[ad_1]
Disclaimer: If you purchase items through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
If your pooch travel plans include long walks, challenging hikes, or if your dog participates in popular canine sports like agility or dock diving, don’t forget to pack his energy bar. You read correctly. The energy bar market has expanded and is going to dogs.
And, that makes sense. Why should your dog just watch you eat your energy bar when you’re both taking a break from strenuous activity? A few pieces of kibble won’t be enough for these adventure or road warrior dogs.
And there are more benefits for this new generation of dog treats. They tend to be lightweight, don’t take up a lot of packing space, can be individually wrapped, and are packed with healthy ingredients.
Energy Treats
Pet manufacturers are responding to a growing public demand to create healthy, easy-to-grab foods and beverages designed to replenish the calories your dog burns and help rehydrate him. These handy items come in bars, licks, and bites packed with essential protein, vitamins, and minerals, and many are free of preservatives or fillers.
“From what I’ve seen, the use of meat-based, low-fat, lickable treats makes sense, as they are not generally associated with gastrointestinal upset,” says Dr. Joe Bartges , board-certified veterinary nutritionist and professor of internal medicine at the University of Georgia in Athens. “Lickable teats are more water-rich and can be used during rigorous exercise to provide nutrition and water while not allowing the dog to eat a large amount of food.”
He adds: “But read the label, because the nutritional composition of these licks and energy bars designed for dogs can vary greatly in quality.”
Dawn Celapino, physical trainer, founder of Let your fitnessa program that encourages fitness activities for people and their dogs, goes on long hikes and swims with Hank, she’s ready for anything.
Cairn Terrier adventure.
“I always grab an energy bar for me and a bag of freeze-dried liver treats made by Nutri-Bites for Hank,” says Dawn, who lives in San Diego but travels all over the country in her RV. “During breaks, we also share carrots and blueberries. I freeze blueberries ahead of time. He loves them.”
Hank, 3, wasn’t a big fan of water on the hikes at first, but Dawn found a solution.
“I pour water into a large cap and put a little liver treat in it to motivate Hank to drink, and it works,” she says.
A pair of boxers named Debbie and Phoenix turn a lot of heads and unleash a lot of applause at dog agility competitions. That’s because Debbie reigns supreme as the only boxer to ever win the American Kennel Club Agility Grand Champion title. Her little sister, Phoenix, is on the right track, having won three agility championships to date.
Both boxers also travel many miles on the road with their relative, Cara Armour, a professional dog trainer from Bolton, Massachusetts. Earlier this year, they made the long trip (22 hours each way) from their home in Ocala, Florida to compete in the AKC National Agility Event.
Cara knows the secret to her dogs’ agility success: consistent training and the right healthy treats to pack. She carries packages containing single-ingredient or limited-ingredient treats, such as beef or duck. During driving breaks, Cara shares individual string cheese.
“String cheese is a great source of protein that’s easy to pack, safe, and good for my dogs and for me,” says Cara. In the hotel room, she gives them supplements containing green mussels, chondroitin and salmon oil to prevent their joints from getting stiff on long car journeys.
Energy bars for dogs on the go
If your dog doesn’t like vigorous agility or hikes but enjoys being your travel buddy, there are energy bars and treats with CBD or hemp oil to tame anxiety, improve digestion and provide a sense of calm. When selecting these treats, consult your veterinarian and look for products that have certificates of analysis and confirmation that they have been tested by a third party.
What to Look for in an Energy Dog Treat
So what should you look for when shopping for dog treats for your next road trip or hike?
- Low calorie: Remember that all treats contain calories. Veterinary nutritionists recommend that dog treats not exceed 10% of your pup’s daily calories. The amount of calories your dog should eat depends on his age, breed, health and activity level.
- GMO-free: GMOs have been linked to a host of canine health issues. This includes skin allergies, weakened immune system and kidney damage.
- Easy to eat: Bite-sized or lickable treats in small containers help simplify snacking on the trail or in the car.
- Protein: It’s a good source of energy for dogs, and single and limited ingredient protein dog treats make great healthy snacks.
- Lightweight: Look for packaging that is easy to transport and pack.
So next time you’re gearing up for that road trip with your dog, pack their food, water, bowls, leash (and spare), harness, and dog bed. Be sure to download his veterinary records to your cell phone and include all necessary medications. And then grab those energy bars and snacks – your dog will thank you.
The Truth About Dog Hydration Products
It’s equally important to pack plenty of bottled water or other vet-approved hydration products. Two popular examples include doggystyle and Fill up with dog water.
DoggyRade is packaged in an easy-to-pack pouch with a resealable cap and contains approximately 8 ounces of real chicken flavor, prebiotics, and electrolytes. (doggystyle; $17.95/pack of 3 and $39.90/pack of 6. chewy.com)
Each container of Replenish Dog Water contains 10 packets of chicken stock flavored powder. You simply add a pouch to your dog’s water bowl to entice him to drink. Each sachet contains easily digestible protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and antioxidants. (Replenish Dog’s Water; $19.99. amazon.com)
Keep in mind that dogs should drink about 1 ounce of water or another healthy source of hydration per pound of body weight per day to avoid becoming dehydrated.
If your dog prefers water, minimize the risk of him experiencing a host of digestive issues by providing bottled water. The quality of tap or tap water in the area you are visiting may not be healthy for your dog.
Do what professional trainer Cara Armor does: “I keep bottled water cool in a cooler and out of direct sunlight,” she says. “I also make sure plastic water bottles are BPA-free (BPA stands for a chemical known as bisphenol A).”
More products to take away
Dogswell Energy Long-Lasting Fuel, Chicken, and Coconut Oil Recipe; $29.80/case of 20. chewy.com
Nutri Bites Beef Liver Freeze Dried Dog Treats; $22.40. amazon.com
American Journey Adventure Bars; $8.12. chewy.com
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.