Greyhound Scratching: Simple Notes for Improving Welfare

Scratching is a grooming behaviour that refers to the dog moving their nails over their body to satisfy an itch, usually with their rear legs, but occasionally dogs can scratch with their forelegs, and they can also groom with their mouths in an action known as fleeing.

It's important to recognise that scratching is not a deliberate action the dog is doing to be frustrating for attention or injure themselves on purpose.

There’s always a physical or neurological cause - and it’s our job as animal ambassadors to take appropriate steps to help them live their best life!

Simply put, most greyhounds will scratch when they're itchy. Itching itself is caused by the stimulation of nerve endings, which trigger an immune response and pain relief. As we know, having an occasional scratch is completely normal for any dog.

There are other, quite rare neurological conditions that might cause a dog to scratch in situations where there is no physical explanation to why they should be itchy. An example of this is chronic canine pruritus, a condition characterised by excessive, chronic itching.

If scratching was to the point where the dog was injuring themselves and you are noticing dry, flaky skin, then we recommend contacting your vet to treat the condition appropriately. There are prescribed medications that may be an option.

Yes.

Like any dog, they are susceptible to skin conditions and wounds.

Greyhounds aren't more susceptible than other breeds by any means, but it can still happen, which is why it's really important to make sure your dog's eating a good quality diet with natural oils and to consult with your vet if you have any concerns.

For greyhounds, the process of laying down can take a while.

It's difficult for greyhounds to get up and down quickly - due to their long limbs. It makes sense that if a greyhound is slightly uncomfortable in the environment, it will scratch before laying down rather than after.

Interestingly, greyhounds may also scratch floors in hot or cold temperatures, because it is a natural behaviour to achieve equilibrium (comfort) on the surface underneath them.

Usually, after a greyhound has relieved itself, the process of scratching is self-grooming and becoming comfortable.

Some dogs are a little messier than others when they relieve themselves, so that can be counteracting that.

Scratching by itself is not the same as ‘spreading their scent’. That behaviour is more when a greyhound is kicking their legs against the grass.

At GAP NSW, all greyhounds that enter our program are checked by a veterinarian. This includes an assessment of heart rate, vision, respiratory health, vaccinations, worming, dental, desexing and more.

We complete an evidence-based behavioural assessment. During our application process, our team will match the perfect greyhound for you and answer any questions relating to the dog in question.

At GAP NSW, we’re passionate about preparing greyhounds for their new, forever home.

We’d love to hear your questions - so we can continue to make resources for our audience and improve greyhound welfare.

To browse our cool greyhounds, please view our adoptions page. If you have any questions, please get in touch through our contact page.