It is a widespread concern among dog owners about the food that our companions need to grow up healthy. Food, not in vain, is a very important issue. Since it depends on whether they have more or less life expectancy. And also the quality of those years lived. A balanced diet with the necessary nutrients will ensure that our pet has developed muscles and adequate vitality for its age. In this article we will talk about how to feed a greyhound. This breed, due to its way of being and its way of living, needs a specific diet that helps it in its day to day. It is not very different from the other races, but it does change in some nuances due to its particular organism. With the right information and some measures to take, we will know how to take care of a dog. A good diet will give them an excellent quality of life.
Depending on whether it is in the puppy, adult or senior phase, we will have to feed a greyhound in different ways. Depending on what the body needs. For example, in the puppy phase, he will need a complete and abundant diet for his perfect development. It is necessary to know how to feed a puppy dog. In the other phases, he will only need food for the energy he expends in a day, in order to keep his body nourished and agile. When feeding a greyhound, as with any other breed, we must pay attention, at any age of the dog, to the amounts that we are going to give it. We may also like other breeds. If so, we will surely be interested in knowing how to care for Dalmatian dogs.
Feed a greyhound
The calories to feed a greyhound must be enough to provide them with energy. You need this energy to exercise, keep your body active, and keep your body temperature. It is important to give him the right amount of calories. If we give him more than he needs in a day, he will gain weight, since that excess energy will be stored and he will have more fat in the body. If, on the other hand, we do not give him enough calories, he will lose weight, be weaker and his health will also worsen.
The right amount for our partner will depend on their physical activity and metabolism. There is not an exact amount for all greyhounds, although there are certain rations on which to guide us.
To feed a greyhound in the correct way, we must have information about the breed and its digestive system. The greyhound has a short and narrow digestive tract. This means that the food passes quickly through this area, since it usually takes between one day and 36 hours. We must know that its intestine is not very long either, even so, it is very efficient. The importance of a balanced diet for greyhounds is maximum. It depends on it to maintain your strength, speed, health and stay strong.
Meat
Meat gives our greyhound 50% of what they really need. Vital energy for our greyhound is supplied through healthy fats and proteins. These are responsible for the muscular tissues, the blood and the bone system. The proteins must be of quality and it is advisable to obtain them from meat or eggs. These proteins are easier to digest than vegetables. This type of food should be, more or less, between 15 and 20% of your diet.
Water
Regardless of the fact that food is very important, sometimes people make the mistake of focusing only on it. We must not forget water, which is even more important than food. If our dog is dehydrated it can have fatal consequences for his body, since the organs begin to fail. Depending on the degree of dehydration, in the worst case it can mean death.
Next to the saucepan for food, we should always have one for water and refill it several times. Dogs know how much water they need because their bodies ask for it. So we have to be attentive to whether your saucepan is empty or if the water is no longer fresh. If we go for a walk and there are no sources in the area, we must bring water to be able to supply them. Even more so on very hot days.
A mistake we sometimes make is to give milk instead of water. As much as he likes milk, it does not meet the hydration needs of our dog. In a healthy and balanced diet we should avoid adding milk, as it can cause diarrhea.
It is also important to take into account the way and amounts to give water at the end of the exercise. You should not drink too much water, not too cold. Even if he is very thirsty, we have to ration the water in quantities of 50 or 100 milliliters, so that he does not feel bad.
Instructions for feeding a Greyhound
The food that a greyhound needs can vary depending on the objectives or the specimen itself. For this reason, before entering what type of food we will give it, we must know that it will be easily digestible. These types of foods will make you feel much better. These foods to feed a greyhound must have the following characteristics:
- High quality. As we have just pointed out, they must be easily digestible. Heavy digestion will not benefit the greyhound in any way.
- Food preservation. The food for our pet should not have been exposed to extreme temperatures, but stored at the right temperature for its preservation. If the food does not meet this condition, it will lose vitamins and therefore their effect.
- Affordable for any pocket and in a nearby or easily accessible store.
- Water is important in the diet, as it keeps you perfectly hydrated.
What do you need to feed a Greyhound?
If our greyhound is for competition or we want to prepare him based on training, we must consult a specialist. Depending on the goal, the diet may change, as well as your needs. Apart from looking for information on our own, which is always positive, we should not do anything without the opinion of a specialist. He is the person who will best know how to advise us and think of a balanced, healthy and effective diet that allows us to achieve our goal.
- Competition. There are many owners of some exotic breeds that squeeze them too much. This is not a good thing and is reportable. It is one thing to compete with a dog, respecting his basic needs and his rest. But there are plenty of other people who see greyhounds, in this case, as money-making machines. There are many opinions about animal competitions and whether they are beneficial or not.
- Apart from entering this debate, we should never put our animal in a stressful situation. This will not do you any benefit. Nor should we be angry with him over the outcome of a race. Since that will say a lot about our person and the relationship we have with our greyhound.
- The food must be adequate. Many people may think that keeping a greyhound is something expensive, between vaccinations and food. Before buying or adopting one, we must think about whether we can keep them, in the same way that we think the same before having a child. In the case of knowing that we will not be able to with the expenses that this entails, we must avoid doing it. A dog, in general, needs minimal care and nutrition.
- We cannot skimp on this aspect, as it will directly affect your health. Having an animal poorly fed or in poor living conditions is also reportable and illegal.
Tips for feeding a Greyhound
It is important to always be attentive to the food that we give our greyhound. It is key in their development and health. For this reason, the food that we have at home must be stored in a place that our pet cannot access. A preventive measure is also to weigh him from time to time, in this way we will keep a control.
If we have any type of concern or doubt regarding its care or development, do not hesitate to ask our veterinarian. Professional advice never hurts. And, by the way, a periodic routine review to check that everything is still in order.
We also have the option of going to a specialized pet store and asking about the types of feed. In these places they will know how to guide us according to the needs of our pet, its activity and its organism. There are feeds that are very complete that will provide them with everything they need for a complete and healthy development. If we are looking for a supplement to an already prepared diet, in these stores we can find these products.
Bones and toys. Apart from food, in pet stores, we can find many beneficial products for dogs. There are bones that, while chewing, release vitamins and beneficial substances for your teeth. With these products you will have healthy and strong teeth. We also have toys at our disposal, since all dogs like to have fun. In this section of the store you will find many varieties of toys with different functions for the benefit of our pet.
