Adopting a Greyhound Available for Adoption Our Special Needs Hounds Greyhound and Adoption FAQ About Greyhounds About Adoption After Adoption ( GREYHOUND CARE || VETERINARIANS || RAINBOW BRIDGE )

AFTER ADOPTION

GREYHOUND CARE  ||  VETERINARIANS  ||  RAINBOW BRIDGE

THE GREYHOUND RESCUE SOCIETY OF TEXAS, INC. will always be available to answer questions you may have about your new pet. We encourage you to keep in touch with us, as we like to know how the greyhounds are doing! Bringing them to the Meet & Greets is an excellent way to stay in touch and you can also email info@greyhoundsunlimited.org. There are many volunteer opportunities (see Volunteer Application) available and your involvement and help is welcomed.

It is vital that you notify GU if you move or change your phone number. If your greyhound is lost, and GU is called because of the identification tag, YOUR DATABASE INFORMATION MUST BE CURRENT AND CORRECT for you to be reunited with your greyhound.

If, for any reason, you can no longer care for or keep your greyhound, you must return the greyhound to Greyhounds Unlimited.

Greyhound Care

SHOTS
Unless otherwise informed, all dogs placed by Greyhounds Unlimited will be spayed or neutered and will have had all their shots. When your adoption is complete all shot records will be sent to you.

CARE INDEX

WORMING
All greyhounds will be tested for heartworms and will be on heartworm preventative. You will be responsible for continuing the heartworm pills after the adoption has taken place. Other worm tests may or may not have been done - check with Greyhounds Unlimited for each particular dog. One of the common worms are flea tapeworms, which look like small pieces of rice in their feces. They are contracted by the dog ingesting fleas. Other worms can be easily checked for at your vet. Some greyhounds are very sensitive to the shots for tapeworms, try to use pills only.

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GROOMING
It is important to keep your dog in good condition; use a soft bristled brush and use it regularly, this way you will be more likely to find any parasites in the dog’s coat or any injuries. The ears can be cleaned by using a half/half solution of alcohol and white vinegar. Remember to also have their nails, teeth, and ears checked regularly. Use only dog shampoo (on any dogs). Part of their routine grooming is brushing their teeth regularly, and it is a must to ensure clean teeth and healthy gums, making a healthier greyhound.

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DIET
Use good quality dry dog food. Keep away from foods with lots of corn or corn meal, red dye, softeners, gravy additives, and over 27% protein or 12% fat. It is not necessary to feed these dogs a high protein food since they are no longer racing. Many have been fed in common troughs and are competitive at feeding time, so keep this in mind if you are feeding more than one dog at a time. Remember that chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs.

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ETHOXYQUIN
Avoid prolonged feeding of foods that contain this preservative. It can be fatal to your greyhound. Could cause liver and kidney failure.

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BONES
Beef bones and dog biscuits only. They also like the rawhide chews (American rawhide only) and pig ears, but if your dog appears not to know what to do with it, try giving them the beef or chicken basted rawhide. They will chew on those for the flavor and get the hang of it!

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HOUSING
Never tie a greyhound up. They can take off at such great speeds that they’ll injure themselves at the end of the rope.

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BEDDING
Provide them with a soft bed -- you’ll notice that these dogs lack elbow padding.

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STAIRS
Many have never seen stairs and must learn to climb them. Be patient and don’t force them, but you may help them out at first by carrying them up and/or down.

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FLEA COLLARS
DO NOT USE! These can be irritant to your hound if not harmful, unless you buy the Herbal varieties or ones containing Pyrethrins.

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FLEA SPRAYS
A good rule to go by is: If it’s safe for puppies and kittens, it’s safe for your greyhound. Otherwise DO NOT USE!!!

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FLEA DIP
DO NOT USE, UNLESS IT’S SAFE FOR PUPPIES and KITTENS! Greyhounds have very little body fat and are unable to handle the flea killer in some dips and flea collars. Be very careful with these products. A good bath, if you leave the shampoo on 5 minutes before rinsing will usually take care of fleas and ticks.

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COMPANIONSHIP
Greyhounds are very sociable and hate to be left alone. Sometimes their loneliness can result in destructive behavior such as chewing. Crates and/or muzzles should be used when your greyhound is unattended until such time that you know it has adjusted to its new home.

CARE INDEX

OTHER PETS
Introduce your new dog to other pets slowly. If you are concerned, keep your greyhound muzzled. Remember, these dogs are used to being muzzled and it is not cruel. Your dog may love your cat but that doesn’t mean he won’t try and chase a strange cat.

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DISCIPLINE
Greyhounds are very sensitive and should never be hit as punishment. Your tone of voice is all that is required to indicate displeasure and once they learn, a simple "NO" will suffice.

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EXERCISE
DO NOT LET THEM OFF A LEASH unless they are in an enclosed area! Greyhounds are sighthounds which means they hunt by sight. If they see something to chase -- they’re gone! Needless to say you won’t be able to catch them! They do not know about cars either and could easily be hit if they are running loose. They are great on a lead so you shouldn’t have problems walking, running or cycling with them, once they are used to the routine. Yes, they are racing dogs, but if you plan to have them run with you for miles, they need to be worked up to that slowly like any other athlete.

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BLOAT
Do not feed for at least 30 minutes after strenuous exercise or let your dog run hard less than 1 hour after feeding. Greyhounds are prone to bloat, which is caused by the stomach flipping over - it can be fatal. Too much water before or after exercise can also cause bloat.

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EQUIPMENT
Please keep an ID tag on your dog at all times. The best collar to use is the PREMIER nylon choke designed for the greyhounds. This collar will prevent them from backing out if they become spooked. The greyhound you adopt from GREYHOUNDS UNLIMITED will not only have this collar, but it will have a VET rabies tag, a GU ID tag , and a nylon leash.

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HOME TIPS
Racing dogs have never seen sliding glass doors and could run through them. Put a temporary decal at their eye level and show them the doors and windows. Also, they are at counter level - don’t leave food out!

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Veterinarians
We would like to recommend the following veterinarians to care for your greyhounds and thank them for the care they give ours.

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