Best Dog Food for Greyhounds in 2024

This is our review of the best dog food for Greyhounds in 2024.

Did you know that Greyhounds are considered the “cheetahs” of the dog world?

They were bred to be racing dogs because their narrow skulls and tight waists made running a breeze. However, racing is stressful on their bodies — which is why Greyhound racing is illegal in many states.

But these sleek canines still have long and lean bodies and broad chests. To support their small and well-muscled stature, what is the best dog food for Greyhounds? 

My top choice is ORIJEN’s Original Grain-Free formula. 

This calorie-dense food includes high-quality animal proteins and sustainably sourced ingredients. Each nutrient will give your hound the energy they need to stay active all day. 

If you want puppy food, senior food, or specific ingredients for your dog, I’ve included 9 other food alternatives as well.

Our Best Dog Food for Greyhounds

1. ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best for Adult Greyhounds)
2. Nulo Freestyle Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best for Greyhound Puppies)
3. Merrick Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food (Best for Senior Greyhounds)
4. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula Dry Dog Food (Best for Highly Active Greyhounds)
5. Solid Gold Buck Sensitive Stomach Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best for Greyhounds With Food Sensitivities)
6. Nutro Hearty Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food (Best Wet Food for Greyhounds)
7. Nom Nom Dog Food (Best Fresh Dog Food)
8. Purina ONE SmartBlend Adult Formula Dry Dog Food (Best Budget Dog Food for Greyhounds)
9. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best for Weight Loss)
10. Now Fresh Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food (Best for Muscle Gain)

10 Best Dog Foods for Greyhounds Reviewed 

The formulas listed below follow the AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines. Before you switch your Greyhound’s food, talk to your veterinarian. 

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ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver
• Guaranteed Analysis: 38% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 473 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High protein dry dog food with raw meats

Greyhounds need a diet that supplies them with energy. Because they are pure muscle, they need plenty of protein to maintain them. 

ORIJEN Original Grain-Free kibble meets both of these needs. It also includes high quality meats and vegetables with other health benefits.

First, the recipe starts with raw free-run chicken and turkey. ORIJEN doesn’t waste their ingredients either — they add in the animal’s organs and bones. This provides extra vitamins and minerals like iron and glucosamine for joint health. 

Whole peas, pinto beans, and lentils supply easy to digest carbohydrates. They also include other vitamins — like vitamin A for eye health and vitamin E for a shiny coat. 

Collard greens and whole apples naturally supplement fiber and antioxidants. These protect your dog’s immune system and aid in healthy digestion.

This natural dog food is preserved with rosemary extract. It doesn’t include any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and is made in the US with sustainably sourced ingredients. 

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Nulo Freestyle Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Whole Peas, Chicken Fat
• Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 17% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 428 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High protein and grain free puppy food with DHA for healthy growth

Growing puppies deserve a healthy start. Why not feed yours a kibble that encourages brain development? 

Nulo FreeStyle has 80% protein coming from real meat. This helps your pup get healthy amino acids to fuel growing muscles. 

The formula starts with deboned salmon, turkey meal, and menhaden fish meal. These provide taurine, glucosamine, and chondroitin for healthy joints, bones, and muscles. 

Chicken fat contains a natural source of DHA fatty to support brain & eye growth and health. It also has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat. 

Sweet potatoes and chickpeas round out the ingredient list, as they provide low glycemic and complex carbs for long-term energy and easier digestion. Then, calcium and phosphorus are added in the perfect ratio to promote strong teeth & bones.  

This grain-free formula is also free of chicken and egg proteins — great if your dog is sensitive to them.

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Merrick Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Turkey Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 11% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 370 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Grain free dog food with glucosamine to protect aging muscles and joints

Retired Greyhounds have a higher chance of gaining weight and becoming obese, especially if they raced during adulthood. As they age, they use less energy — so higher calorie dog food isn’t the best choice. 

But, they also need extra vitamins and minerals to protect their muscles, bones, and joints. That’s where Merrick Grain Free Senior comes in. 

The formula includes real deboned chicken as the very first ingredient. This high-quality protein provides glucosamine and chondroitin to maintain healthy hips and joints, and essential fatty acids to soothe skin and make your dog’s coat shiny. 

Salmon meal and chicken fat supplement L-carnitine — supporting a healthy metabolism. Taurine is also added for a boost in heart health. 

Plus, antioxidants from blueberries and apples support a healthy immune system.

This grain-free recipe doesn’t include corn, wheat, soy, gluten, or artificial preservatives.

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Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Chicken, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat, Cracked Pearled Barley
• Guaranteed Analysis: 32% Crude Protein, 25% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 470 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High protein dry dog food for highly active Greyhounds

Active hounds need protein and fats to keep up with their energy levels. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula offers 32% protein for just this reason. 

It starts with cage-free chicken and chicken meal for optimal levels of protein. Chicken fat then provides omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine to protect the joints, and to support your Greyhound’s long and lean legs. 

Dried chicory root and quinoa offer a healthy dose of fiber for regular digestion, and kale, pumpkin, and papaya give a boost of antioxidants for immune support. Nutrients like B vitamins are added for energy and eye health.  

Each serving includes proprietary prebiotics and probiotics to improve their metabolism.

Diamond Naturals is a family-owned company in the US. The food is free of corn, wheat, and artificial flavors and colors. They use sustainable ingredients from around the world to craft their kibble.

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Solid Gold Buck Wild Sensitive Stomach Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Venison, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Chickpeas
• Guaranteed Analysis: 23% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 370 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Grain free dry dog food made for Greyhounds with sensitive stomachs

Sometimes, your dog’s digestive system needs a little extra TLC. With Solid Gold’s Buck Wild Sensitive Stomach formula, their tummy can be healthy and happy.

This grain free formula has real pasture raised venison as the first ingredient — meat that’s easier on the tummy than beef or chicken. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients like B vitamins for energy, as well as zinc and iron for a healthy immune system. 

Fish meal and chicken fat also offer fatty acids to help protect against skin allergies, with the latter providing taurine for heart health. 

And, to add to that, carrots, pumpkins, and blueberries supply fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics for a healthy gut. 

Solid Gold is made in the US, and have a record of holistic pet care since 1974.

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Nutro Hearty Stew Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Pork Broth, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots
• Guaranteed Analysis: 9% Crude Protein, 3% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 82% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 279 kcal/can
• Key Feature: Non-GMO and grain free food with gravy type sauce for picky eaters 

Greyhounds can be picky eaters, but these thin pups need to maintain their muscles to avoid degenerative diseases. Thankfully, wet food can entice them to eat their entire meal. 

Nutro Hearty Stew is full of nutrients and flavor — tempting even the fussiest dog. 

This high protein formula starts with real chicken and chicken liver. These provide iron, B vitamins, and taurine for energy and a healthy heart. 

Dried eggs offer healthy fats like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, and pork and chicken broths offer moisture for dogs who may not drink enough water. 

Because the dog food is wet, it helps with digestion. Fresh vegetables like peas and carrots offer more fiber as well.

The recipe is made in the US. It’s 100% free of grains, GMOs, chicken by-product meal, corn, soy, and wheat. There are no artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, and every ingredient is sourced from a trusted network of farmers and suppliers.

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Nom Nom Now Beef Mash

• First 5 Ingredients: Ground Beef, Russet Potatoes, Eggs, Carrots, Peas
• Guaranteed Analysis: 8% Crude Protein, 4% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 77% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 1239 kcal/kg
• Key Feature: Human grade and high protein dog food customized for your dog

Greyhounds do well on a diet filled with high quality animal protein. But if you want to offer the best of the best, you may find yourself buying raw meats and ingredients from the store, which then have to cook and store for every meal. 

But, there is a simpler way — with food being delivered right to your door that provides the nutrients your furry friend needs. Nom Nom Now offers fresh made and human grade kibble that even you could eat. 

To get the best option for your hound, Nom Nom Now starts with a quiz. You’ll answer questions about their weight, body type, potential allergies, and more.

Once complete, Nom Nom Now will calculate the perfect diet and portions. 

All you’ll need to do is choose a recipe — beef, turkey, pork, or chicken. You can also choose a mix of the four. The food is then freshly prepared and shipped to your home every few weeks. 

You can feel extra confident offering Nom Nom Now to your Greyhound, as each recipe is formulated and evaluated by Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists.

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Purina ONE SmartBlend Adult Formula Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice Flour, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 26% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 83 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Limited ingredient and budget friendly dog food high in protein

As much as we love our pets, kibble can add up over time — and many dog owners are looking for more bang for their buck. Purina ONE SmartBlend offers a higher protein diet for value conscious owners. And, includes the same quality ingredients that other leading brands offer. 

Real chicken is the first. It offers a blend of glucosamine and taurine to help support strong muscles and a healthy heart. Beef fat is also included for omega-6 fatty acids that give your dog a radiant coat. 

Rice flour offers gentle fiber for dogs with sensitive tummies. Whole grain corn, carrots, and peas provide antioxidants, which boost the immune system.

While this formula does include corn and whole grain wheat, this typically isn’t an issue — many dogs can tolerate them. However, if you suspect that your dog may have food sensitivities to these ingredients, it’s best to avoid this food.

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American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes
• Guaranteed Analysis: 32% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 390 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High protein and low calorie dry dog food for overweight Greyhounds

As Greyhounds start to slow down, either due to age or less energy, they can easily gain weight. This can cause issues to their joints and bones, and can also cause problems like arthritis and obesity if not prevented. 

American Journey formula offers a high protein and low calorie formula. This helps your pup stay fueled for the day without adding to their weight.   

First there’s deboned salmon — providing amino acids for leaner muscles. It also includes omega fatty acids and DHA to support their joints and brain and eye development. 

Flaxseed and chicken fat offer extra benefits, including glucosamine and chondroitin. These keep joints healthy and muscles strong. 

Sweet potatoes and chickpeas then give your pup energy that lasts. They also provide fiber for healthier digestion and probiotics for a metabolism boost. Plus, vegetables like carrots and peas have phytonutrients and antioxidants for immune system support. 

This formula is grain-free and has no corn, wheat, or soy.

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Now Fresh Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: De-Boned Lamb, Whole Dried Egg, Potatoes, Peas, Pea Flour
• Guaranteed Analysis: 24% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 400 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Balanced protein and fat ratio to build lean muscles 

Greyhounds are long and sinewy. They need enough calories, protein, and fat to keep their muscles maintained.

Now Fresh’s Grain-Free Red Meat formula offers the perfect protein-to-fat ratio. This helps build and maintain muscles while also protecting the joints and bones. And, at 400 calories a cup, the food provides plenty of energy for daily pursuits, without overfeeding. 

With deboned lamb and pork as the main animal proteins, your pup will get a boost of omega fatty acids. Plus, L-carnitine is added for heart health and to maintain a healthy weight. Whole eggs are also included for essential amino acids that your pet needs.

Fiber-rich pumpkin supports healthy digestion, and blueberries and pomegranates offer prebiotics and antioxidants for a flourishing immune system. 

The ingredients are cooked once at the lowest temperature possible. This preserves their nutrients and natural flavor. 

There are no by-product or meat meals, and the food is free of artificial flavors and preservatives.

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Guide to Buying Best Dog Food for Greyhounds

Greyhounds are sleek and muscular, but these thin dogs need high quality animal proteins and healthy fats. 

Here’s how to choose the best food for your furry friend.

Higher Protein 

Your Greyhound will need at least the recommended 22% protein. Due to their active nature, a higher protein diet will help these dogs keep their muscle mass. Greyhound puppies also need ingredients like beef with higher levels of iron. 

High quality animal proteins are best for these hounds, as they help them absorb the vitamins and minerals better.

Moderate Fat

Even though they’re small in size, Greyhounds can easily gain weight if not active. Because of this, they need meals that are slightly lower in fat. Your pup can have upwards of 10% fat — but watch out for weight gain and adjust as needed. If active, up to 15% is okay. 

Fat is essential for dogs — it provides energy as well as minerals, like glucosamine, for joint health. However, the type of fat you choose is essential. Healthier fats like chicken fat, fish oil, and coconut oil are best.

Easy to Digest Carbohydrates

Unlike other dogs their size, Greyhounds don’t need as many sources for carbohydrates. In fact, they can do well on a grain-free diet. 

Peas, sweet potatoes, and regular potatoes are grain-free options that still supply energy. These ingredients also provide plenty of natural fiber and vitamins to boost digestion.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are almost always supplemented in commercial dog food, which means your pup shouldn’t need any extras. 

But, based on their age, Greyhounds may need higher concentrations of certain nutrients. For example, probiotics will help senior dogs digest their food better, and DHA is a great addition for small pups for brain development.

Caloric Content 

Greyhounds are fairly small at around 70 pounds in adulthood. But, despite this, they still need about as many calories as dogs that are larger than them. 

The average adult will need around 1,700 calories a day, while puppies will need slightly more for growth — around 1800 to 1900 a day. 

Ingredients to Avoid

Commercial dog food is crafted to meet specific standards. Nonetheless, they may include fillers and ingredients to cut costs. And sometimes, these don’t provide any health benefits. 

It’s important to avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives — these chemicals aren’t needed. In worst case scenarios, they even have adverse effects on your dog’s health.

Other ingredients like soy, corn, and wheat aren’t harmful to your pup, unless they have food allergies. If that’s the case, steer clear of them.

Common Greyhound Health Issues 

Greyhounds are usually healthy dogs. This may be due to their breeding for hunting, agility, and other activities. Still, there are a few common Greyhound health problems to keep watch for.

Poor Dental Health 

Dental disease is one of the most common problems in pets, including Greyhounds. In fact, around 40% of them over the age of 2 have periodontitis. 

Poor dental health leads to tartar build-up on the teeth, which can lead to an infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. To prevent periodontitis, you’ll need to brush your dog’s teeth daily with doggy toothpaste. 

To get your pup used to it, start with your finger — overtime you can move to a toothbrush. Also, feed them a larger kibble to scrape off tartar, and offer a balanced diet.

Bloat

Bloat, also known as GDV, is highly common in Greyhounds due to their deep chests. It is when your dog’s stomach fills up with air or fluid. In severe cases, the stomach will twist itself and cut blood flow and nutrients to the other organs. 

Symptoms of bloat include a rounder and more pronounced belly, and frequent gas.

To prevent bloat, feed your Greyhound smaller meals throughout the day. Mix kibble and wet food to reduce the chance of them gulping down their food, and give them their meals in a slow bowl or elevate their food to steady their eating.

Obesity

Over 50% of dogs are obese, and it’s a prevalent health issues amongst Greyhounds as well. Being overweight can cause stress on your dog’s joints and bones — thus leading to other health issues. Maintaining your pup’s weight with diet and exercise is the best way to prevent obesity. 

Feed them two meals a day within their calorie limit, and don’t overfeed or free feed. Also, focus on satiating fats and proteins. This helps them keep their energy, without eating too many calories. 

If you notice your dog is gaining weight on low calorie food, consult with your veterinarian. 

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a bone cancer — a common health problem that Greyhounds have to deal with. In fact, this aggressive disease accounts for almost half of the tumors in Greyhounds in the UK. 

Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can treat the cancer and remove the tumor. But diet is important too. 

Focus on more holistic dog food that’s high in antioxidants — they can provide energy and a boost to your hound’s immune system.

Our Verdict

Greyhounds need the perfect balance of fat and protein to keep their muscles lean. But they also need enough calories to keep up with their activities. 

ORIJEN Original Grain-Free dog food is the best choice for these energetic pups. It provides a high protein option with healthy fats for extra energy. 

However, the other options on this list can meet specific needs as well — from weight loss to muscle gain. You’re bound to find the perfect dog food for your Greyhound! 

FAQ About Greyhounds

Curious about the needs of your Greyhound? Here are the most commonly asked questions, and their answers!