How much food does a sled dog eat?

Stephens: Unlike our pets at home, sled dogs have extremely high energy needs and typically require 15,000 kcal daily for fuel and to maintain body condition throughout the race. These athletes receive a combination of dry kibble specially designed for their significantly increased demand, as well as added protein.

Do sled dogs eat fish?

Winter feed, in many cases, means salmon. Salmon used to be the base food of the working sled dog. The bulk of the sled dogs in Alaska used to live along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers or their tributaries. There were also dogs along the western coast, and they too ate mostly fish.

What do the mushers eat?

The dogs primarily eat beef and fish. That’s also how the dogs get a lot of their water content, because the protein is frozen, and we essentially make a goulash for them by heating snow until it’s melted and boiling. I cook their food in that. They usually eat four times a day.

What makes a good Iditarod dog?

To be a good sled dog, the animal needs to be lean, strong, attentive, and ready for the cold. They’re expected to pull people and sleds over long distances, so they need to have all of those qualities to be successful, safe, and happy. We can also set you up with a unique and fun dog sledding adventure.

What kind of food do Iditarod sled dogs eat?

Soon after she returned from the 2019 event, the Pet Food Institute chatted with Dr. Stephens about what sled dogs eat, how mushers and vets keep dogs healthy on the trail, and about the role nutrition plays in ensuring the dogs are at peak health and condition. PFI: What and how much do Iditarod sled dogs eat and drink?

How many miles does a dog run in the Iditarod?

If you fed an Iditarod diet to most dogs, they would either develop severe diarrhea and/or become morbidly obese quickly, given the high protein, fat and overall caloric intake. Iditarod canine athletes run up to 100 miles per day, while a normal pet will run an average of 3-5 miles per day.

How are dogs cared for before the Iditarod?

Dr. Stephens: Health of the dogs is the number one priority during the Iditarod, and a team of veterinarians works to provide dog care for each participant before and during the race. A month before the race, all dogs that are selected by the musher (up to 24) undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) and screening blood work.

Are there any Poodles in the Iditarod race?

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, musher John Suter ran dog teams that included poodles. Really. Now, race rules indicate that “only dogs suitable for arctic travel” are permitted to enter the race. Iditarod officials eventually determined that the poodles’ undercoat wasn’t right for insulating them against harsh conditions.