Many dog owners don't understand the importance of feeding their dog good quality dog food. While it's true that many years ago, there were not as many choices to choose from, as there are now, the foods also didn't have as many chemical preservatives and additives as they now have. In addition, many people fed their dog leftovers. Their feelings were that if it was good enough for them, it's good enough for the dog.
There has been much controversy in recent years about leftovers, some for it, but most against it. The main reason most are against it is that the dog is not always getting all the food groups he requires. If the dog was fed at the same time as we are, he would probably get a little of this and a little of that. However, since he is only getting what we do not eat, he may not be getting everything he needs. Here is where the dog food comes in for the Saluki.
The Bedouin tribe considered the way the Saluki was fed as a top priority. For the first year of their lives they were fed on sheep's milk. At this point, they were fed the sheep's entrails and any desert rats the hawks would hunt and kill. At the age of two, they had rice, dates and occasionally fatty mutton added to their diets as a supplement. They were in perfect health from this diet. Whereas many dogs were suffering from rickets, the Saluki was not - a fact they attributed to their good diet.
The Saluki is a very picky eater. They need good quality dog food to keep them in top-notch condition. When purchasing commercial dog food, try to get food that has the first few ingredients listed as meat. Avoid feeding your Saluki any dog foods that have corn, wheat or soy in them, as these are fillers and can often cause problems in dogs. Many saluki dogs will benefit from getting a supplement of freshly cooked or raw meat mixed with their dog food. Not only do they consider this very tasty, but it also helps to give them many of the nutrients their bodies need that they may otherwise be missing. Fresh or raw meat is also known to build the dog's appetite so they will eat more of their dog food. Being a fussy eater, the Saluki needs any encouragement you can give them to get them to eat well.
They enjoy the occasional raw meaty bones as a very tasty treat, as well. Research has now shown that giving the dog cooked bones can be harmful to them as they may splinter in the dog's throat, whereas raw bone are still soft enough not to cause damage.
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