Fat adaptation may also reduce breathing effort during exercise. During aerobic activity, muscles use oxygen to burn fuels, and carbon dioxide is produced as a by-product. Increased heart and respiration rates during exercise facilitate an increased uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide by the lungs. Less carbon dioxide is produced per unit of oxygen when fatty acids are burned as fuels, as compared to carbohydrates. Fat-adapted horses have lower levels of carbon dioxide in their blood during exercise, and this may reduce the breathing effort required.
Getting Water From Fat
Dehydration is a major concern for all animals competing in hot weather. Dogs lose excess body heat by panting and sweating, so a dog's requirement for water increases with increasing temperature and activity. In most cases, providing an adequate supply of fresh water will prevent dehydration, but in times of prolonged exertion, dietary factors may also help. High levels of dietary fiber, for example, should be avoided, since fiber can increase water loss in the feces.
Fat adaptation has been shown to help maintain hydration in endurance horses during strenuous exercise. This is believed to be due to an increase in the production of "metabolic water" in animals fed high-fat diets. Metabolic water is defined as water produced from the metabolism of nutrients in the body. When 100 grams of fat, protein and carbohydrate are metabolized, approximately 107 grams, 40 grams and 55 grams of metabolic water are produced, respectively. Depletion of water is a major cause of fatigue in performance horses, and higher metabolic-water production may provide a significant advantage in maintaining hydration during prolonged exercise.
Hot weather results in increased stress for the active dog. It is also associated with reduced food intake, which can contribute to loss of condition. Pre-season "training" can enhance a dog's abilities to withstand the rigors of the summer sport season. And increasing the level of dietary fat may benefit performance dogs by providing a more concentrated energy source and promoting adaptive responses that enhance stamina and provide protection against heat stress."
________________________________
Another article:
"Do they require higher levels of fat than they have been getting from most commercial foods?
A resounding YES!
We now know that a high-fat diet is of dramatic benefit to a cancer patient. The same is true with a healthy dog or cat, whether he is active or inactive, young or old.
In humans, eating the bulk of your caloric intake with carbohydrates (carb loading) has proven to increase muscle-glycogen; therefore, increasing stamina. The same carb loading tested on sled dogs showed an excess accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. In horses, it caused founder and colic; therefore, establishing that canines and horses do not metabolize carbohydrates the same way as humans. Cats and dogs metabolize fat the way humans metabolize carbohydrates. It is fuel that gives them the ability to function at their greatest peak of health.
Fat adaptation has shown to reduce the effort of breathing through lowering the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Even sedentary pets benefit form the high-fat diet, giving their body what has long been required and allowing it to easily digest.
Dogs and cats maintain better body heat in cold temperatures, and in warmer temperatures, a high-fat diet guards against heat exhaustion and dehydration through fat adaptation. Dogs who are competing in field trials, lure coursing, agility, or any sport requiring excessive effort and using a high-fat diet consume less water than their competitors, giving them the competitive edge. It is believed that, this is through an increase in production of "metabolic water" in animals fed a higher-fat diet.
Metabolic water is water produced from the metabolism of nutrients in the body. Depletion of water is a major cause of fatigue, heat stroke, and in cases that are more serious, heart attack and death.
Hot or cold weather results in increased stress to any animal. When that animal is not getting a quality diet with the proper amount of fat, it takes a toll on their body, reducing their optimum state of health.
An excerpt taken form "Dogs In Canada" The Most Essential Nutrient, June 1998, Hilary Watson states: "Diets moderate in protein but high in fat, tend to help conserve body fluids in three ways".
(1) They minimize urine output by reducing the amount of nitrogen that must be eliminated form the body.
(2) They provide a more concentrated source of nutrients, thereby minimizing stool volume and fecal water losses.
(3) Dietary fat contributes metabolic water defined as water produce form the metabolism of nutrients".
Borrowed from:
http://www.beowulfs.com/magazine/nutrition.htm
http://www.k9power.com/fat'swhere.htm
_________________________________
As far as helping the dog externally deal with the heat; I would suggest hosing them down or having them stand submerged to belly if possible in water...Paying extra attention to the groin/abdominal area of the dog. Keep them in the shade and in a very well ventilated area and pacing out their exercises. I also had a couple fans in the back of my truck which were attached to their 'crates' when the vehicle was parked. It's extremely important that there is air flow in the vehicle as moisture cannot evaporate in order to cool the dog if the dog is confined in a crate in a vehicle without abundant air flow.
_________________________________
Preventing Heat Stroke in your Canine Athlete
----------------------------------------------
Crosspost from Bandog Banter
I've already seen many posts this year on the AB boards over the last few weeks about dogs that have died due to the summer heat. I also encounter it often on the job working as a Animal Warden. I wanted to take the time to post some guide lines for preventing heat stroke in your canine athletes this warm July holiday weekend. Follow these guidelines below for a cooler dog!