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A greyhound needs a balanced and controlled diet and the diet should be tailor made to suit the individual dog. Following are some guidelines only and will need to be adjusted to suit. The basic needs for a racing greyhound are Energy (from carbohydrates, protein and fats) Protein (from proteins, amino acids and oils) Fat (from animal and vegetable essential fatty acids and oils) Fibre (from cellulose, lignin's, pectin's) Minerals (calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium,) Vitamins (A, D, B-Complex ,C ) and plenty of fresh water. (Note do not mix vitamin C or E with Feramo or any minerals as they a prone to destruction on contact.)
All these nutrients need to be provided in controlled amounts with a balanced diet.A range of foods consisting of meat, dry food and vegetables will satisfy the requirement for energy, protein, fat , fibre and some vitamins and minerals.
Energy with the exception of water is the most important component in the racing greyhound's diet. Note ( A greyhound will use energy 2 to 3 times faster and in the first third of the race use up almost half of the total energy needed for the race.)
In the winter months the energy level in the rations may need to be increased by 20/25% to maintain optimum racing weight in some greyhounds. Note ( Increasing the amount of carbohydrates is the easiest way to achieve extra energy.) This can be achieved by increasing the level of dry feed or fat in the diet. Some good supplies of carbohydrates are cereal, biscuits, potatoes, rice.
The following guidelines are for a 30kg Dog.
The traditional diet consists of 50/70% raw meat with dry foods and vegetables and the occasional bones and offal meats.
700 g raw lean meat 10% fat
1.5 - 2 cups of dryfood
1 cup of mixed cooked vegetables (avoid cabbage and lettuce.)
Vitamin, mineral supplements
Other supplements include (some dry food formula's may not require these supplements as they have been developed especially with the greyhound in mind)
Faramo 4g daily as a foundation (a good source source of Multi vitamin B complex and other trace elements.)
Calcium 1 teaspoon daily (a must for bones development and strength and muscle contraction.)
White E 1/2 - 1 teaspoon daily (this is the most widely used single supplement and is essential as most diets are deficient of vitamin E.)
Betacel 3g daily (Electrolytes - body salts.) In hot weather increase to 3g morning and evening.(Total 6g daily.)
Note (Greyhounds are not great water drinkers and adding water to evening the meal helps to ensure adequate intake.)
Basic Feeding Program (Quantities for 30kg dog.)
(These quantities are a Guide Only)
1.Toasted Bread on its own or mixed with milk/water 2
Morning Meal Options (select only one option.)
slices (wholemeal is preferred.)
2.Breakfast cereal soaked in milk or water 1 to 2 Biscuits (e.g. Weetbix or Vitabrits.)
3.Biscuits soaked in milk or water (2-bitches) (3-dogs.)
4.Dry Food (17-20% protein.) (100g bitches) (150g dogs.)
Miscellaneous (add to one of the above optional) (select only one option.)
1.Honey 1 tablespoon mixed in warm water (Don't feed 6 hours prior to racing.)
2.Glucose, Dextrose powder 2 teaspoons (Don't feed 6 hours prior to racing)
3.One Egg (cooked) or 50g of Cheese feed after a race or twice weekly.
Evening Meal
Meat raw 600-700g Medium - Lean (Add 1.5 - 2 tablespoons of lard or unrefined fat to lean meat.)
Dry food 150 - 200g
Cooked Vegetables 1-1.5 cups (Use cooking water in main meal.)
Fluids
Water or Vegetable water 1.5 - 2 cups (Use to moisten dry food.)
Meat By-Products
Heart or Tongue 450g Max per day (Feed 50.50 with meat.)
Liver or Kidney 100g twice weekly where desired to give variety.
Good Supply of Fresh Water
Meat Statistics
Meat Energy Protein Fat Advantages Disadvantages Daily Amounts Lean Beef 21% 10-15% Low in Fat 700g Medium Beef 18% 21% Helps prevent dehydration 500-600 g Horse Meat 18% 9% Cheap in some areas Gastric upset,Lower in protein 950g-1kg Mutton 15.5% 22% Helps prevent dehydration Diarrhea 520g Chicken 19.5% 2.7% Low in fat extra required 1.2kg-1.3kg Fish 20% 1.6-4% Gives a variety Expensive & low in fat 1.4kg