comb out any prickly seeds before they get swallowed.”
Keep dogs away from buckeyes. “Buckeyes are deep-brown nuts with a light spot resembling a deer’s eye,” Cline said. “They’re in the same family as horse chestnuts. Edible chestnuts come from the beech family, while buckeyes and horse chestnuts are toxic. If a dog eats the five-sided, spiny husk that can get lodged in his pads, it can get caught in his throat or GI tract. If you believe your dog ate buckeye, then take a picture of the nut and husk and contact your vet at once.”
Old farm fields frequently grow full with milkweed. “Dogs that eat the plant can be poisoned by the galitoxin and cardiac glycosides,” Cline said. “Symptoms include decreased heart rate, erratic heartbeats, collapse, and seizures. Tremors followed by sudden death occur if the dog has ingested enough. Whistle your dog out of the milkweed stand and comb him out before kenneling him up, and the problem is avoided. If you’re unsure whether your dog has eaten milkweed, then snap a picture and consult your vet at once.”
If you’re field hunting or running near shelter belts and your dog licks his paws or pads, he may ingest fertilizer or pesticides used in the field. “If you’re concerned about what a farmer sprays,” Cline said, “then rinse off paws prior to loading up dogs.”
Complete a tailgate check to help ensure your dog is clear of any items that could get stuck in his throat during self-cleaning.
Camp Life
Part of what makes camp life so great is being surrounded by dogs. “Watch for spills as you’re making dinner,” Cline said, “because there are some things that are not good for your dogs to eat. Gatorade or other sports drinks; alcohol like beer, wine or spirits; ingredients like garlic or onions; and a favorite dessert of chocolate cake can make dogs sick. Preventing dogs from eating these things will help you spend more time in the woods and on the water than at the veterinarian’s clinic.”
Hunting season is what we dream of all year long. Keep these health tips in mind to help your dog perform at his full potential throughout the season.
To learn more professional-dog-handler tips, visit Eukanuba Sporting Dog for articles and resources.
1Reynolds, AJ, K Snedden, GA Reinhart, KW Hinchcliff, and RA Swenson. 1998. Hydration strategies in exercising dogs. In: GA Reinhart and DP Carey eds. Recent advancements in canine and feline nutrition, Vol. 2, Iams Nutritional Symposium Proceedings. Orange Frazer Press, OH, pp 259-267
Photos courtesy of Eukanuba Sporting Dog.
