• Your feeding routine is part of the training process.
• Feed in the same place and try to keep to set times once you have decided your routine.
• Ensure peace and quiet for feeding time.
• Train your dog to sit and wait for food, (and to allow you to remove food if necessary).

Our greyhounds are fed once at midday. You can change this routine to suit your lifestyle and you can share the food amount between 2 meals if you want.

Racing greyhounds will have up 28 -30% protein content in their food – retired dog only needs 17-22%.
We recommend specialist Greyhound Complete Dry Food for Resting Dogs. Most of these have 17 -22 % protein content. (Also Vat free)

Foods can be fed:

• Dry – good for teeth but dangerous if not enough water drunk daily.
• Dry with cold water added at feed time.
• Soaked with cold water in advance. (Hot water destroys vitamins)

Additions to feed (optional):

• Greyhounds can tolerate additional fats without ill effects.
• Tinned Sardines/Tuna/Mackerel in oil or tomato sauce Not Brine !
• Or some oil such as Olive or Sunflower (up to 1 tablespoon daily)
• In winter a cod liver oil capsule can be given or 1 dsp cod liver oil.
• The occasional egg – cooked or raw.
• Vegetable or meat stock (cold) can be used for soaking dry food.
• Tinned meat can cause loose, smelly motions (and is heavy to carry) - AVOID.

DO NOT USE SALT/BRINE FOR YOUR DOG - IT CAN BE FATAL.

If you choose to feed twice a day you can split the daily allowance – perhaps feeding 1 meal dry and 1 soaked.

Treats:

Dry Roasted Knuckle Bones can be used weekly or fortnightly. They will aid Teeth cleaning and provide interest. Pigs Ears, Dried Tripe Sticks etc are also helpful for teeth. Give 1 per week.

Winalot Shape type biscuits / small cubes cheese etc can be used for Training Rewards and Treats.

Remember:

Pigs ears, biscuits etc can all affect your dogs’ weight unless used sparingly or food allowance is reduced accordingly. ‘Chocolate’ type dog treats only encourage your pets’ desire for real
chocolate which is poisonous for dogs.

Obesity:

Try to maintain the recommended weight for your dog – excess weight can lead to all sorts of health problems; Diabetes, Heart problems, Kidney problems, Extra pressure on aging/arthritic joints and old injuries.

You should be able to see the outline of the last three ribs and see the ‘pin bones’ at the top of the hips. If the pin bones part the coat your dog is underweight. If they disappear your dog will be overweight.

DO NOT KILL YOUR DOG WITH KINDNESS. OVERFEEDING IS CRUELTY.

Feeding in Old Age:

Older dogs can benefit from eating 2 smaller meals a day and sometimes three times daily. Some develop mild diabetes which can be helped by spreading the meals. Some dogs might benefit from specific complete food for elderly dogs. Cod Liver Oil liquid or capsules are a useful addition. Glucosamine can also be used as an additive to prevent joint deterioration.