More Greyhound Care Tips
Greyhound Care Is More Than Just Grooming…
Greyhound care isn’t just about brushing your dog’s coat and taking him to the vet for annual checkups. There are many aspects to caring for a pooch that people tend to forget or overlook, simply because they are uneducated or are lazy. As an owner, it is your responsibility to provide your pet with the best possible care to ensure they enjoy a happy, safe and healthy life.
Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind in terms of Greyhound care:
• Feed him a high quality dog food. The first ingredient should be meat or fish and the product should contain no by-products, chemicals, preservatives or other additives.
• Keep your pooch away from water until he has been taught how to swim, not all Greys are natural swimmers.
• This breed is very sensitive to cold weather and will require a coat or sweater as an important part of Greyhound care when out in chilly and freezing temperatures.
• They are prone to bloat, which is a serious medical condition that can lead to death. Therefore, they should be fed two or three meals per day and should not be exercised directly after eating to prevent this from happening. Furthermore, this pooch is also sensitive to medication, including pesticides used for fleas. Therefore, you should speak to your vet before using any type of pest-killing product to make sure it’s safe.
• Provide your hound with a very soft bed for resting because he can develop pressure sores if he lies directly on the floor, another hard surface or even a regular bed.
• Chew toys are an important part of Greyhound care. Like most dogs he likes to put his mouth around things to explore, experience, because he’s boredom or to obtain attention. Make sure what he puts in his mouth is safe and reasonable for chewing.
• Trim his nails every 2 – 3 weeks, brush teeth every other day and groom coat with a firm bristle brush on a weekly basis. Bathing is usually only required once or twice per year.
• Exercise him every day with two brisk 20 minute walks, a good run in the yard and playtime.
Last, but certainly not least, love and affection is essential to Greyhound care. Give him plenty of this on a daily basis and he will return it ten times over.
Greyhound Puppies And The 5 Things They Need
Greyhound puppies need more than just a home and a human family to call their own, they also need to know their place in your pack and require control for their own wellbeing, something that only you – their owner – can provide them. Therefore, it is important that you have a plan of action before you bring your new pup home because the sooner you introduce him to his new life and schedule the sooner he will adapt.
Here are some of the things you should provide Greyhound Puppies:
• Safe home environment – Remove any items that are potentially dangerous to your dog, such as lose electrical wires, chemicals, cleaners, poisonous plants, children’s toys, garbage bags, etc.
• Fenced yard – If you have a backyard, make sure there is a high fence around it, one that is at least 6 feet or higher. Though a puppy won’t be able to clear a smaller fence, a full grown Greyhound can jump magnificent heights and will soar over an average sized fence if motivated (I.E. to chase a small rodent).
• Rules – Greyhound puppies need to know what is allowed and what is not right from day 1. This means teaching him to eliminate outdoors, feeding him after you eat, biting is not tolerated, etc. Essentially, he must realize that you are his master.
• Soft dog bed – Greyhounds have very slender and smooth bodies and actually require a soft bed that has been designed to accommodate canines. Make sure you choose the size that will fit him when he is fully grown. These dogs should not sleep on the floor or human beds because this can lead to skin sores. Therefore, don’t let him get into the habit of sleeping on your bed.
• Socialization – Your pal needs to meet and learn how to interact with people outside of your family as well as with other dogs. This socializing will assist with his training and help him develop into a loveable and well-rounded adult.
By giving Greyhound puppies these essentials you and your companion will be able to fully enjoy each others company, because you will have provided him with the attention, rules and comfort he requires.
Greyhound Dogs & Their Care #1
Choosing The Right Food For Greyhound Dogs Nutrition
Greyhound dogs have a very unique physiology. Therefore, unlike other breeds, they can’t have just any brand of dog food and obtain the proper nutrients they require. Since the food they ingest is a vital part of their health care, this also means you should be mindful of the types of treats you feed them as well.
When you choose food for Greyhound dogs the first thing you should avoid is choosing brands that contain large chunks of kibble or hunks of meat. Greys are prone to taking large mouthfuls and often swallow without pausing to chew what they’ve taken in. Swallowing big morsels can lead to choking and/or encourage vomiting after eating. Thus, tinier pieces are easier to consume and digest.
Aside from the actual size of the individual food portions, you will want to avoid giving your Grey products that contain a lot of chemical preservatives, by products and other additives that are used for the simple purpose of mass producing dog-food at a cheaper cost. You need to check for natural ingredients. You should also avoid any chewy or hard treats that contain red dye, as these particular foods contain specific chemicals that are not well tolerated by this breed.
Many people are under the misconception that pet Greyhound dogs require a lot of protein in their diets. This is not true, because non-racing hounds are not nearly as active as those that race at high speeds for a living. Therefore, excessive protein can lead to weight gain, which can then cause health problems as their bone structure is not designed to handle extra pounds. A diet too high in protein can also be hard on a dog’s kidneys, especially in older canines.
The best thing you can do for Greyhound dogs is to speak with the breeder or your veterinarian to obtain sound advice regarding the type of food that would be best suited to your companion. Also don’t forget that there is no rule that says you must stick with a specific brand, if your pooch isn’t happy with what they are eating, you can always switch it. Just make sure you do it gradually over an appropriate period of time (ex. slowly increasing new food and decreasing old food over the course of two weeks) so you don’t wreak havoc on their digestive system.
