Feeding a balanced diet to your Greyhound
Feeding is a topic that comes up regularly in retired Greyhound groups and can often spark lively discussion!
Ultimately, what you choose to feed your dog is a personal decision, and every dog is different. We encourage adopters to feed a balanced and varied diet wherever possible, so below are just a few general feeding suggestions.
Kibble Feeding
If feeding kibble, we recommend choosing the best quality food you can comfortably afford. There are many options available across different price ranges. Some brands we have had good experiences with include Millies Wolfheart, Pooch and Mutt, Arden Grange, Autarky, Harringtons, Wainwrights, James Wellbeloved, Skinners and Fish4Dogs. to name just a few.
There are many other options available, so it is always worth researching what best suits your dog, lifestyle and budget, while paying close attention to ingredients and nutritional content.
While in racing / retirement kennels, many Greyhounds are used to having their kibble soaked and mixed with meats. It is not unusual for them to go off their food for a few days when first settling into a new home and adjusting to a new environment. If they do not begin eating after a few days, please contact your adoption group for advice.
This website can be very helpful when comparing food quality for different budgets:
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/
(River enjoying his dinner of soaked kibble, tripe and beef with added supplements).
How Often to Feed
We recommend feeding your dog at least twice a day (breakfast and dinner).
Adding Variety
Many owners choose to add variety to meals by including toppers such as raw meats, tinned meats, fish or vegetables. This can help make meals more appealing and add extra nutritional variety.
When choosing toppers, quality is still important. Brands such as Natures Menu, Naturo, Lily’s Kitchen, Pooch and Mutt, Naturediet, and Forthglade offer a good range of quality tinned foods and pouches.
Sardines or pilchards in tomato sauce or oil (rather than brine, which is often high in salt) can also make a great topper once or twice a week. Vegetables can also be added where suitable.
Raw Feeding
Some adopters choose to feed a fully raw diet and find their dogs do very well on it. Durham Animal Feeds, Natures Menu and Natural Instinct offer a wide range of frozen raw options which can be convenient if you have the freezer space.
There are also many companies that deliver raw food directly to your door, and local butchers can sometimes be a useful source too.
Natures Menu has a helpful advice section on raw feeding here: Raw Dog Food for Beginners – a Guide | Natures Menu
Changing Foods
If you decide to change your dog’s diet, always do so gradually over several days to avoid stomach upset. Give your dog time to settle onto a new food before deciding whether it suits them.
It is quite common for Greyhounds to go off their food or lose a little weight during the first days or weeks after adoption while they settle into home life, but they should regain this as they relax and adjust.
A healthy dog should generally maintain a good weight, have firm stools, good body condition and enjoy their meals.
Supplements
Some owners choose to add supplements such as seaweed, Keeper’s Mix or salmon oil to support coat, skin and overall wellbeing.
A mixed diet of kibble, meats, fish and vegetables is often similar to what many Greyhounds will have been used to during their time in racing or retirement kennels.
Greyhound Weight
Greyhound weight is another topic that comes up frequently. While some dogs may have medical reasons for being over or underweight, this guide explains healthy Greyhound weight in more detail: Correct Weight for a Greyhound — Barley Greyhound Sanctuary
You can also check your dog’s previous racing weight, which can be a useful guide. If you are concerned about weight loss, unexplained changes or your dog’s overall condition, always consult your vet.
Photos Copyright to Barley Greyhound Sanctuary.
