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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

What do you feed your retired greyhound?

6 replies

MissBetsyTrotwood · 04/11/2011 08:15

We're picking our boy up the week after next. The feed they use at the kennels is 'Odds On' (retired formula, obv) but I can't find it for sale anywhere online.

I notice there are various other brands around at Greyhound Superstore and other pet feed sites - what do you use? I might ask the kennel if we could buy a bag from them and then slowly mingle with the more easily available brand so as not to give his tummy a shock... Is that a goer or are the feeds so balanced nutritionally that they have to be given as whole portions iykwim?

I'm probably totally overthinking this, but I just want it all the things we can be prepared for to be ready - so we can deal with the other stuff a little more easily!

TIA

OP posts:
Scuttlebutter · 04/11/2011 09:23

Firstly, many congratulations on the new arrival. Don't forget - we want pics when they arrrive!

It's sensible to use the feed your dog is used to in the kennels, at least initially. They will have plenty of adjusting to do once they get home and continuity of diet is one less thing to worry about, and will hopefully keep things working smoothly. Even with the same food, it's quite normal for tums to be a bit sensitive for the first few days, often as a result of the stress of moving.

Once you are all settled, you don't have to use hound-specific food, any good quality dry food will be fine. We used James Wellbeloved but you'll see many people having good results with Arden Grange, Burns etc. As with any dog, avoid any food that is stuffed with dodgy colours, flavours and junk. Earlier this year, we moved on to a BARF/raw style diet so no longer feed kibble, mainly because one of the greys has a very sensitive tum and this is working very well. However, feeding a good quality dry food is great and works well for many people.

As well as the kibble, it's a good idea to occasionally give variations (helps vary diet) such as sardines, pilchards (good for coat), the odd egg, leftover bits of pasta, rice, cooked veggies etc.

Many greys coming off the track have poor quality teeth as they've not had much hard/crunchy food - if yours has already had a dental, give regular bones etc to help keep tartar off teeth. It can also be a good idea to get your grey used to tooth brushing.

Good luck! Just one warning - they are completely addictive....

vjg13 · 04/11/2011 10:35

I give my lurchers Arden Grange and find it suits them well. We have tried other cheaper dried complete foods but find they do smaller, harder poos with the Arden Grange!

We took on the dogs as adults and despite keeping their food the same when they arrived they both had very upset stomachs for about 6 weeks. It did settle eventually and was just the stress of their owner dying and moving home.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 04/11/2011 10:37

Thanks for that! I was planning on mixing his kibble with a little lean meat (DS2 is a big meat eater) but it's good to know oily fish is a good one too. Apparently he's rather likes his food. I plan on feeding him in the morning and early evening, probably when the kids are in bed.

We're taking the camera to the kennels this weekend when we walk him. We didn't want to bring him home now because of bonfire night!

OP posts:
MissBetsyTrotwood · 04/11/2011 10:39

Ah, small smaller harder poos sound good to me! Thanks.

OP posts:
batsintheroof · 05/11/2011 12:25

We use Barking Heads-
1 pint twice a day (so two pints in total) Our doggie is 33kg, so if larger or smaller adjust slightly. It's relatively new brand, but is an ultra premium dry food and part of the 'campaign for real dog food'. Is available in jolleys or online for home delivery. It's the only thing we could get her to eat. We put in a tin of sardines-not in brine, sunflower or olive oil type only- 3 times a week.

batsintheroof · 05/11/2011 12:30

this one if you dog has a sensitive tummy

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