Question about feeding an overwrought greyhound

[PetraStrorm]

Bit of background:
We've had our greyhound for nearly 2 weeks now. She's settled in amazingly well and apart from a few minor issues around housetraining and sleeping at night, she's been a breeze.

One day a week she goes to dog daycare while I'm at work (work at home the other days). Last week was her first day, and when she got back she was a bit overwrought - panting a lot, pacing a bit, took her a while to settle down but after 30 mins or so she was fine again. I'm not too concerned as I'd expected her to be a bit stressed as it was her first time and she'd only been with us a week then.

Now to the question: I've been gradually changing her feeding routine from the one big meal at midday she was getting at the rehoming place, to two meals, one at breakfast and one around 5-6 pm. Tomorrow she'll be due to be fed at about 5pm, just after she gets home from dog daycare.

When she gets back she'll be more than ready to eat, but she might also be a bit stressed out again. If she is, should I wait to feed her? I'm worried about her bolting her food/getting bloat if she wallops it down. Or will it be worse to make her wait?

I'm probably worrying too much but I'm new to this and I don't want to do any harm.

Thanks in advance!

She's coping with a huge amount of change and stress at the moment.

I'd give her time after she gets home on daycare days to get settled and relaxed, perhaps even just take out for a quick 10 minutes round the block with you - time for sniffing, mooching about and just chilling with you.

While most greys are very good at telling you if meals are delayed and generally thrive on routine, I wouldn't want to feed one who was still de-stressing from her day, and in any case, stressed dogs rarely eat anyway.

If she is still showing signs of stress after the third or fourth week, I'd rethink it as an option. Does the care provider tell you much about her behaviour there?

Last week they said she'd socialised well with the other dogs. I'll ask a few more questions this week about how she is when she's there. Between last week's visit and tomorrow's, she's settled in so much more here at home, so I'm hoping it doesn't have a detrimental effect but a positive one, as it's a good chance for her to have a proper run around (they have fenced paddocks where she can be off lead)

Thanks for the advice re: feeding, I agree that sounds like a good approach.

If she's settling in well at home, that's a very good sign. I'd stick with her 2 meal routine, but there really is no problem with delaying for a little bit while she relaxes when she gets home. If she's bothering you for food, that's a really good sign!

The fenced paddocks sound lovely.