Keeping Greyhounds at a Healthy Weight

By gapnsw.com.au

February 15, 2022 09:11

Maintaining a healthy weight is critical for a dog’s health. It helps in lowering the risk of many diseases and conditions. Not to mention, it helps animals feel good and have the energy to enjoy a wonderful life.

The normal weight range for female greyhounds

Female greyhounds are typically smaller than their male counterparts. The average weight for an adult is approximately 25-28 kilograms.

The normal weight range for male greyhounds

Male greyhounds are more muscular than female greyhounds. The average weight for an adult is approximately 30-35 kilograms.

How GAP NSW Helps New Greyhounds Maintain a Healthy Weight

For all new greyhounds that enter our program, they will visit a vet for a health check which includes being weighed, and related factors (such as worming vaccinations) that can affect weight.

Further reading: How we help greyhounds that enter our program

The greyhound is checked if they are over, or underweight. Any changes in nutritional requirements are then communicated to our kennel staff, who will feed them appropriately.

While we work with thousands of greyhounds, each one is treated as an individual. Greyhounds are re-weighed weekly.

We use high-quality pet food, as well as fresh sardines, mince, chicken and so on. Not a bad deal!

Weight on Adoption

At GAP NSW, it’s our role to prepare a dog for adoption holistically, meaning their physiological and emotional health is maximised.

After applying for a greyhound and coming to meet them, we will provide information on the dog’s health status, including their weight.

In most cases, the dog will be at a healthy weight because they have been an athlete just months before. They have a fast metabolism and are quite manageable to keep at an optimal weight.

However, if they are slightly overweight or underweight, we’ll give you advice on the portion sizes to help them post-adoption. Your greyhound will be re-weighed at checkups at the vet.

Providing Healthy Food At Home and Monitoring Your Greyhounds Weight

If your greyhound is over or underweight, you can adjust the amount that they’re eating daily.

If the greyhound is underweight and isn’t eating their full meals, we suggest finding a type of food that they enjoy that is balanced and complete. Always use high-quality kibble.

Annie’s favourite food is a bowl of rice, chicken broth and Ivory coat.

If your greyhound doesn’t eat or finish their bowl, or adjusting their diet doesn’t work, we suggest taking them to the vet for a checkup.

Exercises to Avoid

The number one exercise to avoid is any activity that requires the greyhound to run at speed near obstacles.

As one of the fastest creatures on earth, greyhounds can significantly injure themselves, or even fatally wound themselves on objects.

Please note, it’s fine if a greyhound chooses to sprint. We simply suggest to control the environment and terrain - such as using a long leash on the beach or soft grass is fine.

Please stay safe.

Exercises to Encourage

Fortunately, the list of exercises to do is much larger than those to avoid! We suggest:

Walking, namely, Safai walks where they can sniff interesting things
Light running
Swimming - most greyhounds will require adjustment to enjoy this

Greyhounds energy could be described as Boom and Bust. As such, they tend to prefer shorter walks as opposed to a long bush walk. We believe that 2 x 20 minute walks per day is the preferred amount of exercises.

Risks of Overweight or Underweight Greyhounds

Keeping your greyhound at a healthy weight minimised the chances of many physical conditions such as:

Diabetes
Osteoarthritis
Joint stiffness, degradation and pain
Heart and cardiac conditions
Lethargy, nutrient deficiencies
Risks of pressure sores from laying down excessively

Ready to Adopt a Greyhound and Stay Healthy Together?

At GAP NSW, we have six regional programs you can come and meet our wonderful dogs.

We have both young and old greyhounds of varying energy levels
You can come in for meet and greets
We match your greyhound with your lifestyle
You will have a new best mate that wants to live a long, healthy life with you

To get started, check out our cool greyhounds for adoption, or even consider our exciting foster or volunteer programs!