Let’s talk about feeding and exercise!
Should you feed before or after your dog’s walk?
What about feeding your dog their full food allowance on the go?
Here’s my opinion, based on my experiences as an academic and my experiences as an athlete. With some science thrown in for good measure.
NO FEEDING BEFORE WALKS? Yes or no?
My answer: Feed them before their walk BUT give plenty of time for digestion!
My reasons: Have you ever tried to exercise on a totally empty stomach/with no fuel in the tank? The majority of athletes will likely tell you that it’s not for them!
You get the odd runner who prefers running on an empty stomach (My source: trail runners forum discussions) but, this is their choice based on their assessment of what works for them! Plus, they’ll probably have an energy gel or something similar.
The majority of athletes recognise that the body needs fuel to perform well. As a climber, I know that the timing of when I eat before a session has a huge impact on my performance. Too close and too full and I’m sluggish. Not enough food and I feel weak, jittery and get scared of falling more than when I’ve got my food intake and timing just right.
On a recent mountain ultra marathon with my partner, I experienced an absolutely EPIC tantrum on a mountain called Elidr Fawr. I mean, it’s a really vile mountain. Uninspiring and relentless, no one likes it. But I totally lost my s**t and Nick turned around and said to me “you need to eat something, you’re bonking!” (Bonking is a term used for blood sugar level crash, before you raise an eyebrow).
So, at the top, on the brink of tears I shoved some food into my face and within minutes was laughing and smiling again.
Here folks, is where we transfer this waffle onto dogs:
A PLUMMETT IN BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS CAN LEAD TO CHANGES IN MOOD AND BEHAVIOUR! You’ve all heard of the term ‘hangy’ right?
Note, Elidr Fawr is a indeed a horrible mountain and I was already challenging myself on an ultra marathon. But, continuing to exert myself without adequate energy in the tank caused my blood sugar levels to crash, and this greatly affected my ability to cope with these factors. I was shouting, swearing, getting grumpy and was kind of taking it out on Nick by getting snappy at his words of encouragement (redirected aggression). Because the mountain wasn’t (strangely) answering me back (and I was really giving it a telling off!!) ……he bore the brunt of my frustration when he dared to try and help me! I must 100% clarify he wasn’t verbally or physically abused, I was just short and snappy and getting very jealous of how easy he was finding it! But he does have gazelle legs, and I have the legs of a shetland pony……anyway, I digress.
Remember also, when I am climbing, I get MORE scared of falling if my blood sugar levels are too low.
I think these behaviour changes are interesting:
-emotional outbursts
-increased frustration
-increased levels of fear
-redirected ‘aggression’ (poor Nick!!)
Take a moment to consider how this information and my experiences may translate to anxious or over reactive dogs. Take into consideration that dogs cannot rationalise, which I just about manage to do when climbing or destroying myself on mountains.
Anyway, I survived Elidr Fawr and we completed the ultra. Nick didn’t dump me thank goodness!
So, what about giving dogs their full food allowance on the go? This seems to be increasingly popular advice that people are following, but I feel it is somewhat flawed.
For a start, the digestive system requires a great deal of blood supply, and when the body is active, blood is steered towards the muscles and heart so the body can respond/move more quickly.
There are two nervous systems, the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). The two are not equally active at the same time. One will be more active than the other.
So, if a dog is active then their digestive system is inhibited.
If you feed your dog their meal on the go (or too soon before their walk) then your dog’s digestive system is not being able to do its job properly. What the consequences of this may be, the dogs cannot tell us.
I can personally vouch that eating while running (or running soon after eating) isn’t a very pleasant feeling. You don’t get to enjoy your food at all and you can get stitch or painful indigestion. Eating too soon after high intensity exercise can also have unpleasant consequences, where the body rejects the food because it’s not yet ready to do any digestion! I’ve seen this happen in high arousal dogs plenty of times.
The intensity of exercise does make a difference, as lower intensity exercise (amble, walking) has a very different effect on the body than high intensity exercise. I can eat something while walking, but I definitely don’t want to eat anything substantial while running if I can help it.
Secondly, the brain uses more energy than any other organ in the body. Ever craved sweets while watching a webinar or doing coursework? That’ll be why!
While writing my Master’s Degree thesis I ate loads of naughty things in the day! Ever been to a seminar and gorged on all of those biscuits and cakes- that’s your brain needing the fuel to process information and store it.If you are using food to teach your dog something, then starting off with no energy in the tank may be counterproductive.
Yes, you may get increased motivation to earn the food- and as a result you get more engagement. But you may get other undesired behaviours such as jumping, snatching treats and barking. An increased error rate due to the scattered energy and focus that low blood sugar levels bring, or withholding of reinforcement in response to the undesired behavoiurs mentioned above will likely result in an increase in frustration.
Of course, I use treats on my dog’s walks – but I carefully manae their arousal levels throughout. I make a concious effort to follow any high intensity bursts with intensionally slowing them down- providing opportunity for the heart and respiration rate to slow down.
HOW I BALANCE FEEDING WITH EXERCISE AND TRAINING
I feed my dogs 90 minutes (or more) before their morning walk- ensuring they have energy in their system to cope with physical and mental challenges and so their brains can process the information I am trying to get them to understand when training.I do feed them smaller meals, so they are not stuffed full of food and so they don’t get over weight from treats in addition to their meals.
To summarise:
– Low blood sugar levels can affect mood and dwindle an individual’s ability to cope
– The body does not digest food well during high intensity exercise
– The brain needs energy to function well
Of course, different dogs behave differently on walks. Some are faster paced and non-stop, others are more slow, ploddy and better at regulating themselves. It’s also worth noting that some dogs simply do not want to eat first thing in the morning. Whilst I think there may be other factors at play, such as the dog’s general attitude or experience of the food they are fed, or their level of positive anticipation of the walk they expect at that time of day, I think we can explore things further to be sure this is generally what that individual needs. In some instances, dogs simply know what they want and when they want it. We cannot force a dog to eat if they do not want to at that specific time of day. But, if we do not offer this choice or explore other potential reasons for refusal to eat, then we do not know for sure.
You can read how I balance food, training and exercise in this blog post:https://themuttyprofessor.co.uk/…/getting-routine…/
FAQs
According to vets, there is a clear answer to this particular question. They advise that you should wait at least two hours after your dog has eaten a meal before walking them. That's because walking your dog straight after a meal can cause your dog to bloat, or even lead to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).
Is it better to feed a dog before walk or after walk? ›
It is always advisable to feed a dog after the walk but not immediately after the walk. Leave a considerable time, say half an hour to 45 minutes, before you give him his meal. Feeding your pet while he is still warm and panting from his walk can cause digestive problems.
Can I starve my dog for training? ›
You can still reduce your dog's meals to account for the calories in her treats, it's not necessary for your dog to have a big meal before training to help her focus.
Should dogs be trained empty stomach? ›
What this University of Kentucky study found was that the dog's who had a meal 30 minutes before the task performed the best. While for dogs who had a meal 90 minutes before their task, performed no better or worse. And the dogs in the breakfast omission group (fasted) performed the worst in terms of accuracy.
How long after eating before I walk my dog? ›
Do not let the dog play or exercise (e.g. go for a walk) for at least two hours after having a meal. Ensure continuous fresh water is available to avoid your pet gulping down a large amount after eating.
What should you not do when training a dog? ›
5 Common Dog Training Mistakes to Avoid
- Cue nagging. One of the biggest problems is cue nagging. ...
- Poisoning of cues. Poisoning of cues is another trap that many first-time trainers fall into. ...
- Failing to practice in-between classes. ...
- Useless repetition. ...
- Working when you're frustrated.
You should wait for at least an hour after exercise before feeding your dog, as this gives them sufficient time to calm down and relax their stomachs before eating a large portion. Whether you feed your dog before or after exercise, always ensure that fresh, clean water is always available.
How do I know if Im starving my dog? ›
Too little food
- Ribs, spine and bones are visible from a distance, indicating little to no body fat and no muscle mass.
- The dog's coat may be scruffy or lack soft fur. ...
- Gas and fecal matter may be odoriferous; fecal matter may be extremely runny or hard.
- The dog may vomit bile.
- Low energy level.
- Susceptible to illness.
Dogs have a simple stomach anatomy, just like humans.
After 8 to 10 hours, an empty stomach begins to send signals to the brain stimulating a hunger response. For this reason, at least two meals per day are best for your dog.
How many hours after eating is a dog's stomach empty? ›
A dog's stomach may completely empty in as little as 1.5 hours but some studies suggest it is more likely between 4 and 10 hours or closer to the 6 to 8 hours that is commonly stated to be the digestion time of a dog. Again, this will depend on several factors, most importantly how much food and how liquid the food is.
Gastrointestinal transit time is six to eight hours for dogs, while in people it's between 20 and 30 hours, Dr. Jochman adds.
Should I feed my dog first thing in the morning? ›
"While there is no best time, with most dogs that eat twice a day, it is best to feed them in the morning as soon as you get up and then again when you get home from work in the afternoon.," says Dr.
Is 4pm too early to feed a dog? ›
This recommendation holds that the best time to feed your dog is early in the morning at around 7 and early in the evening at around 6. The reason for this is that the anatomy and physiology of the canine digestive system requires about 4 to 6 hours for the food to be fully digested and absorbed.
What age is too late to train a dog? ›
It's never too late to train a dog. Whether you are bringing home an older dog from a shelter (or rescue), or you'd like to work with your own older dog, there's no reason to delay doing some training with an older dog.
How many hours a day should you spend training your dog? ›
For pet dogs, training once or twice a day, a couple of days a week in 5-15 minute training intervals is probably more than enough to achieve good results. If you take your dog to one hour training classes, make sure you give the dog several breaks during the class.
What does starvation look like in dogs? ›
Dogs who have been underfed will show signs of canine lethargy, will appear skinny, and can even develop further health complications if gone untreated. If your dog appears to be skinnier than the average, make sure you ask your vet for specific instructions on how much and how often you should be feeding your pup.
Do dogs ever get full? ›
Like humans, dogs can fill more fulfilled after eating more fiber, because it isn't digestible. Fiber is one of the most important ingredients for gastrointestinal health, allowing your dog to feel more full without having any extra calories in his diet.
How long does it take a dog to poop something out? ›
When something is ingested by your dog, it usually takes between 10-24 hours to move through the entire digestive tract. Some objects, however, can take much longer – even months!
How often should dogs be bathed? ›
Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.
How many times should a dog take a bath? ›
A healthy adult dog: A good rule of thumb is to give your pet a bath once a month in the tub or shower, using warm water and a gentle dog-specific shampoo. If they have an underlying skin condition or allergies, you may need to bathe them more often using a medicated shampoo.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
Stop for water breaks, maybe around every mile or when you see that your dog is panting hard, allowing your dog to drink just enough to quench her thirst each time. Don't allow her to gulp large amounts of water at one time, as this can lead stomach upset or bloating.
How long does it take a German shepherd to digest food? ›
In fact, according to PetMD, the canine digestive system takes anywhere from 8 to 10 hours to digest a meal fully, but it can take as long as 12 or as quick as four depending on your dog's breed and the type of food consumed.
When should you walk your dog? ›
It is recommended to walk your dog between 10 and 15 minutes, two to three times a week, according to PetMD. But if this is not feasible for your schedule, an alternative to a walk outside is 10 to 15 minutes of activity at home, according to PetMD.
How long does dog digest and poop? ›
Generally speaking, if your pet's gut is healthy, it should take about 6-10 hours for him to digest food properly. For small dogs and puppies, it might take less time (around 4 hours or so) compared to larger, adult dogs. (Another fun fact: dogs generally digest their food three times as fast as humans!)
How long does it take to digest food and poop it out? ›
After you eat, it takes about six to eight hours for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine. Food then enters your large intestine (colon) for further digestion, absorption of water and, finally, elimination of undigested food. It takes about 36 hours for food to move through the entire colon.
What happens when you starve dog? ›
An initial loss of body fat is followed by muscle loss and atrophy and, ultimately, organ failure. In long-term starvation, degeneration of the liver, cardiac changes, anemia, and skin lesions may develop. An animal without proper shelter can also quickly succumb to extreme heat or cold.
How can I mentally stimulate my dog without eating? ›
You can keep your dog busy with stimulating and interactive toys at home. Interactive toys can exercise your dog's brain by letting them chew, lick, sniff, and explore. Toys such as KONG, activity flip boards, and puppy puzzles are perfect for mental stimulation.
Are eggs good for dogs? ›
Eggs are perfectly safe for dogs, Eggs are a great source of nutrition for your canine companion. They are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog inside and out. Remember that eggs are only as good as the chicken they come from.
Can dogs eat plain boiled pasta? ›
Safe: Cooked White Rice and Pasta. Dogs can eat plain white rice or pasta after it's cooked. And, a serving of plain white rice with some boiled chicken can sometimes make your dog feel better when they are having stomach problems.
How many days do dogs can live without food? ›
How Long Can a Dog Go Without Food? Dogs can usually go three to five days without food, however, this is not ideal. If your dog has gone two days without food, it is highly recommended you call a veterinarian if you haven't already. More important than your dog eating is their water intake.
Treats in a Bottle
More than physical activity, the Belgian Malinois also needs a good amount of mental stimulation. Treats in a bottle is a good mental game for your Malinois. For this game, you will need a metal rod, some plastic soda bottles and a piece of wood to be used as a base.
How can I relax my dog without punishment? ›
Disciplinary methods that are considered to be positive and beneficial are:
- Time-outs.
- Using your voice to put a stop to unwanted behavior, rather than hitting your dog.
- Taking their toys away.
- Avoiding giving your dog attention when they misbehave.
