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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Saluki

The Saluki is one of the oldest hunting hounds on earth — a lean, deep-chested sprinter built to run down game across open desert. That sighthound build, with almost no body fat to spare, makes how you feed one a question of fueling an athlete, not filling a bowl.

Here is exactly how to feed a Saluki on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the lean protein, joint support, and gut-friendly feeding routine a deep-chested runner needs.

  • Adult weight40–65 lb
  • SizeMedium
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan12–17 years
  • CoatSmooth or silky feathered — light shedder
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A healthy Saluki
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Saluki's body needs

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

  • Lean sighthound build, low body fat

    Needs: Calorie-dense, high-quality protein

    Freeze-dried raw packs real meat, organ and bone into a small serving — fueling a fast-twitch runner without bulky, starchy filler the breed has no use for.

  • Athletic, joint-loading runner

    Needs: Joint support + a lean frame

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s ease joint inflammation, and keeping a Saluki lean takes load off hips and limbs.

  • Deep chest, sensitive to fast eating

    Needs: Measured, two-meal routine

    A calorie-dense raw meal is easy to portion and split across two calm feedings — no giant kibble volume for a deep-chested hound to gulp at once.

  • Long, silky feathered coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping the Saluki's signature silky feathering and tail glossy and tangle-resistant.

  • Prone to dental disease early

    Needs: Low-filler, whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy carbohydrates that feed plaque, supporting cleaner teeth alongside regular brushing.

How much to feed a Saluki

Quick answer: a healthy adult Saluki (40–65 lb) needs about 6.0–9.8 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)
40 lb 6.0 oz 3.0 oz
46 lb 6.9 oz 3.5 oz
52 lb typical Saluki 7.8 oz 3.9 oz
58 lb 8.7 oz 4.4 oz
65 lb 9.8 oz 4.9 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.

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What to feed a Saluki

For a Saluki 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. The calorie density means you serve a modest, easy-to-measure portion that keeps this lean athlete in trim condition.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit Salukis watching their waistline; richer Beef helps fuel a hard-running or harder-keeping hound. Just add water and serve at a controlled, measured portion twice a day.

Recipes for Salukis

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Daily support for Salukis

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Treats Salukis love

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Feeding a Saluki by life stage

  • Puppy: Saluki puppies grow into a tall, leggy frame, so steady growth beats fast growth for developing joints. Feed roughly 4–7% of current body weight across 3–4 meals, keep them lean and leggy rather than chubby, and don't rush the weight on.
  • Adult: Feed to that lean, racy outline — last rib visible, deep waist tuck — split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition and how much your Saluki is running.
  • Senior: Salukis are long-lived (often into their mid-teens). Activity eases but appetite can hang on, so trim portions, keep protein high to hold lean muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition for an aging athlete.

Common Saluki concerns — and the diet connection

  • Athletic joints & hip dysplasiaA high-impact runner benefits from joint nutrients (natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, plus omega-3) and, above all, a lean body weight that keeps load off the hips and limbs.
  • Deep-chested build & bloat (GDV) riskDeep-chested hounds are more prone to bloat. Feeding measured meals twice daily, feeding calmly and separately, and avoiding hard exercise right around mealtimes are sensible everyday habits — not a treatment claim.
  • Lean weight & body conditionSalukis can quietly drift toward obesity once running drops off; measured raw feeding and a visibly trim waist are the simplest way to protect overall health.
  • Dental healthThis breed tends to develop dental disease earlier than most, so a low-carb, whole-food diet that doesn't feed plaque supports cleaner teeth alongside regular brushing.
  • Coat & skin conditionThe silky feathered coat stays glossy and tangle-resistant when fed omega-rich whole-food fats that support the skin barrier from the inside.

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

Feeding a Saluki: what to know

A Saluki naturally carries a slim, racy outline — you should see the last rib and a deep tuck at the waist. Do not mistake that lean silhouette for being underweight; this breed is meant to look athletic, not stocky. That said, Salukis can quietly tip into obesity when activity drops, so measure portions instead of free-feeding.

Because Salukis are deep-chested, feeding routine matters as much as the food. Split the daily amount into two calm meals, feed separately from other dogs to slow fast eaters, and avoid hard exercise right around mealtimes — all sensible habits for a breed with a tucked, deep-chested build.

Saluki feeding questions

How much should I feed my Saluki?
A healthy adult Saluki (40–65 lb) needs roughly 6–10 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 a lean, racy waistline and adjust every few weeks.
My Saluki looks really skinny — is that normal?
Yes. A fit Saluki is meant to look lean, with the last rib showing and a deep tuck at the waist. That is the breed's natural athletic outline, not a sign of being underfed. Feed to body condition rather than trying to fill them out, and check with your vet if you're unsure.
What is the best food for an athletic, deep-chested Saluki?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet of real meat, organ and bone fuels a lean runner without bulky filler, and being calorie-dense it's easy to portion into two controlled meals — a sensible routine for a deep-chested hound.
How do I switch my Saluki to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. It's rich, so start at the lower end of the range, feed two calm measured meals, and watch that the waistline stays lean.
Does a Saluki need a joint supplement?
Many athletic Salukis benefit from joint support, especially as they age. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Saluki lean is the most effective joint protection there is.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

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    — Priya & Luna
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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.