Whippet: feeding, nutrition and health

Feeding a Whippet: what matters

The Whippet needs food with a higher energy density than its body weight would suggest for an average breed, because its minimal fat reserves give it nowhere to store energy, and it loses weight quickly if the ration doesn't match actual output. Food formulated for active or sporting dogs tends to suit a Whippet better than standard small-to-medium breed food.

Visible ribs and vertebrae are a normal state for a Whippet, not a sign of malnutrition - judging condition by appearance, which works for other breeds, is misleading here and easily leads to unnecessary overfeeding. It's more reliable to track muscle tone, energy level, and weight stability over time than to go by silhouette.

In cold months or after intense physical exertion, such as racing or coursing, it's worth temporarily increasing the ration, since thin fur and minimal fat mean a higher energy cost for maintaining body temperature and faster depletion of reserves after exercise than is typical in other breeds.

What to watch for

• Judging condition by visible ribs - on a Whippet, that's a normal state, not malnutrition.
• Insufficient energy density in the food relative to the breed's minimal fat reserves.
• Chilling and increased energy needs in winter because of the thin coat with no undercoat.
• Inadequate dental care - sighthounds have an increased tendency toward tartar buildup.

Practical feeding tips

• Choose a food with a higher energy density, ideally one formulated for active or sporting dogs.
• Don't judge condition by visible ribs alone - track muscle tone and weight stability instead.
• In winter or after intense exertion, temporarily increase the ration and consider clothing against the cold.
• Pay attention to dental care - chew items or tooth brushing reduce the risk of tartar buildup.
• Tell your vet about the breed before any planned anesthesia - sighthounds need adjusted dosing for certain drugs.

Feeding schedule by age

Health risks that diet affects

Minimal fat reserves

The Whippet carries a very low proportion of subcutaneous fat, which means a smaller energy reserve in the event of illness, fasting, or cold. Food should have a higher energy density than for an average dog of the same weight, so the dog can maintain condition even through normal fluctuations in food intake.

Tartar and periodontal disease

Sighthounds, including the Whippet, have an increased tendency to form tartar and develop periodontal disease. Dry food of a suitable texture, chew items, or regular dental care all help delay dental problems.

Heart murmurs

Both benign and pathological heart murmurs are documented in Whippets; some are harmless while others need monitoring by a cardiologist. They aren't directly linked to diet, but for a diagnosed heart condition, your vet may recommend adjusting the sodium content of the food.

Sensitivity to anesthesia and certain drugs

The low body fat percentage typical of sighthounds affects how fat-soluble substances, including some anesthetics, are processed in the body. This isn't a direct dietary issue, but it relates to the same body composition that needs to be factored into feeding plans around surgery.

Chilling and increased energy needs in winter

A thin coat with no undercoat and minimal body fat mean a Whippet burns more energy staying warm in cold weather. In winter months it's worth increasing the ration slightly if the dog spends time outdoors, and providing clothing.

Temperament and exercise

The Whippet is the fastest of the commonly kept breeds over a short distance, but at home it's more of a relaxed couch companion - it needs short, intense sprints rather than hours of steady exercise. Energy needs are shaped by the type of effort as much as by overall activity level.

A body built with almost no subcutaneous fat means ribs and vertebrae are visible on a Whippet even at ideal condition - unlike most breeds, a visible skeleton here isn't a sign of malnutrition but a typical trait of the breed.

Thin skin and almost no insulating fat layer make the Whippet sensitive to cold. In winter it needs more energy to maintain body temperature and often needs clothing too, which also translates into a higher energy requirement from food during the colder months.

Coat: Very short, fine, smooth, close-lying coat with no undercoat; minimal insulation against cold.