What are the Best Dog Foods for Salukis?
The devoted Saluki is a dog breed characterized by its grace and elegance. A dog with energy to spare, the Saluki bonds deeply to its family, but can be reserved and even shy with strangers. Keeping the Saluki in excellent health is the priority of every owner. Whether your dog is a puppy, a mature adult, or a senior, our list of premium foods can help you find the right diet to support your Saluki’s health and active lifestyle.
AKC Classification: Hound
Exercise Required: 30-60 minutes/day
Ideal Weight
45-65 lbs, with females significantly smaller than males
Breed Summary
The Saluki, also referred to as the gazelle hound, Arabian hound, and the Persian greyhound, was originally bred in the Fertile Crescent. The Saluki is a sighthound as it was bred to hunt by sight rather than scent. Highly prized for their beauty, symmetry, and grace, the breed was believed to have been a divine present from Allah.
Easily identified by their slender bodies, the Saluki is one of the world’s fastest canines. They have moderately high activity requirements, meaning daily exercise is a must to keep this dog breed physically and mentally satisfied.
A typical hound, the Saluki resists learning new things and should not be allowed off-leash due to the breed’s penchant for chasing small animals. While the Saluki can be loving with its family members, it is not known for being an overly affectionate breed.
The Saluki must always be kept securely contained as the breed will roam if given the opportunity. With its immense speed and stamina, the Saluki can travel far distances with ease.
A breed that thrives in the company of its loved ones, the Saluki will not prosper if separated from its family for any length of time. This means the breed can be prone to developing separation anxiety.
Fun fact: Experts purport that the Saluki may trace its roots to the very first dogs. Images of dogs resembling the Saluki have been discovered in Egyptian tombs dating back to over 4,000 years ago.
Physical Traits
Slender, agile, athletic, graceful, active
Personality Traits
Loyal, aloof, gentle, quiet, loving
Health Considerations for Salukis
The Saluki is a breed that is known for its overall good health. However, as with all dog breeds, there are a few ailments which can plague this charming breed. These include anesthesia sensitivity, hemangiosarcoma, cardiomyopathy, and hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones proper functioning of the body. The right diet can provide support for this condition; however, this must be administered in conjunction with medication to restore proper thyroid function.
Complete a nutritional assessment to view individualized diet recommendations specifically for your pet.
Foods We Recommend: Saluki Puppies
When do Salukis become adults?
12 months old
During the first yera, the Saluki puppy should be fed a high-quality puppy food designed to meet the needs of active breeds. Any appropriate puppy food for the Saluki should contain a minimum of 22% protein and 8% fat, on a dry matter basis. Look for a diet that has meat or meat meal as a primary ingredient and a good source of taurine, for heart health.
Another consideration for selecting the right diet is the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorous to support a healthy rate of bone growth and a not-so calorically dense diet, as Salukis should grow slow and steady. We recommend the following premium diets for Saluki puppies:
Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Potato Recipe Puppy Dry Dog Food
Beneful Healthy Puppy with Farm-Raised Chicken Dry Dog Food
Puppy Dry Dog Food, Lamb & Rice Recipe
Puppy Food - Lamb & Rice
Foods We Recommend: Saluki Adults
When do Salukis grow out of the puppy stage?
12 months old
The average Saluki reaches full maturity between 18 to 24 months of age. To ensure the Saluki is getting the appropriate amount of nutrients for its adult needs, it should be transitioned to an appropriately formulated adult food at 12 months of age. Experts agree that Salukis do best on a diet comprised of 18% protein and 5% fat at a minimum, on a dry matter basis. The main ingredient in any food for this breed should be a lean meat. Here are our favorite foods that meet our nutrition standards:
FrontRunner High-Meat Chicken, Oats & Turkey Adult Dry Dog Food
Small Bites Natural, Grain Free, Lamb & Sweet Potato
Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Fresh, Personalized Ingredient Meal Plan
+ Custom, human-grade diet
+ More expensive than kibble
Foods We Recommend: Saluki Seniors
When do Salukis become seniors?
9 years old
The Saluki is considered a senior as early as 9 to 12 years of age. Elderly Salukis have a reduced appetite and are typically not as active as they were in their younger years. To support their nutritional needs during their senior years, it is best to feed a diet that is easily digestible and that contains moderate amounts of lean proteins.
We also recommend foods that are rich in supplements, such as probiotics and glucosamine and chondroitin to support digestion and joint health, respectively. Our top picks for Saluki seniors are:
Senior Real Chicken, Sweet Potato & Garbanzo Bean Recipe Dry Dog Food
Senior Maintenance Lamb & Rice
Senior Formula Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food