How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Saluki Puppies
The sweet-natured Saluki puppy is the picture of grace and charm. Believed to be one of the world’s oldest dog breeds, the Saluki was once known as the Persian Greyhound or the gazelle hound. The Saluki is a direct descendant of some of the earliest dogs, possibly tracing its roots back as far as 10,000 years ago.
The Saluki was originally a working breed that spent its days hunting with Pharaohs, often accompanied by falcons on its job. The breed was deeply valued by the Egyptians and on its passing was often mummified as a sign of respect.
There are several legends behind where the Saluki gained its name. Some breeders assert that the Saluki pup is named for a city in Yemen known as Saluk. Others argue that the name is taken from another ancient city by the name of Seleukia in Syria. As a final option, many people believe that the name Saluki is Arabic and translates literally to “hound.”
One of the Saluki’s most cherished attributes is its ability to run at tremendous speeds. The Saluki runs with grace and power and is well renowned for its stamina and endurance. Watching a Saluki in motion is a wonder to behold.
The Saluki pup is a loyal and loving family companion. Aloof and reserved with strangers, the Saluki puppy is quiet dog. However, the Saluki pup also possesses a very high prey drive, and thus, is not suited to every home. The Saluki will chase things at any given opportunity. For this reason, a fenced yard is a must for this breed to prevent tragedy from occurring.
The Saluki puppy has high energy levels, and thus, must be exercised on a daily basis. The breed makes an excellent companion for many active pursuits including hiking, jogging, running, and climbing. The breed is not prone to becoming overweight, but free feeding should still be discouraged.
A puppy known for its independent thinking, the Saluki is trainable but requires some persuasion. For best results, this pup should be taught new skills through the use of praise and treats.
A breed that most often enjoys good health, the Saluki puppy can be genetically predisposed to anesthesia sensitivity, hemangiosarcoma, cardiomyopathy, and hypothyroidism. Diet can help lay a foundation for excellent health in the Saluki. The best dog foods for Saluki puppies contain supplements to support optimal heart health.
The Saluki puppy should ideally be fed a diet that contains 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. In addition to this, a diet that includes the correct amounts of calcium to phosphorus is critical to ensure a healthy rate of growth. This ratio is defined as 1.2 parts of calcium for each unit of phosphorus.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Saluki Puppies
The active and athletic Saluki pup requires a high quality diet to thrive. Trying to determine how much of a food to feed this sweet-natured breed can be challenging, requiring some trial and error. The best dog foods for Saluki puppies offer suggested serving sizes based on a pup’s age and weight. These helpful guidelines form an excellent starting point with adjustments made to reflect the pup’s own appetite, activity level, and body condition until the appropriate portion is found.
Though the Saluki puppy is not prone to weight gain, becoming underweight can be a real concern. To prevent this from happening, free feeding should be discouraged, and all mealtimes should be carefully supervised to ensure this pup receives adequate calories to support a healthy body.
Dietary Requirements for Saluki Puppy Foods
Saluki puppies require a highly nutritious diet that is well-balanced to support their unique needs as they grow. The best dog foods for Saluki puppies include a lean, meat-based protein as their foundation. A whole meat is the ideal choice; however, meat meals also contribute adequate protein to encourage healthy development in Saluki pups. By-products are taken from less desirable cuts of meat and are not as nutritionally viable, and thus, diets containing them are best avoided.
Plant proteins such as corn, wheat, and soy are common allergens for many dogs. Though the Saluki is not predisposed to allergies, foods containing these items are still not of sufficient nutritional quality to fuel their needs as they grow. Likewise, many commercial dog foods include chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives to help improve a diet’s appearance or shelf life. These ingredients are of no nutritional benefit to the Saluki puppy.
Healthy fats are a critical component of a nutritious diet, assisting the Saluki puppy with coat and skin health, brain and eye development, and strong reserves of energy. These essential fatty acids are best found in animal-based foods such as chicken fat and oily fish. Alternatively, some plant-based oils offer ample servings of the nutrients the Saluki puppy needs for optimal health and wellness.
Carbohydrates provide the Saluki puppy with the antioxidants and fiber required for optimal digestion and a healthy immune system. These carbohydrates can come from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or a combination of the three. Puppies with sensitivities to grains may do best on a grain-free diet.
The best dog foods for Saluki puppies contain supplements to assist with the achievement of optimal health and wellness. The most beneficial supplements to look for in a food for this pup are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Saluki Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Saluki puppy:
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Lean, meat-based proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
A lean meat-based protein makes the best foundation for a diet for the Saluki puppy. A whole meat is the best option; however, meat meals also contain a concentrated source of the nutrients puppies need as they grow.
Diets prioritizing the use of by-products and plant proteins are best avoided entirely.
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Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Unnecessary add-ons that provide no positive nutritional impact such as chemicals, fillers, colors, flavors, or mystery ingredients should be avoided. These can have harmful effects on the Saluki puppy’s system and can even lead to allergic reactions.
Any of the aforementioned items are hallmarks of a low-quality food that is not suitable for a growing Saluki puppy’s daily needs.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Supplements help the Saluki puppy by boosting its nutrition with additional support. The most beneficial supplements for Saluki pups are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All puppy foods considered for the Saluki pup should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it is a complete and balanced diet.