Borzoi dogs are a pedigree breed known for their good-natured, gentle, and calm personality and their love for running. Since they were first used for hunt running games, they have great speed, endurance, and hunting skills but make amazing family dogs. However, they are fussy eaters with very specific dietary needs.
Borzois are generally healthy, but just like any other breed, they too can develop certain genetic health conditions with time. Taking care of their food habits is necessary, and you need to make sure you do not feed any unhealthy items to your pet. This article shall help you understand what your Borzoi can and cannot eat.
What Is The Best Food For Borzoi?
Since Borzois are energetic dogs who love physical activities, their diet, too, needs to be of food that gives them high energy. Dog food that is rich in protein and fat is ideal for your Bozoi in order to maintain its stamina and health. For their big size, Borzois are actually small eaters and should be given one huge meal or two small ones a day.
Around 4-8 cups of dry food (high-quality) is enough to maintain the health of your Borzoi dog. For a pet that is physically active and plays or walks for at least an hour, the nutrient content should be 22-25% protein and 15% fat every day. If your Borzoi is elderly or less active, 18% of protein and 5% of fat should be enough.
Food Safe For Your Borzoi To Eat
Following is a list of food items that are safe for your Borzoi to eat in little amounts. Remember not to overfeed your pet as Borzoi are light eaters and only require a certain amount of food every day.
Pork
Pork is a protein-packed food item with lots of amino acids – making it a good source of nutrition for your Borzoi. It is also very easy to digest and contains a lot of calories which are important to maintain your dog’s stamina. However, when feeding your Borzoi, make sure that it is well cooked without any spices or preservatives.
Also, avoid giving raw pork to your Borzoi as it can be dangerous for dogs as well as humans.
Ham
Ham works more as a treat to your Borzoi than a nutritional food item. They are delicious to taste, and your dog will definitely enjoy them. However, they are not the healthiest options out there for your Borzoi due to the fat and sodium content in them.
They can be beneficial for the calories they possess, but feeding ham should not become a daily habit. Still, it is alright to serve them as a treat once in a while.
Dairy Products
A lot of dogs cannot handle lactose, but they are good treats that are enjoyable to them. Borzoi dogs can also benefit from the protein they provide. Milk and cheese are dairy products that are okay for your Borzoi to have, though in medium amounts. Milk can be served in little amounts with bread.
As for the cheese, pick low-fat types like cottage cheese or mozzarella that can be given in small amounts as well.
Fish
Fish is great for your Borzoi as they are rich in amino and Omega-3 fatty acids while also being packed full of protein. Salmon, in particular, being a high type of fish meat, is great for your Borzoi dog. They are soft and easy to digest, and the bones present give an extra dose of calcium to your pet.
Remember to pick out the small bones from the fish before you serve it to your dogs as they can prove to be choking hazards. Especially be wary of sardines that have a lot of little bones.
Turkey
Turkey meat is a common ingredient in certain flavors of dog foods as they are rich in protein, phosphorous, and riboflavin. However, it needs to be cooked plain for your Borzoi in order to maintain all the nutrients in it. Any meat with lots of flavors and seasonings is not recommendable to be fed to dogs in general.
Also, keep in mind to check for bones and to remove excess fat and skin that can be unhealthy to your Borzoi.
Food Your Borzoi Can’t Eat
The following list is about certain food items that should be avoided by your Borzoi at all costs as they can prove dangerous and even fatal to them.
1. Avocado
Avocados are dangerous for your Borzoi and dogs in general as they contain a special component called persin. Too much of it can cause stomach problems like vomiting or diarrhea in dogs. If you happen to have an avocado plant at home, try to keep it as far away from your dogs as the whole plant contains this component.
2. Ice Cream
Although some milk items are safe for your Borzoi to eat, ice cream is not one of them. The high level of sugar in ice cream can be harmful to your dog as it may increase heart palpitations and cause gut problems as well.
Even ice cream that is supposedly ‘sugarless’ is harmful as these items often contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol which is poisonous to dogs. All types of sugar and its replacements are not good for Borzoi stomachs.
3. Allium Family
The Allium family, which includes onions, garlic, chives, and leeks, is toxic for your Borzoi dogs in all forms. They can cause anemia as they kill red blood cells and pose certain threats like poisoning in the stomach. A huge amount of any of these vegetables can cause intense gastro-intestinal problems and even cause death.
4. Citrus Fruits
All sorts of citrus fruits and their plants (including leaves, stems, and seeds) can cause gut irritation and depression of the central nervous system in dogs. Little amounts at certain times may not pose a threat altogether, but if given in large amounts, it can prove fatal to your Borzoi.
5. Caffeine
You may have heard of the particular belief that chocolate kills dogs. It is most certainly true as chocolate contains caffeine which has a particular substance called methylxanthines. When consumed, it can cause a lot of problems – from diarrhea and vomiting to hyperactivity, thirst, and excessive urination.
Caffeine is a slow killer as it increases heart palpitations, causes seizures, and sends tremors to your dog’s body. Hence, it must be avoided at all costs by a pedigree breed like Borzoi.
Other Food Items Borzois Can And Can’t Eat
Although Borzoi can do with a lot of human food, it is best you stick to dog food that is high in protein. If you wish to add cooked food at times to your Borzoi’s diet, it is best to consult with a vet first. Following is a table to list down some other food items that are safe and unsafe for your Borzoi to eat.
| Food Item | |
| Safe(in small quantities) | Rice (brown and white) Apples Chicken Carrots Popcorn Melons Cucumbers |
| Unsafe | Cherries Nuts Undercooked meat eggs, and bones Salty food Yeast Alcohol Grapes Raisins Coconut and coconut-based products |
As you can notice from the table above most normal human food can be toxic to dogs. Hence, sticking to premium dog food for your Borzoi is the best idea. Besides, if you develop a habit of feeding human food to your dog, chances are that it can develop a taste for these things and end up giving you a hard time during your meals.
In my case, I had developed this habit in one of my greyhounds and they had no hesitation in climbing on top of the table during dinner – no concern for plates and cutlery on its way too! So out of my personal experience, I would just like to warn you of the dangers of doing too much out of love for your pet.
Related Questions
1. How much should I feed a Borzoi puppy?
A Borzoi pup aged 8-12 weeks should be fed at least four times a day to ensure proper growth and well-being. You can decrease the meals to three times a day when they reach 3-6 months. Lastly, Borzoi aged 6 months to 1 year should be given two meals a day. Feed your adult Borzoi according to its specific needs and health.
2. Can I give my Borzoi dog supplements?
Yes, you can give your Borzoi dietary supplements after consulting with your vet and according to the needs of your dog’s health. Some of the best supplements for Borzoi are antioxidants, probiotics, Omega 3-fatty acids, and fish oil.
3. How many calories to feed my Borzoi dog?
Calorie intake is an important part of a Borzoi’s diet and is as essential as proteins or fats. An active and young pup should consume about 1400 calories a day. An adult Borzoi should be given 1000 calories, and a senior one should be given 700 calories.
Final Thoughts
Whether you love this dog for its elegant movements and grace or its warm personality that will probably win the hearts of your family members, your Borzoi will shine as the magnificent dog it is only if you give it the proper diet it requires. We hope this article has proven to be useful to you in understanding your pet’s meals.