Greyhounds are known for their limber posture. In order to keep them at a healthy weight while supporting their unique health needs, their diet should be carefully curated. Since these dogs aren’t as active as one might think they should be, how much should greyhounds eat?
A greyhound’s dietary needs change as they age, but generally speaking, a grown greyhound can eat between 2 and 4 cups of food per day. This will vary depending on calories, as well as what type of food you choose to feed them. There are also essential nutrients to consider in your greyhound’s diet, as well as certain foods they should never eat.
Feeding your greyhound an adequate diet needs to be a high priority to avoid health problems, to sustain their energy levels, and to keep them happy. If you’re concerned about their weight or adequate nutrition throughout their life, it’s ideal to talk to a vet before trying to improve things on your own.
How Much Should Greyhounds Eat?
It’s best to stick with recommendations you find through your food choice, their age, and your vet’s help. Feeding them any more could cause them to gain weight, which they don’t need. Many greyhound parents struggle with this because greyhounds are naturally thin dogs.
Their thin build isn’t a concern, as they don’t need a lot of body fat to function in a healthy manner. They also aren’t as athletic as their history as race dogs would make you believe.
In terms of how often adults should eat, they should get at least two meals per day. If it seems like they don’t finish an entire meal, consider splitting up their daily food into smaller meals spread out throughout the day. They shouldn’t have all their food poured into their dish in the morning, or they’ll try to eat it all at once and get sick.
A greyhound’s weight is also going to impact how much food they should eat every day. This is not just to determine whether or not they are at a healthy weight, but in order to make sure they get enough food to support maintaining a healthy weight. Greyhounds can be fairly tall, large dogs, weighing anywhere between 50 and 85 pounds.
How Much Should Greyhound Puppies Eat?
Greyhound puppies tend to need more food spread out into more frequent meals per day. You should be sure you feed them small breed food so their delicate system doesn’t get overwhelmed. They need to be fed more often throughout the day so they can sustain their higher energy levels.
As soon as you bring your greyhound home and throughout their entire life, they should always have access to fresh, clean water. You should also monitor their drinking so you know that they are staying hydrated enough, especially when they are still active. A touch of well-made wet food will also help boost their hydration.
How Much Should Senior Greyhounds Eat?
Senior greyhounds are not going to be as active as puppies or adults, so they don’t need as many calories per day to sustain their energy levels. They also don’t always have as ravenous of an appetite as they did when they were younger. For greyhounds, they are usually considered seniors when they reach seven years old.
It’s recommended that you don’t cut their food down by a drastic amount in case they do end up maintaining a similar appetite. You should also still encourage your older pup to go on a walk each day to keep them active. If you notice they eat significantly less seemingly out of nowhere, it’s worth consulting with your vet to make sure nothing unfortunate is going on.
Greyhound Food Recommendations
Even though some greyhounds aren’t as active as other dogs, they still need food with high fat and protein content. This will help support their muscles and add some lean fat to their body. Since greyhounds have short coats, they can get cold very easily.
The recommendation for nutrient distribution in their food is at least 25 to 30% protein, with at least 15% fat, and 5% fiber. Greyhounds don’t need food with substantial carbohydrates. Animal-based protein is always best, but some healthy vegetables in their food are ideal for added vitamins and fiber content.
Feeding your greyhound primarily dry kibble is also suggested in order to sustain their satiety and to help clean their teeth as they chew. You can mix in a small amount of wet food or water if your greyhound needs more moisture to enjoy their kibble. Their hydration levels are important, but so is their dental hygiene.
In terms of any human foods you can let them try in very small amounts, there are foods to avoid and foods that can be of small benefit. For instance, cooked egg with no seasoning can give them nice vitamins that will help gloss up their coat. Cod liver oil or fish without brine offers a tasty nutritious boost to their regular diet.
How To Feed Greyhounds
You should know that finding food that both works well for your dog’s health and is tasty to them can take some trial and error. You will also want to give them scheduled feeds throughout the day rather than letting them free feed. These dogs prefer to have routine, and feeding should be included in that.
Younger pups might need their measured food divided into three to four meals per day, and as they get older, you can do less feeds per day if you’d like. Just be sure they get enough food so they don’t become underweight or don’t lose their energy.
Female greyhounds also usually require a little bit less food per day than males do. Their weight will also determine how much they need to eat within the recommended guidelines. A good indicator of this will be reading the package to determine how many calories are in a cup of their desired food. Getting a second opinion from your vet is a good idea too.
If you are switching your greyhound from one type of food to another, you want to transition them slowly. This can be done through splitting each food into their bowl, decreasing the amount of old food over time and replacing that amount with the new food. Changing their food abruptly could cause them stomach upset, which could deter them from eating the new food.
What Greyhounds Shouldn’t Eat
Overfeeding a greyhound is never recommended, as extra weight is harder for them to handle. This is especially true as they get older, since they’ll likely become couch potatoes by that time. A few extra calories here and there may not be a lot to us, but it can be for a dog.
There are also human foods that can make your greyhound very ill, and these should be avoided at all costs. While it can be hard to say no to a begging dog, certain circumstances require you to do so at all times.
Some foods that greyhounds should never eat include:
- Fried, salty, and overly seasoned foods, especially processed and fast food
- Onions, garlic, and leeks
- Chocolate and cocoa, or anything containing caffeine
- Raw meat and fish
- Grapes and raisins
- Cooked meat with bones intact
- Foods containing artificial sweeteners (be on the lookout for peanut butter with artificial sweeteners)
- Fruits with seeds and pits inside
More Food Tips For Greyhounds
Greyhounds can be tough pups to feed in that they can be selective, it can be difficult to control their eating habits, and they are prone to food sensitivities. It’s going to take some trial and error when you’re determining the best food for them. Stay patient with them and understand that they aren’t undereating or overeating out of defiance.
That said, avoid foods that contain common allergens for dogs, such as corn, wheat, and soy. When letting them have an occasional human food treat, giving them dairy might not be the best choice for their tummies even if they like it.
It’s also advised by most vets and greyhound experts that you don’t walk your greyhound at least a half an hour before and after meal time.
Because greyhounds can resource guard, especially with food, you should feed your greyhound and the other pet in separate areas. This will ensure your greyhound only eats their own food and doesn’t go after the other pet’s food. Additionally, it’ll reduce any territorial behavior towards the other dog trying to go after their food.
Final Thoughts
Greyhounds can be fussy eaters, but once you implement a routine for them and find a food that they digest well, it’ll become a much easier process. Answering how much should greyhounds eat is going to change over time as they age and develop different needs.
When you take care of a greyhound and give them shelter, good food, and affection, they will pay you back tenfold. These adorable dogs make for wonderful companions that are happy to relax and cuddle with you after a delicious meal.