Energy bars for working dogs

[sheep boy 3000]

Has anyone got experience using energy bars for dogs?
During a difficult hill gathering, caused by 2 ramblers in the wrong place at the wrong time, twice, my Huntaway took a seizure.
Blood results that night showed low glucose levels of 2.5 were most likely the cause.
The veterinary nurse mentioned energy bars to help as feeding the dog while working is not ideal.
She is precious to me and almost loosing her was difficult. The 2 ramblers were lucky I didnt get my hands on them as getting the dog to the vet was priority.
Any advice about the pros or cons of these bars would be welcome.

 

[Nearly]

Dog chew treats by another name?

 

[Ramrod]

I use Skinner's Field & Trial Dog energy bars 35g during the shooting season. Has 2 through the day, likes them, and keeps them going, then normal meal when we get home. No problems other than darker shiit.

 

[happycows]

I have a tribe of springer spaniels used for beating and picking up in the shooting season. I’ve been there with collapsed dogs several times before.
I’ll take 3 packets of cheap Lidl custard creams every day when out working. They cost about 23p a packet. Also have a couple of glucose pouches used by athletes in my pocket too for an emergency.

Kronch or skinner’s energy bars are good but prohibitively expensive when your out several days a week and run 6/8 dogs. Biscuits are cheap energy, readily available and dogs eat them easily.

 

[sheep boy 3000]

I have a tribe of springer spaniels used for beating and picking up in the shooting season. I’ve been there with collapsed dogs several times before.
I’ll take 3 packets of cheap Lidl custard creams every day when out working. They cost about 23p a packet. Also have a couple of glucose pouches used by athletes in my pocket too for an emergency.

Kronch or skinner’s energy bars are good but prohibitively expensive when your out several days a week and run 6/8 dogs. Biscuits are cheap energy, readily available and dogs eat them easily.

Thanks for the advice. I didnt think of biscuits, sugar is sugar at the end of the day.
If only ramblers knew the trouble they can cause.
She is a lot better the dog but she can still have a few more days off. She looks after me during the day, I look after her the rest of the time, its the least you can do

 

[womble8350]

Lad that works for me who goes beating on the grouse gives his dog a mars bar.

 

[Dry Rot]

The best feed to put condition on dogs is the thin sheet of tissue that covers the tripe/intestine of a beast, called mesentery. One of my vets used to swear by stitching a loop of it into the wound when performing surgery. I assume it supplies blood and nutrients to the outside of the gut. I consider it a 'cure all' and what I go to for a sick dog. Not sure I would trust energy bars. Chocolate is meant to be poisonous for dogs. Always follow Nature is my maxim.

 

[hendrebc]

You were lucky the dog came around. Place I used to help at we were gathering their mountain and one of the dogs was having a fit like that but sort of got over it. They put it in the tractor cab with me and told me to take it down with the trailer to take it home. It started again on the way and fitted all the way back and died
Always given my dogs something mid day after seeing that if we're out all day. I'm not usually fussy what though as long as they've had something. They do like custard creams though after it was mentioned.

 

[sheep boy 3000]

Her condition is very good, almost a bit too good, which might have not helped when she took a seizure.
She normally runs at around 35kg but after passing over the weigh bridge at the vets she was 37.5kg which is a bit heavy for my liking.
I will give her a few more days and get her back out. Her happy days are when she is working.

 

[Macsky]

Her condition is very good, almost a bit too good, which might have not helped when she took a seizure.
She normally runs at around 35kg but after passing over the weigh bridge at the vets she was 37.5kg which is a bit heavy for my liking.
I will give her a few more days and get her back out. Her happy days are when she is working.

What do you feed her normally? Is she perhaps on too much carbs? Dogs are naturally carnivores and much more suited to high protein/fat diets, and not carry excess weight.

 

[sheep boy 3000]

She gets a tin of Butchers and Pedro muslie mix dry in her other bowl. Sometimes milk in her 3rd bowl as a treat.
The vet commented on her coat being in good condition.
I dont skimp feeding her even though the tins cost a fortune.
Its because she's worth it.
Everyone has their own way with dogs but with the Huntaway I would recommend raising them in the house. She trained at 8 months and was working on the hill within 3 days. Not by choice before anyone mentions over working a young dog. We were up the creek after my other one got injured, right at the start of summer bringing flighty lambs in.

 

[happycows]

It is sugar levels not body condition. They wouldn’t be able to mobilise fat fast enough to cure lack of energy.
Fitness is also important but even the fittest of dogs can push their bodies too far.
They love what they do and don’t know when to stop for self preservation.

 

[Macsky]

It is sugar levels not body condition. They wouldn’t be able to mobilise fat fast enough to cure lack of energy.
Fitness is also important but even the fittest of dogs can push their bodies too far.
They love what they do and don’t know when to stop for self preservation.

They could mobilise fat more easily if they were used to burning it a bit. I try not to feed too many carbs and frequently let my dogs fast for 24hrs, once a fortnight max maybe when they’re not busy, I think it helps keep them in shape, nothing worse for a working dog than being overweight, it’s not fair on them.

 

[ARW]

I know a few people that carry a mars bar and give a chunk to the dog at certain times

 

[steveR]

Lad that works for me who goes beating on the grouse gives his dog a mars bar.

Yep, seen that done with the Lab of one of our shooters party in the past.

Not sure chocolate is that good for them, but it turned the dog around in 15-20mins!

 

[steveR]

She gets a tin of Butchers and Pedro muslie mix dry in her other bowl. Sometimes milk in her 3rd bowl as a treat.
The vet commented on her coat being in good condition.
I dont skimp feeding her even though the tins cost a fortune.
Its because she's worth it.
Everyone has their own way with dogs but with the Huntaway I would recommend raising them in the house. She trained at 8 months and was working on the hill within 3 days. Not by choice before anyone mentions over working a young dog. We were up the creek after my other one got injured, right at the start of summer bringing flighty lambs in.

Really good product I have found here. Had a Lab bitch who would not fill out as a youngster and it was a revelation after a few weeks on Butchers Tripe and mix. Still use it at shooting time...

I recommended it to a couple of local Police dog handlers and it really transformed their big Shepherds, body and coat.

 

[Hesstondriver]

we make our own ,

liver + porridge oats in the blender until it looks like slurry , tip on to a baking tray and bake then cut in to lumps . dogs go nuts for them and i know whats in them

 

[steveR]

we make our own ,

liver + porridge oats in the blender until it looks like slurry , tip on to a baking tray and bake then cut in to lumps . dogs go nuts for them and i know whats in them

Doggy flapjacks.... but where is the butter and syrup???

 

[Treecreeper]

I know a few people that carry a mars bar and give a chunk to the dog at certain times

I've always had springers, one in particular used to go wobbly whilst working on a regular basis. I used to carry a Mars bar and slice off slivers when needed, always careful not to give a large amount. I like idea of custard creams., rather partial myself

 

[Top Tip.]

I think I would be slightly concerned if I was having to top up my dogs with biscuits halfway through a gathering. Regularly used to do long days in the hill this was using collies and beardie collies. I have very occasionally seen other peoples dogs fitting and it was always down to an underlying medical condition.