Two to four cups of dry food (kibble) per meal, mixed with warm water is usually appropriate at first. You may need to reduce the amount after the first few weeks according to your dog’s activity level and age. You should be able to feel the ribs, but only be able to see the outline of the last rib. Do not over feed your Greyhound. A fat Greyhound is an unhealthy Greyhound. You may mix in vegetables, boneless chicken, cottage cheese, yogurt, canned dog food to the kibble.
DO use a small chunk, ‘high-quality’ dry dog food.
DO leave your dog alone while feeding.
DO feed your dog at the same time every day.
DO let your dog out soon after feeding to relieve himself/herself.
DO monitor your dog’s eating habits.
DO pick up any food not eaten after 20-30 minutes.
DO watch for itchy, flaking skin.
DON’T let your Greyhound eat everything in sight.
Greyhounds generally have excellent appetites and will eat anything. Unfortunately, everything doesn’t quite agree with them. Despite what advertisers would have us believe, your Greyhound will be happiest with the same food every meal. Remember the kibble should still be the main source of food.
DON’T let your Greyhound exercise strenuously immediately after eating.
Allow 60 minutes after eating before strenuous exercise. All deep-chested dogs, including Greyhounds are susceptible to bloat, a condition that can be fatal. To help prevent this condition, elevate the dog’s food and water dish.
DON’T be afraid to share your healthy treats.
If your new pet expects you to share your banana as you slice it for your cereal, don’t be surprised. Your Greyhound may have eaten bananas, apricots, pumpkin, applesauce, spinach, and even vanilla ice cream on a limited level as a racer.
A cooked egg in their food, ½ cup of cooked vegetables, cottage cheese or yogurt once in a while is perfectly acceptable. If you notice your dog eating grass in the yard, add some greens or V-8 juice to their food.
DON’T ever feed your dog chocolate.
Reactions to this tempting sweet vary from dog to dog, but none are good. Chocolate contains ingredients that can speed your dog’s heart rate, cause allergic reactions, and in some cases can be fatal.
DON’T feed your dog ‘people shaped’ treats.
Some dog treats, like miniature hot dogs or bacon, contain a lot of dyes and sugar. Stick to the basics of good quality hard biscuits.
DON’T feed your dog any food or treats containing red dye.
Also, NEVER give your dog:
any beef-basted chews rawhide pigs’ ears cow hooves.
DON’T feed your dog from the table.
This will only encourage bad habits that are hard to break.
NEVER give: fat from meat corn potatoes onions peas grapes or raisins (they are toxic).
DON’T leave alluring items on kitchen counters.
Greyhounds are curious by nature and may sample items left on the counter.
DON’T be alarmed by your Greyhound gulping down his/her meal.
Greyhounds generally ‘bolt’ their food without much, if any, chewing.
EXERCISE:
The first time your dog exercises in your yard off the leash should be in daylight and under an adult’s supervision. You may need to restrict your dog’s activity in a new area. Greyhounds have been conditioned for sprinting and may become so excited and interested by a new exercise area that they overdo it. They may even injure themselves by running into a fence or a tree until they are familiar with their new yard.
If you plan to use your Greyhound as a partner in a walking or jogging fitness program you ‘must’ start slowly. Greyhounds are exercised primarily on sand in their kennel situation, which means the pads on their feet are smooth and soft. A little time must be taken to build up the calluses needed to exercise with you on cement or blacktop. Remember, concrete or blacktop can get too hot for your pet’s feet. Start your dog’s regimen the same way you did yours, slowly. Walk or jog two or three blocks at first and then gradually increase.
**Care should be taken during extreme temperatures.**
Your dog is VERY susceptible to heat stroke, just as you are. During hot weather it is NOT advisable to let your Greyhound jog. Longer walks should be in the morning or evening. Remember Greyhounds have no fat layer or undercoat to protect them in either too hot or cold situations. Make sure your dog is completely cooled down before feeding. A popular myth about Greyhounds is that as ex-athletes, they require a lot of exercise. In reality, the Greyhound is a pretty lazy dog. However, most Greyhound pets can be kept happy and healthy with a 10-minute daily walk. Although romping and running in a large fenced area is fun, it is not essential. The most obvious and easiest exercise answer is in your own fenced backyard. The typical Greyhound enjoys a few laps around the yard at top speed and then is finished. Care should be taken in introducing your new Greyhound to your yard or any new fenced area before turning him/her loose in it. This means a walk around the fence so that the dog can familiarize himself/herself with the boundaries. You also should let the dog investigate the hazards in your yard such as a barbecue pit or planter. It is not unusual for a new Greyhound to refuse to eat for a day or two. To encourage eating, you may want to substitute warm (low sodium) broth for water. This makes the dry kibble more appealing. Repeat this routine at the next feeding and your Greyhound will quickly learn mealtime limitations. Cold, dry weather can irritate a Greyhound’s skin. You may add one or two teaspoons of vegetable, olive or flaxseed oil to your dog’s food. Also, an Omega 3 Gelcap may be added to the food. Pick a feeding time that is convenient for this routine. Greyhounds like consistency. If you are using a crate, you should feed your dog in the crate. If you are not using a crate, pick a quiet corner of the room where he/she will not be disturbed. Do not feed more than one dog in one area. You should separate your dogs when feeding in order to monitor how much food each dog is eating. Separate feeding also helps avoid disputes over food. Food can be a major motivator in dog fights.Do not use generic dog food or grocery store food. Meat should be the first ingredient in the dog kibble. A poor grade food only allows for more waste product and less nutrition. Use senior food for dogs over six years of age.Cold weather presents other hazards for this desert breed. A warm-up blanket (coat) made for Greyhounds is an excellent idea for walking or jogging in temperatures in the fifties. Each dog is an individual with different activity levels. Generally, younger dogs enjoy higher activity than older dogs.
**Care should be taken during extreme temperatures.**
Your dog is VERY susceptible to heat stroke, just as you are. During hot weather it is NOT advisable to let your Greyhound jog. Longer walks should be in the morning or evening. Remember Greyhounds have no fat layer or undercoat to protect them in either too hot or cold situations. Make sure your dog is completely cooled down before feeding. A popular myth about Greyhounds is that as ex-athletes, they require a lot of exercise. In reality, the Greyhound is a pretty lazy dog. However, most Greyhound pets can be kept happy and healthy with a 10-minute daily walk. Although romping and running in a large fenced area is fun, it is not essential. The most obvious and easiest exercise answer is in your own fenced backyard. The typical Greyhound enjoys a few laps around the yard at top speed and then is finished. Care should be taken in introducing your new Greyhound to your yard or any new fenced area before turning him/her loose in it. This means a walk around the fence so that the dog can familiarize himself/herself with the boundaries. You also should let the dog investigate the hazards in your yard such as a barbecue pit or planter. It is not unusual for a new Greyhound to refuse to eat for a day or two. To encourage eating, you may want to substitute warm (low sodium) broth for water. This makes the dry kibble more appealing. Repeat this routine at the next feeding and your Greyhound will quickly learn mealtime limitations. Cold, dry weather can irritate a Greyhound’s skin. You may add one or two teaspoons of vegetable, olive or flaxseed oil to your dog’s food. Also, an Omega 3 Gelcap may be added to the food. Pick a feeding time that is convenient for this routine. Greyhounds like consistency. If you are using a crate, you should feed your dog in the crate. If you are not using a crate, pick a quiet corner of the room where he/she will not be disturbed. Do not feed more than one dog in one area. You should separate your dogs when feeding in order to monitor how much food each dog is eating. Separate feeding also helps avoid disputes over food. Food can be a major motivator in dog fights.Do not use generic dog food or grocery store food. Meat should be the first ingredient in the dog kibble. A poor grade food only allows for more waste product and less nutrition. Use senior food for dogs over six years of age.Cold weather presents other hazards for this desert breed. A warm-up blanket (coat) made for Greyhounds is an excellent idea for walking or jogging in temperatures in the fifties. Each dog is an individual with different activity levels. Generally, younger dogs enjoy higher activity than older dogs.
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