Field & Stream Pack Provisions is the new kid on the block when it comes to premium dog food for sporting dogs. But that doesn’t mean that the brand’s products don’t come from a place of deep experience and expertise when it comes to gun dogs. The company’s dog nutrition products are backed by Field & Stream—a classic hunting brand with origins dating back to 1871. The over 150 years of outdoor experience was channeled into creating products designed specifically for hunting companions and involved the input of cutting-edge working dog experts like Dr. Robert L. Gillette, a veterinarian with 38 years of practice experience, including 25 years as a board-certified veterinary specialist in sports medicine and rehabilitation. He has also spent 30 years studying and researching the performance sciences related to athletic working dogs—and incorporated his findings into optimizing Pack Provisions products. According to Dr. Gillette, here’s what you need to know about Pack Provisions dog food and supplements.
Supporting the Metabolic System
Compared to your standard house dog, working dogs are athletes—and their nutritional plans must be treated as such. This means providing adequate energy for hunting and training scenarios. “There’s a whole different mental state to these guys, and it’s very hard for [non-hunters] to understand the excitement and the drive that these guys have for what they’re going to do,” says Dr. Gillette. “That drive itself will shift their metabolism.”
One way that Pack Provisions accommodates the faster metabolisms of gun dogs is by incorporating L-Carnitine in its premium 31/23 Peak Performance kibble. L-Carnitine is a derivative of amino acids and, according to a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, it is proven to specifically have beneficial impacts on the lean mass and exercise intensity of Labrador retrievers.
Additionally, Dr. Gillette worked with Pack Provisions on its Energy Dog Food Supplement, which offers a quick way to provide dogs with simple carbohydrates. When given to a gun dog 15 minutes before a hunt, this unique product helps stabilize a working dog’s metabolism, in turn reducing the dog’s stress and improving their performance.
Maximizing Protein and Fats
Another key consideration of gun dog nutrition is providing the appropriate blend of macronutrients, particularly fat and protein. Pack Provisions kibbles all provide significant amounts of fat and protein, with the highest ratio coming in its premium 31/23 Peak Performance dog food, which has 31% protein and 23% fat content. That macronutrient combo pushes the protein and fat content ratio a bump higher than the industry standard high-performance 20/30 combo—and doing so can have additional performance benefits.
“Research has shown that dogs on higher fat diets are better able to handle exercise than ones on low fat diets,” says Dr. Gillette. “Whether it’s an upland bird dog running all day or a retriever, they are better able to handle their work with a high-fat diet.”
All-Around Nutrition
According to Dr. Gillette, properly digesting the protein and fat content of a dog food requires the right blend of nutrients and vitamins. This is where all of Pack Provisions’ dog food products shine, as they incorporate pre- and probiotics and antioxidants for gut health, as well as a blend of key nutrients to support cognitive function, joint support, heart health, immune health, and skin and coat quality. The kibbles are formulated to meet AAFCO Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including the growth of large dogs. This is critical for not just providing adequate energy for field work but keeping a sporting dog healthy throughout its life.
Organ Rich Kibble
All of Pack Provisions dog food features a proprietary nutrient source: Backwoods Bites™. This trademark product is an organ-rich superfood that delivers essential nutrients such as amino acids, B vitamins, and iron.
“Organ meats provide nutrients and compounds that both directly help the body perform metabolic tasks and provide the components that allow the systems to transfer the energy around, explains Dr. Gillette, and dogs like the taste, too.
Optimizing Recovery and Preserving Mobility
In addition to an all-around nutritious dog food, one of the most important things you can do for a gun dog is to provide appropriate supplements for joints and recovery. Pack Provisions provides two easy-to-deliver products in the form of a Recovery Chew and a Mobility Chew. The Mobility Supplement has several key active ingredients to support joint health, while the Recovery Chew aids in muscle recovery and provides additional nutrients for overall well-being. When combined with Pack Provisions’ Energy Chews and all-around dog foods, these products provide a true total nutrition system geared for gun dog health and performance that’s hard to beat.