Kibble protein -20%???

[Carmie]

Hey everyone, I’ve searched the internet high and low reading up on this and not found much solid info. So I wanted to ask what your experiences were with greyhound food protein percentages?? 

A lot of UK/EU based organisations recommend feeding -20% protein for retired racers living a fairly sedentary life. Ive noticed the school of thinking in the US is not the same. 

Our grey, Rylee was very anxious and on edge the first few weeks he was with us, he then started to calm down and would be a lot more forthcoming doing things he was previously super afraid of (like taking the stairs). But in the last week his anxiety has shot up again.

The only thing I can see that is different is that he had an upset tummy for a couple weeks, and so we fed him plain chicken and rice. We put him back on his kibble (vet concept salmon pack, 21.8% crude protein) a week ago and so I’m wondering if that’s the issue. 

We are slowly transitioning to Bubeck specialist Greyhound kibble which is 18% protein. 

Has anyone else experienced a link between anxiety and diet? Maybe with home cooked / raw or -20% protein kibble? 

Thanks in advance for any answers!

[HeyRunDog]

You're probably over thinking it and I can see where you are getting confused. Even "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies" sits on the fence with a suggested 22% to 27% which is most unhelpful.

UK based organisations say about 20% so anything between 17% and 22% depending on how much exercise Rylee does. If his coat is in good condition and he's weight stays the same then you are probably getting it right.

His anxiety level could be caused by a number of things that only greyhounds can see or hear. Perhaps he's got used to one set of sights and sounds and now has spare thinking capacity to notice fresh ones that he need to come to terms with.

The best thing you can do is to stay calm and chilled and keep to a routine and enjoy his company

[cleptogrey]

it's trial and error to see what really works for your dog. and remember it takes a good 6 weeks for their skin/coat to respond to the change, be it raise or lower protein/fat levels. so, i wouldn't go crazy reading #s unless it's on the scale.  so, try what is easily accessible and wait. and remember there is activity and there is activity. walking a couple of miles a day is great for the two of you- but running like a mad dog is what will burn up calories! also age has a lot to do with caloric need and i hate to say it- but being spay/neutered does change their metabolism from what i have observed and not living in a communal situation does change their dietary needs. generally i watch calories, my younger GH needed 1000- 1200c daily- 3 mile walks and lots of soccer time in the yard. as they aged 1c in am/1c in pm maybe 800c tops.  

[greysmom]

If you were a US adopter I would say - first thing - that he probably has hook worms or another parasite.  We are dealing with a particularly resistant variety here and they can cause a lot of issues across the spectrum of canine bahavior and medical.  So you *may* want to follow up with your vet about fecal testing.

As far as other causes, it's really too soon to tell. He hasn't been with you all that long and his personality is still emerging in regards to settling in and relaxing in his new living situation.  It can take months for dogs to really become comfortable, particularly if they are more anxious dogs in the first place.  If you're transitioning food he may be becoming anxious if his tummy is upset, or there's been a change in his new normal routine.  Anxious dogs really do much better on a strict daily schedule.

I took a look at the dog food you mentioned - Burgess Greyhound chicken - and it seems to be a fine food.  Personally I would like a *little* more protein than 17%, but you will need to see how your guy does on it for a couple months.  As mentioned, you want a well-balanced food (protein AND carbs), that your dog will eat, and that will allow them to maintain consistent weight and energy level across time.  If he likes the food in general you may want to consider adding protein as a topper to each meal - 1/2 a cup of cooked chicken, or a spoon or two of tinned dog food - to up the protein level a bit.

[JamesBrown89]

Hey! We used to feed our dog only homemade food, but recently we completely switched to what the veterinarian told us and he told us to buy a good and high-protein balanced food

[Carmie]

On 3/16/2021 at 7:34 AM, HeyRunDog said:

You're probably over thinking it and I can see where you are getting confused. Even "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies" sits on the fence with a suggested 22% to 27% which is most unhelpful.

UK based organisations say about 20% so anything between 17% and 22% depending on how much exercise Rylee does. If his coat is in good condition and he's weight stays the same then you are probably getting it right.

His anxiety level could be caused by a number of things that only greyhounds can see or hear. Perhaps he's got used to one set of sights and sounds and now has spare thinking capacity to notice fresh ones that he need to come to terms with.

The best thing you can do is to stay calm and chilled and keep to a routine and enjoy his company

Thanks a lot for this / that’s a great insight - I didn’t know it could be the case that he is now noticing new things. We do have neighbours who argue a lot so maybe he is picking up on that. 

[Carmie]

On 3/16/2021 at 5:19 PM, greysmom said:

If you were a US adopter I would say - first thing - that he probably has hook worms or another parasite.  We are dealing with a particularly resistant variety here and they can cause a lot of issues across the spectrum of canine bahavior and medical.  So you *may* want to follow up with your vet about fecal testing.

As far as other causes, it's really too soon to tell. He hasn't been with you all that long and his personality is still emerging in regards to settling in and relaxing in his new living situation.  It can take months for dogs to really become comfortable, particularly if they are more anxious dogs in the first place.  If you're transitioning food he may be becoming anxious if his tummy is upset, or there's been a change in his new normal routine.  Anxious dogs really do much better on a strict daily schedule.

I took a look at the dog food you mentioned - Burgess Greyhound chicken - and it seems to be a fine food.  Personally I would like a *little* more protein than 17%, but you will need to see how your guy does on it for a couple months.  As mentioned, you want a well-balanced food (protein AND carbs), that your dog will eat, and that will allow them to maintain consistent weight and energy level across time.  If he likes the food in general you may want to consider adding protein as a topper to each meal - 1/2 a cup of cooked chicken, or a spoon or two of tinned dog food - to up the protein level a bit.

We actually had his poop and urine tested by the vet and came back all clear. So led us to believe it was more of an anxiety thing. Now his poop is fine again but he’s just more worried! I am looking into a trainer that can maybe help us with the fear too. 

[Carmie]

On 3/16/2021 at 5:19 PM, greysmom said:

If you were a US adopter I would say - first thing - that he probably has hook worms or another parasite.  We are dealing with a particularly resistant variety here and they can cause a lot of issues across the spectrum of canine bahavior and medical.  So you *may* want to follow up with your vet about fecal testing.

As far as other causes, it's really too soon to tell. He hasn't been with you all that long and his personality is still emerging in regards to settling in and relaxing in his new living situation.  It can take months for dogs to really become comfortable, particularly if they are more anxious dogs in the first place.  If you're transitioning food he may be becoming anxious if his tummy is upset, or there's been a change in his new normal routine.  Anxious dogs really do much better on a strict daily schedule.

I took a look at the dog food you mentioned - Burgess Greyhound chicken - and it seems to be a fine food.  Personally I would like a *little* more protein than 17%, but you will need to see how your guy does on it for a couple months.  As mentioned, you want a well-balanced food (protein AND carbs), that your dog will eat, and that will allow them to maintain consistent weight and energy level across time.  If he likes the food in general you may want to consider adding protein as a topper to each meal - 1/2 a cup of cooked chicken, or a spoon or two of tinned dog food - to up the protein level a bit.

I’ve actually been adding a bit of beef mince or chicken so thanks for this suggestion!