Whippets are a sleek and beautiful breed with an endearing personality that you can't help but adore. Whippets are bright and nimble dogs that are sometimes referred to as “the poor man's racehorse.” They're also quite caring and sweet, which makes them a popular family pet. They have a short coat that is easy to maintain, and they are active playmates.
Despite their normally calm and collected attitude, they will go to any length for a good chase, whether it's chasing a mouse, squirrel, or anything else that moves. If you have a Whippet or plan to get one soon, here's everything you need to know about how to care for your canine companion.
to know how much to feed a whipper puppy, keep reading!
How Much Should A Whippet Puppy Eat?
When compared to an adult dog of the same breed, a growing puppy requires more calories per pound of body weight.
An active adult Whippet weighing 30 pounds consumes 894 calories per day, according to the National Research Council of the National Academies.
A 10 pound puppy that will grow to be 33 pounds at maturity requires 990 calories per day.
When a dog is between one and a half and three months old, Purina suggests feeding 2/3 to 114 cups of food each day to a dog that will weigh between 21 and 50 pounds as an adult.
They should get 1 34 to 2 13 cups of milk between the ages of four and five months.
They should be fed 113 to 2 cups at six to eight months.
It's between 213 and 212 cups from nine to eleven months.
They will receive 213 to 312 cups per day between the ages of one and two years old.
These are just guidelines, and the amounts will vary depending on the puppy and the dog food brand.
Whippets are natural runners who excel at sports like agility and lure-coursing.
These dogs enjoy stretching out and lounging around the house as well.
The amount of calories your dog should consume is influenced by their level of activity.
When it comes to feeding your Whippet puppy the right quantity, your veterinarian is your best guide.
Whippet Puppy Feeding Chart
Here Are The Feeding Suggestions For A Whippet Puppy
- Between the ages of 8 and 12, Whippet puppies require four bowls of food every day.
- Whippet puppies from 3 to 6 months should be fed three times a day.
- Puppies aged six months to one year should be fed twice a day.
- By the time the whippet reaches his first birthday, one meal per day is usually enough.
- However, some whippets prefer two lighter bowls. It's entirely up to you to adjust to your whippet's eating habits.
Adult whippets need a balanced diet, which can be achieved by mixing high-quality dry food with broth, water, or canned food. Cottage cheese, cooked eggs, fruits, and vegetables may be enjoyed by your whippet, but they should not account for more than 10% of her daily allowance.
Whippet puppies should be given only high-quality, name-brand puppy food. However, try to limit “people food” because it can lead to vitamin and mineral shortages, dental and bone problems, and extremely picky eating habits, as well as obesity. Give only fresh, potable water, and be sure to clean the water and food dishes frequently.
Changing Puppy Food Manufacturers
When you bring your Whippet puppy home, you might want to feed him something different from what he's been consuming.
Before making any modifications, it's crucial to keep them on the same diet that the breeder has been feeding them for two to four weeks.
This is due to a number of factors.
One reason is that a young puppy is already confused.
They've recently been removed from their mother and siblings and are attempting to adjust to a completely other environment.
Whippets are naturally fearful and anxious, so forming a safe relationship early on is crucial.
One technique to lessen their tension is to feed them the same food they're used to.
The breeder will be able to provide you with advice and possibly even a supply of the food your puppy has been eating.
Another reason to avoid changing your puppy's diet right away is the way dogs digest food.
While a dog's saliva can kill pathogens, it lacks the enzymes needed to break down food like human saliva.
This means they don't start digesting food until they've ingested it.
Dogs' gastrointestinal systems differ significantly from ours, therefore they do not digest or adapt to food in the same way we do.
Schedule for Food Swapping
You can start changing your Whippet puppy's diet after a few weeks, once he's accustomed to his new home and family.
This should always be done gradually over a one-week period.
Even when switching from puppy to adult dog food, and then from adult to senior dog food, never feed them the new food all at once.
For the first two to three days, combine around three-quarters of the present food with one-quarter of the new meal.
Then, for the next two to three days, alternate between old and new food in equal amounts.
Finally, give one-quarter of the old food to three-quarters of the new food.
Your Whippet puppy should be able to tolerate the new diet completely at this point.
During the meal transition, though, it's critical to keep a tight eye on them.
Contact your veterinarian if you see any indicators of digestive issues, including as diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation.
Diets for Whippet Puppy
Fortunately, Whippets are a generally healthy breed that can adapt to a variety of diets.
Puppies should always be fed a high-quality, specially prepared puppy food.
Because puppies require more protein and calories than adult dogs, this is the case.
For optimal growth and development, about half of their calorie intake is used.
Puppies should be fed the following foods:
- Natural Balance Instinct Puppy Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry & Wet Dog Food Puppy Formula Original Ultra Dry Dog Food
- Feeding a Whippet Puppy with Merrick Classic Grain Free Canned Dog Food, 13,2 Oz, 12 Count Puppy Plate
How to Feed a Whippet Puppy as He Grows Older
Whippet puppies should be fed three or four times per day.
They should be fed twice a day by the time they're a year old.
The longer the growth time is for a larger breed, and the pace of growth is not always constant.
Continue to feed a puppy food until they have reached 90 percent of their adult size.
Switch to an adult dog food using the same progressive manner as the first time you switched their food.
If your breeder hasn't provided you with a diet chart, check with your veterinarian.
Although the packaging on commercial foods will give you an idea, due to activity level and other factors, each puppy has its own specific requirements.
As a rule of thumb, an adult Whippet requires one ounce of food for every two pounds of body weight.
Whippets are an active breed with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. What to Feed a Whippet Puppy Whippets are an active breed with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
As long as it's balanced and healthy, they should be OK on any puppy-formulated food.
It's a matter of personal preference whether you feed your Whippet puppy dry food, wet food, homemade food, or raw meat.
Continue reading to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of each diet.
Kibble for a Whippet Puppy
Dry kibble is by far the most popular dog food option.
It's easy to use, inexpensive, and lasts a long time.
Just walking into any pet store will reveal the enormous array of dry food alternatives available.
On the flipside, kibble is the least appealing option, and dogs are frequently hungry shortly after eating it.
If you do decide to feed your dog dry food, read the label carefully.
The first item on the list should be a named animal protein.
Avoid brands with meat by-products and other fillers, which might irritate a dog's stomach.
Wet Food for a Whippet Puppy
Wet or canned dog food provides better nutritional value and higher quantities of animal protein than dry dog food, although being more expensive.
Dehydration is less likely as a result of this.
This shouldn't be an issue as long as your Whippet puppy has constant access to fresh water.
Wet food is also more flavorful.
Although there is some evidence that soft, moist food can cause dental problems in dogs, brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis should minimize the risk.
Feeding a Whippet Puppy Raw (BARF)
Because it's closer to their natural diet, supporters say this is a healthier approach to feed your dog.
They'll talk about how it helps with digestion, teeth cleaning, and skin and coat health.
However, the majority of current scientific research suggests that the hazards of eating a raw diet outweigh the benefits.
Raw chicken, in particular, is dangerous.
According to this study, salmonella was identified in 80% of BARF diet samples.
If you want to feed your dog a raw diet, you'll need to know how to properly store and handle meat to avoid contamination.
Making a Homemade Diet for a Whippet Puppy
Feeding a Whippet puppy a homemade food, like feeding a raw diet, provides you complete control over what your dog eats.
This diet differs in that it may include cooked meats and veggies.
A homemade diet is also more natural and delicious than professionally prepared dishes.
You must, however, ensure that your puppy receives the proper nutrients in the appropriate amounts.
It's critical to contact with your veterinarian before feeding your Whippet puppy a homemade diet.
Nutrient deficits can cause growth and developmental issues in dogs, especially in young, growing puppies.
Whippet Puppies’ Best Dog Food
Dry Dog Food Nulo Freestyle Puppy Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Recipe Nulo Freestyle Puppy Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Recipe Nulo Freestyle Puppy Grain-
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Puppy is a premium meal made specifically for energetic puppies like the Whippet. This high-quality diet has an animal protein composition that accounts for about 80% of the total. Salmon is the cornerstone of this diet, since it is high in vital fatty acids and provides the Whippet puppy with ample energy reserves, healthy hair and skin, and excellent brain and eye development.
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Puppy is one of the best dog diets for Whippet puppies on the market today, with a carbohydrate profile that emphasizes high fiber and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. The emphasis on these superfoods guarantees that excellent digestion and a healthy immune system are well supported.
This meal contains the right calcium to phosphorus ratios to promote healthy growth in the Whippet puppy.
Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Formula
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy is an amazing food formulation available at a fair price, constantly rated among the top dog diets for Whippet puppies available today. Salmon is the main ingredient in this high-performance food, which is abundant in the nutrients that Whippet puppies require for proper brain and eye development, as well as coat and skin health.
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy is a grain-free dish that incorporates nutrient-dense superfood carbs to support a healthy immune system and fluid digestive processes. This food contains enough omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to meet the demands of the Whippet puppy's coat and skin.
Grain, maize, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are all absent from Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy, making it an excellent choice for Whippet puppies who have previously indicated dietary sensitivities. This dish contains a probiotic supplement to aid in the growth of healthy gut flora.
Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food from Wellness
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy provides excellent nutrition at an affordable price to meet the nutritional needs of growing Whippet puppies. To avoid choking dangers, each kibble piece in this high-quality food has been engineered to be bite-sized.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy is one of the best dog diets for Whippet puppies on the market today. Its two primary ingredients are chicken and turkey, both lean animal proteins that are easy to digest and full of the amino acids puppies require for proper muscle growth.
This recipe includes salmon oil to increase the omega 3 and 6 fatty acid content, which is important for brain and eye development, as well as coat and skin health. To encourage proper digestion and a healthy immune system, this recipe features fruits and vegetables high in dietary fiber and antioxidants.
Probiotics, glucosamine, and taurine have been added to Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy to provide additional support for the Whippet puppy as it progresses through each stage of growth.
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Limited Ingredient Chicken, Lentil, and Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog Food CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Limited Ingredient Chicken, Lentil, and Whole Egg Recipe
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy is a premium meal with a short ingredient list that provides all the high-quality nourishment Whippet puppies require to flourish. This diet has only nine ingredients, all of which were chosen for their simplicity of digestion and excellent nutritional content.
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE is one of the best dog diets for Whippet puppies on the market today. Puppy is free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, making it a great choice for dogs that have food sensitivities. Whippet puppies get a boost of probiotics, antioxidants, and vital fatty acids from a patented supplement called HealthPLUS Solutions, which helps them stay healthy.
What If My Whippet Puppy Won’t Eat?
It can be very upsetting to have a puppy who refuses to eat.
If you've recently adopted a new puppy, it's likely that they're nervous or stressed about being in a new setting.
Teething pain may be present in puppies who are a little older.
It's also possible that the food you're serving them isn't to their liking.
However, if your puppy has skipped more than a few meals, we recommend that you take him to the veterinarian.
How Much Water Should A Whippet Puppy Drink?
Adult dogs, on average, require one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. Despite their diminutive size, growing puppies consume more than their adult counterparts. However, a lot depends on your puppy's age, size, and amount of activity.
Young puppies get all of their hydration from their mother's milk. They will require a fresh supply of water as they are weaned and begin to eat solid food. Puppies need around a half cup of water every two hours on average. You'll need to keep an eye on your puppy to make sure he's getting plenty to drink… but not too much.
Older puppies who have been weaned require one half ounce to one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. If your dog weighs 20 pounds, for example, he'll require between 10 and 20 ounces of water every day. He may require even more water on really active days.
How Much Exercise Does A Whippet Puppy Need A Day?
Whippets require some form of physical activity in order to burn calories, engage their brains, and stay healthy. Daily exercise also aids whippets in avoiding boredom, which can contribute to undesirable behavior. Many of your whippet's inherent needs to retrieve, dig, chew, chase, and herd will be satisfied with a little fun and games. Your whippet's activity requirements are determined by his age and health, but 10 minutes in the back of the house and a couple of daily trips down the street are unlikely to suffice. Your whippet's needs will be substantially higher if he is a six to eighteen month old adolescent.
Whippet Background Information
The beautiful yet powerful Whippet, dubbed the “poor man's Greyhound,” was most likely developed in the late 18th century for use by poachers in search of rabbits and other small game, as well as in “snap” contests, in which the dog's purpose was to snap up rabbits in a circle. When it was discovered that they would chase a waving rag, they truly came into their own, and Whippet racing became popular among working-class men.
This medium-sized hound has a sleek body and a short, dense coat with a range of colors and markings. The Whippet was created by crossing Greyhounds with smaller terriers and, later, Italian Greyhounds, and is not a miniature Greyhound. The end product is a sleek, gorgeous, calm, and affectionate dog.
The Whippet is commonly referred to as the “ideal all-around dog,” and it excels in agility, flyball, and lure coursing. Despite their independent personalities, which can make obedience training difficult, many Whippets compete effectively in obedience trials.
Although early socialization — exposure to diverse people, sights, noises, and situations — is vital to keep your Whippet from becoming scared of unfamiliar surroundings, the Whippet normally gets along with other dogs and people. The Whippet, on the other hand, might not be the ideal pick if you like cats. Prey drive is strong in this breed.
Although some Whippets get along with cats and other tiny fuzzy pets, there have been instances where Whippets have killed family cats. You may be able to train and socialize your Whippet to accept the family cat, but you should constantly keep an eye on them and never leave them alone together.
Whippets are unsuited for off-leash walks because of their predation drive, which makes them unsuitable for households with cats. If they perceive something worth chasing, they will pursue it, and even a well-trained Whippet will ignore requests to come. Some hunters have chased their prey for miles.
Whippets like daily walks, and the chance to run in a fenced yard or other enclosed space is always welcome. An underground electronic fence will not keep them contained; they will ignore the shock and go after any moving object instead.
They're kind and undemanding at home, asking merely to be entertained. They're mischievous and fun with children. Their thin coats and friendly personalities make them unsuitable for outdoor living. At the end of a long day, Whippets will snuggle with you on the sofa and warm your feet in bed.
Frequently Asked Questions about How Much to Feed a Whipper Puppy
How much food should I feed my Whippet?
As a rule of thumb, an adult Whippet requires one ounce of food for every two pounds of body weight.
How often should Whippets eat?
Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on how much food your Whippet should consume. You should feed them a full dog meal of good quality that is commercially available. We normally advise them to divide their daily calorie limit into two meals.
How much should an 8 week old Whippet puppy eat?
Whippet puppies, despite their small size at initially, require nearly as many calories as adult dogs. A Whippet puppy (4-8 months) weighing around 20 pounds requires approximately 730 kcal per day, divided into three or four meals.
How much does a Whippet eat a day?
1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food each day, divided into two feedings, is the recommended daily quantity. See our buying the proper food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog guides for additional information on feeding your Whippet.
How do I know if I'm feeding my puppy enough?
Examining your puppy's bodily health is the simplest way to tell if it is getting enough food. The ribs of a dog should be palpable. However, only the last two ribs should be visible. If your dog's ribs are peeking through the skin, they're probably hungry.