Category: 2019

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Running with Greyhounds

Greyhounds are runners, right?

Of course, Greyhounds are runners!  Running is the reason we have the modern Greyhound. But Greyhounds are not bred for the type of running most human runners do.  Here are a few ideas on how to transition your sprinter into your best running buddy. 

Is there a difference in sprinting and distance running?

Yes! Just like it takes time to work up to a 5K, 10K, or 10 miler it is going to be a process for your hound as well. The first step to is make sure your Greyhound is sound and does not have an old injury or arthritis that could cause him pain with increased activity. 

I recommend starting with the walk run method based the distance of his current/previous walks. Be sure to keep a close eye on his toenails—they should be short!

Be sure to bring water and poop bags.  No one likes a dog owner who is not responsible and does not clean up after his or her pet.

Consider a hands free leash.  I don’t like carrying a leash when running.  There are plenty of good options to try. I prefer options with a handle so you can grab the dog quickly if needed.   

How much exercise is too much

I have a very energetic go-go Greyhound and when he becomes disinterested I know we need to slow down and head home.   Look for simple clues from your hound.  They will let you know when they are done.

Keep in mind, your Greyhound may not be able to run that 10K with you and that is fine.  I run a loop around the house and will pick-up/drop-off the dog depending on what I am planning to do and how he is looking/acting.

My dog sniffs constantly—what do I do?

Darla is a sniffer and it drives me NUTS.  She is not a good dog to run with.

I try to let Darla be the dog she is.  Someone once told me taking your dog out and not letting them sniff is like taking a kindergartener to the zoo and not letting them ask questions—close to torture in the doggie/kindergartener world.  When I hike or walk with D I give her plenty of smell breaks but I try to control when these break occur so we can actually get some exercise!

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Caring for the Geriatric Greyhound

Jethro developed a spontaneous spinal hematoma about three years ago.  After his surgery and rehab he slowed down a lot—it seems like the injury prematurely aged him.

Caring for an old dog is different.  We have to plan our activities and adjust to his needs.  There are a few things that have made a huge difference in our day-to-day life and I want to share in hopes these tips can help other families with geriatric dogs.

1.) Naps- Let’s face it, Greyhounds are excellent sleepers but believe it or not they need more sleep as they age.  We make sure that Jethro gets plenty of rest during the day.  This seems to help his pain and if he is restless it is generally a sign he may be having a bad day and we need to reduce his pain to help him relax. 

2.) Heat- Old dogs like to sun bathe but beware of overheating!  Jethro loves to be outside and lying in the sun.  We have to monitor this closely over the summer.  With the hot temperatures and the high humidity we notice that Jethro becomes short of breath quickly.  Unfortunately, we had to cut his vitamin D time down but have reached an agreement with him.  Jethro lies on our screened-in porch during the day with the fan going.  He is able to stay cool but also keep a watch on the yard.

3.) Decrease exercise- Jethro cannot go on long walks anymore.  We take him down the block and allow him to play for short periods outside with the other Greyhounds but have to be cautious of overheating.  Jethro loves squeaky toys and we are able to engage him indoors which helps to keep him engaged but not exhausted. Jethro approves of this toy.

4.) Food- Keeping Jethro’s weight up is not easy.  Jethro weights 55lbs and he eats as much as a Sashi, our 75lb male, and always looks skinny.  I have had to adjust his rations to more than the recommendation to keep his weight stable.  He is a good eater and also enjoys his fair share of human treats—Fried Eggs anyone?

5.) Incontinence- Jethro had a spinal injury so he does have weak bowel/bladder control.  We notice that his bladder is fullest after he has been sleeping and that is when most of the dribble occurs.  We use these bellybands with incontinence liners to help with the mess.  He does not mind the bellyband and I buy cool patterns because I love accessories!

Old dogs are fantastic but need certain accommodations.  We love Jethro so much that these changes don’t seem to be that big of a deal.  As my husband says, “Jethro is still the cutest dog in the world.”

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Grain-Free Diet?

Does anyone ever feel like ever changing science makes it hard to do the right thing?

Due to ongoing scientific inquiry things are always changing. 

Believe it or not there is a lot of science that goes into dog kibble.  Love it or hate it the government and private corporations study dog food and negative/positive outcomes associated with what we feed our pets.  Recently the FDA was alerted to 524 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) occurring between January 2014 and April 2019. 

So you might be wondering why the FDA is monitoring this.  The FDA depends of reports from consumers to investigate concerns and felt that this trend was concerning.  While DCM is not considered to be a rare disease it affects certain breeds disproportionately.  And the new cases were unsettling. 

The animals affected, while a small number, were not animals (breed or sex) that typically get DCM. 

When my vet brought this to my attention in April and I was floored.  The kibble I was feeding was on the list and I didn’t even purchase it because it was grain-free.  I selected it based on “quality.” 

Currently, there is not a 100% link between grain-free diets and DCM, however, the takeaway for pet owners is that there may be a link and we need more data.  Sure, there are all types of confounders that were not considered within this report but nevertheless trends are important.  Another important consideration is that reporting oftentimes is low and does not represent the entire landscape that has been affected.  Reporting is not required by law and takes time. 

I switched my Greyhounds to a new kibble and things are going well.  I trust my vet and her recommendations.  If you have concerns about what kibble is best for your pup discuss diet with your vet.  Vets understand animal nutrition and have your pet’s best interest in mind.