A rapt audience of agility enthusiasts gathered around a Purina expert at the United States Dog Agility Association’s premiere competition event to learn the secrets of success when feeding high-energy performance agility dogs.
Purina Senior Veterinarian RuthAnn Lobos, DVM, CCRT, CVAT, fielded questions about nutrition and performance dogs at a session Oct. 15, 2025, at the Cynosport® World Games Presented by Purina Pro Plan in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Here are highlights of the Q&A discussions.
Q: What are the key ingredients to look for in a quality dog food?
Dr. Lobos: Rather than ingredients, your dog’s health depends on receiving an appropriate amount and balance of nutrients from six groups: protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and water. Commercial dog foods labeled as complete and balanced have been carefully formulated so dogs receive the required nutrients they need to thrive – except for water, which should be provided fresh throughout the day.
Here's why nutrients from these six groups are important. Protein helps maintain lean body mass, supports a strong immune system and promotes healthy skin and coat. Fat, which provides a concentrated source of energy that is used for endurance, is more than twice the number of calories, or energy, per gram as protein and carbohydrates. Fat also is a source of essential fatty acids. Carbohydrates are a readily available source of energy that supports brain function via glucose and digestive tract health via dietary fiber.
Vitamins, which typically are not made by the body, are required in tiny amounts for normal body activities and function. Minerals are essential for important metabolic processes such as moving oxygen in the bloodstream and bone formation. Water helps move nutrients into the cells and also removes waste products. A dog whose diet is complete and balanced benefits from nutrients from these six groups for optimal health.
Q: What is the best way to know how much food to feed your dog?
Dr. Lobos: Start by following the feeding guidelines on the dog food package; however, it’s important to make adjustments to maintain your individual dog in ideal body condition. This is defined as a visible waist when viewed from above, a visible tummy tuck from the side profile and easily palpated ribs.
The Purina Body Condition System is a nine-point tool to help you monitor a dog for excess or inadequate body fat. In the landmark Purina Life Span Study, researchers showed the importance of maintaining a dog in lean body condition from puppyhood throughout life. Dogs fed to a lean body condition had a 15 percent greater median life span and a delayed onset of chronic diseases, such as osteoarthritis. Thus, regularly monitoring your dog’s weight and body condition will help you know if your dog is receiving the correct calories for his individual needs.
Q: Should a performance agility dog be fed once or twice a day?
Dr. Lobos: The short answer is performance dogs should be fed once a day in the evening. A dog should be fed after the day’s activities and then given an 18- to 24-hour rest before the next day’s work. Studies show a dog’s performance can increase twofold when it exercises on an empty stomach compared to having eaten just four hours before. Eating too closely to exercise can also cause fatigue and increase the risk of bloat.
Q: Is it okay to feed a performance food year-round?
Dr. Lobos: Absolutely. In fact, switching to a maintenance diet in the off-season is like metabolically detraining your dog. Maintenance foods typically deliver a high level of carbohydrates, which decreases the metabolic capacity to use fats and ultimately results in reducing endurance.
Agility dogs should be fed a performance food that provides from 28 to 30 percent protein and from 18 to 20 percent fat to sustain their high energy demand. Ideal foods for these hardworking dogs are one of the Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Formulas, which contain 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat.
It is best to reduce the portion of a performance food fed in the off-season and monitor body condition to keep a dog healthy and fit. This will prime a dog for hard work and increase his fat and protein metabolism. A high-fat diet provides the preferred source of energy during exercise, as fat increases the number of mitochondria in muscle cells, which promotes burning fat for energy. Protein helps support strong muscles and maintain the body protein balance during hard work when exercise activates protein breakdown.
