How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Greyhounds
The Greyhound is an elegant breed known for its athleticism and grace. A breed highly prized for its skill as both a hunter and a racer, Greyhounds are capable of reaching impressive speeds. Due to their high activity requirements, the Greyhound needs a diet that is calorie-dense with moderate protein content. The best dog foods for Greyhounds contain high-quality and highly digestible ingredients.
Greyhounds should be regularly weighed and body condition scored to make sure they maintain a healthy body weight. Your veterinarian can assist you with this.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Greyhounds
Greyhounds are a breed that possesses a slender, muscular frame. Since the breed burns a good number of calories in a day, they require a high-quality, well-balanced diet to fuel their bodies.
The average adult Greyhound will require approximately 1500-1700 calories of the best Greyhound dog food per day to maintain a good body condition. The individual calorie count will vary depending on factors like activity level and if they are spayed and neutered. The Pet Nutrition Alliance calorie calculator is an excellent guide but remember to consult your veterinarian for more detailed nutritional information. Meals should be spaced out throughout the daytime to ensure the dog has sufficient energy and does not become hungry. This amount of food typically equates to approximately three to four cups of food in total but will vary depending on the formulation.
Seniors require less protein and also less volume as they are less active than their younger counterparts.
Dietary Requirements for Greyhound Dog Foods
Because the Greyhound is an athlete, the quality of ingredients in the dog’s food is of vital importance.
The ingredient that is of the utmost importance in any diet for a Greyhound is a protein of excellent quality. Whole proteins are preferable; however, meat meals are also a good source of protein.
Fats from healthy sources are also important to support the Greyhound’s bones and joints. Healthy fats assist working dogs with maintaining optimal joint health. The combination of high-quality protein with healthy fat provides the fuel the Greyhound needs to live an active lifestyle.
The best dog foods for Greyhounds often include such supplements as prebiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support digestion and joint health.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Greyhounds
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Greyhound:
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Complete proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
The Greyhound, as with most dogs, excels when fed a diet that is comprised of a high-quality protein source. Whole proteins are preferred, though meat meal is also suitable.
Protein in the form of whole meat or a meat meal should be one of the first ingredients listed in any food considered for a Greyhound.
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Enriched with prebiotics and helpful supplements
All foods can benefit from the addition of vitamins, minerals, and supplements to ensure the diet is complete and well-balanced. Among the most beneficial ingredients to look for in a food for the Greyhound include prebiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Prebiotics encourage healthy digestion while glucosamine and chondroitin support optimal joint health.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
The AAFCO seal of approval certifies that a food has been inspected, assessed, and found to be worthy of the declaration that is a complete and properly balanced food.