Author's Note:  While this article was originally written for a Greyhound publication, the
basic principles of nutrition apply to all dogs.  Optimum nutrition and tolerance may vary
even from dog to dog in your own household.  Do your homework and don't hesitate to
seek the advice of a holistic veterinarian.

Sleek, agile and born to run, the Greyhound is fast becoming a popular performance dog
in agility, obedience and coursing. With its phenomenal gift of stamina, whether in open
field, on the track or chasing a lure, it is the fastest breed of dog. In addition, its sweet
nature and keen intelligence make it an excellent house pet.

Whether you acquired your Greyhound for conformation, coursing or companionship,
it requires a complete, balanced diet to achieve its optimum potential. Most owners
have chosen one of two options for a balanced diet: a kibble-based commercial diet
or a raw homemade diet.

For Greyhound owners choosing a kibble-based commercial diet, Michael Trapani, D.V.M.,
from Grass Valley, California, tells what to look for in a premium dog food. “First, the
food should not contain dyes or artificial preservatives because kibble is preserved by its
lack of water. The food should contain Vitamin E and tocopherols, which are important
for maintaining a healthy skin and coat and help naturally preserve the food. Dr. Trapani
also emphasizes that the dog food you feed your Greyhound be low in fat. “For a perf-
ormance Greyhound, I would recommend a product with approximately 26 percent
protein and 10 percent fat. Many dog foods contain fat far in excess of what is needed,
and too much fat – anything above 10 percent – can cause health problems.”

Dr. Trapani continues, “I recommend that my clients serve a variety of premium kibbles
to their dogs. No one food can possibly provide all the ingredients necessary for life and
health.” In addition, he notes that buying small bags of several different brands of dog
food will vary the grain as well as the protein source. “Grains are the primary culprit in
food allergies,” Dr. Trapani explains, so varying your Greyhound’s brand of dry food
can help you either avoid, identify or manage a food allergy.

“Any dog that is fed the same kibble day after day, month after month, year after year is
likely to develop an allergy to that food.” says Dr. Trapani.

Susan Murphy, D.V.M., of Penn Valley, California, also cautions against feeding bargain-
basement foods, noting that “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The Association
of American Food Control Officials (AAFCO) allows two ways for a pet diet to gain approval:
actual, live feeding trials conducted according to its protocols or verification that the
formulation meets its minimum established dietary standard. Dr. Murphy explains, “The
label should read that the food has been tested and meets the standards of AAFCO.
This substantiates that the food provides complete and balanced nutrition.” She cautions,
“Because the testing is voluntary and enforcement non-existent, some dog food companies
might misrepresent their food by saying that it meetsanimal feeding standards, or AAFCO
standards, but in reality these foods haven’t been tested. The word tested must actually
appear on the label.”

Adopters of retired racing Greyhounds have been in the vanguard of the B.A.R.F.
(Bones and Raw Food, or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet. They have
often been educated by Greyhound rescue coordinators to continue the raw meat
and bones diet that was fed to the dog while it was racing. Benefits of’ a raw diet
are thought to include robust health, clean teeth, sweet-smelling breath, freedom
from skin and bowel problems and increased energy. It is hoped that the benefits
will extend to old age, precluding heart, kidney and liver problems, among others.

Jackie Obando, D.V.M., of MercyVet PLCC on Mercer Island, Washington, is a
homeopathic, naturopathic and chiropractic practitioner. While the potential benefits
of a raw diet attract many owners, Dr. Obando cautions that it is easy to overlook im-
portant elements with home-prepared food, so it’s vital to have a good recipe and
expert nutritional advice. The raw-food aficionado must be prepared to read and
become educated in nutrition and should seek out a veterinarian well-versed in raw
diets. If you’re not prepared to put in this time and effort, it is best to stay with a
superior commercial diet.

RAW DIETS: WHAT AHD WHY
In a primitive state, dogs are primarily carnivores. Their diet never consisted of the
human version of a “balanced meal,” combining vegetables, grains and meat.
Some meals may have been meat and vegetables, consisting of the stomach
contents of an herbivore; other meals would have included meat and bones.
And of course, in a primitive state as well as today, dogs like green grass and
even the occasional fruit when grazing.

To Supplement or Not?
Supplements are probably the most controversial and individualized portion of a
raw diet. Jackie Obando, D.V.M., of MercyVet PLCC on Mercer Island,
Washington, cautions against over-supplementing, looking first to the diet to
provide the nutrients necessary for life and health. A natural diet should fulfill
the needs of most dogs. She recommends the following supplements as healthful
for all dogs. Beyond these, “each dog is an individual,” Dr. Obando points out.

Blue-green algae is her preferred supplement for trace minerals and iodine; she
cautions that you should look for a clean source. She adds these trace minerals
to vegetables because she believes today’s depleted soils cannot provide all of
the nutrients to the vegetables as they once did.

Trace minerals include boron, chromium, copper, germanium, iodine, iron,
manganese molybdenum, selenium, silicone, sulfur, vanadium and zinc. Minerals
are needed for the proper composition of body fluids, the formation of blood and
bone, the maintenance of healthy nerve function and the regulation of muscle tone,
including the muscles in the cardiovascular system. Iodine is necessary for proper
function of the thyroid, which is the gatekeeper of the immune system. Like
vitamins, minerals function as coenzymes, enabling the body to perform its
functions, including growth and healing. Because all enzyme activities involve
minerals, they are necessary for the proper utilization of vitamins and other nutrients.

Fatty acids are essential for rebuilding and producing new cells. They improve
skin and hair and aid in the prevention of arthritis. Essential fatty acids are
designated omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in nuts,
seeds and legumes, as well as in unsaturated oils. These oils must be consumed
in pure or supplement form, as heat destroys the essential fatty acids. Fish oil
supplies omega-3 fatty acids and is believed to be a better source of them
than flax seed oil because dogs and cats absorb it more easily. Dr. Obando
recommends fish oil rather than cod liver oil because the fish oil is harvested
from deep-water dwellers, such as salmon or mackerel, and therefore, is less
likely to be toxic than cod liver oil.

Fish oil is an important source of vitamins A, D and E, which are fat-soluble
vitamins. Because they can be toxic in large doses, it is important to consult
a professional for proper administration. Vitamin A is important for skin,
bones and teeth. As an antioxidant, it protects the cells against cancer and
other diseases.

Vitamin E should be fed at the rate of 200 to 400 international units per cup of
fatty meat. It prevents the fats from oxidizing and becoming rancid after ingestion.
If your Greyhound has had a heart condition, start very slowly with supplementing
vitamin E, and follow the advice of your natural healing professionals. Vitamin E
is important in the prevention of cancer and heart disease, as well as maintaining
healthy nerves and building strong capillary walls.

A blend of antioxidants also helps prevent oxidation and is important for circulation,
energy and overall health. A health food store should be able to supply a natural
blend including such antioxidants, such as grape-seed extract, alphalipoic acid,
glutathione, carotenoids, lutein and others.

Digestive enzymes are recommended when feeding meat and meaty bones, and
sometimes applied directly to the bones. They help unlock the nutrients in food
for better absorption by the body. They are thought to replace enzymes found in
whole or raw food that may have been destroyed by handling, processing or poor
soil nutrients.

Special needs: When administered with professional advice, co-enzyme Q10 maybe
effective in treating heart conditions, liver conditions and gum conditions. Up to one
milligram per pound of body weight may be given, depending on the condition being
treated. The amino acid taurine can be a life-saving supplement for dogs prone to heart
disease and seizures. It is used as both a preventive measure and cure.

Kim Meyer of Belmont, Massachusetts, provides a sample supplement regime. She
is the owner of two Greys, Nate and Chloe, and has been feeding raw for three years.
“We give vitamin C, vitamin E, kelp, alfalfa, digestive enzymes, glucosamine, milk thistle,
evening primrose oil, fish-body oil, flax seed oil, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, probiotics
and various nuts – certainly not all of these every day, but I like to rotate the oils, Vitamin C
, kelp, alfalfa, digestive enzymes and glucosamine are fed daily; the other supplements
are fed appoximately once every one to two weeks.”
 

The feeding of a raw meat diet, complemented by supplements and a holistic approach
to veterinary medicine, is considered a contemporary trend in nutrition. Popularized by
Ian Billinghurst, D.V.M., in his book Give Your Dog A Bone (self-published) and in the
classic book by Richard Pitcairn, D.V.M., Ph.D., and Susan Hubble Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn ’s
Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, 1995), the idea of a
natural diet is hardly new.

Fifty years ago, based on 30 previous years of experience, Juliette de Bairacli Levy published
The Complete Herbal Handbook, Billinghurst and Pitcairn, her approach is somewhat more
eclectic. Levy states, “I would suggest breeders make good use of such flesh foods as the
following: breast of mutton; sheep heads, including the very nutritious eyes and brain; ox cheeks,
a readily digestible part of the carcass and rich in minerals. I learned this from a Gypsy in the
Forest of Dean; this man had bred many famous Greyhounds, and he told me that such fare
was the finest of natural food tonics.” She recommended rabbit and poultry for smaller breeds,
but mutton was her choice for performance Greyhounds.

Like Levy, Dr. Obando is an advocate of feeding raw diets and meaty bones. In her practice,
she has found, “there are specific benefits for dogs from raw diets: The skin is clear, and coats
in the Greyhound and other breeds are fuller. There is less shedding, and muscle mass is improved.
In one case, I saw the resolution of urinary incontinence when the dog began eating raw foods – a
completely unexpected result.” Based on her experience, Dr. Obando believes that approximately
50 percent of health problems may disappear when animals are fed a raw diet.

Feeding a raw diet can sometimes appear complex; however, its rise in popularity has exploded
the myth that one needs a university degree to feed a cat or dog a successful raw diet. You should
consult your veterinarian or a nutritional specialist to plan a safe and complete raw diet. The
following concrete tips and a basic knowledge of your dog’s nutritional needs can help introduce
you to the basics of a healthy raw diet for your Greyhound.

BONE APPETIT
The first and most important category of a raw diet is raw, meaty bones. According to Dr. Obando,
dogs have been fed bones throughout history. “Dogs all over the world eat bones. They have a high
pH [acid] level in their stomach, which means they are generally not susceptible to salmonella,” she
says. Raw bones are key: “It is the cooked variety of bones that become hard and brittle and are not
digested properly,” Dr. Obando notes.

Most Greyhound owners that I talked to fed their dogs primarily raw chicken backs, necks and
wings (with chicken, it is extra important the bones be raw as cooked bones can splinter and
puncture the intestine), due to availability and affordability. Greys weigh from 50 to 80 pounds
and are fed one to three chicken backs daily, or a corresponding amount of necks or wings. Your
own dog’s metabolism will play a large part in determining how much you feed. Adjust your dog’s
portions daily based on its general appearance and health. You should be able to place your hand
on the dog’s rib cage and feel the rib bones, but not to excess, in a healthy dog. Most owners I
surveyed feed two chicken backs daily.

Organic, range-fed chickens are preferred, but if they are not available at your local health food store,
bear in mind that some commercial poultry companies claim to be natural. Talk to a veterinary nutritionist
for guidance in choosing a safe brand of commercial poultry.

Other meaty bones often fed in raw diets are turkey or chicken necks, which have an excellent
proportion of calcium to meat and also contain healthy cartilage. (If the source is suspect, however,
note that hormones and antibiotics tend to concentrate in the neck. 13eef and lamb are also given
on occasion. Meaty beef bones and turkey wings, backs and necks are com- monly used. Most
dogs do not entirely consume beef bones or lamb bones, but they love to chew on thcm. Raw pork
should be avoidcd because it may be infected with trichinosis.

Some dogs, including sighthound, are unable to completely digest raw bones and will vomit or
pass small pieces of bone. This can happen even if the dog is converted gradually to the raw diet.
Occasionally, this is due to the dog eating too quickly. Using a digestive enzyme and hand-holding
the food for the dog to eat can help. Chopping or grinding chicken backs, while not recommended by
most raw food aficionados, is also a viable way of providing the proper balance of bones to meat.

Occasionally, a dog is unable to digest bones at all or even chew on the larger bones without
gastric upset. Dr. Obando has found that these sighthounds do quite well on a raw meat and
vegetable diet, supplemented with bone meal or calcium carbonate tablets from the health food
store. She also recommends supplementing these dogs’ meals with chondroitin, which is found
in the raw bones. Chondroitin is a basic building block for cartilage, synovial fluid and other
connective tissue. It is needed for healthy structure andfunction of joints for optimum mobility.

Organ meat should be procured from a source that has been inspected and certified free of
disease; your local health food store is your best resource. Typically, Greys are fed one
or two organ meat and vegetable meals per week.

OTHER FOODS
Here’s a brief roundup of other ingredients that can be fed in a raw food diet.

Eggcetera: Eggs, preferably cage-free organic eggs, provide an important source of protein.
They are a perfect raw food, containing minerals, calcium, vitamins and essential fatty acids.
A common myth claims that you should not feed egg whites. It’s true that the avidin
in egg whites destroys biotin, however, the yolk contains far more biotin than the avidin can
destroy. The egg white would only be a problem if it were fed separately and continuously in
excess amounts.

Biotin aids in cell growth and in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Sufficient
quantities are needed for healthy hair and skin. The eggshell can also be fed as a high-quality
source of calcium, but it must be pulverized because the small fragments will pass undigested
through the dog’s intestines. The egg is an excellent source of protein and is easy to mix with
a vegetable meal several times a week. Very old or sick animals should not be fed eggs because
they can be difficult to digest.

Eat your veggies: My sources, from Greyhound owners and breeders to Levy, Dr. Obando and
Dr. Billinghurst, are unanimous in their recommendations for feeding vegetables. Approximately
60 percent of the vegetables fed each day should be raw, leafy greens. The remaining 40 percent
is limited only by your imagination. Traditionally, the approach is to mimic what would be found
in the stomach of an animal your dog might consume in the wild. There would be small portions
of different greens, some partially digested. Use every green vegetable except peppers and onions.

Dr. Obando recommends adding half an apple for increased flavor. The vegeta Greys get a
calcium-rich frozen yogurt treat.

Vegetables can be run through a juicer, with the dogs eating the pulp and the juice, and the
owner sharing in the healthy vegetable cocktail. A food processor or blender can also be used.

Dairy products: Cottage cheese and yogurt are both nutritious and healing for your dog. Cottage
cheese contains essential amino acids and is thus beneficial to sick animals, lactating animals and
puppies. Its protein is easily digestible and of good quality. It also contains three essential amino
acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine) and works to protect muscle, promote healing and act as fuel.

With its beneficial cultures, yogurt is a good treatment for diarrhea. It can also be used as part of
a formula to replace mother’s milk for young puppies. Yogurt supplies friendly bacteria to the
digestive tract, as well as calcium, proteins and Vitamins B and A.

Starchy foods: These are cooked foods, such as squash, oatmeal, yams, sweet potatoes or pasta,
usually combined with ground or juiced vegetables and yogurt.

An apple a day: Most dogs, and sighthounds in particular, have a good appetite for fruit. In ancient
times, nan (unleavened bread) and figs were fed to the hounds at times when meat vas scarce. Fruit
contains lots of fiber and vitamins A and C, as well as digestive enzymes that aid in the digestion of
bones. As with vegetables, which fruit to feed your Greyhound is limited only by your imagination.
However, remember to wash fruits to remove pesticide.

Grains and legumes: Perhaps no ingredient is as controversial in the raw food diet as grains.
First, grains are fed cooked, not raw.  In addition, the most common food allergies dogs have
are grains, particularly  wheat and corn and even rice. Both Dr. Billinghurst and Levy advocate
mixing small amounts of legumes  and grain together, if grain is to be fed, in order to form a more
complete protein.  Dr. Billinghurst believes  that oats are the best grain to use, being a good
source of protein and minerals. The healthiest form of grain is sprouted whole grains from
organic sources. The sprouted seeds are an excellent source of vitamins with none
of the deleterious effects of cooked grains.

Grains and vegetables are fed together as a meal. Combining grains and legumes forms
a complete protein, and this combinationcan be served as a soup, accompanied by leafy
green vegetables or yogurt. Your  dog’s diet may be as varied as your imagination, and
you may find yourself sharing some of these meals.

There are many resources, opinions and variations on the raw diet. No magic formula
exists in terms of what  items to feed or the specific amounts and ratios of each. However,
a typical diet as described below can provide the base for your own.

Jen Lawson of North Georgia is the owner of four rescued Greyhounds that compete
heavily. She feeds them primarily chicken backs. Twice a week she feeds a mixture
of pureed vegetables, fruit, liver, heart, powdered kelp, alfalfa and ground beef. Once
a week, she feeds a recreational marrow or rib bone. Her adopted ex-racers are still
performance dogs; one is multi-titled Never Make It FCh., CGC, CD, NA, NAJ.
Three others are participating in agility. Says Lawson, “Grains are not included in meals,
but mine train and compete for obedience and agility events, so they get lots of treats.
I use Red Barn, which has some grain, or homemade treats that use grain as a base.”

Billinghurst suggests this formula for achieving balance: “A balanced diet for your dog
would consist of approximately 10 bone meals combined with four leafy vegetable
meals, one starchy meal, one grain and legume meal, one purely meat meal, two milk
meals and one or two organ meat (offal) meals. This would occur over a two-
to three-week period.” If you don’t feed bones, the meat meals would be
supplemented with bone meal or calcium carbonate. Many dogs require more
green leafy vegetables as an aid to proper bowel function. Kibble can also be
rotated in with the raw diet.

Kate McBride, founder of Teddy’s Freezer, gives us some philosophical considerations
for diet. “Please keep in mind that moderation in all things promotes the greatest good.
Each animal, like us, has varying genetic predispositions, sensitivities and constitutions,
and we should make a point to consider those factors in formulating their diet.
Every ‘body’ is a law unto itself.

“In the game of life, be as gentle with the creatures placed in your charge as you are with
your own human body. Both are responsibilities not to be taken lightly. Both, if fueled with
living foods ... will return to the world their highest and best talents”

Astrid Pryor, a freelance writer based in Northern California, is active in Afghan rescue
and shows her dogs in conformation, obedience and agility.

Healthy Treats

The type and variety of treats you can feed your Greyhound are unlimited. It is recommended
that all foods and ingredients come from organic sources. For example, cantaloupe and
cottage cheese are great snacks for your four- legged companion. Almond butter spread
on whole-grain bread, dried fruits and raw nuts are also great rewards. Try the following
recipes for homemade cookies and bars. Organic ingredients are usually available in bulk
from your local health food store.

Oat Cilantro Dill Bones
4 cups organic oat flour
2 cups organic quick oats
½ cup organic cornmeal
2 teaspoons fresh dill weed
2 eggs – fertile, cage-free
1½ cups pure water
1½ cups fresh, pulverized cilantro

Mix all dry ingredients together. Stir and set aside in a large bowl. Beat the eggs
and water together. Add cilantro and stir. Pour liquid into the bowl with the dry
ingredients and stir together to form a large ball. Roll out half the dough at a time on a
flat surface and cut into desired shapes. Place on non-stick cookie sheet. Bake at 350
degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Oatmeal Banana Date Cookies

4 cups organic old-fashioned oats (chopped in processor until fine)
2 cups organic oat flour
¾ cup pure water
2 large organic bananas
1 cup sulphur-free dates (prunes, figs or raisins can also be used)
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Place the chopped oats in a large bowl with the flour and blend. Process fruits,  water and
cinnamon until fine; add to the flour mixture and blend.

Dump out on floured surface and press with hands. Cut into shapes about ½-to-¾ inch
thick. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. Yes, you can eat one, too!

Recipes courtesy of Fairy Dog Mother.

– Astrid Pryor