Best Food for Saluki (2026 Guide)
A breed-specific food guide for Saluki owners — what to look for, what to avoid, and our top picks based on this breed's size, energy and known health profile.
Photo: Alexandra Sullivan / Pexels
The Saluki is an ancient royal sighthound from the fertile crescent — elegant, dignified, with phenomenal speed. Their nutritional needs reflect their 18–27 kg body weight, 10–17 years lifespan, and the breed-specific health considerations covered below.
Why feeding a Saluki is different
Feeding the Saluki well is mostly about avoiding the classic mistakes: overfeeding (especially in food-driven breeds), cheap fillers, and inappropriate life-stage food.
With an active Saluki, calories go up — a working/sporting-line dog can need 30–50% more daily calories than a sedentary one of the same weight. Adjust for actual exercise, not the breed average.
Below: a specific list of what to look for, what to avoid, plus our daily-calorie estimate for an average Saluki.
What to look for in food for a Saluki
- A complete-and-balanced food labelled for dogs that meets FEDIAF or AAFCO nutritional standards.
- Named animal protein as the first ingredient (e.g. "chicken", "salmon"), not "meat derivatives" or "animal by-product".
- A working / sport formula with higher protein (28%+) and fat (15%+) for sustained energy.
What to avoid
- Anything containing onion, garlic, raisins, xylitol or chocolate flavouring (common kitchen toxins for pets).
For an exact daily portion based on your dog's weight and activity, use our food portion calculator. To check current weight is healthy, use the body condition score.
Feeding a Saluki: common questions
How much should I feed a Saluki?
A Saluki typically weighs 18–27 kg, but the right daily amount depends on age, exact weight and activity — not the breed average. Start from the feeding guide on your chosen food (or our food portion calculator), weigh the portion rather than eyeballing it, and adjust to keep your dog lean enough that you can easily feel the ribs.
How many meals a day should a Saluki have?
Two meals a day suits an adult Saluki; puppies need three to four smaller meals until around six months, then settle to two.
What should I look for in food for a Saluki?
Choose a complete-and-balanced food formulated for dogs that meets FEDIAF or AAFCO standards, with a named meat as the first ingredient rather than "meat derivatives", and match the life stage — puppy, adult or senior — to your Saluki's age.
Our top food picks for Salukis
Related buying guides
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More buying guides for Saluki
Health overview — Saluki
Generally healthy. Watch for: cardiac issues, hypothyroidism, hemangiosarcoma, anaesthesia sensitivity (sighthounds metabolise drugs differently — vet must know).
