Greyhounds thrive on a well-assorted diet consisting of balanced meals. The ‘best food’ is a never-ending debate within the pet, veterinary, and commercial world. You must provide your greyhound with the best quality and nutritional meals within your budget.
There are foods, however, that are detrimental to your greyhound’s health. When feeding your greyhound, there are No-Go foods you should keep away from your hound. Here is a comprehensive list of the foods to avoid feeding your dog:
- Salt and Sugar
- Grapes and Raisins
- Milk and Eggs
- Avocado
- Raw potatoes
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Sweets and chewing gums
- Raw garlic and onions
- Macadamia nuts
- Human medication
- Yeast
- Raw meat and fish
Salt and Sugar
These taste enhancers may be right for you but do more harm than good to your hound. Keep salt at bay and any canned foods containing excess salt. Even your pretzels should be a treat only for your guests. Salt can predispose your dog to sodium iron poisoning. You will end up noticing a thirsty dog, nausea, and vomiting. High fever and seizures can lead to a fatal end to your loved one. Dog foods have sugar in their ingredients, so adding more is unreasonable. Not only does it lead to obesity but tooth decay too.
Grapes and Raisins
Save these for your fancy dates and away from your pooch. Their skins are indigestible and can cause lethargy. Also, grapes and raisins are not dog-friendly and will lead to discomfort. Not even the pulp is safe for giving your hound. Avoid these at all costs.
Milk and Raw eggs
It’s true. Many dogs are lactose intolerant, and your greyhound is no exception. Giving your four-legged friend milk is harmful as it causes bloat. Another arising issue will be diarrhea plus excessive itching. Milk and dairy products lead to allergies, which can be costly to treat.
Have you noticed the change in texture in your hound’s coat? Chances are, you have been feeding him raw eggs. Eggs ingestion prevents Vitamin B absorption in your dog, which is fatal over time. The Salmonella and E. Colli present in some raw eggshells will lead to food poisoning.
Avocado
You should know that avocado pits, leaves, and the raw fruit should be out of bounds. No matter how much your hound whines for this, do not heed to its demands. Otherwise, you will be exposing it to gastrointestinal blockage or worse yet toxicity. The persin substance present in the avocados makes them unsafe for doggy consumption.
Raw potatoes
Raw potatoes contain enzymes that make it hard for dogs to digest them. As a result, it will lead to gastrointestinal issues like bloating and fecal bulk. This will cause your hound so much discomfort he may refuse to eat all together. If you have to add potatoes in your hound’s diet, ensure that you cook them.
Alcohol
This one may seem quite obvious, but you’d be surprised at how ignorant some pet owners can get so we won’t skip it. Under no circumstances should you give your greyhound alcohol. Don’t leave empty bottles or glasses where your hound can reach after your party. It won’t be a pretty party when your dog is rolling around from excess intoxication.
Alcohol causes central nervous system depression alongside erratic breathing in dogs. Immediately after consumption, your dog will be on a diarrhea and vomiting spree. Seizures and a possible coma may follow, and sometimes even death depending on the amount they consumed. Alcohol is strictly unsuitable for canines.
Chocolate
It’s the festive season, and you want to show affection by offering chocolate to your hound. Stop! There will be no merrymaking once your hound starts exhibiting muscle tremors and a fast heartbeat. Dark and unsweetened chocolate are the worst treats for a dog, especially the Baker’s chocolate brand. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which dogs are very sensitive to. Dogs can’t efficiently break down and excrete methylxanthines as humans do.
Sweets and Chewing gums
You may be as guilty as your neighbor for popping some candy in your hound’s mouth. Amidst that savory goodness, something not so sweet may happen. Sweets contain xylitol, a chemical that shoots your dog’s insulin levels up. The consequences are liver failure, which subsequently leads to death. Be keen to keep the sweets, gums, and lollies from your greyhound.
Garlic and onions
Some owners give their dogs a tiny bit of garlic to prevent fleas from infesting their hounds. Little by little, they then raise the amount to 1 teaspoon per 2 kilos of kibble. Scrap that and avoid garlic altogether. There are safer and better ways of preventing your dog from suffering from a flea infestation. Raw onion and garlic lead to anemia that ruins your dog’s red blood cells.
Macadamia nuts
Every time you go to buy dog food, check for nuts. While other nuts are okay, macadamia nuts are what you should avoid. Symptoms like paralysis of the hindquarters, muscle tremors, and vomiting will show. Your greyhound will succumb to nut poisoning. You can prevent this by avoiding macadamia during mealtimes.
Human medication
When your hound has a fever or a particular symptom, you may feel compelled to give human medicine. Please don’t. As clearly written on the packages, human medicine is for humans, not dogs. While you may think administering ibrufen to your dog will keep them alive, it may actually kill them. Keep any medication out of the reach of children and dogs.
Yeast
Yeast is good for making the dough rise, but it could also swell your dog’s stomach. Keep off this product to save your hound from severe pain. Once yeast ferments, it releases alcohol as a by-product. We already warned you against alcohol so, let’s put the yeast pack off dog’s reach.
Raw meat and fish
A raw meat diet is a controversial topic. The popularity of a diet that emphasizes on raw meat and bones is on the rise. Vets and the FDA however, disagree on a raw meat-based diet with it’s effects clearly documented. The potential risks include harmful bacteria found in raw meat, and an unbalanced diet will damage your dog’s health if continued for a long period of time. Your greyhound may also break their teeth, choke on bones or puncture their internal organs.
Uncooked fish is also a no-go due to its parasitic contents. The parasites lead to parasite poisoning. You will know your hound is suffering from this when you notice swelled lymph nodes and vomiting. Avoid all this can be avoided by cooking the meat for your greyhound.
What you should do when your greyhound is exposed to toxins or poisonous substances
As a pet owner, it is a life-saving skill to know what to do in case your dog is exposed to toxins and poison. From the above instances, it is crystal clear that your dog can come into contact with toxic substances from many things and places. If you think your greyhound has been in contact with poisonous substances, it is important to act fast.
- Identify the toxic or poisonous agent.
Try to identify the poisonous substance and how your greyhound came into contact with it. Was it a harmful food, a poisonous plant, a toad, or a chemical? If you can, carry it with you when seeking help.
2. Get a veterinary’s help.
Quickly call your vet for medical advice, even if your dog seems fine. Never wait for your hound to show signs of illness as it may be too late then. Do not give your dog a home remedy without consulting a veterinary first.
Your vet may advise you to:
- Rush your greyhound to the nearest veterinary clinic. Remember to carry the package or source of toxin carefully wrapped to avoid further contamination.
- Induce vomiting at home, especially if the toxin isn’t caustic or a petroleum product. Always keep an unopened bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your home. The vet will give you a favorable recommendation on the right amount to use. Usually, the recommended amount is one tablespoon per 20 pounds every 10 minutes until your dog starts vomiting. If your greyhound doesn’t vomit within 30 minutes, rush to the veterinary clinic.
- If your greyhound’s coat came into contact with the toxin, you might be advised to wash him. A grease-cutting shampoo is advisable as it works best.
- You may also be advised to call animal poison control. The following numbers are important: ASPCA Poison Control (888)426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline (800) 213-668.
3. Always be ready for an emergency.
Keep your greyhound’s medical records, including drug allergies, vaccination history, current medication, food, and identification in an accessible place. Ensure your greyhound wears a collar with an ID tag. Always contact a vet if your dog shows signs of illness even if you aren’t certain it is poisoning. Toxicity symptoms may take hours to show, sometimes even days. Signs may include collapsing, seizures, trouble breathing, muscle rigidity, diarrhea, and poor appetite.
4. Beware of poisoning.
Keep toxic or potentially dangerous items out of your dog’s reach, including your garbage. Use products that are safe for your pet at home. Keep pet-safe plants and flowers around your home and yard. Prevention is the best way to protect your greyhound.
Finally, do not overfeed your greyhound in a bid to fatten them. Remember, they are lean dogs with a slender body. You should be able to feel their hipbones. Have a strict feeding schedule and be on the lookout for any unusual tendencies.
There are many foods acceptable to dogs, so you don’t have to put a stop to all the fun and delicacies. Invest in lean meat cuts, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables. Excluding what we have highlighted, the variety available to feed your greyhound is immeasurable. Keep the vet’s number close by so that in case of an emergency, you can easily get expert advice.
