Front Matter

Chapter 4 The Role of Nutrition in Canine Performance and Rehabilitation 83

possibly improves glycogen repletion in some
situations (Betts & Williams, 2010), but firm
recommendation in canine performance cannot
be given at the time of writing.

Dietary fiber

Dietary fiber, regardless of its form, leads to
fecal bulk. This increase in fecal bulk can lead to
inappropriate defecation during competition
and extra weight carried by the competitor,
which may be detrimental. Fiber comes in two
forms; insoluble (nonfermentable) and soluble
(fermentable). Insoluble fiber results in fecal
bulk and acts as a binding agent that can

improve fecal quality when diarrhea is a prob-

lem. Soluble fiber has the capacity to alter the

large intestinal microflora and potentially

increase the absorptive surface of the small and

large intestine through villous hypertrophy.

This has been used strategically in canid ath-

letes with stress‐related diarrhea. Soluble fiber

tends to be a matrix on which certain bacterial

genera, including bifidobacteria, lactobacilli,

and streptococci, thrive (Wakshlag et al., 2011;

Gagné et al., 2013). These bacterial genera

ferment soluble fiber sources and liberate vola-

tile fatty acids (acetate, butyrate, propionate)

that promote colonocyte regeneration and may

improve recovery from diarrhea (Whelan &

Schneider, 2011). Many of the enteric formulas

of commercial dog food use small amounts of

gums, soy fiber, fructo‐oligosaccharides, other

oligosaccharides and mixed insoluble and solu-

ble fiber sources, to improve fecal quality and

intestinal absorptive capabilities. The amount

of soluble fiber added is generally less than 2%

of dry matter in the diet since overfermentation

can result in deteriorating fecal quality

(Beloshapka et al., 2011). Mixed soluble and

insoluble sources commonly added to commer-

cial dog foods to improve fecal quality are

chicory root, beet pulp, and psyllium. In many

instances the addition of psyllium husk powder

to feed is used in exercising canines to improve

exercise‐related stress diarrhea. Psyllium husk

fiber is unique since it is a mucilage with water‐

binding properties and, much like other mixed

fiber sources, provides a modest fermentation

value. It  is often recommended to start with

approximately 4 g of psyllium (1 rounded tea-

spoon of fine powder) per day, titrating upward,

not exceeding 16 g per day in a typical 20–30‐kg

canine athlete (Leib, 2000).

Electrolytes, minerals, and the canine

athlete

Minerals can be classified into major minerals

and trace minerals (Table 4.3). The major miner-

als are of most importance since deficiencies in

dogs fed nontraditional diets (meat base with-

out bone) have been observed. If meats are

being used it is often advised to have the bones

ground into the meat supply to improve the

calcium and phosphorus balance. Calcium

Case Study 4.1 Hitting the wall

History: A highly competitive sled dog team racing

in open sprint races ranging from 16 to 30 miles

over 2‐ or 3‐day heats was very successful. As the

season progressed this team competed in two

longer races near the end of the season and placed

disappointing fifth and seventh places when

expected to be within the top three, based on previ-

ous performances. Track times for various points

along the trail showed an average of approximately

19 miles per hour for the 20‐mile heats on days one

and two. The team was in third place by day two

with day one time being better than day two for the

two 20‐mile heats (one hour average time for top

finishers). This team performed very well on day

three, running a 30‐mile heat while maintaining a

speed of 18 miles per hour for the first 22 miles.

Their speed for the last eight miles of the race

dropped to 13 miles per hour, dropping this team

into a seventh place overall finish.

Examination of feeding practices: High‐quality

commercial kibble and fresh meat with an ME of

approximately 32% protein/62% fat and 8% carbo-

hydrate. They did not use post‐exercise carbohy-

drate repletion supplements. This poor performance

was assumed to be due to skeletal muscle glycogen

depletion during days 1 and 2, so that by day 3 the

dogs could work at only 50–60% of their Vo2 max late

in the race due to lack of carbohydrate oxidation

capabilities. The following year this team altered

the diet to contain 30% protein, 50% fat, and 20%

carbohydrate ME and used post‐exercise carbohy-

drate supplementation on days 1 and 2 of racing,

and again became competitive in longer distance

sprint racing in Alaska.