Prey for the Painted Dog are mostly medium sized antelope like Impala, Bushbuck, Duiker, Kudu and Reedbuck. They have been known to take Wildebeest and also chase Eland and Buffalo although they rarely kill these larger animals.

A three and a half year study during the period 1994 - 1997 on a farming property in Zimbabwe conducted by G Rasmussen concluded that stock losses attributed to the Painted dog were not valid. In fact it could be determined that the main culprit in stock losses was the two legged predator, himself.

Indeed no stock was taken when prior to this study reports were rife. When the dogs were tracked across the farm they were taking their usual prey most of the time and did not selectively target cattle as was being claimed. In four instances the dogs were tracked into paddocks containing calves and on no occasion was a calf taken. Twice the dogs took Duiker within 500 metres of calves which were not harassed. On the other two occasions Impala and Kudu were taken.