Feeding a retired racing greyhound
Most greyhounds rehomed as pets in the UK are retired racers rather than dogs bred purely as companions, and that background genuinely changes what they need in their first months as a pet — a kennel diet quite different from a typical complete dog food, dental issues that are common after a racing career, and joints that have taken real wear from years of competitive running.
Feeding a Greyhound
A large breed
An adult Greyhound typically weighs 27–40 kg, so a healthy Greyhound eats a fair amount compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A large breed is usually done growing at 15–18 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 10–14 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
Joint support is worth looking for
Their size and frame put more load through the joints than a smaller dog carries, so a food with joint support on the label is worth reading for — and keeping them lean does more for their joints than any supplement.
Weight matters more than usual here
A long back or a heavy frame makes every extra kilo count twice. Weigh portions rather than eyeballing a scoop, and reduce the food rather than the walks if the waist starts to disappear.
How much should a Greyhound weigh?
Adult 27–40 kgfully grown at 15–18 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 3.1–4.6 kg | 11% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 5–7.4 kg | 19% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 10–14.9 kg | 37% |
| 12 months | Adolescent | 20.1–29.7 kg | 74% |
| 15–18 months | Fully grown | 27–40 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a large breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Greyhound
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Greyhound's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Field & Trial Skinner S Field Trial Light Senior
A lower-fat dry food for older, overweight or less active dogs, including working breeds
From£9.85
Autarky Complete Grain Free Adult Turkey
Grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, with turkey and a marine-algae joint care package
£12.79
Autarky Grain Free Tasty White Fish & Potato Complete
Grain-free dry dog food built around white fish meal rather than poultry
£12.99
Lily's Kitchen Lily S Kitchen Dog Lovely Lamb
Complete lamb-led dry dog food offered in two practical bag sizes
From£25.15
Burns Adult Large/Giant Breed Chicken and Brown Rice
Complete large-breed dry dog food with 23% chicken and brown rice
£59.99
Burgess Greyhound and Lurcher Chicken
Complete adult dry food formulated for the specific build of greyhounds and lurchers
£35.35
Naturo Senior Rice Poultry Variety 6pk
Six 400g trays across three recipes for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin
£10.29
Naturo Senior Dog Turkey with Rice and Vegetables 7pk
Turkey at 65% in a senior wet tray, with brown rice, vegetables and added joint support
£11.99
Vitalin Adult Dog Pork with Apple
Complete dry food for adult dogs of any age, led by pork, with citrus extract for dental support
From£11.99
Why a retired racer's needs differ from a companion-bred greyhound
Racing greyhounds are typically fed a kennel diet, often including raw meat and a meal-based feed, rather than the complete kibble most pet dogs eat. Moving onto a standard complete food is usually straightforward, but it should be done gradually — a sudden switch is more likely to unsettle a dog whose stomach isn't used to it.
Years of racing also mean many retired greyhounds arrive with more wear on their joints than a same-aged companion-bred dog might have, even without any diagnosed condition — worth keeping in mind when choosing a food and thinking about their exercise routine as a pet.
Dental health is a common early priority
Dental disease is unusually common in retired racing greyhounds, often linked to the kennel diet and lack of routine dental care during their racing years rather than anything specific to the breed itself. Many need a dental check, and sometimes treatment, in their first few months as a pet.
A vet dental check is worth arranging early on if you've taken on a retired racer, rather than waiting for an obvious problem to show — greyhounds are also known to mask discomfort well, so a dental issue isn't always obvious from behaviour alone.
What we stock
We carry sensitive-stomach recipes suited to a dog transitioning off a different style of diet, senior formulas for older retired racers, and dental chews to support ongoing dental care once any immediate issues have been treated.
Introduce any new food gradually over a week or more, and speak to your vet about your specific dog's dental and joint needs, since these vary a lot between individual retired greyhounds depending on their racing history.
Common questions
- How long were most racing greyhounds racing before retirement?
- This varies a lot by individual dog, but many retire from racing between two and five years old, still relatively young dogs with a long pet life ahead of them. Their specific history isn't always known, so it's more useful to assess the individual dog's needs than assume based on typical timelines.
- Do retired greyhounds need a special diet?
- Not a special diet exactly, but a gradual transition from their previous kennel diet onto a standard complete food, and extra attention to sensitive stomachs and dental health in the early months, is common. Your vet can advise based on your individual dog's condition.
- Why do retired greyhounds often have bad teeth?
- It's commonly linked to their racing kennel diet and a lack of routine dental care during their racing career, rather than anything specific to the breed's teeth. A dental check soon after rehoming is a sensible early step for most retired racers.
- Are retired greyhounds prone to joint problems?
- Many carry more wear on their joints than a same-aged companion-bred dog, from years of competitive running, even without a specific diagnosed condition. A joint-supporting diet and sensible, moderate exercise as a pet can help manage this over their retirement.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.