Study: More Fat, Lower Protein Boosts Dogs' Sense of Smell

by
posted on October 10, 2014
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (66)

Conventional wisdom has long dictated that performance dog food formulas—which experts recommend for active gundogs—ought to contain a high ratio of protein. For instance my preferred choice, Purina Pro Plan Sport, offers a 30/20 ratio of protein to fat.

However, a study of drug-detection dogs by Cornell's College of Veterinary medicine may call that somewhat into question. According to Joseph Wakshlag, Cornell associate professor of clinical studies and chief of nutrition, the study found that detection dogs' senses of smell improved when they were fed more fat and less protein. Test dogs were fed three different foods: a high-performance diet (27 percent protein), a regular dog food diet (27 percent protein), and a regular dog food diluted with corn oil (18 percent protein). Those fed the food mixed with corn oil exhibited the strongest sniffers when detecting gunpowder, ammonia nitrate and TNT.

"If you're a dog, digesting protein raises body temperature, so the longer your body temperature is up, the longer you keep panting, and the harder it is to smell well," Wakshlag said. "Our study shifts the paradigm of what 'high-performance' diet can mean for dogs."

So, would cutting protein in our bird dogs' diets better equip them to sniff out pheasants and mallards this season? Maybe, but here's the rub: Upland hunting dogs and even duck dogs require great stamina—it takes protein to fuel that endurance.

"It depends on what you want your dog to do," Wakshlag said. "A sled dog or greyhound may need more protein to keep going. But detection dogs tend to exercise in shorter bursts and need to recover quickly and smell well. For that, less protein and more fat could help."

Interesting as this study may be, I don't intend to switch from feeding my dogs a 30/20 formula anytime soon. A potential improvement to olfactory senses means nothing if your dog doesn't have the energy—derived from protein—to continue the hunt.

Latest

LEDE Marlin Dark
LEDE Marlin Dark

Hardware Review: Marlin Model 1895 Dark

If you think lever-action rifles should only have walnut stocks and a blued-metal finish, then the new Marlin Dark series with its polymer buttstock and aluminum AR-esque handguard probably won’t be your thing. That’s a shame, because this recent offering in Marlin’s line of modernized, capable lever-action rifles has a lot going for it in terms of performance, functionality and fun.

ATN Shipping TICO LTV Thermal Clip-On

This thermal clip-on device is a huge night-time gear multiplier for hunters and observers, transforming any daytime scope into a thermal sight.

MidwayUSA Named Official Sponsor of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings

Glock, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor of the Freedom Experience on Saturday, April 26th

First Look: Montana Rifle Company Marshall Hunting Rifle

Montana Rifle Company (MRC) has announced its Marshall Hunting Rifle—a rifle the company bills as being 10,000 rounds in the making.

Spring Gobbler Gear Roundup

Mike Roux lays out his winter's turkey gear discoveries, just in time for spring gobbler season.

National 4-H Shooting Sports Signs on as Official +ONE Partner

The National 4-H Shooting Sports program has joined the +ONE Movement, a national mentorship initiative led by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) that encourages peer-to-peer mentorship in the hunting and shooting sports.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.