Studies in dogs and horses using the same strategy have been disappointing. An alternative strategy involving increased levels of dietary fat is preferred for these animals. High fat intake, in conjunction with endurance training causes cardiovascular, pulmonary and exymatic changes that enhance the storage of fat in muscle and increase an animals ability to use fatty acids as fuel for muscle activity. This process is known as 'fat adaptation. Racing sled dogs have been shown to perform better on high-fat diets.
Fat adaptation is believed to improve efficiency of energy utilization in performance animals.
In nonfat-adapted horses. 34 per cent of metabolic functions. This study proposed that fat adaptation increased the efficiency of energy utilization in the performance animal. Fat adaptation may also reduce breathing effort during exercise. During aerobic activity, muscles use oxygen to bum fuels, and carbon dioxide is produced as a by-product.