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Nuthin and Merci on a sunrise hike in Oaxaca, Mexico
Feeding your dog a high-quality food is important for its everyday health. Backpacking puts enormous stress on our bodies, so it is crucial to consider the impact it has on your dog as well. What type of food to feed your dog is a key factor to consider while backpacking. As mileage is increased, this becomes more important.
When it comes to selecting dog food for backpacking, there are four things you should consider: weight, calories, nutrition, and cost. Each individual will value these four categories differently. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best dog food to fit your style of backpacking.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A DOG FOOD
Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for dogs. When looking at dog food labels, focus on foods that have animal proteins at the top of the ingredients list.
A balanced food should have a protein content of approximately 18-25%, fats should be in the 10-15% range, and carbohydrates should be around 30-50%. When long-distance backpacking with your dog, you will want food that has a higher percentage of protein and fat to maximize your dog’s energy.
Try to avoid foods with high amounts of plant-based proteins such as soy and lentils. Also, try to avoid other fillers such as corn and beet pulp, which provides little nutritional value. Work with your veterinarian if your dog has any dietary restrictions
Merci eating dinner on trail
DETERMINING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FOOD
If your dog’s activity level is increased while backpacking, it is important to increase food as well. For weekend trips, we increase Merci’s food by 10-25%. For longer trips and thru-hiking, we increase her food by 50-100%.
The caloric density of pet food is measured in kcals. This is a more accurate way to measure how much food your dog needs. Discuss the duration and daily mileage of your backpacking trip with your veterinarian to determine the correct number of kcals your dog needs daily. Your vet can give personalized guidance based on your dog’s breed, size, and overall health.
The best way to determine the amount of food your dog needs daily is to use an activity tracker along with weekly weigh-ins. We use the FitBark activity tracker. The FitBark measures the actual distance your dog walks or runs daily. Knowing this will help you determine the correct amount of food.
Our vet suggested between 500 to 2,000 kcals per day for Merci. Merci weighs 30lbs (13.6kg), so we started her at 500 kcals a day, per our vet’s suggestion. Using the FitBark, we discovered she averages five to seven miles a day at home. At her weekly weigh-in, Merci was losing weight, so we started to increase her food. She now eats 900 kcals a day to maintain her weight when we are not backpacking.
We use this number as a base to determine Merci’s food while on the trail. She usually averages between 8 to 12 miles per day while backpacking. For example, on a weekend trip, we feed Merci 1,125 kcals. For longer multi-day trips, we would increase this to 1,800 kcals.
Another useful rule of thumb for estimating your dog’s average daily calorie requirement is 20 kcals per pound of body weight (or 45 kcals per kilogram). This can serve as a baseline, and you can adjust it upward based on your dog’s activity level.
Merci cowboy camping on the Pacific Crest Trail
TRANSITIONING TO A NEW FOOD
Truthfully, most of the time you do not need to change your dog’s food for weekend backpacking trips. Increasing their food is or supplementing with a few additions is sufficient.
If you do plan to change your dog’s food, allow one week to transition to the new food. Abruptly transitioning to a new food can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. These symptoms can cause dehydration.
To transition, mix your dog’s current food with its new food. Over seven days slowly decrease the amount of the current dog food and increase the amount of the new dog food.
TYPES OF DOG FOOD
There are four types of dog food to choose from: canned food, traditional kibble, freeze-dried food/dehydrated food, and dog energy bars. These dog foods can be used in combination to create your dog’s backpacking or everyday feeding regimen.
CANNED FOOD
Canned food is high in moisture content and packaging makes it a cumbersome option. If you practice Leave No Trace Principles (which you should), packing out the leftover cans isn’t ideal.
If canned food is your dog’s daily diet, there is no need to switch foods for a short hike, but for longer excursions, it might be best to explore other options. Canned food is readily available and varies significantly in price and quality.
TRADITIONAL KIBBLE
Traditional kibble is popular because it is readily available and cost-effective. There are a wide variety of high-quality kibbles to choose from. Each kibble will range in calorie content and vary in price points, so there is one that could fit any dog’s needs.
When hiking long distances, you can switch your dog’s kibble for the puppy version of the same brand. The puppy versions often contain more nutrients, protein, and fat content for a higher calorie to weight ratio.
FREEZE-DRIED / DEHYDRATED
Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are nutritious and lightweight, which makes them a good option for backpacking. Freeze drying and dehydrating foods removes the moisture content but leave nutrients intact. They are the highest protein content commercially available.
There are two downsides to freeze-dried and dehydrated dog food. They can be expensive and take up more room in your pack than other types of dog food.
DOG ENERGY BARS
Dog energy bars are good for supplemental snacks or as a meal replacement. They are a convenient and nutritional option that is high in protein and calories. Compared to freeze-dried foods, they have a lower calorie to weight ratio but take up much less room in your pack.
Dog energy bars have been increasing in popularity. Currently, there are not many brands available, which can make them difficult to find.
Gator and Merci hiking in the Dolly Sods Wilderness
OUR FAVORITE OPTIONS
CANNED FOOD
Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild is a high-quality canned food. They have five different flavors to accommodate different dietary needs. The Southwest Canyon formula contains 894 kcal/kg.
TRADITIONAL KIBBLE
Inukshuk 32/32
Inukshuk is a high quality, high protien kibble. The 32/32 blend has 32% protien and 32% fat which provides extra energy. The 32/32 blend is 4,505 kcal/kg. This is the food we used for Merci when she hiked the Continental Divide Trail. If your dog needs a lower protien and fat content, they also have a 30/25 and 26/16 blend.
Purina Pro Plan Sport
Purina Pro Plan Sport is a line of high protein kibble created for athletic dogs. It is high in protein and fat, which is the primary source of energy for dogs. The Performance 30/20 Formula is 4,250 kcal/kg.
Other popular kibble options include Dr. Tim’s and Orijen.
FREEZE-DRIED / DEHYDRATED
Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets
We use Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets for Merci’s everyday food. Her favorite flavor is the beef nuggets, which is also the highest in calories at 41 kcal/nugget or 5,075 kcal/kg. Primal has a wide variety of flavors (9 in total) to accommodate a variety of palates.
ZIWI Peak Air-Dried
This brand is highly recommended in the dog hiking community. It is a dehydrated dog food that is high in protein with no fillers. The Beef flavor is 5,500 kcal/kg, which is one of the higher kcal options available. There are also six other flavors available with varying calorie contents.
Other popular freeze-dried/dehydrated options include Tucker’s, Stella and Chewy’s, and Northwest Naturals.
DOG ENERGY BARS
Plato On the Go Energy Bar
We like Plato On the Go because there are no artificial preservatives or fillers. They also have a balanced ratio of fat and protein. There are three flavors, chicken, lamb and salmon. The lamb bar has 168 kcal/bar, or 4,154 kcal/kg.
Kronch Pemmikan Energy Bar
The Kronch Pemmikan Bar is a dog energy bar that has the highest calorie to weight ratio on the market. The bars are 6,000 kcal/kg, but there is a downside. It mostly consists of lard. This means they are only meant to be a supplement due to the low nutritional value. We use these for getting in those extra calories for Merci during long multi-day hikes.
Gator and Merci hiking in Colorado on the Continental Divide Trail
OTHER TIPS AND TRICKS
PUPPY FORMULA
Another way to increase your dog’s calorie intake for backpacking is to use a puppy formula of their kibble. food is typically higher in calories and nutrients to support growth and energy needs, making it a good option for active adult dogs who require more fuel. Switching to a puppy formula for the duration of your trip can help ensure your dog gets the extra calories needed to maintain their energy levels and weight.
OLIVE OIL
Olive oil can be a safe and effective supplement for dogs on backpacking trips. It provides a concentrated source of calories and healthy fats, and is an anti inflammatory, which can be beneficial for dogs that need extra energy on the trail. Before adding olive oil to your dog’s diet consult with your veterinarian. They can assess your dog’s individual needs and provide specific recommendations on the appropriate amount and any potential risks.
There are approximately 120 calories in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. A safe starting point is about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight per day. For example, a 30-pound dog like Merci gets about 1 tablespoon of olive oil per day.
MIX DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOODS
We often mix different types of dog food for Merci when backpacking. On long trips, we typically use a combination of freeze-dried nuggets and kibble..
For example, when Merci hiked the Continental Divide Trail through Colorado and New Mexico with Gator, her daily food consisted of a mix of:
- Inukshuk 32/32
- Primal Freeze Dried Nuggets
- Olive oil
Over the course of their 1,500-mile hike, she maintained her weight nicely.
Check out our other articles about backpacking with your dog:
The 6 Best Dog Leashes for Hiking and Backpacking
Backpacking with Your Dog: Packing List
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