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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Grace
Inny
Cliffy
Micky ARP
Micky is a handsome and affectionate greyhound with a calm and gentle nature. This sweet boy loves spending time with his people, seeking eye contact and wanting to please. While he can be relaxed and quiet, Micky does have a puppyish side and likes to stretch his legs with zoomies. He also loves treats and has shown interest in bird watching and believes that backyard zoomies are more fun with a bird nearby. He is looking for a home with a secure backyard. He would suit being an only dog or he may be suitable to live with medium or large canine companions. Micky may also be suitable to live with children aged 5 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.
Uganda ARP
Are you looking for a quiet and sweet girl? Uganda might be the one for you! She can be a little shy when she first meets you but doesn’t take long to warm up. She is quiet and really wants to please her owners. She may suit living with children in their teens but would prefer to find a home with a canine companion of any size.
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.
Pedro ARP
Pedro is a friendly, outgoing and confident greyhound with a big personality and an even bigger heart. Affectionate and personable, he loves spending time with his people and is always happy to make new friends. One of Pedro’s favourite things in the world is a good butt scratch, and he'll happily lean in for more when he finds the perfect spot! With his easy-going nature, Pedro may suit a home either as an only dog or with a medium to large canine companion. He could also thrive in a family with respectful children aged 10 years and over who are keen to share plenty of love, attention and cuddles with this charming boy.
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.
King ARP
Kingis a handsome, friendly and incredibly personable greyhound whose goofy, larger-than-life personality is guaranteed to keep his family smiling. This tall, affectionate boy loves being part of the action and has a playful, puppyish side that shines through in his hilarious zoomies and quirky antics. While King can be a little anxious at times, he always tries his best and gains confidence with patient support from the people he loves. Full of character, charm and plenty of goofy moments, King may suit a home with or without a medium or large canine companion and could do well with respectful children aged 10 years and over who will appreciate his fun-loving spirit and kind heart.
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.
Bruno ARP
Bruno is a handsome greyhound with a gentle soul and a heart full of affection. Quiet, polite, and incredibly sweet, he enjoys spending time with his people and wins friends wherever he goes with his calm, personable nature. Bruno is confident in many situations, but like many greyhounds, he can occasionally be a little unsure and looks to his trusted humans for reassurance and support.
Friendly and easy-going, Bruno may happily settle into a home as an only dog where he can soak up all the attention, or he may enjoy living alongside another dog of any size. His kind and gentle temperament also makes him a lovely companion for families with children aged 5 years and older. If you're looking for a loyal, affectionate friend with plenty of charm, Bruno could be the perfect match.
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.
Flashy
Mary ARP
Mary is an absolute sweetheart and the beauty to match! This gorgeous girl is friendly, outgoing and full of enthusiasm. She loves being around people, is incredibly affectionate and has a fun, puppyish nature that shines through. Mary is playful, boisterous and very excitable. She can be quite jumpy when she’s happy, often greeting people with a LOT of enthusiasm. She will need a home with a secure backyard where she can burn off some energy. Mary may besuited to live as an only dog or may be suitable to live with medium or large dogs. She also may be suitable to live with a family that have older children aged 15+. Due to her energetic nature, she is not suitable to live with elderly people or dogs. With the right home, Mary’s fun-loving personality will make her a wonderful and entertaining companion.
This dog 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 not other dogs currently in our care.