Greyhounds are a dog breed that can have unique nutritional requirements.
These dogs can make excellent pets in a family setting and the breed are often found in shelters needing a forever home.
The Greyhound is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world with a history that can be traced back over 4,000 years.
As you can imagine, their diet has changed over the centuries, especially in the 20th and 21st century.
Greyhounds will benefit from a balanced and complete dog food that provides these racing dogs with all the minerals and nutrients required to promote a healthy lifestyle.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the leading dog food options for Greyhound owners in the UK, whether you’re looking for fresh meals, dry dog food or raw dog food.
We’ll examine our top picks within each category to help Greyhound owners in the UK to find the right dog food for their canine companion.
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Best Dog Food For Greyhounds UK: The Options
| Rating | Summary | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butternut Box |
|
• Rip-and-serve • Six recipes • Human grade | Buy Now | |
| Pure |
|
• Air-dried food • Backed by vets • Customised | Buy Now | |
| Poppy's Picnic |
|
• Quality raw meat • British ingredients • No nasties | Buy Now | |
| Tails |
|
• Custom Kibble • UK/EU Ingredients • Versatile Range | Buy Now | |
| Different Dog |
|
• Seasonal recipes • Locally sourced • Vet approved | Buy Now |
Greyhound Diet
The Greyhound is a member of the Hound Group and perhaps one of the best-known dog breeds in the world.
These champion sprinters are actually gentle and easy-going dogs that love nothing better than some nap time on the sofa next to their human companions.
Greyhounds have an affectionate and sweet temperament that translates to an excellent candidate for a family pet.
The American Kennel Club write on their website that Greyhounds will require “high-quality dog food appropriate to their age”.
The dog food companies featured in this article will tailor their meals to meet your Greyhound’s needs, taking into account their age, weight, activity level, food intolerances and more.
The AKC go on to add that Greyhounds will usually require a diet rich in calories and protein.
Greyhounds tend to have a slim build that promotes their streamlined appearance.
Research by Liverpool University reported that 35-59% of dogs in the UK are overweight.
Obesity is a health problem that can affect Greyhounds just like any other dog breed.
Greyhound Health Problems
You won’t be surprised to learn that Greyhounds are considered healthy dogs. However, they can be prone to some health issues just like any other dog.
The Royal Veterinary College wrote in an article published in July 2019 that the biggest problem affecting Greyhounds in the UK is dental disease.
Research by RVC revealed that 39% of Greyhounds suffer from dental problems, which they add is a far higher percentage than for any other dog breed.
The RVC research went on to add that overgrown nails, wounds, osteoarthritis and claw injuries.
The AKC write on their website that Greyhounds are susceptible to bloat and gastric torsion, which is a sudden and life-threatening enlargement of the stomach that is sometimes accompanied by twisting.
The respected organization add that Greyhound owners should be aware of the symptoms of bloat so they can spot them early. If you’ve got any concerns or you want to learn more about this particular issue, you should speak to your vet.
Other breed related problems include Periodontal disease, Osteosarcoma, Von Willebrand’s disease and Hyperthermia. For a full list of potential health concerns, you can speak to your vet who can outline some of other problems to be aware of.
Best Fresh Dog Food: Butternut Box
Website: www.butternutbox.com
Alaskan Klee Kai Copper with his Butternut Box recipes (Photo: @lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Butternut Box are a fresh dog food company who have been providing Sight hounds such as Greyhounds with human-quality meat and vegetables since 2016.
They gently cook their ingredients to create simple, tasty and complete meals.
Butternut Box will ensure that your Greyhound’s meals have the right balance of vitamins and minerals specific to their stage of life.
It’s important to note that their recipes don’t contain any nasties, no grains and no harsh temperatures.
The Pros
• Human-quality ingredients
• Tailored to your Greyhound
• Six recipes (pork, beef, chicken, lamb, turkey and fish)
• Pre-portioned meal pouches
• Home delivery
• Environmentally-friendly approach
• 50% off your first and second order – click here
The Cons
• Premium price
• You can only order from their website
What Dog Owners Are Saying
Butternut Box have an average of 4.9 stars out of 5 based upon over 7,000 reviews on independent review website Trustpilot.
Carol said she’ll be sticking with feeding her Greyhound Butternut Box.
The very best dog food we have ever bought. If you are having trouble with your fussy dog’s sensitive digestion and they are turning up their noses at tinned, dry, or even tray or raw dog food, please do try Butternut Box delivery. We had tried everything. Our own fussy rescue greyhound now throws herself at her food bowl every mealtime and not only her tum but her coat and general health have improved so quickly. Best of all- she went within just a week from producing un-pick-up-able, runny puddles to ‘proper’, less offensive offerings. Enough said…
Lynne explained that her rescue greyhound loves their fresh meals.
We have a rescue Greyhound who has always been extremely fussy over food. He absolutely loves Butternut Box and is actually in the kitchen waiting for it which was unheard of before! Also, his stools have never been better and are now easily pickupable. The Butternut team are really friendly and customer service is amazing. Would definitely recommend – in fact we have been to everyone we know with a dog!
Our Verdict
While I don’t own a Greyhound, I do have two fussy eaters on my hands. My Alaskan Klee Kai have always been picky with their food – until I found Butternut Box.
They love their Butternut Box meals. I like that I’m able to choose from six different recipes, whether I want to feed them tasty meals or low fat meals.
Whether you’ve got an old or young Greyhound, an active dog or a couch potato, Butternut Box can tailor their meals to meet your Sight hound’s unique requirements.
Butternut Box use recyclable packaging so you can feed your Greyhound high-quality dog food but not at the expense of the planet.
You can get 50% off your first and second Butternut Box order by clicking here.
Best Air Dried Dog Food: Pure Pet Food
Website: www.purepetfood.com
Alaskan Klee Kai with Pure Pet Food (Photo: www.hellobark.com)
If you’re convinced your Greyhound will prefer dry food, you may want to stick with this particular pet food format.
Pure Pet Food offer air-dried dog food to Greyhound owners in the UK.
Their website explains that they made the decision to use an air-dried method in order to lock in all the nutritional goodness of their high-quality ingredients.
Pure can customize their air-dried dog food to take into account your Greyhound’s specific needs, whether they need to lose some weight or put some pounds on.
The Pros
• Top-notch ingredients
• Customized for your Greyhound
• Nine recipes
• Home delivery
• Easy to store in the cupboard
• Vet Approved
The Cons
• Premium price
• You can only order from their website
What Dog Owners Are Saying
Pure Pet Food receive an average rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 based upon nearly 1,500 reviews on independent review website Trustpilot.
Heidi left a review shedding light on the impact that Pure’s meals had on her Greyhound.
Bunnie, our very large Greyhound rescue, loves his Pure food, he likes a change of flavour, so far the beef, duck & chicken have met his approval. He didn’t like the fish one, but you can’t like everything! He has half Pure, half kibble as this is what he prefers. It fills him up & what comes out the other end is much less than before & easy to pick up. His white coat sparkles in the sunshine. He’s full of energy at 9 years old, which is great given his terrible start in life.
Barbara described Pure Pet Food as a “lifesaver”.
My beautiful 11 year old Greyhound has been struggling for nearly two years with diarrhea and sickness and had lost 10kg in weight over that time….I thought we were going to lose her as non of the types of food we tried helped at all, eventually she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Pure dog food appeared on my Facebook feed and I decided to give it a try…so glad I did as the difference in Sophie is amazing and she has only had 1 episode of sickness and diarrhea in the 3 weeks she has been having her chicken dinner instead of almost daily. I think that Pure has been a life saver for her and as a further bonus she has regained her beautiful shiny black coat.
Our Verdict
While I don’t feed my Klee Kai these air-dried meals on a regular basis, I was sent some samples to try. My mini huskies enjoyed Pure as an alternative to their daily food.
It was easy to prepare by combining their air-dried dog food with a dash of water. My Klee Kai were quick to lick their bowls clean, which was an encouraging sign.
One thing that struck me was the visible ingredients in their dry dog food, providing me with peace of mind that my mini huskies were eating high-quality dog food.
Greyhound owners in the UK can also feel encouraged by the positive reviews of other Greyhound owners on Trustpilot of Pure’s pet food.
Best Raw Dog Food UK – Poppy’s Picnic
Website: www.poppyspicnic.co.uk
Alaskan Klee Kai with Poppy’s Picnic (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Poppy’s Picnic are one of the leading raw dog food companies in the UK.
This particular dog food format can be controversial given the pros and cons associated with feeding raw.
Editor's note: It’s important to be aware of the risks associated with raw pet food, as it can be contaminated with harmful bacteria (such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli). The UK government website offers the following advice to pet owners: wash your hands with hot water and soap immediately after handling raw pet food or treats; clean and disinfect all surfaces and utensils that the raw pet food touches; store and defrost raw pet food away from where human food is stored. Young children should not touch or eat raw pet food, as they’re more at risk of illness because their immune system is still developing and they’re more likely to put their hands in their mouth. You can check out the UK government’s guidance in full via this link.
The Pros
• Natural nutrition
• Vet approved
• Made in Britain
• Tailored
• 12.5% off your first order and free superfood sprinkles – click here
The Cons
• Freezer space
• Risks of raw dog food
• Can only order from their website
What Customers Are Saying
Poppy’s Picnic get an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5 based upon over 150 reviews on Trustpilot.
Nicola gave a glowing five-star review.
Excellent service. Food is brilliant. Our dog Daisy loves it and her inflammation levels seem to have reduced being on the food. So less eye cleaning required, her stargazing seems to have settled a lot, just all round happier etc..her coat is even softer and in better condition. Quality product, sustainable packaging, small and local business, 5 stars all round.
Caroline has stuck with Poppy’s Picnic for a year.
We have been feeding our dogs Poppy’s food for a year now. The service is impeccable and the food is of a very high quality. Our vet also endorsed it. Our Dalmatians love it and the different recipes ensure they have a varied diet. Very happy having Poppy’s in our life.
Our Verdict
If you’ve thought about feeding raw dog food to your Greyhound, Poppy’s Picnic can offer advice and guidance on how to make the transition.
It’s a good idea to speak to your vet to learn about the pros and the cons of this particular type of pet nutrition.
My Klee Kai tried some Poppy’s Picnic and their raw food was a hit, especially their meatballs which made a tasty topper.
Best Custom Kibble UK – Tails
Website: tails.com
Copper and Skye with their Tails dog food (Photo: @lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Tails.com provide complete nutrition for your dog creating kibble that is made using natural ingredients sourced within the UK and EU.
Their motto is simple – if your dog doesn’t need it, it doesn’t go in their kibble.
The Pros
• UK and EU ingredients
• Tailored to your dog
• Hypoallergenic option
• Custom Scooper
The Cons
• Premium price
• Long questionnaire
What Customers Are Saying
Tails.com get an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5 based upon over 30,000 reviews on Trustpilot.
Beverley revealed that her former racing dog loves Tails.
Leo, my 2 year old ex-racing greyhound loves his tails food as did my previous 11 year old ex-racer, Basil. The tasty food personally tailored for each dog delivered at our convenience is perfect and we recommend it too all of our friends and visitors to our Home Boarding establishment.
Clare believes her Greyhound has never looked better.
My retired Greyhound has never looked better. He wolfs the food down, his coat is glossy and his dry flaky skin condition is gone. I was very skeptical about this brand for my particular dog who has a very sensitive tummy and is quite a specialist breed but would not hesitate to recommend now.
Our Verdict
I must admit that my preferred food for my Alaskan Klee Kai is fresh food such as Butternut Box or Different Dog.
But if I were to feed kibble, I would certainly consider Tails.com as they’ve got a lot of experience feeding dogs in the UK as well as a versatile array of options on their menu.
My dogs enjoyed their Tails samples but not quite with the same enthusiasm that they have for their fresh dog food.
Our readers can get 75% off their first Tails order by clicking here.
Best For Picky Eaters: Different Dog
Website: www.differentdog.com
Alaskan Klee Kai with Different Dog (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)Alaskan Klee Kai with Different Dog (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Different Dog create hand-cooked meals that are lovingly prepared before being delivered with care to your doorstep.
Their meals are freshly prepared before being frozen to lock in all that goodness and flavour for your dog.
The Pros
• Unrivaled fresh menu
• Hand-cooked meals
• Locally sourced British ingredients
• Seasonal recipes
• Earth-friendly
• Vet approved
• Excellent customer service
The Cons
• Premium price (more expensive than other brands)
• Require a lot of freezer space
What Customers Are Saying
Different Dog have an average rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 based upon over 700 reviews on Trustpilot. While we could spot any reviews from Greyhound owners, let’s take a look at what some dog owners with picky dogs had to say.
Maxine says her fussy Poddle loves Different Dog’s meals.
I have a very fussy Toy Poodle and have been searching for a food for him since he was a puppy (he is now 4!). Many a battle with raw, kibble and tinned food. I am delighted to say that he does eat this food, albeit with a sprinkle of cheese on the top, but I am thrilled that he finishes his plate. The food is beautifully packaged, environmentally aware and very easy to use.
Beth believes Different Dog is worth the extra cost.
Fantastic service from start to finish. I moved my dog on to Different Dog food about three weeks ago. She has a very sensitive stomach so I inevitably had lots of questions (really boring, annoying ones) before placing my first order as well as afterwards. Everyone at Different Dog that I had contact with was unfailingly patient, polite and helpful. I’m pleased to report that my dog is loving the food – and it’s so far, so good on the stomach front. The food isn’t cheap but the quality is clear to see and, in my opinion, worth paying for.
Our Verdict
If freezer space and money isn’t an issue, Different Dog is as good as any dog food you’ll find for your canine companion.
While a lot of dog food companies claim their food is so good that you could eat it yourself, Different Dog’s fresh meals really smell delicious.
If you’ve got a picky eater and you’re running out of options and patience, you may find it worthwhile digging a little deeper into your pockets to try Different Dog.
Different Dog are offering new pet parents the chance to get 50% off your first 2 Different Dog boxes when you sign up to their subscription plan and enter HELLOBARKCC35 at the checkout. To avail of this offer, click here.
Alternatively, if you’d like to start with a one-off purchase from Different Dog’s online store, you can get 20% off your first order when you enter HELLOBARKCC20 at the checkout.
Anything Else To Consider?
If you’ve decided to switch your Greyhound’s dog food from store-bought kibble to balanced and complete meals, you should speak to your vet to learn more.
Your vet can offer their opinion on your preferred dog food as well as provide guidance on how to make a smooth transition to avoid upsetting your Greyhound’s tummy.
The dog food companies featured in this article can also help Greyhound owner navigate how to make a successful switch to their food from your previous dog food format.
Wrapping Up
Italian Greyhounds (Photo: Adobe Stock)
So we’re at the end of our best dog food for Greyhounds in the UK feature.
We’ve introduced three of the leading dog food delivery companies in the UK in the shape of Butternut Box, Pure Pet Food and Poppy’s Picnic.
Butternut Box is my preferred dog food format based upon my experience of feeding their meals to my fussy Alaskan Klee Kai.
However, if you’d like to continue with air-dried dry food for your Greyhound, Pure Pet Food could be a good option for you or perhaps you think your racing dog will enjoy custom kibble from Tails.
For Greyhound owners in the UK who fancy giving a raw dog food diet a try, Poppy’s Picnic can meet your Greyhound’s needs.
If you’ve got an extremely fussy Greyhound and the budget, Different Dog have a tasty range to get your sight hound excited!
