Gun Dog Forum

After/during a hard training session in the summer does anyone use electrolytes? Just curious. If so, what works well?

The experts I know don't recommend it. Some use post training carb supplements, but any piece of fruit works as well I am told.

Just curious...Max is not a big drinker. I take a water bottle into the field with him and give him that but it doesn't seem like enough.

I try and carry a couple PB&J sandwiches....and i usually have some gatoraide.

After a hard hunt or on lunch break I will give them half a sandwich, even pour a little
gatoraide on it. PB&J got it all, carb, fat, simple sugar.

i always went with the premise that since dogs dont dissipate heat thru sweating, they dont lose electrolytes like humans do during exercise. sure they use them for muscle function, etc, but they dont need to be replaced like in humans. as always, i could be wrong!!

I always went with the premise that with any water an animal loses by any means such as urine, diarrhea, drooling or evaporation that can cause the animal to get dehydrated is also a way they can lose electrolytes. The difference with dogs is when they pant most of the electrolytes used to move water through the tissues to the surface of their tongue "theoretically" stays on their tongue. Then when they drink water they bring the electrolytes back into their system. Personally I've never given electrolyte replacement to a dog during or immediately after exercise.


Edited to avoid jokes caused by careless wording!

Thanks for all the input! As usual--I am an over-worried mom.

Better an over worried mom than an under worried man who never asks questions or directions!

I have read where Gatorade or any of the sports drinks are bad for a dog but don't know if that is true. I have never considered using electrolites after normal activity such as training or hunts of a few hours. Have used them after an illness but have no idea if they did much.

Ezzy

I was thinking on a hot day, for a dog who does not drink much. There are products in Ugly dog, gun dog supply, etc....

I wouldn't give them gatoraide to drink...just enough to wet the bred so they can swallow it easily. Never seen any adverse affects from an ounce or so of gatoraide....I did that just about every day last fall in the Dakotas.

To be sure, you could mix a teaspoon of sea salt into a gallon of water. Won't hurt, and might help.

dog dr wrote:i always went with the premise that since dogs dont dissipate heat thru sweating, they dont lose electrolytes like humans do during exercise. sure they use them for muscle function, etc, but they dont need to be replaced like in humans. as always, i could be wrong!!

I'm sure someone will tell ya you are

Duane M wrote:

dog dr wrote:i always went with the premise that since dogs dont dissipate heat thru sweating, they dont lose electrolytes like humans do during exercise. sure they use them for muscle function, etc, but they dont need to be replaced like in humans. as always, i could be wrong!!

I'm sure someone will tell ya you are

I think someone will also corroborate what he said:

BigShooter wrote:The difference with dogs is when they pant most of the electrolytes used to move water through the tissues to the surface of their tongue "theoretically" stays on their tongue. Then when they drink water they bring the electrolytes back into their system.

Here are a couple of products to check out.

K9 GO DOG - http://www.k9power.com/k9_godog.php

Nupro Electrolyte Formula - http://www.nuprosupplements.com/

Better an over worried mom than an under worried man who never asks questions or directions!

Ha--nice to see a man admitting to that!!

big steve46 wrote:To be sure, you could mix a teaspoon of sea salt into a gallon of water. Won't hurt, and might help.

No it probably won't hurt but let's not mislead anybody. Everyone always thinks about salt because it helps to retain water. However in physiology we talk about all of the primary ions of electrolytes: calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, hydrogen phosphate and hydrogen carbonate. In particular muscle contraction requires calcium, potassium & sodium.

If you're going to make your own electrolyte solution use salt, salt substitute (potassium), sugar, water & bicarbonate (baking soda). I have no idea what the correct amounts would be for humans much less dogs but I'm sure you can find a recipe on the internet.

Just remember dogs don't leave deposits of electrolyte ions on their skin like humans do when we sweat instead, with dogs they are deposited on the tongue and accordingly most get washed back into their system when they drink water.

Properly trained and conditioned sled dogs, maintained on high-quality diets, and not affected by vomiting or diarrhea DO NOT need electrolyte supplements. So, save the electrolyte solutions for yourself. Make sure your dogs have plenty of clean water, and spend the money you might have spent on electrolyte solutions on your dogs instead.

Make sure your dogs have plenty of clean water, and spend the money you might have spent on electrolyte solutions on your dogs instead.

My dogs probably get fresh water about 3-4 times a day.

Also, please do not imply that I should be spending more money on them. You have no clue as to the amount of money that goes towards my dog.

I cannot get my Bretons to drink anything like Gatorade. Have tried it in hot weather, cold you name it.
They just want water.

Dogs do not lose so consequently do not need them . Dogs do not sweat is the big difference.

Ezzy