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Encouraging New Greyhound To Eat ?


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Hi

 

I have a 2 year old greyhound just off the track

 

I cannot for the life of me get her to eat

 

She will eat a tiny bit of kibble and that's it

 

I've tried giving raw mince and mixing with kibble

I've tried pet mince won't eat it

 

I've tried cooking the mince and pet mince and won't eat it

 

I've tried the dog rolls which I don't like and she won't eat it

 

 

She likes Vegemite on toast

She likes the dog scrap bone cut offs from butchers but found out Se was burrying then in her bed

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Welcome to GreyTalk! This time of night can be slow to get responses as there are fewer members outside of the US and Canada. We do have members worldwide, so responses will trickle in until the more populated time zones wake up.

 

You might try a little warm broth mixed with the kibble to make it more attractive. Chciken or beef broth often works, as will a little gravy on top, Your dog is adjusting to a whole new way of life, so the change in surroundings and routine may also have her a little nervous and affect her appetite.

 

Most track dogs eat in their crates here in the US. Are you feeding her in the crate? She may be more comfortable with eating in the crate if that's what she's used to.

 

Post with your location and the brand of kibble you are using. Those members in your area may be able to offer suggestions regarding the brands/types available to you and what has worked for their hounds.

 

Good luck. She will get more comfortable over time and become a begging machine.... :chow It just takes patience and a little time.

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Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan.  Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket,  Allie  Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life

 

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I mix a little water in the kibble. I mix mine with 1/2 raw (no bones) I change around the protein so allergies don't have a chance of starting. Try putting little bits of canned fish, potted meat, tuna, cottage cheese. Be careful on what you are not supposed to give them and I know you can find that list on the computer. I always rinse canned vegetables because of the salt content. I buy nothing that was made in China. Raw turkey necks may be something you can give them a couple of times a week instead of regular kibble. That is yard food!!! LOL

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Guest normaandburrell

Water or broth in the kibble is very important. My first grey had to be hand fed for the first two weeks to get him to eat, at least for the first few bites, then he would eat. I had a foster who didn't eat for two days, then she ate like a horse. She could not be encouraged by hand feeding. They are sometimes very frightened when they first come into a home.

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Where are you based? I'm guessing Australia or New Zealand by the mention of Vegemite.

Not sure how it's done in Australia, but here in the UK, greyhounds are most often fed kibble mixed with a meat and vegetable stew and a lot of warm broth from the stew. They leave it until the kibble swells and soaks up most of the water (and cools, of course). You could try offering her that, and if you don't want to get into making stew for her, you can approximate it by adding half a can of good quality dog food with enough warm water to make a kind of gravy. Butcher's Tripe is very popular here, or Chappie, but I'm sure someone will tell you what is a good brand locally.

But don't get too wound up about it. When they are new in a home, they often won't eat much while they're figuring out what is going on. If you stress about it, it won't help, and may make her more anxious. Offer the food, leave it down for half an hour and then take it away without making a fuss. She should begin to eat within a few days.

If she's been with you for a few weeks, still won't eat, and is losing weight, I'd suggest a vet check-up to make sure she's in good health. Apart from that, just relax and keep offering her dinner at a set time. In kennels here they are fed in the afternoon - our local kennel starts the feeding round at about 1pm and it's about 3pm when they're done. They also get a small breakfast in some kennels, often cereal with milk. You can gradually adjust times and content to your own routine, of course, but it may be worth trying to follow this, if you can, to get her started.

Edited by silverfish

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Hi

 

I am in Australia

 

And I use vip all natural grain free kibble sweet potato flavour

 

She has free roam of the house an my back yard she has started walking outside independently

 

Good thing is she doesn't wee or poo inside

 

She also didn't wee or poo in her crate at racing

 

 

I have also noticed that her toungue hangs out side when she eats

So not sure if that is a problem

 

Also got her in season trainer said she was finished being in season turns out she wasn't lol

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Hm .. not sure it's right that her tongue hangs outside her mouth while she's eating. Have you had a look in her mouth? She maybe has a problem which needs addressing.

When we got one of ours he didn't eat properly and it turned out he had a nasty ulcer in his mouth from a dental which went wrong. Also, if her trainer thought she was in season and she wasn't, I'd want that checked. It could possibly indicate kidney problems.

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Guest greytone

Hm .. not sure it's right that her tongue hangs outside her mouth while she's eating. Have you had a look in her mouth? She maybe has a problem which needs addressing.

 

That is my thoughts too. Look at her mouth. What kind of shape are her teeth in? Maybe she needs a dental.

 

Another thought that I have is maybe she doesn't like the food that you are feeding her. Was she in a foster home at all? If she was, I would contact them. She could just be a picky eater.

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I got her straight off the track .. Altho never raced as her back legs dislocate when she runs hard

 

The litter she came from all have the same issue with mouth

 

 

Trainer said she just finished being in season but when I got her she was still bleeding

But is bits of blood and the rest is clear

 

Last night I tried mince cooked with rice which she took 4 mouthfuls and then went back to bed

 

Which she seems to always do

 

Even with the other dogs that visit she greets them and then goes to back to bed

 

Trying to get her to play with ball but not interested in any toys

 

But happily steals the toilet rolls and all my clothes and takes them to her bed haha

 

Also the trainer just feeds them mince and kibble

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I'd stick with feeding her with what the trainer did. It's not unusual for a new dog to not eat much, or play much, or interact much. Just be patient. Also "collecting" is a common greyhound trait. Lots of new greys steal thing and take them to their beds. I think it's a bit of a self-comfort thing, and is really quite cute.

 

What do you mean by "mince"? Ignorant American here!

 

Does she seem very stressed? Panting and pacing or whining? Is she drinking water?

Edited by sobesmom
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Mince like u would see in A meat pie

 

Just meat minced up

 

Which is what trainer fed but she wouldn't touch it for me

 

She ate a full meal tonight

Chicken and pasta

 

She drinks a lot , was panting a lot when first came but is summer here and hot and she still has a winter coat which I've been brushing everyday

A lot more playful today was running full pelt around yard

So may of just been due to not settled

Are u not suppose to give bones ? I've been giving raw bones

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Mince is minced meat. I think you'd call it, perhaps, ground meat? You use it for hamburgers, rissoles, bolognaise sauce......

 

Hi there! Welcome from a fellow Aussie!

 

I'm wondering where you are based and where you got your grey from? If I know that, I might be able to point you in the direction of people who can help on the ground.

 

Meanwhile, how long have you had buggalugs? Have you had her vet checked? I'm guessing that you didn't go through an adoption group as most insist on the dogs bring desexed before they are adopted out. In particular, you need to check to see whether she needs to be wormed, which might impact her appetite, and get her teeth and mouth checked. Also I'd try to find a muscle man or very good vet to check her for neck and back injuries - eating might be painful (perhaps a raised bowl?).

 

For food, you don't say what meat is being fed, but many racing greys are fed roo, so that might be familiar to her. Personally I don't like feeding my dogs that, but first aim is to get her chowing down. They are also fed Vegemite toast, as a treat or at breakfast. Something else to try are Box 1 biscuits - the australianpettreatcompany.com stock them but so do some pet stores. This isn't a complete meal, but again, familiar. These are sometimes soaked in gravy, or given as is.

 

I personally don't start worrying until the dog hasn't eaten for four days if they've just arrived. Mine all started eating at day 3. She might be just acclimatising. It's also disgustingly hot which doesn't help.

Adding, bones are good but I avoid weight bearing ones. Chicken carcasses, turkey drumsticks, beef necks all work for me.

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Hey

 

I'm based in Central Coast and I got my grey from ppl my landlord knows as he was a greyhound trainer and turns out it's the ppl I see at work as I work with race horses their uncle

 

She will be getting Desexed asoon as she comes off season

 

My landlord said the trainer feeds just mince and kibble which I tried normal mince and pet mince and didn't like either of them but she ate a full meal of chicken and pasta but as of yesterday is more playful and venturing outside by herself and lays down outside which she hasn't been doing

 

I've had her a week tomorow .. Which I was hoping she would be off season by then but next door who I share the property with have a greyhound who also is in season and their other dog is due to come on season so not sure if they can bring on or make a season go longer some how

 

She is quiet timid and doesn't like loud noise

I yelled at my phone and she quickly ran out the room

 

Apparently before the last trainer got her she was mistreated

 

She is very sneaky and have to be aware of when go out the gate as she is eager go out and run as we have acreage which next doors dog which is a greyhound also and a Labrador and they go out their to have a run

Which hoping wen I am confident she will come when her name is called she will also go out there for her excercise but at the same time I worry her back leg will dislocate if allowed to run around

 

I've walked her down road road but need a muzzle by law to walk her in public

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OK. You're up the road from me. You need to get her muzzled. She can't be out in public without one. It is that simple. We have spent too long here working to get the law changed to allow Greenhounds to be assessed and unmuzzled to have people mucking it up. You also need to make sure that your property is secure. She isn't sneaky. She's just doing what she does. Allowing her to run unsupervised with other dogs is dangerous. You don't want her chasing livestock, other dogs, going onto the road. That isn't about her being a grey. It's about you being responsible. However greys don't have brilliant recall and you've not had her long, so better safe than sorry. Leash walking is definitely the safest option given her medical issues. Make sure you use a martingale collar, a non retractable leash, and muzzle.

 

The timidity is difficult to assess in terms of mistreatment. In short, most greys are timid dogs and don't like shouting. At two,though, your dog won't have been 'trained' as such. They get broken in at about 18 months,and before that they tend to be left to grow up, it is more likely that she is quite under socialised and under handled which increases flightiness. I could be wrong though.

 

Places for advice: Greyhounds As Pets NSW are good, and there's a link there for Greenhounds which has all the details about muzzling and muzzling exemptions. Central Coast vets are supposedly good but if you're prepared to drive, I find Quakers Hill the best. That said, they're more local to me. Ask local greyhound trainers who love their dogs who they use. They're an opinionated lot but they don't tolerate second rate vet treatment for their winning dogs.

 

As for food, if she'll eat paSta and chicken keep her on that and wean her onto other stuff. She'll get there.

 

Owning a grey is a learning process. They are wonderful dogs but they do have their quirks. Once you have one, though, you'll never go back. Welcome to the family! What's your girl's name? Photos???

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Guest sireltonsmom

The one issue I would like to address is her spaying. She needs a greyhound smart vet and I bet he will recommend you wait 2 months after the end of season to get her done. Too soon after season allows for health problems down the road. Have the talk with him. He will check her mouth and get her wormed and do all the necessary checks your sweet new girl needs. Also, there are foodstuffs no dog should eat - onions so if you cook pot roast, just use broth please. No grapes, raisins or the like. No cooked bones, caffeine of any kind; sugar free gum (Xylitol) is deadly. I'm sure you know to keep all meds out of reach (my newest grey was a klepto) and he'd take my purse and swing it all around. I had to learn to keep it zipped since I had both aspirin and sugar free gum in it. It sounds like your girl is settling in. Enjoy her.

 

:ghplaybow:gh_runner

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Good news star has been eating since I last posted

 

Been eating pasta egg and chicken and also eats chicken necks

 

She's also getting playful and starting to run around which is good

 

Altho I really wish she would finish being in season as hers smells really bad

 

The other ones on season next door and those don't stink 3 dogs in season I wonder if can make others go longer in season lol

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Guest sireltonsmom

Glad she's adjusting and eating. Mindy's heat didn't have a smell. Vet should see her for exam, etc. Shortly after being adopted. Most adoption groups tell us to do that. Sounds like such a sweetie.

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She certainly is showing her quirks

 

Like getting rubbish out of bin

Dragging my blanket off my bed onto her bed

 

Chewing up CDs

 

Tempted to kick her outside while I'm not home

 

Doors always open so can come and go outside as pleased but she chooses to stay inside and get up to mischief lol

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Please don't leave her outside without adequate shelter. It's far too hot this time of year! You need to puppy proof your home. Alternatively you can muzzle her when you're not there. Take her for a good long walk in the morning to tire her out and leave her in her safe room or puppy proofed place. Make sure she has lots of blankets to nest in. You may also like to leave her a dirty t shirt which smells of you when you go out.

 

Has she gone to the vet yet?

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