Best Dog Food for Whippets: Top Nutritional Choices for Energy and Health

Whippets, an English Breed descendant of the Greyhound, are a regal, steady and ultra-fast running dog. At top speed, an adult Whipp can reach 35 miles per hour. Needless to say, as a Whippet owner, you will need plenty of running room and high fences.

I wrote this article to give dog owners like me more information about the nutritional needs of the Whippet breed and what dog foods fulfill those.

Further, I will help you find the best dog food for Whippets and my other top choices, and provide details on why these are perfect for your graceful dog.

Breed Overview

Pedigree: Purebreed
Size: Adult dogs from this breed grow to a height of 18 to 22 inches 
Weight: Fully-grown Whippets weigh between 17 to 25 pounds
Energy Level: Nearly high energy
Lifespan: 12-15 years

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR DOG FOODS FOR WHIPPETS

Fast Facts

Whippets have a very strong prey drive. That’s because they were originally bred to run after and capture game. On the downside, this hunting instinct can make them incompatible with small pets (like cats or rabbits) unless you train them at a very young age. Otherwise, they’ll just see your smaller animal as another prey.

These dogs are excellent for city dwelling, particularly in places where neighbors’ houses are close together. Whippet puppies and adult Whippet pups rarely bark, and they’re quite friendly towards everyone. 

Those short coats of theirs? Those can shed — frequently. I suggest doing a regular weekly brushing to keep those hairs from off your clothes and couch. 

Our Top Dog Food Brands for Whippets

As most Whippets tend to be picky eaters, it is important to find a food that not only tastes good but one that leaves little waste.

This can be a trial and error process, but we have some of the best and most nutritional brands listed for you here to get you started.

 

1. Nom Nom Beef Mash

First 5 ingredients: Ground Beef, White Potatoes, Carrots, Peas, Eggs

Rating: 5/5

For those of you who have read my previous articles, you will be familiar with Nom Nom and my love for the brand. It’s part of my pups’ regular diet so I speak from experience about how good its recipes are. As a dog owner, I can say that it’s one of the best food choices you can give your pet because everything used are natural ingredients only.

For this review, we chose Nom Nom’s Beef Mash. The main animal protein here is ground beef. It’s not the only animal protein, though. There are eggs too to provide additional protein support and all the essential amino acids your dog needs to boost his immune system and repair body tissues. The rest of the primary ingredients are made up of vegetables and oils. 

Now oil is a good source of essential fatty acids (also called omegas, particularly 3 and 6), which are derived from dog foods because the body can’t produce them. In this recipe, these fatty acids come from fish oil and sunflower oil. 

Fish oil is often given as a supplement for dogs to help with heart health, provide relief from the symptoms of food allergies like itching, and reduce joint pain. So I can only point out the benefits of having it included as part of your pup’s daily dog food diet.

As for the carb content, that’s provided by the russet potatoes and peas. While energy is best sourced from animal protein, dogs also needs carbohydrates. Carbs are more easily broken down than protein and are great for short-term plays and exercise.

Key takeaways:

Nom Nom is known for its gently cooked dog food recipes that it custom makes according to your dog’s unique profile. So factors such as your dog’s activity level, weight, age, breed, and all are taken into consideration when formulating each meal. That’s something that can’t be said for commercial brands you’d find in the market. 

You get dog food that targets your dog’s nutritional needs perfectly. If your dog’s stomach is sensitive, or he needs to watch his caloric intake, or he needs more energy, this high-quality diet should be able to meet all of your pup’s needs because it’s made just for him. It’s the best dog food for Whippets I can think of.

Best for: Overall health 

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2. Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas

Rating: 4/5

Formulated with high quality protein sources that include real smoked salmon, this grain-free dog food formula should be able to provide your pup with long-lasting energy with its meaty formulation. Aside from the fish listed above (first five ingredients), it also contains salmon meal and smoke-flavored salmon. 

The potatoes and peas in the dry dog food provide the carbohydrates your pup needs for short but intense plays. See, while proteins provide long-lasting energy, they also take a longer time breaking down. Carbs, on the other hand, break down faster so they’re best for when your dog needs energy now.

Along with the proteins and carbs, this dry dog food recipe also contains natural antioxidant support from real fruits and vegetables and dried chicory root for prebiotic support and healthy digestion.

Key takeaways:

I generally like Taste of the Wild because it is chock full of meat, and the company offers more than the usual chicken or beef recipes. The dog food is affordable, yet there are none of those fillers you’d expect from other brands within the same price range. 

It’s a balanced diet, has all the essential nutrients your adult dog requires, a grain-free formula, and has no artificial preservatives. It’s almost perfect, except that it has canola oil. Not that canola oil is bad for your pup (in fact, it offers a lot of benefits), but if you are leaning towards less processed ingredients, well, canola oil leans towards the opposite direction. 

Best for: Adult dogs with grain sensitivities

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3. American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas and Sweet Potatoes

Rating: 4.75/5

A Whippet is a highly active dog that needs loads of energy for vigorous play, which is why a Whippet’s diet should be high in protein. 

This American Journey recipe leads with chicken but levels up the protein content with its inclusion of turkey meal and menhaden fish meal. It’s a pretty meaty dish with lots of animal protein ingredients in the first five and more further on. If your pup has a taste for poultry, this one’s for him.

The carbohydrates in this dish are sweet potatoes, peas, and chickpeas. Wonder why these are often found in grain-free dog food? It’s because a sweet potato is high in dietary fiber and is excellent for the digestive system. Peas and chickpeas are much the same, and they also provide protein as well.

Now for essential fatty acids, I often suggest finding a dog food that uses animal sources to supply these. It’s because animal fats provide the most concentrated forms of energy, much more than fats from produce. This dry dog food recipe uses two premium kind—chicken fat and salmon oil. 

Want healthy skin and coat for your pup? It’s also the fat you have to watch out for. It contains the vital nutrients that make for healthy skin, glistening coats, and itch-free skin. And this formulation has that in spades.

Key takeaways:

In my opinion, this dry dog food recipe is tops for pups who need plenty of long-lasting energy. The crude protein is at a very high 34% when the minimum for adults is only 18% on a dry matter basis. That means your playful pupper has plenty of fuel to spare for a whole day’s worth of adventure. He won’t be a lazy couch potato, that’s for sure.

The animal protein is also limited to poultry and fish (not a common allergen), which is a definite plus for sensitive stomachs that can’t handle beef or other proteins. And because it’s grain-free and has no wheat, soy, or corn, sensitive canines should have no problem with the dog food.

Lastly, this recipe has glucosamine and chondroitin, which are often prescribed for joint health. So high protein for max energy, and these two ingredients to reduce joint pain. You will have a very mobile pup soon enough.

Best for: Highly active dogs of all ages

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4. Halo Holistic Turkey, Turkey Liver & Duck Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Dried Peas, Dried Chickpeas, Dried Egg Product, Dried Lentils

Rating: 4.25/5

Halo also uses sustainably-raised, cage-free turkey as the very first ingredient (which I think is awesome, by the way), along with a wholesome variety of garden vegetables and nourishing oils.

The protein content is not very high. In fact, it is quite average for dry dog food. But the animal proteins are all premium. Aside from those animal proteins listed above, the recipe also contains turkey liver and duck. 

Organ meat might not sound good to us pet parents, but it is perfectly safe and absolutely healthy for your pup. Not to mention super tasty for dogs. Serve your pet Whippet food that has liver in it, and he will thank you. And the nutritional benefits are off the charts since liver contains tons of vitamins C and B6, niacin, folate, riboflavin, and so on.

Since this is grain-free food, your dog must get his carb fix elsewhere. That’s where the peas, chickpeas, lentils, and sweet potatoes come in. These are fuel and fiber sources, giving your dog energy along with a healthy digestive system. The fiber keeps waste moving at a regular and healthy rate.

Key takeaways:

The nutritional value of this dry food recipe can’t be dismissed. Yes, the protein content is a little average, but its wholesome ingredients are right up there. Non-GMO ingredients? Cage-free turkey? No antibiotics? Check, check, and check. It’s a healthy grain-free dog food that you won’t be embarassed to feed your pup.

That said, if I could change anything, I’d wish for more meat ingredients and less carbs in this dog food. The fiber is also high, which might work on some dogs, but ideally, it should be lower.

Best for: Dogs who need to maintain a healthy weight

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5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Menhaden Fish Meal

Grain-free and high in protein? This quality food by Blue Buffalo makes the cut for your grain-sensitive but highly active canine. Just look at the protein content. I find 34% to be more than enough to fuel the active lifestyle of the most energetic doggos.

The leading animal protein here is deboned salmon, which is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. As you probably know, omega fatty acids contribute a lot to skin health. These support the immune system and decrease inflammation. They also give your furry friend a beautiful, shiny coat that you just want to run your hand through.

Aside from salmon, the Blue Buffalo brand also included chicken meal, fish meal, and egg product to make the animal protein levels higher. There peas here too, which also contain protein, but most of the protein content is supplied by animal sources.

Since this dry dog food is grain-free, the fiber has to be found elsewhere. And that somewhere is dried tomato pomace. If you’re wondering what tomato pomace is, it’s really nothing more than the dried mixture of tomato skins, pulp, and seeds that remain after the fruit is processed.

As for fat, this brand takes it from chicken. Dogs consume fats to fuel their muscles for movement (as a reserve form of energy).  Fat also helps keep your dog warm during cold weather and protects his organs. And healthy fats from chicken is one of the best your dog can have.

Key takeaways:

I’ve thoroughly checked this recipe and it is good. The protein content alone has impressed me, mostly because I have active pups who need lots of it or they look bored and lethargic if they don’t get enough. It’s a nicely balanced diet for your adult dog.

That said, the recipe does have a minor “negative.” It uses tapioca starch, which is mostly carbs and has little fiber, protein, or nutrient content. At this point, it’s mostly a filler. The brand can totally do away with it and still come up with a good dog food formula. 

Best for: Active adult canines

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6. I And Love And You Naked Essentials Lamb & Bison Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Peas

Rating: 4.5/5

I and Love And You is not your average dog food brand. It’s one of the best holistic diets out there, and I speak from experience. I’ve reviewed this brand personally and also had some of my friends volunteer to test it on their pets. And the reviews were awesome. But let’s pick this recipe apart so you can see why it’s good too. 

The first three ingredients are all animal proteins. This is very good because you know that animal proteins make up most of the food. There are three types of animal protein so you can be sure that your pup is getting his fuel requirements and more.

While other dog food formulas from other brands would try to save on cost by including fillers and such, that’s not true for this recipe. In fact, it also has bison further down the list to add more protein for your pup to aid in the development and maintenance of healthy muscles.

The grain-free diet relies on two types of oils (fish oil and sunflower oil) to provide the fat your pup needs as a reserve form of energy and as a way to maintaincoat and skin health. If you’ve ever had a sensitive pup, then you’d know that fatty acids help a lot in reducing inflammation and itchy skin.

Key takeaways:

I have a unique fondness for I And Love And You because of the company’s sustainability practices. It really does practices what it preaches. And if we’re talking about the food it manufactures, well, there’s not much to complain about.

This dry dog food does contain more than a few legume ingredients. It could be less, but that’s not really a worry. If you are concerned about the link between these ingredients and DCM in dogs, don’t be. That’s mostly true for recipes that rely heavily on these ingredients. But we can see that meat makes up the most volume in this formulation, and the carbs come in at second place only.

Best for: Canines who love multi-protein dog foods

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Best Puppy Food

7. American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned lamb, Chicken meal, Turkey meal, Peas, Chickpeas

Rating: 4.25/5

American Journey has crafted a recipe that considers the growth requirements of pups across all breeds. It’s free from grains and common allergens, which I agree with. It’s best that we limit what our pups eat during this early stage in their life so there is less risk in developing problems when they grow into adults.

Three kinds of animal proteins lead the way in this recipe, and that’s a good sign. It means your pup gets most of his protein from animal sources rather than vegetable ones. Animal sources contain all the essential amino acids dogs require, which is not true for vegetable-based proteins.

There are peas here, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes, but they don’t make up a significant portion of the food. As pet parents, the link to DCM of dog foods that contain too many legumes or potatoes is concerning, but there is no concern here. That only goes for dog foods where those ingredients make up a large portion.

Oil from salmon is the fat source, and it is a good one. Salmon oil is filled with both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are excellent in supporting heart, skin, and coart health. What’s more, the omega-3 in salmon oil contains EPA, DPA, and DHA, all of which are essential components of a puppy diet.

Key takeaways:

This recipe carefully considers the needs of pups no matter the breed size. It has glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints in big breeds and those breeds prone to joint problems. It has long-chain DHA to keep your puppy’s brain and eye development on the right track. And it has the right amount of calories (not too much because we don’t want these puppies growing too fast!).

Overall, this is a delightful and healthy option to feed young canines. With the exception of tapioca starch, which doesn’t really contribute much in the way of nutrition, the rest of the ingredients are what you can call high-quality.

Best for: A growing puppy

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8. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Puppy

First 5 ingredients: Beef, Beef Broth, Turkey, Beef Liver, Potatoes

Rating: 3.75/5

The best dog food for puppies who aren’t that big yet should be wet, soft, and easily chewed by young teeth. This Blue Buffalo dinner provides just that— complete nutritious dinner that tiny mouths won’t have a hard time eating.

There are three kinds of meat used here: beef, turkey, and lamb. That’s a lot of animal protein, which translates to more energy and more nutrients to develop those lean muscles. 

10% crude protein may not seem much compared to the 30% or so of dry dog foods, but when you convert a wet food’s protein content to a dry matter basis, there usually is more. For this recipe, the converted amount is 45%. That is a lot of energy for your young adventurer!

Potatoes and pea flour help keep energy levels high. You know that protein is important to muscle development and long-lasting energy, right? Carbs also provide energy, aside from fiber, but it’s energy that your pup can draw on swiftly. Carbs break down faster than proteins or fats, so short bursts of activities need carbs to fuel them.

Fats act as energy sources too but usually in reserve. What it mostly does is provide your dog with insulation during cool nights, give food a palatable taste, protect his organs, and keep his skin healthy and his coat glistening. That’s quite a long list, which is why it’s important that dog food contain healthy sources of fat like the one here—fish oil.

Key takeaways:

While wet food and dry dog food both have their advantages and disadvantages, wet food is usually recommended if you have picky pups, want to feed your dog food with recognizable ingredients, or need to give your pet more moisture. In the case of puppies, wet food helps them wean off their mom’s milk and into solids.

 I usually like Blue Buffalo’s recipes, but if you have been reading my recent reviews, then you know my stand on carrageenan. While there are many experts who say that it’s perfectly safe and fine to be in dog foods, there are just as many who say otherwise.

I prefer to stay on the safe side and not feed anything with carrageenan in it to my dogs. However, if you feel that it’s not something to worry about, then this food checks out. It’s one of several dog foods that has superb ratings from reviewers, and its formulation (at least, aside from carrageenan) meets our approval.

Best for: Whippets who like more moisture in their food

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Best Dog Food for Senior

9. Now Fresh Senior Weight Management

First 5 ingredients: De-Boned Turkey, Peas, Potatoes, Potato Flour, Pea Fiber

Rating: 4/5

I have a senior pup, and what I have experienced is that to keep a senior dog in good health, watching his food intake is a must. Some older doggies eat too much but since they are not too mobile, they can’t exercise off those extra calories. The tendency for them is to gain weight if you don’t count how many calories they take in.

Now Fresh has crafted a formula made especially for seniors who need to keep their weight in check. It provides all the nutrients that they need but without the extra calories that they don’t, thus resulting in a hopefully lean body.

Turkey is a lean kind of meat, which is why it leads this recipe. However lean it is, it still contains plenty of protein to get your pup through the day and keep him lively for play. Salmon and duck do lend some support, but they are way down the list and are maybe more for taste rather than protein content.

You might notice that there’s a lot of produce in this formulation. This is absolutely fine as long as you have meat as your main ingredient. And the fruits and veggies do provide a natural source of minerals and vitamins so there is less dependency on synthetics.

Key takeaways:

I found this recipe true to its promise of helping a senior dog manage his weight. It really keeps dogs full (they don’t act as if they’re dying of hunger), but it does so without giving them more than the necessary calories. 

It’s a good dog food for Whippets who are getting along in years. However, I don’t like the inclusion of canola oil. Don’t get me wrong. Canola oil has plenty of benefits, and it’s not harmful to your dog. It is, however, highly processed, and the procedure is not very pretty. 

Best for: Older pups who need to maintain their weight

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10. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas

Rating: 4/5

Some senior dogs may find that chewing up dry food is hard on their teeth and gums. As pups get along in years, teeth (and bones) may not be as strong as they once were in their prime. In this scenario, the best food for your older canine friend is one that’s wet. Fresh food is an option, but for convenience, canned food is also just as good.

Blue Buffalo’s Homestyle Dinner serves pups with an irresistible helping of chicken in a pate form. The soft texture is easy on the teeth and the wet food composition gives the dish more palatability in case your pup is the picky kind. And in case that’s not enough, it has liver which is delicious to our furry friends.

It’s a single animal protein recipe, which is highly recommendable to pups with sensitivities to meats other than chicken. The chicken is an excellent protein source, containing even more than than beef or turkey. The protein is high enough to help your furry pal get up and moving more.

This formulation relies on grains—specifically brown rice, barley, and oatmeal—to supply the fiber necessary to keep your pup’s bowel movements more solid and regular.

In case you’re wondering where the fat comes from, look no further than the chicken liver. Liver is full of nutrients and those include vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. And since aging joints can somstimes be painful and hinder mobility, Blue Buffalo enhanced the food chondroitin and glucosamine.

Key takeaways:

This formulation covers a lot of bases for older canines. It has enough protein to keep pups active, not too much calories as to make your older pup fat, and just the right amount of glucosamine and chondroitin to keep those joints pain-free. 

I do, however, have to point out that it contains carrageenan. Carrageenan’s purpose in your dog’s food is to act as a thickening agent. It is not necessary as there are other safer and non-controversial alternatives.

While you might think that since it’s from seaweed it must be safe, there are two highly opposing views on the subject. I prefer to be on the safe side and not give foods with it to our dogs (it’s easy enough to avoid), but I also understand those who say there is not enough data to say it is toxic. This is why this is included in our reviews to be fair to both sides.

Best for: Mature pups who need softer food

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Why Quality Food Matters

In addition to high quality proteins, Whippets need to maintain their weight. They can easily overeat and become fat.

Treat training, and high crude fat foods can lead to this overeating. A Whippet that isn’t at peak physical condition won’t be very active or running and chasing.

One thing to make sure you look for in your dog food is high crude protein content. This will ensure that your Whipp gets the vital elements he needs to maintain energy levels and build muscle. Vegetables and fruits will give proper and adequate vitamins and minerals to help aid in bone development and digestion.

You won’t find all these elements in lower quality foods. Without a lot of supplements and extra care, buying lower quality food isn’t worth it, no matter how much you appear to save in the beginning. High-Quality food will give you everything you need and save you money in the long run.

Common Health Issues Good Food Can Help With

There are a few health concerns with Whippets you should be aware of. Any reputable breeder will have all puppies screened for these (and other conditions), but it is up to you to do the research and have your particular pup tested for potential issues.

Bloat – Bloat is a very common and life-threatening condition for Whippets. Bloat, also known as a twisted stomach, is a condition where the stomach is enlarged and flips over. If it is not treated, the dog could die within just a few hours.

The symptoms are pain when touching the belly, an enlarged midsection, constant salivation, and consistent retching. If you notice these conditions, you need to get your Whipp to the vet as soon as possible.

One suspected cause is a large meal or a lot of water consumption just after or just before rigorous exercise. For this reason, it is warned that you shouldn’t feed your pup, or allow them to drink a lot of water at once, within 30 minutes either side of the exercise time.

Hip Dysplasia – Hip dysplasia is a common genetic condition in medium breed dogs. The basic premise is that the hip joint socket forms irregularly or doesn’t develop properly. When this happens, the dog will have trouble walking, running, getting up off the floor, climbing stairs, or jumping down to the floor from furniture.

It is detectable but not often treatable. You should have your puppy tested and throughout their first few years during the development periods. Proper nutrition for dogs is important as they contain ingredients that help prevent bone overgrowth, or the puppy growing too rapidly, leading to the condition.

While the issue is mainly hereditary, diet, type and amount of exercise and injury can all lead to the condition as well. There are several treatments, including a lifestyle change, diet adjustment or even surgery. Your vet will be able to cover your options and discuss the best course of action for you.

Minor Conditions – Most dogs have some concerns about their health that aren’t common. Whippets are no different. Having your dog regularly examined, tested and evaluated will go a long way to preventing most of the non-genetic conditions.

 

Ingredients To Avoid

Just as there are things to include, there are things to avoid as well.

Heavy Grains – You will most likely see wheat and corn on a lot of ingredient lists. These grains are heavy and provide a quick and economical solution to adding proteins to the food. However, like most humans, dogs are not well equipped to process the proteins from wheat and corn.

While it is filling, it doesn’t add to the vitamin absorption or processing of proteins once eaten. Some wheat is tolerated and acceptable. However, if the ingredient list has more than two sources of wheat or lists corn or corn meal, you should avoid the brand altogether.

Byproducts – Byproducts are a gross meat alternative, to put it mildly. Meat byproduct is essentially the runoff from slaughter. It is the skin, intestines, and all non-human edible ingredients from animals. It also comprised of expired meats from butchers (packaging included) all milled together to create a meat-like substance.

The FDA has declared meat byproduct non-consumable by humans. However, it is still acceptable to have it included in your dog’s food. Your dog can become ill or diseased from eating too many meat byproducts. If you ever see this on the label, you should put it down and choose another brand.

Final Thoughts

Whippets are basically just like any dog—any high-quality food can be the best food for your dog as long as it is crafted for your pet’s specific life stage and breed size. The key word here is “high-quality.” If it doesn’t skimp on the proteins, doesn’t use fillers, or does not include controversial ingredients, then it should be fine.

I made you a list of foods I’ve researched and reviewed to make the selection process easier for you. Ultimately, though, it will be up to your own research and your pup’s preference as to which is best. 

I wish you a happy journey finding the right food for your Whippet and may it be a short one!