Ongoing Health and Hygiene Care
Bringing a greyhound home is the beginning of a wonderful adventure, and like any great adventure, a little preparation goes a long way. Greyhounds are wonderfully low-maintenance companions, but they do have a few specific health and hygiene needs worth knowing about.
The good news? Once you’ve got a routine down, it’s simple and straightforward, and even enjoyable bonding time with your new best mate.
Dental Care: Keeping Those Pearly Whites Sparkling
Greyhounds are prone to tartar build-up, so dental hygiene is something to stay on top of from the very beginning. The easiest way to keep their teeth in great shape is through what they eat, large raw bones and raw chicken frames are brilliant natural teeth cleaners, and dog chews can also help keep plaque at bay between vet visits.
At your first veterinary appointment after adoption, ask your vet to check your greyhound’s teeth and set up a dental care plan that suits them. Getting into good habits early makes a real difference to their long-term health and comfort.
Tips for great greyhound dental health:
- Offer large raw bones or raw chicken frames regularly
- Use vet-approved dog chews between meals
- Book a dental check at your first post-adoption vet visit
- Ask your vet about professional cleans if needed
Coat Care: Bath Time Made Easy
One of the joys of owning a greyhound is their short, smooth coat, it’s genuinely one of the easiest to care for of any breed. A wash every few weeks (or as needed) using a gentle dog shampoo or eucalyptus wool wash is all it takes to keep them clean and fresh. Your greyhound should be washed no more than once a month.
A quick heads-up for new greyhound owners: some greyhounds become so deeply relaxed in warm water during a bath that they appear a little wobbly or unsteady on their feet. Don’t be alarmed, this is a perfectly normal greyhound quirk! Simply get them up and lead them around gently for a few minutes and they’ll be back to their usual selves in no time.
Coat care basics:
- Wash as needed, but no more than once a month
- Use a gentle dog shampoo or eucalyptus wool wash
- If your greyhound goes wobbly in the bath, just walk them around gently afterwards, they’ll be fine!
- A quick brush between baths helps remove loose hair and keeps their coat looking its best
Parasite Prevention: Staying on Top of Worms and Fleas
Regular worming and flea control are essential parts of keeping your greyhound in great health, and importantly, protecting your household too, as some intestinal worms can be passed on to humans.
There’s a wide range of products available that tackle intestinal worms, heartworm, fleas, and mites, and many combination treatments cover several of these in one easy dose. The best approach is to speak with your vet about the right parasite control protocol for your greyhound based on their age, lifestyle, and health history.
Parasite prevention reminders:
- Regular worming is essential, speak to your vet about frequency
- Flea and tick prevention should be part of your routine year-round
- Combination products can simplify things, ask your vet what they recommend
- Keep a simple calendar reminder so treatments never slip through the cracks
Nail Care: A Small Job That Makes a Big Difference
It might seem like a small thing, but keeping your greyhound’s nails at the right length is genuinely important for their comfort and joint health. Nails that are too long can put pressure on the toes and affect the way your greyhound walks, which over time can cause real discomfort.
A handy trick to check if your greyhound’s nails need a trim: stand them on a hard, flat surface and try to slide a piece of paper between their nails and the ground. If the paper won’t fit, it’s time for a trim. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, your vet or a groomer can take care of it quickly and easily.
Nail care know-how:
- Check nails regularly and trim when needed
- Use the “piece of paper” test to gauge nail length
- Ask your vet or groomer to show you the right technique if you’re unsure
- Most greyhounds tolerate nail trims well when introduced calmly
Vaccinations: Keeping Up With the Schedule
When you adopt through GAP, you’ll receive a full record of your greyhound’s vaccination history. This is a great starting point for a conversation with your vet about what ongoing vaccinations they’ll need and when.
Vaccination requirements can vary depending on your greyhound’s age, health, and lifestyle, so it’s well worth discussing a personalised schedule with your vet at your first visit. Staying up to date with vaccinations is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your greyhound’s long-term health.
Vaccination checklist:
- Review your greyhound’s vaccination records (provided by GAP at adoption)
- Book a vet appointment early to discuss an ongoing vaccination plan
- Keep your vaccination records somewhere safe and easy to find
- Set reminders for upcoming boosters so nothing gets missed
Your Vet is Your Best Resource
Building a great relationship with a local vet who understands greyhounds is one of the best things you can do for your new companion. Don't hesitate to ask questions, that's what they're there for! And if you ever have concerns between appointments, the GAP team is always happy to help point you in the right direction.
Your greyhound has chosen you for their next great chapter and with a little love and the right care routine, they're going to thrive.
Have questions about caring for your greyhound? Reach out to the GAP team on (03) 5799 0166, we’re here to help every step of the way.
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Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Rubharb Ruby ARP
Like he rname, Rhubarb Ruby is equal parts sweet and full of character. This little girl is friendly, affectionate and always happy to make new friends. With her puppyish personality and enthusiastic approach to life, Ruby brings plenty of fun wherever she goes. Ruby loves treats, enjoys being around people and has a wonderfully sweet and personable nature. Her happy, excitable energy is guaranteed to keep you smiling. Ruby may be suited to live as an only pet or may suit living with medium or large dogs. Ruby may be suitable to live with children 5 and over. Rhubarb Ruby has a deformed jaw and will need regular 6 monthly teeth check ups.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Colt ARP
Don’t let the name fool you – Colt is much more of a gentle gentleman than a wild stallion. Quiet, calm and polite, this sweet boy loves spending time with people and has a friendly and affectionate nature. His adorable eye contact is guaranteed to win you over.
Colt would suit living as an only dog or may be suitable to live with a canine friend of any size. He may also be suitable to live with children aged 5 and over.Because of his lovely nature he may be suitable to live in an apartment.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Opal ARP
Opal is a quiet, gentle little greyhound with a sweet and affectionate personality.Calm, polite and sensible, she loves spending time with her people and is always happy to soak up a few extra pats – especially if she can sneak in between your legs for some attention. She also loves to lean against her handler, making her an extra cuddly companion. This pretty girl may be suited to living as an only dog or with small, medium or large dogs. Opal may be suitable to live with children aged 5 and over . She is so gentle and sweet we think she may even be suitable to be with elderly owners and may suit apartment living.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Zari ARP
Zariis a sweet and affectionate girl with a gorgeous grey face and plenty of charm. Friendly and outgoing, she loves meeting new people, although her gentle and submissive side shines through at times., Zari is sure to win hearts whereve rshe goes. Zari may be suited to living as an only dog or with medium or large dogs, and could live with children aged 5 years and over.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Micah ARP
-Micah is a handsome boy with a zest for life and plenty of love to give. Sweet, friendly and outgoing, this boy adores people. Toys are one of his favourite things, and his playful and puppyish personality means there is never a dull moment when Micah is around.Whether he is zooming around the backyard or bouncing over for some affection,this enthusiastic boy is bound to make you smile. Micah is looking for a home with a secure backyard where he can stretch his legs and burn off his playful energy. He may be suited to be an only dog but may also suit living with robust small, medium or large dogs. We think he may be suitable to live with kids aged10 and over. Because of his active and excitable nature, Micah will not be suitable to live with old or frail people or dogs.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Jayde
Gilly
Thyme ARP
Thyme is a lovely female greyhound with a calm, gentle presence that makes her an absolute pleasure to be around. Sweet, outgoing, and deeply affectionate, she enjoys human company and rewards her people with plenty of love and quiet companionship. Whether she’s relaxing by your side or greeting you with a soft, happy demeanor, Thyme’s easy-going nature makes her a wonderful addition to a peaceful home.
She may suit a range of living situations, including apartments, and may even be a great match for an elderly owner looking for a devoted companion. Thyme may be suitable for a home with children aged 5 and over, and she may like either to be the only dog or with a suitable canine companion. With her gentle temperament and affectionate personality, Thyme is ready to bring warmth and calm companionship to her forever home.
Thyme is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and no other dogs currently in our care.
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