Feeding Before Running/Hunting

[rabbitatfarm]

I usually don't feed my dogs before a run, hunt or trial. What is the majority opinion? One of my dogs gets motion sickness so for her it's a no brainer. I usually feed them a cup-and-a-half in the morning and another 3/4 cup at night. Sometimes a little more if they've run every day all week.

Thanks.

[Will05]

If I run in the morning they don't eat first. if I run in the evening then they have eaten in the morning but don't get their second feeding until after we are done. Was always told a hungry dog hunts better not sure if there is any truth to this but figured I get lazy when I eat so it seemed to make sense

[mybeagles]

Dangerous to feed kibble before you run..... Kibble swells and their stomach can twist and kill your dog. Would not recommend it, i'm sure there will be someone with a completely opposite opinion

[likeemfast]

I feed once a day, which is at night. I know i hunt better when im hungry so i imagine my hounds do too.

[Norshore]

I never feed before running.

[Joeyman]

i feed when i get home from work. so about 6pm or so they get fed. in the morning i take them hunting. I feed again at around 6pm

works for me

[Donnie Durbin]

We feed 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening no matter if we take them running or hunting.

[BCBeagles]

Dogs do not digest as a human does, have you ever had a pup throw up whole kibble in the box 10 hours after fed? I have.

Optimal time, from what I have found, is they operate most efficiently 10-12 hours after feeding. Feeding then running is a terrible work out on there digestive track.
Ever notice the, almost instant, diarrhea they have. The excercise really disrupts there digestion.

I am not an expert, but try to put time into finding out what works so they can give me there best.

And yes I have seen dogs with bloated gut and die, both beagles and coonhounds.

Good running to all!!

[littlewoody]

I feed raw 2 hours before running .

[Casey Harner]

If I know Im hunting in the morning I will feed the night before and then wait to feed again in the evening.

[Joseph J Murphy]

I agree with MyBeagles and Jim Hall on this one.

[rabbitatfarm]

Sounds like I'm in the majority camp on this one. Thanks for the input.

[Dayton Beagler]

You guys are putting this mildly. Running then feeding you risk Gastric dilatation volvulus AKA twisted gut. In my former dog sports this was a natural occurrence that came sometimes even when feeding at proper times.....