Feeding sled dogs: calories, cold and the Yukon Quest

Inukshuk began as a specialised kibble for Canada's sled dogs. Dogs in races like the Yukon Quest travel 1,000 miles of rough arctic terrain in temperatures as low as -50°C (-58°F). Inukshuk is the official dog food of the Yukon Quest.

How much energy?

Commonly cited estimates put long-distance racing sled dogs at around 10,000 kcal a day, many times what a pet dog burns. No dog can eat that in a low-density food.

Fat, fat, fat

Endurance dogs run largely on fat. That's why Inukshuk 32/32 carries 32% fat, vacuum-infused into the kibble, for 720 kcal per cup.

Water is a nutrient

In the cold, dogs lose water through breathing and work. Many mushers soak kibble or bait water with food to keep dogs drinking.

Eat when they'll eat

Stress and exhaustion suppress appetite. 32/32 is formulated to be highly palatable to encourage eating under stress.

Off-season

When training eases, many kennels step down to 30/25 or 26/16 to hold condition without excess weight. Because the formulas share ingredients and process, transitions are easy.