Q: Do athletic dogs require more protein than other dogs?

A: There is substantial evidence that athletes require increased protein. Human athletes require increased protein due to the volume of blood plasma and red blood cells that increase with training.

Muscle size, density of blood vessels within muscle and activity of enzymes all increase with athletic training. These functions are dependent on amino acids - the building blocks of protein.

In one research project completed by The Iams Company scientists, racing sled dogs were fed diets of 16%, 24%, 32% and 40% protein. None of the dogs on the 16% protein food made it through the training season without at least one injury serious enough to remove them from training. Dogs fed the 32% and 40% protein foods had no injuries.¹ Having increased levels of protein in the diet makes sense for competitive field trial dogs because they are utilizing more protein to make and maintain muscle and body fluids, and for other functions of this nutrient class. Also, there is a small but significant destruction of muscle tissue during training. This destruction of protein increases the dog's dietary need.

¹Reynolds AJ: Effect of diet on performance. The Iams Company Performance Dog Nutrition
  Symposium. Colorado State University. April 1995.