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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Azawakh

The Azawakh is an African sighthound built for speed and endurance over the Sahel — all visible muscle and bone over a fine coat, with almost no fat to spare. That lean, athletic frame changes everything about how you should feed one.

Here is exactly how to feed an Azawakh on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the lean animal protein, joint support, and skin-and-coat nutrition this elegant hound is built to run on.

  • Adult weight33–55 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan10–13 years
  • CoatShort, fine and sparse — minimal shedding
A healthy Azawakh
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Azawakh's body needs

Every Azawakh trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Lean, low-fat racing build

    Needs: Concentrated, clean energy

    83% meat, organs and bone packs real fuel into a small serving — ideal for a hound that carries no spare weight and needs calories that count, not carb fillers.

  • High endurance & drive

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    Whole-prey freeze-dried raw fuels lean muscle and the steady, all-day stamina an Azawakh was bred for, without the spike-and-crash of starchy kibble.

  • Hard-running athlete

    Needs: Joint support

    Real ground bone and cartilage supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, and omega-3s help calm the everyday wear on the joints of a fast, leaping sighthound.

  • Fine, sparse short coat & thin skin

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping a thin-coated hound's skin supple and its short coat sleek.

  • Sensitive, sometimes choosy eater

    Needs: Simple, whole-food ingredients

    Minimally processed single-protein raw skips the fillers and additives that can upset a sensitive hound — clean recipes most Azawakh take to readily.

How much to feed a Azawakh

Quick answer: a healthy adult Azawakh (33–55 lb) needs about 5.0–8.3 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
33 lb 5.0 oz 2.5 oz
39 lb 5.9 oz 2.9 oz
45 lb typical Azawakh 6.8 oz 3.4 oz
51 lb 7.7 oz 3.8 oz
55 lb 8.3 oz 4.1 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

What to feed a Azawakh

For an Azawakh we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition. It delivers concentrated, clean energy in a small, easy-to-measure serving for a dog that runs on quality, not bulk.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Venison suit this athletic, sometimes sensitive hound; richer Beef helps add condition during hard training or cold weather. Just add water and serve.

Feeding a Azawakh by life stage

  • Puppy: Azawakh puppies are tall, fast-growing and slender. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals and let them grow at a steady, unhurried pace — protecting developing joints and bone in a leggy breed matters more than rapid size.
  • Adult: Feed to the breed's natural lean, athletic condition across two meals — lightly visible ribs and hips are correct. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to activity and weather.
  • Senior: Older Azawakh slow down but should stay lean and muscled. Keep protein high to preserve lean mass, trim portions if activity drops, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.

Common Azawakh concerns — and the diet connection

  • HypothyroidismSeen in the breed; a whole-food, nutrient-dense diet supports overall metabolic health, and feeding to maintain the breed's lean condition is easier on a body whose metabolism may run slow.
  • Joint & spinal wear (spondylosis)For a fast, leaping sighthound, real bone and cartilage supply natural glucosamine and omega-3s that support joint comfort, while staying lean keeps load off the spine and joints.
  • Lean muscle & enduranceThis athletic hound runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers.
  • Thin coat & skin sensitivityA fine, sparse coat over thin skin benefits from an omega-rich, low-filler whole-food diet that supports the skin barrier from the inside.
  • Cold & damp sensitivityAzawakh tolerate heat but feel the cold; adequate clean calories and healthy fats help a low-fat hound hold condition and stay warm through cooler months.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Azawakh: what to know

An Azawakh is supposed to look lean — ribs, spine, and hip bones lightly visible are normal and healthy for the breed, not a sign of underfeeding. Feed to that natural racing condition, not to the rounder look you would aim for in a heavier dog.

Because they carry so little fat reserve, an Azawakh can drop or gain weight fast with changes in exercise or weather. Weigh portions, and adjust upward in hard-running or cold months and back down when they settle into a quieter routine.

Azawakh feeding questions

How much should I feed my Azawakh?
A healthy adult Azawakh (33–55 lb) needs roughly 5–8 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to the breed's lean, athletic condition and adjust for activity and weather.
My Azawakh looks too thin — am I underfeeding?
Probably not. A correct Azawakh shows lightly visible ribs, spine and hip bones; that lean racing build is normal and healthy for the breed. Feed by weight, watch muscle tone rather than padding, and only add calories if condition or energy actually drops.
What is the best food for a picky or sensitive Azawakh?
A simple, complete freeze-dried raw diet of single proteins like Chicken or Venison keeps ingredients clean and appealing. Real meat, organ and bone with no fillers is both easy to digest and palatable for a hound that can be a choosy eater.
How do I switch my Azawakh to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Start at the lower end of the range — the food is rich and concentrated — and watch that they hold their lean condition without losing energy.
Does an Azawakh need joint support?
It helps for such a fast, hard-running sighthound. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and a dedicated hip and joint supplement adds extra support for an active or aging Azawakh.

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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.