Guide-rated Nutrition:
What guides trust to
fuel their own dogs
No matter the job—retrieving, herding, scouting, hiking—outdoor experts expect nutrition that fuels dogs with energy and stamina. Pack Provisions dog food, treats, and supplements are built on this philosophy, providing canine-first nutrition based on experience from the field.
A DIFFERENCE YOU CAN SEE—AND GUIDES DEMAND
Dogs that get out and go deserve nutrition that supports their health and wellness, as well as their performance. Guides look for these qualities in their dogs and Pack Provisions delivers.
Healthy Skin & Coat
Salmon oil for omega-3 fatty acids and Backwoods Bites™ organ meat superfood for amino acids keep dogs strong on the outside.
Healthy Stool
Pre- and postbiotics support digestive health. Functional fiber, including miscanthus grass, encourage consistency—a must for dogs that can’t afford downtime.
Sustained Energy
Organ meat superfood packed with B vitamins and healthy fat provide energy-dense fuel. Whole-grain sorghum and barley power long days with sustained-release carbs.
feeding principles for active dogs
Regardless of whether your dog hunts with you at the lake or runs with you on the trail, these tips from guides will make sure your dog is ready to go when you are.
Maintain a working weight year-round
Guides rank being overweight as the most common issue for active dogs. Keeping dogs at an optimal weight even during times of lighter activity means it will be easier for them to get back into work when the time comes. Pack Provisions dog food provides a complete diet to keep dogs where they need to be.
“Inactive dogs put on weight and then when you get to hunting season, dogs aren't properly conditioned, are more susceptible to injury, and don't perform as well in the field.” - Tyler Mieden, hunts big game and more, runs Labs
Feed to demand, not routine
A complete diet covers dogs’ everyday needs, but guides adjust portions and ingredients based on workload. The Pack Provisions Stacked Nutrition system makes it easy. Organ-rich superfood in the base diets fuels dogs with nutrient-dense protein. Performance supplements provide an energy and joint-health boost on days that demand more. Recovery supplements replenish what a hard day takes out.
Adjusting amount/volume of food is important. People often “do not feed dogs enough when they are very active.” - William Andrews, hunts waterfowl with Labs
Watch your dog to evaluate nutrition
Ingredients matter. Guides recommend choosing nutrition based on what’s in the bag and sticking with it based on performance. Guides rank coat and stool quality almost as high as a dog’s ability to work all day in tough conditions. Watch for the same qualities in your dog—even if their work is a week of swimming at the lake.
People’s biggest mistake is “not looking into what really works for their dogs. People buy based on branding instead of trying everything and seeing what works best.” - Zach Rutledge, hunts waterfowl with Labs
Notes from the field
Ideal canine nutrition
"I’ve learned early on that the working dog nutrition has to match the workload. I focus on weight and muscle management year-round—there is no off-season. Most people let that slip, but consistency is what shows up in performance.
I run a high protein, high fat, fish-based diet, and during the season I build on it with real additions like duck fat, organs, and fresh fish. It directly impacts how my dogs perform. He performs at the top, so I feed him the best I can."
-Luke Moore, 11+-year waterfowl hunter, runs a Lab
Peak-season feeding
“My dogs stay happy, healthy and maintain weight extremely well when feeding a little extra or an extra round of food after a morning hunt. At times during the heat of the summer I will add a supplement to my dogs’ water to help them bounce back and recuperate.”
-Tucker Vines, 20-year waterfowl hunter, runs Labs and Chesapeake Bays
Get pack provisions at tractor supply
Pack Provisions is built for the dogs that do more—the ones that run birds, run around the farm, or live for the next adventure.