Fat is Adventure Fuel

March 11, 2020

Think of fat as fuel – active dogs need it for energy whether they’re hitting the trails, paddling the river, or bounding through the snow. Healthy, energy-dense fats from sources like fish oil, peanut butter, eggs, and coconut oil provide dogs with:

Double the energy of carbohydrates
Essential fatty acids (needed for the function of muscles, cells, and nerves)
Increased oxygen uptake in the cells, boosting performance and aiding recovery
Improved absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K
Healthy skin and coat
Delicious taste!

Dogs only maintain 1-2% of their body weight in glucose stores. That’s not a lot of readily-available energy when the adventuring gets turned up, and it doesn’t last long! When their bodies’ demand for energy increases, dogs rely on fatty acids as their primary energy source. Just like us, each dog has its own daily energy requirements. On especially active days, those requirements go up. An energy-dense, fat-rich snack can be just what is needed to meet their increased demand.

It is just as important to think about when you’re feeding as what you’re feeding. Dogs make best use of this energy when they’re fed:

Meals 4+ hours before exercise
Snacks at the start of exercise and intermittently during intense exercise
Within 2 hours after exercise to replenish glycogen stores

The healthy fat in Otis bars is one of the key nutrients that provides great flavor and sustained energy for your dog. Use it to fuel up before exercise starts, break off smaller pieces to maintain energy during exercise, or use to refuel after a fun day outside!