Like other dog breeds, greyhounds greatly benefit from a well-balanced and healthy diet. Getting the right balance between protein, fiber, and fat is the trick. In the absence of a proper diet, your dog is likely to display symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Loss of weight
- Lethargy or lack of energy
- Wind
- Poor coat condition
- Sleep problems or bad behavior
Greyhounds are natural pleasers. Read on to discover pertinent dietary needs for one of the most amazing dog breeds.
What should I feed my greyhound?
Racing greyhounds and those that are highly active in high-energy activities require significantly higher amounts of fat and protein in their food compared to other dog breeds. The most suitable mixture would be 28-30% protein, 15% fat, and 5% fiber. Keep in mind that opinions about greyhounds’ dietary needs vary significantly, so this opinion may be challenged. The best approach would be to try out different foods on your dog and modify his diet, depending on his specific needs.
The National Research Council of the National Academies estimates that a greyhound weighing 70 pounds should consume 1740 calories every day. An average female weighing about 60 pounds be fed with two to four cups of food every day. On the other hand, a male weighing 70 pounds should eat three to five cups. The amounts will depend on how much exercise your dog hounds gets; the more the exercise, the larger the food portions should be and vice versa. Also, feed him with smaller food portions if you want him to lose weight and larger ones for weight gain.
As he gets older, your greyhound may consume smaller food portions due to the lower activity levels. Your veterinarian will recommend diet changes so that you meet all your senior dog’s nutritional needs.
What time should I feed my greyhound?
Greyhounds should be fed twice daily with even food portions. Depending on its weight, you can start with 2 cups of food in the morning and the same amount in the evening. You can take your greyhound to relieve himself after eating. However, avoid strenuous exercise 2 hours before and 2 hours after its meal. Strenuous exercise immediately before or after eating is one of the most common causes of bloating in dogs.
Avoid leaving food out the whole day or what is commonly known as free feeding. As greyhounds love to eat, doing this may cause them to gain lots of weight very fast. Provide your dog with fresh water during its feeding times. However, check that he does not consume too much water immediately after eating, as this can induce bloating.
What foods should I avoid to feed my greyhound?
Just like human beings, dogs should be fed with as much unprocessed and pure food as is possible. If you are uncertain about what you should buy your greyhound, ask your veterinary for a recommendation. Unless your veterinary recommends it or it is a high-quality brand, avoid giving your greyhound canned food. This is because most tinned or canned foods have fillers that may cause intestinal difficulties.
Dogs should never be fed with human chocolate as cocoa is fatal to a dog even in small quantities. Dried fruits, raisins, and grapes could also result in kidney failure in your four-legged friend. Your greyhound should also not ingest alcohol, coffee, avocados, and onions as these could compromise his health.
How to feed greyhound puppies
Due to the breed’s large size as an adult, greyhound puppies require larger food portions compared to other dog breeds. While they can survive on the mother’s milk, greyhound pups may have to feed three or more times a day. You can feed them with softened puppy food such as rice cereal mixed with goat’s milk. However, make sure you consult your veterinary of the most suitable diet for your greyhound pup.
How to feed an adopted greyhound?
As you acquaint your adopted greyhound to the home, you will also need to instill the concept that not all food is his. You will need to teach him the difference between human food and dog food. To avoid gastrointestinal upsets, you should maintain the adoption center’s diet for at least seven to ten days. After this time, you can introduce him to the dog food recommended by your vet. Seek veterinary advice if you notice such symptoms as:-
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe diarrhea or vomiting that lasts for more than one day
Keep in mind that during the first few days, the dog may have trouble adjusting. They may carry the kibble to a place they feel is private. With time, the greyhound will learn that this is his food and that he can eat it without worrying that somebody is going to take it away.
What should I feed a greyhound with diarrhea?
Every dog responds differently to different kinds of food. Greyhounds are particularly susceptible to food allergies. This is the most common cause of diarrhea in this dog breed. As the allergy advances, you will notice other symptoms such as loss of hair, especially around the eyes, as well as increased itching and scratching.
In most cases, this is as a result of the grains in kibble. Feeding your greyhound with grain-free, or potato kibble may alleviate these symptoms. The best way to treat diarrhea in your do is by feeding him a raw diet. Dealing with diarrhea in dogs sooner rather than later ensures that it does not escalate to irritable bowel, which is a serious problem.
Worms are another cause of diarrhea. In this case, take your greyhound to a veterinary center immediately.
Greyhounds are normally thin. Due to their size, it’s easy to overfeed them in a bid to ‘fatten’ them by giving them lots of extra food. While they have relatively low body fat, thus their lean build, they have higher creatinine levels compared to other breeds. The purpose of creatinine is to supply energy to the muscles and the body cells. Therefore, feeding your greyhound with a healthy and well-balanced diet should be enough.
