Greyhound health and performance are irrevocably linked to their intake of a well-balanced diet. The dietary needs of the greyhound should ideally meet the demands of the intense athletic activity they are often engaged in, notably during their training and racing periods. This necessitates the incorporation of ample proportions of macronutrients such as fat, protein, and carbohydrate in their diet, supplemented by requisite minerals and vitamins.
Key Nutritional Requirements
Proportion of Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrates: A well-aligned nutrient profile should have a balance of these three macronutrients, each contributing to different aspects of the greyhound’s health and performance.
Vitamins and Minerals Supplementation: Necessary supplements should be included in the diet to bridge any potential nutritional deficiencies and to support the overall health and functioning of the greyhound’s body.
Bodyweight Management
Pursuant to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) regulations, racing greyhounds should keep their bodyweight within precise boundaries, specifically within (+/- 1kg) of the ideal weight. This involves meticulous management of the greyhound’s energy and water balance, especially in correlation with their training regimen and prevailing weather conditions.
| Key Aspects | |
|---|---|
| Body Condition Monitoring | Body condition and weight must be monitored at least once weekly to ensure that the greyhound is in good health and that the energy supplied by their diet corresponds well with their energy expenditure. |
| Energy and Water Balance | Both constitute critical factors correlating directly to the greyhound’s fitness and performance. As such, hydration management is an essential component of maintaining a greyhound’s overall health and optimizing its athletic performance. |
Meal Planning and Timing
Greyhounds are required to be fed at minimum once daily, although most caretakers prefer to offer food twice a day – a breakfast meal followed by an evening meal.
Meal frequency: Twice daily feeding is generally recommended to ensure sufficient intake of nutrients and to keep the greyhound energized.
Race-Day Diet: On race days, the inclusion of high-sugar items such as honey and glucose in the diet should be avoided as they may lead to premature fatigue. Instead, a small meal of slow-release carbohydrate sources (e.g., slightly cooked pasta) supplemented with oil or fat approximately 6 to 8 hours before the race may be beneficial. This can potentially strengthen the greyhound’s energy reserves, assisting it in better handling the strenuous energy demands in the pre-race and race periods and keeping its energy levels topped up.
Hydration and Dehydration in Greyhounds
The role of proper hydration is crucial to the health and well-being of greyhounds. Access to clean, fresh water at all times is non-negotiable in maintaining their optimal health. Greyhounds, being extremely active dogs with significant energy expenditure, are particularly prone to dehydration. This susceptibility is magnified during the pre-race period, encompassing travel and kenneling times. Dehydration has been associated with several health complications in greyhounds, including sudden death, cramping, and post-race distress, thus warranting utmost attention to their water intake.
Importance of Hydration
Continual Water Availability: Greyhounds must have unfettered access to clean, fresh water at all times, irrespective of their location or activity level.
Water During Pre-Race Period: Given their heightened vulnerability to dehydration during the pre-race phase, it is necessary to furnish adequate water supplies in the kennels at stadiums. Each dog should be offered water on reaching the stadium and before they’re kennelled, as excitement within the kennels might disrupt their regular water intake.
Identifying and Preventing Dehydration
Endeavors to detect early signs of dehydration then undertake proactive measures to prevent it from taking root are of paramount importance.
Skin Tent Test: This involves gently pinching or “tenting” the skin on the greyhound’s back and observing how quickly it regains normalcy. It’s important to note, though, that by the time a significant skin tent is observed, the dog is usually already considerably dehydrated. Consequently, a normal skin tent test does not conclusively rule out incipient or mild cases of dehydration.
Next, here are some effective strategies for preventing dehydration:
- Constant Access to Fresh Water: Ensure fresh and clean water is available to greyhounds at all times.
- Hydrated Diet: Incorporate water into their diet to boost hydration levels.
- Healthy Fat Levels: A diet rich in adequate amounts of fat can help in retaining moisture within the body.
- Limiting Muzzle Usage: Minimize the use of muzzles as they can potentially interfere with a greyhound’s ability to drink water.
- Multiple Water Dishes in Shared Kennels: If kennels are shared, provide more than one water dish to ensure all dogs have easy access to water.
- Water Before and During Kenneling at the Track: Offer water to greyhounds before confining them to their kennels at the track and ensure sufficient water is available in the kennels.
- Water Temperature and Accessibility: The water provided should be cool (neither warm nor very cold) and should be deep and voluminous enough to facilitate easy consumption.
Energy Balance of Racing Greyhounds
For racing greyhounds, maintaining an optimal energy balance is crucial for both normal body upkeep and competitive performance. The energy equation for a race dog is essentially the sum of energy required for maintenance, thermoregulation, training, racing, and behavioural influences.
The Energy Equation for Racing Greyhounds
The total energy requirement for a racing greyhound consists of multiple key factors:
Maintenance refers to the energy necessary for performing routine body functions.
Thermoregulation encompasses the energy expended in maintaining a healthy body temperature.
Training and Racing denote the energy consumed in preparation for and participation in races.
Behavioural Influences signify the energy used in non-racing activities such as barking, panting, and general kennel hyperactivity.
In case of excess energy output relative to intake, the greyhound could lose weight and face diminished racing performance. Conversely, if energy intake exceeds expenditure, this could result in fat storage and weight gain. Therefore, striking an appropriate energy balance is vital for the greyhound’s overall health and racing capacity.
Under temperate conditions (15-25°C), an average 30 kg racing greyhound typically requires about 1700-2000 Kcal daily. However, factors such as kennel size and a dog’s level of excitability can push daily needs up to around 2100 Kcal to ensure stable bodyweight and performance. Regular weight checks can help adjust a greyhound’s fat intake as needed to keep body weight within a desired range.
Energy Requirements Under Varying Conditions
Cold Conditions
Under colder conditions (10-15°C), a greyhound’s energy needs escalate to maintain body weight and warmth. For each 1 °C drop below 15°C, it’s advisable to supplement a 30kg greyhound’s daily diet with an additional approximately 40 Kcal (see table 2.1 for a guide to the energy content of various feeds).
If a greyhound continues to lose weight despite these adjustments, or if it requires more energy in cold conditions, it’s beneficial to augment their diet with extra fat, which provides additional energy without markedly increasing food volume.
Hot Conditions
Exposure to hot and humid conditions can amplify a greyhound’s daily energy requirements, due to increased energy consumption in panting and potential depletion of bodily glycogen stores. Hot weather might also suppress a dog’s appetite, necessitating a more energy-dense diet, often amplified by fat, to meet escalated energy demands without bulking up the feed significantly.
In hot weather, for a 30kg dog, add an extra 130 Kcal daily for each 1°C rise in temperature between 26 and 30°C. If pet facilities maintain ambient temperatures within 15-25°C, greyhounds are likely to be less affected by high outdoor temperatures.
Energy Expenditure During Racing
Per estimates, racing consumes an extra 75 Kcal every 30 seconds of a trial or race. Under stable temperate conditions, the standard diet provides sufficient energy for racing, assuming it meets other energy needs. Balanced diets and energy management, coupled with adequate hydration, are crucial for greyhounds to maintain their peak performance and endure varying environmental conditions.
Behavioural Influences on Greyhound Energy Consumption
Greyhound behaviour can have substantial impacts on the overall energy expenditure of the dog, potentially affecting its training, racing performance, and general wellbeing. Certain actions and experiences, including high excitability, excessive barking, hyperactivity, and exposure to warm temperatures, may cause a greyhound to spend significant energy reserves and risk dehydration.
Energy Requirements for Behavioural Influences
Greyhounds exhibiting such behaviours are vulnerable to rapid energy drain and dehydration during training, traveling, or pre-race kennelling. As such, their diets need to be properly adjusted to compensate for this unusual energy expenditure and provide sufficient sustenance for optimal performance.
Greyhound Diet Boosters: Dietary enhancements can be an effective strategy. Doubling down on the nutrition:
- Additional Energy: The pre-race meal, around 6-8 hours before racing, should incorporate 30-60 grams, or approximately 3-4 tablespoons, of animal fat or vegetable oil. This inclusion helps offer extra energy to offset the surge in pre-race expenditure.
- High-energy Foods: As needed, supplementing with foods that are calorie-rich and easy to digest can also ensure a pleased, nourished, and well-performing dog.
Nervous or hyperactive greyhounds, in particular, demand special care. Those racing dogs that, as a result of these behavioural patterns, lose body weight, dehydrate, or show subpar performance may require additional aspects of dietary care.
A primary recommendation for these greyhounds includes increasing fat content in their diet. The strategically enhanced diet not only boosts energy reserve, therefore accommodating for the energy lost through high activity levels, but also moderates potential dehydration issues. This consideration plays a critical part in optimizing the performance of greyhounds, keeping them vigorous and ready to excel in their racing endeavors while also supporting overall health and vitality.
Sources of Energy in Greyhound Diet: Proteins, Fats, and Carbohydrates
The dietary energy sources for greyhounds vary depending on their activity levels and duration. Greyhounds rely on different types of ‘fuel’ under different circumstances, and an appropriate balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is essential for supporting their athletic endeavors.
Energy Utilization in Greyhounds
In general, greyhounds turn to their body’s glycogen stores when engaging in sprint and standard distance races. These stores are established and replenished through the consumption of carbohydrates, making this nutrient an important component in racing greyhounds’ diets.
Energy Sources:
- Carbohydrates: Preferred for sprint and standard distance racing due to their rapid conversion into glycogen stores.
- Protein: Supports muscle development and repair, as well as other biological functions. Remains an energy source, though slow to generate.
- Fat: High-energy density useful for maintenance, thermoregulation, kennel activity, and sustained or endurance-like exercise.
Obtaining the right mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins is vital to accommodate the athletic activity of greyhounds during training. A dry food-based diet featuring approximately 42% energy from carbohydrates, 33% from fat, and 24% from protein can provide an optimal dietary balance to boost speed and performance for a standard 500m race distance. Studies suggest that high-protein dry foods, with over 30% crude protein, could impede performance.
Energy Values of Common Greyhound Diet Components
| Ingredient | Energy per 100g Fed |
|---|---|
| Lean Raw Beef (10-12% fat) | 200 Kcal |
| Dry food (20% crude protein, 8-10% crude fat) | 250 Kcal |
| Dry food (25% crude protein, 15% fat) | 350 Kcal |
| 17g (1 tablespoon) of animal fat/vegetable oil | 150 Kcal |
Selecting suitable ingredients and balancing energy sources in a greyhound’s diet helps to support their energy requirements, maintain optimal weight, and enhance their racing performance.
The Importance of Fat in Greyhound Diets
Fat plays a crucial role in a Greyhound’s diet, given its energy density, water production, and nutrient content. It contributes to counteracting dehydration and meeting increased energy demands, making it a vital element for racing greyhounds.
Energy-dense and Cost-effective Source
Fat, being highly energy-dense, provides more energy per gram of feed compared to protein and carbohydrates. Often the cheapest form of energy, fat can also help produce metabolic water, with 100g of fat generating 107g of water for the blood and tissues when oxidized as an energy source. Therefore, fat-enhanced diets help counteract dehydration.
Fat Source: Fat is usually supplied within the meat content of a greyhound’s diet. The fat content varies significantly between types and cuts of meat. Additional fat can be incorporated in the form of animal fat (lard) or vegetable oil.
Vital Nutrients and Palatability
Fats contain valuable fat-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamins A, D, and E, and boost the palatability of the diet. However, to maintain these benefits, the freshness of animal fat and vegetable oils should be ensured. Oxidized or rancid fats, due to exposure to air, can destroy Vitamins A and E.
Storage Care: Preserve fats and vegetable oils by keeping opened containers refrigerated and preventing air bubbles in bottles. ‘Dripping’ from roasted animal fat is not suitable for greyhound feeds—use fresh fat trimmings instead.
Boost Energy Content Without Increasing Feed Volume
A small amount of added fat can significantly enhance the energy content of the ration without raising the feed volume. Most suitable for racing greyhounds is a diet containing an overall fat level of 12-15%. While lean meats contribute about 10-12% fat and dry foods range from 3-30% fat, it is crucial to add extra fat when combining lean meat with low-fat dry food.
Increased Energy Demands: Fat-boosted diets are particularly valuable during periods of heightened demand, in hot or cold conditions, or for hyperactive or excitable dogs.
Role of Protein in Greyhound Diets
Protein, while an inefficient energy source, plays a vital role in muscle development, repair, and numerous biological functions. Greyhound diets should primarily consist of moderate protein levels to ensure optimum health and performance. The protein content of a greyhound’s diet is usually obtained through dry food and meat additions.
Protein Sources and Essential Amino Acids
Meat Content: Most vegetable proteins, except for soybean, lack all essential amino acids (EAA), making meat content critical for greyhound diets. This can be supplied through fresh meat or as part of dry food. Be mindful of cheaper, plant-based dry foods that may lack EAA when selecting diets. Inspect the ingredients list on dry food packaging to determine if they contain meat.
Optimal Protein Levels: Greyhound diets need approximately 15-20% high-quality crude protein (on an ‘as fed’ basis) or 30-35% on a dry matter (dehydrated) basis.
Post-race Protein Intake
Consider providing slightly higher protein content in the first two meals following a race to aid repair and recovery. This can be achieved by substituting a typical 17-20% protein dry food with a 25% protein dry food or incorporating higher protein components, such as a lightly cooked egg.
| Protein Source | Protein Content (%) | Consideration for Greyhound Diets |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Protein Dry Food | 17-20% | Base Diet |
| High Protein Dry Food | 25% | Post-race Recovery |
| Lightly Cooked Egg | 12.5% | Post-race Recovery |
Importance of Carbohydrate in Greyhound Diets
Carbohydrates are crucial energy contributors in a Greyhound’s diet. They are primarily delivered through complete dry feeds, vegetables, bread, pasta, and other dietary sources. However, any additional carbohydrate intake requires careful balancing to ensure the diet does not exceed necessary levels, leading to reduced performance.
Carbohydrate Types and Their Role in Diet
Simple Sugars: Simple sugars like glucose or honey are short-chained. Consumption within four hours of racing can lead to rapid absorption and subsequent elevation of blood sugar levels. This prompts insulin release to limit excessive blood glucose levels. Often, this response overshoots, thus suppressing the blood sugar below normal levels and possibly causing lethargy and subpar performance in greyhounds.
Complex Carbohydrates: Larger, more complex carbohydrates found in pasta made from durum (hard) wheat tend to be digested more slowly. This results in longer energy release when the greyhound is travelling and waiting to race. The pasta should be lightly cooked to make it flexible but not overly soft.
Balancing Carbohydrate Content: When supplementing the diet with bread, pasta, and other carb-dense foods, it is vital to ensure that the overall diet remains balanced. An excess of carbohydrates can adversely affect a greyhound’s performance.
Pre-Race Carbohydrate Consumption
Using carbohydrates effectively prior to a race can influence the greyhound’s performance. Simple sugars should be avoided within the four hours leading up to race time to avoid insulin overshooting. Instead, complex carbohydrates, particularly those found in durum wheat pasta, can provide a slow, sustained energy release on race day.
| Carbohydrate Type | Characteristics | Impact on Greyhound Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Sugars (Glucose, Honey) | Rapid absorption | May decrease performance |
| Complex Carbohydrates (Durum Wheat Pasta) | Slow digestion | Can maintain energy levels and enhance performance |
Role of Dry Food in Greyhound Diets
Dry food plays a significant role in greyhound nutrition, as it is a convenient way to provide all the necessary nutrients these high-performance dogs require. Many high-quality complete foods cater to specific needs of greyhounds, offering a balanced proportion of fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals in low bulk form. While complete diets can provide a well-rounded meal alone, trainers often augment these with other ingredients. Amending the diet with additional components, however, changes its overall composition and can potentially cause nutrient imbalances.
Types of Dry Food and Their Use
Complete Diet Varieties: Complete diets are specifically formulated to meet greyhounds’ nutritional needs with appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals without the necessity of supplemental ingredients.
Additional Ingredients: Some trainers augment dry food with meat, vegetables, and bread. Note that any additional ingredients can alter the overall diet composition, potentially leading to imbalances. For example, adding large quantities of muscle meat can result in excessive protein content and likely a calcium deficiency. Balancing the diet after any modification is of paramount importance.
Plant-Based Dry Foods: Cheaper plant-based dry foods may lack Essential Amino Acids (EAAs), necessitating meat in the diet. To avoid this, select a superior quality complete dry food with meat ingredients.
Dry Foods for High Meat Content Diets: If feeding a high meat diet, choose a type of dry food that complements this dietary configuration by considering its nutritional content.
Consideration for Selecting Dry Food
When selecting a dry food, whether to be fed alone, with supplemental meat, or as part of a high meat diet, it’s crucial to find a type that results in a balanced overall intake. Adequate but not excessive energy and protein, along with balanced vitamins and minerals, should be a priority. Consultation with greyhound food suppliers and careful review of ingredient lists are recommended steps towards making a knowledgeable selection.
Here are the critical aspects to consider:
| Aspect to Consider | Description |
|---|---|
| Protein Content | Adequate, but not excessive, protein for muscle development and repair |
| Fat Content | Enough energy for high activity levels |
| Vitamins & Minerals | Balanced mix to facilitate overall body functions |
| Ingredients | Greater preference for meat-based components over plant-based ones |
| Brand Quality | Higher-quality brands usually ensure more balanced nutrition |
The table below provides an overview of four different diet groups for a 30kg greyhound: meat-based, minimum meat diets, complete feeds, and high-energy complete feeds. Each group lists the energy content in kcal per 100g, the percentage of crude protein and fat, and the recommended daily amounts.
For instance, Group 1 is a meat-based kibbles dry food diet, with an energy content of 270 kcal, 13% protein, and 2-3% fat. The daily serving for a 30kg greyhound is 200-250g, mixed with 700g of medium fat meat.
On the other hand, Group 4, high-energy complete feeds contain considerably higher levels of energy (400 kcal), protein (25-30%), and fat (20-25%), with a daily serving suggestion of 350-400g. This table serves as a comprehensive guide for greyhound owners and trainers to make the right dietary choices for their dogs, considering their energy needs and health requirements.
| Group | Use | Energy (kcal ME) per 100g | Crude Protein (%) | Fat (%) | Approx. Daily Amounts for a 30kg Greyhound |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 kibbles dry food | Meat-based diets | 270 | 13 | 2-3 | 200-250g daily mixed with 700g medium 12-15% fat meat |
| Group 2 | Minimum meat diets | 290-300 | 17-20 | 8-10 | 250-300g daily mixed with 500-600g of 12-15% fat meat |
| Group 3 | Complete feeds | 330-380 | 20-25 | 8-10 | 550-600g daily, or 250-300g mixed with 200-250g medium 12-15% fat meat |
| Group 4 | High-energy complete feeds | 400 | 25-30 | 20-25 | 350-400g daily |
Meat-Based Diets for Greyhounds
The diet of many greyhounds is predominantly composed of meat. However, there are several factors to consider when crafting a diet plan for these canine athletes. Particular attention should be paid to the quantities of protein, fat, and certain essential vitamins.
Concerns with High-Meat Diets
High-Meat Diets: Many greyhounds are fed high-meat diets. When primarily composed of lean muscle meat, these diets could become deficient in fat yet have excessive protein, negatively impacting racing performance. Furthermore, high meat diets may lack sufficient levels of Calcium and should thus be supplemented with a Calcium/Vitamin D supplement. Always consult with your vet regarding the addition of calcium supplements to the diet.
Protein and Fat Sources
Whole Chicken Carcasses: Minced and cooked whole chicken carcasses can serve as a beneficial source of high-quality protein, fat (through the skin), and Calcium (from the bones). Chicken fat naturally provides linoleic acid—an indispensable fatty acid and omega 6—and is rich in fat-soluble vitamins.
Red Meat: Addition of red meat to greyhound diets can be beneficial. However, balance is essential. Where lean (muscle) meat is used, supplementary fat will be required.
Variance in Meat Fat Content
Meat fat content can greatly vary, dependent upon the type and cut of meat and the intrinsic fat content in the meat themselves. To estimate the fat content in beef, marbling—or visible fat within the muscle tissue—can be used as an indicator. This is most accurately done with whole cuts as it becomes challenging to estimate fat content in minced beef.
In general, mutton or lamb tends to have higher fat content but comparatively lower protein content than beef. On the other hand, chicken is an excellent protein source, but its fat content can be highly variable. For instance, chicken thigh or breast meat may have a fat content between 2-5%, necessitating further fat supplementation. However, if the skin and underlying fat deposits (around the vent and tail) are also minced in with the meat, the fat content could reach 15-20%, significantly boosting the diet’s energy content.
Food Safety and Hygiene
When handling and feeding chicken meat, aim to purchase meat with a uniform fat content and adhere to strict food hygiene precautions. Note that chicken (and fish) meat are low in iron. If their diet is mainly based on these meats, seek veterinary or nutritionist advice to determine whether supplements are needed to correct this deficiency.
Reflecting on Meat-Based Diets
The following table shows the range of nutrients in various meat types typically included in a greyhound’s diet:
| Type of Meat | Protein (%) | Fat (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Beef | High | Variable |
| Mutton/Lamb | Lower than beef | Higher than beef |
| Chicken | High | 2-5% or 15-20% (with skin & underlying fat deposits) |
In summary, balancing the right sources and amounts of protein and fat is critical in crafting a conducive diet for greyhounds. Different meats offer varying benefits, and the key is to strike a balance that fits the specific needs of each greyhound.
The Role of Vegetables in a Greyhound’s Diet
Vegetables can contribute a wide array of nutrients in a greyhound’s diet, offering sources of carbohydrates, fiber, and moisture. However, like any feeding practices for these sports dogs, the inclusion of vegetables should be thoughtfully balanced.
Considerations for Integrating Vegetables
Excessive Vegetables: While beneficial, provision of vegetables in excessive amounts can escalate the fiber level. This could bulk up the stools and dilute the diet’s energy content, possibly affecting the greyhound’s performance.
Trainer’s Preference: Whether or not to include vegetables in a greyhound’s diet partly depends on the trainer’s preference. When a high-quality dry food is the main diet component, additional vegetables could be unnecessary, especially if the greyhound is producing soft, well-formed stools and emptying out easily.
Recommended Quantity and Type of Vegetables
Portions: In cases where vegetables are deemed essential in the diet, 1 to 1½ cupsful of cooked vegetables mixed into the dry food should suffice for most racing greyhounds.
Vegetable Type: The types of vegetables incorporated should be a combination of ‘energy’ type vegetables like carrots, lightly cooked rice, or pasta, and potatoes, alongside ‘protein-rich’ vegetables such as peas or beans.
This mix provides a balanced nutritional profile, supplying energy, protein, fiber, and moisture without unnecessarily bulking the diet and diluting the energy concentration of the overall meal.
Reusing Vegetable Cooking Water
Soaking dry food in the water used to cook vegetables can help retain some of the nutrients leached out during cooking, while also lending additional moisture to the diet, supporting hydration. However, avoid using water used for cooking spinach due to potential adverse effects.
Overview of Vegetable Inclusion
The following table shows various elements influenced by including vegetables in a greyhound’s diet:
| Impact Areas | Without Vegetables | With 1-1½ cups of mixed vegetables |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary Fiber | Low | Increased |
| Energy concentration | High | May be diluted if excessive |
| Stool Formation | Depends on other food components | May bulk |
| Nutrient Profile | Focused on protein & fat | Added carbohydrates, vitamins & minerals |
As observed, vegetables can be a suitable addition to a greyhound’s diet, provided they are given in moderation to preserve the ideal energy to nutrient ratio crucial for racing performance. A balanced diet, which includes a mix of energy and protein-rich vegetables, can provide all vital nutrients for a greyhound’s peak health.
Incorporating Bread and Pasta in a Greyhound’s Diet
Bread and pasta can serve potential roles within a well-formulated nutritional plan for a greyhound, primarily as sources of carbohydrates. However, their inclusion should be judicious to safeguard against nutritional imbalances and issues stemming from potential dietary sensitivities.
Bread as a Carb Source
Bread in Modern Greyhound Diets: With the advent of high-quality dry feeds, incorporating bread into greyhound diets is less common than in the past. Nevertheless, the carbohydrate content from bread may prove beneficial in specific nutritional strategies.
Potential Sensitivities: Some greyhounds may exhibit sensitivity towards wheat, one of the primary ingredients in most bread products. Such sensitivity can precipitate health concerns, including soft stools, weight loss, or skin irritation. In these cases, consult a veterinary surgeon or nutritionist for advice.
Pasta as a Pre-race and Vegetable Mix Addition
Pasta in Pre-race Meals: Lightly cooked pasta can sometimes be used in pre-race meals. It serves as a ready source of energy, released slowly enough to ensure sustained performance through a race.
Pasta-Vegetable Mix: Pasta can also feature in a ‘vegetable mix’ meant to complement the main feeds, supplementing the mix with digestible carbohydrates.
Balancing Carbs and the Overall Diet
Nutritional Balance: While carbs can boost a greyhound’s energy levels, care needs to be taken to prevent an overabundance of these nutrients in the overall diet. Overfeeding carbohydrates may result in an unbalanced diet and potentially adverse health effects.
Dietary Precautions: Poppy Seeds
Poppy seeds contain minute quantities of opiates, which can result in a positive doping test – a serious concern in greyhound racing.
Recommended Precautions Against Poppy Seed Contamination
To minimize the risk of poppy seed contamination, it’s crucial to enforce several precautions:
- Inspecting Bread: All bread should be carefully scrutinized before adding to the greyhound’s feed.
- Discarding Contaminated Bread: If any bread exhibits contamination with poppy seed, it should immediately be discarded.
- Removing Debris: Any debris existing in bags and trays should be disposed of, to prevent incidental contamination.
- Exercising Caution with Packaged Bread: If there’s any doubt regarding the ingredients of packaged bread, it’s safest to discard the product.
In summary, while bread and pasta are potential carbohydrate sources for a greyhound’s diet, careful adaptation and inspection practices are essential to ensure they contribute positively to the overall dietary strategy.
Bones for Greyhounds
Incorporating bones into a greyhound’s meal plan can offer both hygienic and enrichment advantages, alongside delivering dietary nutrients such as calcium. Nevertheless, careful selection and supervision are vital to ensure grayhound safety and prevent potential health complications related to bone chewing.
Benefits of Chewing Bones
Tooth Hygiene: Chewing bones enhances dental health by removing plaque and tartar from a greyhound’s teeth.
Enrichment: Bones can provide valuable enrichment opportunities, particularly for kennelled dogs. They help alleviate boredom and promote emotional wellbeing.
Calcium Source: Bones can supply a natural source of calcium, contributing to the overall nutrient balance of a well-rounded diet.
Precautions and Advice for Selecting Safe Bones
Selecting Suitable Bones: It is essential to choose bones that minimize the risks of splintering while being chewed or causing intestinal damage or blockages if swallowed.
Seeking Expert Advice: When unsure of the appropriateness of a specific bone, seek advice from a veterinarian or canine nutritionist.
Supervising Bone Chewing: Closely monitor the greyhound while it is chewing a bone to ensure its safety.
Incorporating Bones into a Balanced Diet
Supplementing Balanced Meals: Bones should be provided as part of a well-designed meal plan, ensuring the dog receives essential nutrients from multiple sources.
By integrating bones into a greyhound’s meal routine alongside a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, the benefits of bone chewing can support the overall health and welfare of the animal. However, careful selection, supervision, and advice from professionals are necessary to maintain the safety and wellbeing of the greyhound.
Utilizing Cooked Stews in Greyhound Care
Cooked stews can offer multifaceted nutritional benefits to a greyhound’s dietary regimen and are particularly useful in facilitating hydration and delivering a well-digested, balanced meal.
Composition of a Meaty Stew
Meat Content: A nutritious stew should contain 50-60% chunky meat, which provides a rich source of protein.
Cereal Grains: Comprising 20% of the stew, grains such as barley, brown rice, or whole-meal bread contribute healthy carbohydrates.
Vegetables: The residual stew composition can include universally wholesome vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and celery.
Water Content: Water added to the stew ensures ample fluid intake, essential for greyhound health, particularly in hot weather, post-race recovery, or following travel events.
Cooking, Serving, and Storing Guidelines
Cooking Method: The stew should be cooked at around 100°C, until the meat is tender. This ensures the protein isn’t denatured drastically and the fat content remains beneficial.
Fat Reintroduction: If fatty meat is utilized, it often rises to the top of the stew as it cools. For best results, reincorporate this fat when the stew is re-warmed prior to serving.
Fat Limitations: Even with fatty meat, the total fat content of a meal, when incorporated with vegetables, dry foods, and cereal grains, shouldn’t exceed 10-12%.
Preparation and Storage: Stews can be prepared 2-3 days in advance and stored in a refrigerator at 4-8°C. Portions can then be reheated as required. Alternatively, you can freeze meal-sized portions of stew in plastic bags for later use.
After-Race Meal: Combining stews with a high protein dry food and a couple of lightly poached eggs can provide a well-digested, tasty meal ideal for muscle recovery and dehydration correction post-race.
Safe Food Handling Practices
For an optimal greyhound health outcome, it’s vital to follow guidelines for safe food storage and preparation. These practices reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, ensuring the safety and well-being of the greyhound.
As such, cooked stews serve as an integral part of a greyhound’s diet, delivering a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fluids. However, it’s crucial to implement safe cooking, serving, and storage practices to foster optimal greyhound health.
Nutritional Value and Use of Tripe in a Canine Diet
Cut from the stomach of a ruminant animal, tripe is considered lower in energy, protein, and fat when compared to beef and other meats, making its nutritional value notably less. Despite this aspect, it can still be incorporated into a dog’s diet with proper preparation and understanding of its limitations.
Comparative Nutritional Content
Energy Content: Tripe contains approximately 30% of the energy found in lean beef, positioning it as a lower-energy food option.
Protein and Fat Levels: Tripe is unmistakably low in both protein and fat compared to more nutritious meats.
Proposed Usage Recommendations
Boiling for Digestibility: Boiling tripe improves its digestibility, making it easier for dogs to process.
Mixing Ratios: Since tripe is less nutritious, it is recommended to mix it in a 50:50 ratio with lean to medium fat meat, or high protein dry food.
Washing: Thorough washing of the tripe before use is essential to ensure hygiene and safety.
Despite its lower nutritional profile, tripe can still be part of a balanced diet when combined with other more nutritious sources. However, considering its limited health benefits, it may not provide any specific advantages over other meat types. Thus, pet owners should assess their dogs’ nutritional needs and consult with professionals before incorporating tripe in their meal plan.
Vitamin, Mineral, and Electrolyte Supplementation in Racing Greyhounds
Racing greyhounds have unique nutritional needs that may imply the occasional use of supplements. Optimal dietary wellness for these athletic canines should be achieved under professional guidance, ensuring their health and racing performance remain uncompromised.
Utilizing Supplements Safely
When it comes to incorporating supplements in a racing greyhound’s diet, trainers should follow strictly these recommendations:
Veterinary Consultation: Regular consultation with a veterinary surgeon proficient in greyhound nutrition or a canine nutritionist is strongly advised before including supplements in a dog’s diet.
Avoiding Human Supplements: Human nutritional supplements or unverified products may contain substances that can harm canine health or result in a positive drug test.
Electrolyte Balance in Greyhounds
In general, a balanced diet and a healthy physiological state enable a greyhound’s body to maintain an adequate electrolyte balance with no need for extra supplementation.
Hot Weather Conditions: During warm weather, greyhounds cool down through evaporation from their mouth and airways, leading to the loss of pure water but minimal electrolyte loss. As such, the primary focus should be on replacing lost water rather than electrolytes.
Health Complications: In cases of health complications such as vomiting or diarrhea, replacement electrolytes may be necessary due to notable loss in these elements. Veterinary advice should be sought in these cases and electrolyte formulations specifically intended for dogs should be used.
Supplementing Potassium
Potassium supplementation in a racing greyhound’s diet is typically unnecessary and potentially harmful in certain situations. Greyhounds showcase a low resting blood potassium level, which is an adaptation strategy from their athletic demeanor. This condition allows the release of adequate potassium during exercise without the risk of overly high potassium levels that could endanger the heart.
Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation
Supplementation with Vitamin D and calcium could be necessary when a greyhound’s diet has a significantly high meat content.
Magnesium for Cramp Prevention
Supplementing with magnesium, sometimes combined with selenium, can aid in cramp reduction. However, if a greyhound experiences consistent cramping episodes, the diet’s macronutrient balance should be assessed, and other potential causes such as dehydration should be investigated. Professional veterinary advice is invaluable in these situations to determine the cause and solution.
Ensuring Safe Dietary Intake for Racing Greyhounds
Adherence to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) Rules of Racing is essential for trainers and includes ensuring that all food consumables, supplements, and additives fed to their greyhounds are devoid of any substance that might unfavorably affect their performance or compromise their well-being.
Trainer Responsibilities and Guidance
Trainers must recognize and comply with the following guidance concerning the racing greyhounds’ feeds and feed additives:
Responsibility: Trainers, under GBGB rules, hold the responsibility of ensuring all food, vitamins, minerals, and feed additives given to their greyhounds are free from prohibited substances.
Prohibited Ingredients: Ingredients such as caffeine, chocolate, or cocoa should be strictly avoided in a greyhound’s diet. These substances can result in positive tests for prohibited compounds such as caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline.
Supplement Ingredient Checking: Trainers must scrutinize the ingredient list of food supplements and various canine treats that might contain harmful or prohibited substances.
Disciplinary Action: Incidents leading to a positive test for any outlawed substance may subject the trainer to disciplinary actions according to the GBGB’s Rules of Racing.
Risks Associated with Chocolate Consumption
In addition to the issue of performance-altering substances, trainers should be aware of the toxic properties of certain foods to racing greyhounds:
Chocolate Toxicity: Chocolate and similar cocoa products can be harmful to dogs, with consumption leading to varying disorders or even resulting in death. Therefore, it is critical to safeguard against any possible chocolate ingestion.
Safe Food Storage & Hygiene Practices for Greyhounds
Meticulous handling, storage, and preparation of food are fundamental in mitigating the risk of foodborne diseases in greyhounds. The guidelines that follow are designed to help prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria on food that could result in illness.
General Framework for Food Safety
Trainers should heed the following guidance for safe food storage and preparation:
Feed Supply Choice: Establish a reliable feed supply, ensuring the food’s origin and quality.
Food Storage: Store food suitably in a functional freezer (ensure feed remains frozen by regular temperature checks), in a refrigerator (< 4°C), or, for dry food, in sealed containers to prevent the entry of moisture or vermin (including slugs and snails).
Cooking Meat: Always cook meat above 70°C (ideally to boiling point) to eliminate any potentially pathogenic bacteria that can thrive in uncooked meat.
Cooling Before Serving: Cool food rapidly (to 20-30°C) before serving to the greyhound.
Cooling When Storing: When planning to store cooked food, cool it quickly to below 4°C. Flat trays can facilitate more rapid cooling.
Reheating: When reheating, heat the food to more than 70°C and then cool quickly before serving.
General Hygiene Maintenance: Keep both food storage and preparation areas clean and hygienic.
Feeding Whole Chicken Mince
Particular caution must be exercised while storing and processing whole chicken mince, especially if it contains skin.
Storage Concerns: Given the risk that pathogenic bacteria may inhabit the skin of the bird during processing, storing chicken mince containing skin is not recommended.
Fresh Minced Chicken: It’s preferable to mince whole chicken fresh each day to mitigate bacterial contamination.
Portion Freezing: Skinless chicken meat may be frozen in small portions and minced daily in the required amount.
Bone Risks: Chicken meat should be carefully minced to ensure the absence of sharp bones that could harm the greyhound.
Skin Removal: If the mince is to be kept under refrigeration for 24-36 hours, or frozen for later use, removing the skin from the chicken pieces is advisable.
