Fat-adapted horses have lower levels of carbon dioxide in their blood during exercise, and this my reduce the breathing effort required. Dogs lose excess body heat by panting and sweating, so a dog's requirement for water increases with increasing temperature and activity. In most cases, providing an adequate supply of fresh water will prevent dehydration but in times of prolonged exertions dietary factors may also help. High levels of dietary fiber, for example, should be avoided. Fat adaptation has been shown to help hydration in endurance horses during strenuous exercise.
Metabolic water is defined as water produced from the metabolism of nutrients in the body.
Depletion of water is a major cause of fatigue m performance horses and higher metabolic water production may provide a significant advantage in maintaining hydration during prolonged exercise. Hot weather results in increased stress for the active dog. It is also associated with reduced food intake, which can contribute to loss of condition. Preseason 'dog' can enhance a dog's abilities to withstand the rigours of the summer sport season. And increasing the level of diet fat may benefit performance dogs by providing a more concentrated energy source and promoting adaptive repossess that enhance stamina and provide protection against heat stress.