My whippet looks thin — is that normal for the breed?

Often yes. Whippets naturally carry less visible body fat than many breeds, with easily felt ribs and a tucked waist being the normal healthy look rather than a sign of being underweight. A vet can assess condition properly if you're unsure.

Do whippets need to eat more than their size suggests?

Many do, particularly if they're active, because their fast metabolism and low body fat mean they can need more food relative to their weight than a stockier breed of the same size.

How do I know if I'm feeding my whippet enough?

Feel for muscle covering the ribs rather than just bone underneath, and watch for any gradual weight loss over time. A vet can help assess body condition if you're not sure whether the amount you're feeding is right.

Should an older whippet be fed differently?

Generally less active senior whippets need a bit less food to avoid gaining weight, but because the breed runs lean, it's worth watching condition carefully rather than cutting food back sharply. A vet can advise on an individual dog's needs.

Whippet feeding guide

Whippets naturally run lean, and that's normal for the breed rather than a sign they're underfed — but their fast metabolism and low body fat also mean it's easy to under-feed a whippet without realising, especially compared with a stockier breed of similar weight. A good-quality complete food suited to an active dog, fed at the amount stated on the pack for their weight and adjusted for activity, generally works well.

Why whippets look different from a 'healthy weight' chart

A whippet's naturally lean build, with visible ribs and a tucked waist, is normal for the breed and shouldn't be mistaken for being underweight. This can make it harder to spot genuine weight loss in a whippet compared with a breed that carries more visible body fat.

Because of this, tracking an individual dog's condition over time — feeling for muscle over the ribs rather than just bone, and watching for any sudden change — matters more for a whippet than comparing them to a generic weight chart.

Activity level changes what's needed

A whippet that does regular fast, sustained exercise such as lure coursing or racing typically needs more food relative to their size than one living a more sedate pet lifestyle, given how much energy short bursts of high-speed running actually use.

Adjusting the amount fed to match an individual dog's actual activity, rather than a generic breed guideline, is the more reliable approach — a whippet doing very little exercise on a food portioned for a working dog will put on weight just as any other breed would.

Feeding kit

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Alpha Sensitive Salmon & Rice

A salmon and rice dry food for adult dogs with sensitive digestions, made without wheat gluten, soya or dairy.

£49.00

Alpha Working Dog Maintenance Chicken

An energy-controlled chicken dry food for working dogs with lower energy needs or a tendency to put on weight.

£29.00

James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg

Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints

£82.35

Lily's Kitchen Dog Lean Machine — 10 x 150g Trays

Sold as a case: 10 x 150g trays. Lily's Kitchen's lowest-calorie wet recipe for adult dogs, in a 150G foil

£16.89

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Common questions

My whippet looks thin — is that normal for the breed?: Often yes. Whippets naturally carry less visible body fat than many breeds, with easily felt ribs and a tucked waist being the normal healthy look rather than a sign of being underweight. A vet can assess condition properly if you're unsure.
Do whippets need to eat more than their size suggests?: Many do, particularly if they're active, because their fast metabolism and low body fat mean they can need more food relative to their weight than a stockier breed of the same size.
How do I know if I'm feeding my whippet enough?: Feel for muscle covering the ribs rather than just bone underneath, and watch for any gradual weight loss over time. A vet can help assess body condition if you're not sure whether the amount you're feeding is right.
Should an older whippet be fed differently?: Generally less active senior whippets need a bit less food to avoid gaining weight, but because the breed runs lean, it's worth watching condition carefully rather than cutting food back sharply. A vet can advise on an individual dog's needs.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

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.