Grehound Coats on and off!
May 3rd, 2010 | 
Author: Our two dogs are wondering what's going on! As you may know we are great believers in Greyhound coats. We have coats for hot days and coats for cold days. We also, believe it or not, have coats for in between days.
The UK's weather has been so variable that we just don't know what to dress the dogs in! One of them - Slinky - really feels the cold and turns into a shivering wreck if he's not cosseted. So we dig out the warm coats only to find a short while later the sun comes out with a vengeance leaving a panting Greyhound. Well, at least the intentions are good, we just hope we get a reasonable summer so we only need the reflective Greyhound coats
Greyhounds Upset Stomach
My Greyhounds are well fed but will never turn down a treat - whether offered or stolen! We, living in a seaside town, have more than our share of fish and chip shops and so there's always fresh chips, or even a sausage, on the pavement outside. Local dogs, including mine, have taken it upon themselves to keep the town tidy and remove the offending items immediately, no doubt considering it a public service!
In spite of their scavenging behaviour, they rarely get any form of intestinal upset. This last week was the exception. A nightmare week of disturbed nights and very sorry looking dogs. We soon realised the source of the problem was the "fat ball" bits and pieces dropped from the bird table by the garden birds. We hadn't realised was rich pickings it represented. We now have a cage over the fat balls which can be accessed by Thrushes, Blackbirds etc. but with a small enough mesh to prevent Wood pigeons and Greyhounds getting in.
The dogs have been on a diet of tinned pink salmon and rice for nearly a week and have now returned to their normal diet. They also had a daily dose of Loratidine which we've found to be effective.
The salmon and rice combo was recommended by a vet some years ago when we had an 84Kg Great Dane. With a dog that size tummy upsets can be spectacular! He also suggested potatoes as an alternative to rice.
Everything seems to have settled down now and the last two nights were undisturbed.
The moral is to never forget that dogs, including Greyhounds will scavenge given the opportunity. Someone once said of children "It's their job to attempt suicide and our's to prevent them!" I think dogs are similar.
Why Greyhounds Need Coats
It has to be said that, like humans, Greyhounds vary in their sensitivity to temperature changes. Greyhound coats ensure your dog is able to cope. Another aspect of this is to compare their situation to humans. We can tolerate extremes of temperature very well indeed, but, we're far more comfortable if we're appropriately dressed for the prevailing weather. The older or weaker human can perish if not protected from extreme weather.
So, what is needed to afford your Greyhound the necessary protection?
A good warm and waterproof winter coat is essential. To not give such a sensitive dog this basic item is downright cruel. Your dog may not drop dead, but it will be very uncomfortable without one. The difference between surviving something and being comfortable must be appreciated.
Other Greyhound coats include light waterproof types for showery, warm weather. Many of these will fold up nicely and fit in a bag or pocket. Remember, a cold dog is one thing, a cold wet dog is something else again.
What about hot sunshine?
Here we have an altogether different issue to address. The problems relate to the colour of the dog. A white Greyhound - or any other dog for that matter - can be badly burned as they tend to have areas of exposed pale skin. If your dog is likely to be affected the nose and any other vulnerable areas should be watched and the necessary sun block applied if needed, as Greyhound coats can only cover the body.
Black and other dark coloured dogs absorb heat. There's no argument, black absorbs heat, white reflects, it's basic physics we all learned at school.
There are now reflective Greyhound coats available. These are great as they are a dual purpose garment. The UK isn't unique in having extremely changeable weather, so a "be prepared for anything" approach is required. Fortunately, reflective coats are wind and waterproof as well as being able to reflect the suns heat.
They really do keep a dog cool. Try this if you ever see a lucky Greyhound whose caring owner has kitted out for the sunshine. Having sought the owners permission, feel the top of it's head, then slide your hand under the coat. You will be amazed at the difference in temperature.
Of course, none of this means you should neglect the other aspects of dog ownership, fresh water must always be available and if it is unbearably hot, both you and your dog will be better off in the cool somewhere.
There's never been a better selection of Greyhound coats available.
Living With a Blind Greyhound
It seems our Pingu is coping quite well with his failing eyesight, but there are signs that he is still getting used to his situation. Sometimes, when out in town, he seems to be a bit freaked out when he sees other dogs. If the other dog is a bit "lively" it seems to confuse him and so he barks at it, albeit in a half hearted way. There's no malice, it's more like "What the hell's going on?" It hasn't been too much of a problem though.
He falters when he enters the house when the light is bright outside and takes a few moments to adjust to the change in light level, again, he copes in his own way.
The most heartening, and in some ways the most frightening, thing is his running about in the garden. He's always been keen on running like a maniac and that desire hasn't diminished as his eyesight worsens. To see him in failing light, or hear him in pitch darkness is astonishing. He travels around the back garden, along the side of the house and does a lap of the front garden before repeating the circuit several times. It's an amazing testimony to a dogs sensing abilities other than eyesight. He's either relying on scent, or memory. As we've only been in the house since August, it seems it's the good old "dogs nose" that gets him around.
So far, our other Greyhound, Slinky, doesn't seem to be taking advantage of his superior eyesight and they remain very close friends.
Posted in Greyhound, Dog articles | 
Tags: blind dogs, greyhounds, Greyhounds as Pets | 
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