Raising a Basset Hound comes with a lot of responsibilities, one of which is knowing how much to feed your dog from the moment it arrives in your own home until it reaches its senior year.
Whether you are a seasoned dog owner or a novice, you must do thorough research to determine your Basset Hound’s feeding requirements.
In this guide, we will go through the Basset Hound feeding guidelines. After reading this, you should be able to determine how much to feed your dog, pick the best food options, and know what foods to avoid.
Basset Hound Feeding Chart by Age: How Much to Feed Your Basset Hound?
Generally, adult Basset Hounds consume around ¾ to 2 ¾ cups of dry dog food, while Basset Hound puppies should be fed between ⅔ and 1 ¾ cup daily. On the other hand, senior Basset Hounds will need slightly less, at around ½ to 2 cups every day.
Aside from the food portion, the dietary requirements of your Basset Hound puppy differ from those of an adult dog.
That is why you need to make sure that you provide age-appropriate dog food to your Basset Hound.
Note, however, that while age is a major factor in determining how much to feed your Basset Hound, your dog’s dietary requirements can also vary based on its size and activity level.
You should also take into account your dog’s preferences as well as your veterinarian’s advice based on your dog’s needs.
Basset Hound Puppy Feeding Chart (2 to 12 months)
During the first two weeks, Basset Hound puppies will solely rely on their mother’s milk for nourishment.
However, if breast milk isn’t feasible, you can provide a dog milk replacer or a puppy formula specially made for dogs.
At around four weeks old, you should start introducing solid food to your puppies. By six weeks old, Basset Hound puppies should have completely transitioned to a dry food diet.
It is highly recommended that you soften the puppy food before you give it to your dog, as it can hurt its mouth.
The chart below shows a summary of the ideal daily dog food consumption of your puppy Basset Hound:
Since the puppy stage is the most crucial part of your Basset Hound’s growth, you must ensure that your Basset Hound puppy eats the right foods to help its bones grow and develop.
On top of making sure your dog gets the right nutrients, you should also make sure that you provide the best dog food with the right percentage of protein and fat.
You should also watch and monitor your Basset’s weight to avoid obesity.
Additionally, a Basset Hound puppy needs water just as much as dry dog food or dry kibble. Ensure that your puppy has access to fresh and clean water at all times.
Adult Basset Hound Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)
At around 12 to 18 months, your Basset Hound should have already reached its full adult size.
However, even if your dog is completely grown, you must continue to nurture it and provide it with the right nutrients.
It is also around this time when dog owners need to switch from puppy food to adult dog food. Age-appropriate feeding is very important since adult and puppy food have different nutritional values.
The table below will help you determine how much food to feed your adult Basset Hound:
Depending on your Basset Hound’s size, weight, and activity level, you may need to tweak the feeding chart above.
Basset Hounds are known to have low to average energy levels and are couch potatoes. However, if, for instance, your dog is highly active, you may need to adjust its food intake accordingly.
Additionally, you must keep an eye on their calorie, protein, and carb intake to ensure they are getting what they need to maintain their energy levels.
You can also incorporate vitamins, omega fatty acids, and supplements into your Basset Hound’s diet to help ensure your dog’s healthy growth and avoid many health issues.
To get an idea of what feeding a Basset Hound looks like, watch this video:
Feeding a Basset Hound<a href="https://youtu.be/jsNnlbZGcFs" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FjsNnlbZGcFs%2F0.jpg" alt="Feeding a Basset Hound" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Senior Basset Hound Feeding Chart (7 years and above)
When your Basset Hound reaches seniority, its activity level will drastically drop. Their metabolism slows down, and during these years, many Basset Hounds develop health issues.
Hence, dog owners must know exactly how much dry food they should feed old Basset Hounds.
They need a consistent and stable diet, and owners need to consider a lot of things to avoid jeopardizing their dogs’ health.
The chart below shows how much food older Basset Hounds should consume in a day:
As a general rule, you should limit your Basset Hound’s calorie intake throughout its senior year. Due to their slower metabolism, older Basset Hounds are more likely to become obese.
As such, they require a balanced diet and to be provided with high-quality protein sources to help maintain their healthy weight.
It will also be very helpful to add natural fibers to their diet to aid their digestion.
Note that old Basset Hounds may not have a big appetite like they used to, so you must try and experiment with different adult foods to entice them.
Basset Hound Feeding Frequency: How Often Should You Feed Your Basset Hound?
Your Basset Hound’s age determines how frequently it should be fed. In general, you should feed your puppy Basset Hound three to four meals daily. An adult Basset Hound, on the other hand, should eat twice daily, while senior dogs need to be fed once or twice.
Basset Hounds eat a lot. These dogs are known to be enthusiastic eaters, which is why dog owners must create a strict feeding schedule to prevent overfeeding.
Here’s a quick look at the recommended feeding frequency for both male and female Basset Hounds according to their age:
As you can see from the table, a Basset Hound puppy needs to be fed more often than a young adult or adult Basset Hound. This is because they need to get all the nutrients they require to grow and develop.
Even so, you must follow the recommended feeding amount for your dog’s age and divide it into recommended feeding frequencies.
As your dog grows, you can adjust its feeding frequency to three times each day while gradually increasing its food consumption. As soon as your dog reaches one year old, you can start feeding them twice daily.
Finally, senior Basset Hounds can be fed up to two meals daily. You can contact your licensed veterinarian to seek advice on how often you should feed senior dogs.
In some instances, vets suggest feeding them once daily to maintain a strict eating routine, which will help with their regular bowel movements.
Optimal Feeding Times for Basset Hound
Typically, Basset Hound puppies need to be fed at a four to six-hour interval daily, while adults should be given two meals each day, with one meal in the morning and the other in the evening. On the other hand, old Basset Hounds can be fed once in the morning and/or once in the evening.
Creating a strict and consistent feeding routine will be beneficial not only for many owners but for the dogs as well.
Refer to the table below for the optimal feeding times for a Basset Hound:
Since puppies are still developing and growing, age-appropriate feeding as frequent as up to four meals each day is only right and reasonable.
Meanwhile, adult Basset Hounds should be fed 12 hours apart. The same schedule must be followed for senior Bassets that are fed twice daily.
For older dogs fed once a day, you can give food either in the morning or evening.
Note that you can always tweak the above-given schedule. The main takeaway here is to make sure that you properly feed your dog according to its age.
Additionally, it is advised not to feed your dog too early in the morning or too late at night, as this could cause indigestion or loss of appetite.
Taking your dog for a walk shortly after eating can also cause bloating.
Best Dog Foods for Basset Hounds
Basset Hounds, generally, are not fussy eaters. Most owners can attest to their dogs having a very healthy appetite and will happily consume any meal you serve them.
However, like many owners, we try our best to provide them with the right, if not, the best dog food available.
Here’s a list of the best foods for your Basset Hounds:
Dry Food: For many owners, dry dog food or dry kibble is the most practical choice because it is generally cheaper and easier to prepare. Aside from that, kibbles are proven to improve your dog’s oral health by reducing plaque and tartar buildup. Make sure to buy dry dog food that is appropriate for your Basset’s age. Note that dry puppy food is different from adult dog food.
Wet Food: Wet food is a common substitute for dry dog food. This option is often given to puppies with growing teeth, senior dogs, and sick dogs, as wet foods are more appetizing and easier to chew. If your dog is a picky eater, feeding them wet food can help them eat more.
Raw or BARF Diet: The Biologically Approved Raw Food Diet, also referred to as the BARF Diet, involves giving a combination of fresh and raw meat to Basset Hounds. This could also include vegetables, fruits, pulverized bone, muscle meat, and organ meat.
Home-cooked Dog Food: Preparing home-cooked food for Basset Hounds can be feasible but tricky. This is because dog nutrition is different from human nutrition, which means some healthy human foods might not be healthy for dogs. If you are keen on exploring this option, it’s best to seek veterinary advice on the amount of food and other nutrients that your dog needs depending on its body condition.
While most commercial dog foods already got approval from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), it is very wise to double-check the label to make sure.
In a nutshell, whether you choose to feed your Basset Hound with dry, wet food, raw, or home-cooked meals, you must make sure they get all the nutrients they need to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Basset Hound
There are several food items, especially human food, that are not allowed to be consumed by your Basset Hound.
So before you prepare them a home-cooked meal or give them a bite of your favorite snack, you must first ensure that the food you will feed them is not harmful or toxic for dogs.
Below is a list of foods you should avoid giving your Basset Hound:
Chocolates: Chocolates contain large amounts of theobromine and caffeine, which have serious effects on the dog’s central nervous system. Your dog may experience panting, elevated heart rate, seizure, and high body temperature after consuming chocolate.
Grapes and Raisins: Grapes and raisins, including prunes, contain an unknown substance that triggers choking and kidney failure. After ingesting one of these fruits, your Basset Hound may experience vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, and loss of appetite. Sadly, even small amounts can cause lethal outcomes.
Onions, Garlic, and Leeks: These vegetables can be very healthy for humans but are extremely toxic to your Basset Hound. This is because these human foods contain a thiosulphate compound that causes weakness and anemia in dogs. Be mindful not to feed them foods that contain these ingredients.
Citrus Fruits: While dogs are allowed to eat fruits and vegetables such as sweet potato, green beans, watermelon, apple, and banana, you should avoid giving them citrus fruits like oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, and lemons. These fruits contain substances that can cause stomach and intestinal wall defects, leading to gastric ulcers and inflammation.
Candies and Other Sweets: Candies, peanut butter, chewing gums, cereals, and several fruit drinks may contain xylitol, an extremely toxic substance for Basset Hounds. Consuming significant amounts can cause dangerously low sugar levels, weakness, seizure, and even death.
To prevent medical emergencies brought on by food poisoning, you should start conducting your research and speak with your veterinarian.
It is also highly advisable that you start rearranging your kitchen to make sure your dog has no access to these food items, even before you take home your new puppy Basset Hound and other pets.
How to Transition Your Basset Hound to a New Food
As with any other pet, introducing a completely different food or diet to your Basset Hound should be done gradually. If not, your dog may experience an upset stomach.
Here’s a food transition chart by the American Kennel Club that you can use as a guide for your Basset Hound:
This food transition guide suggests the gradual mixing of the new dog food with the old dog food until the dog is fully adjusted.
Although most of the time, dogs can fully adjust on the 7th day, it is still important that you monitor your dog’s response even after the transition period. Contact your vet for any signs of diarrhea or upset stomach.
Feeding an Overweight Basset Hound
Due to the Basset Hound’s large appetite and low to moderate activity level, these dogs can easily gain weight, which can lead to obesity. That said, it is important to monitor how much food and treats you give your dog.
Feeding an overweight dog is actually very simple. The first step is to gradually cut down on your dog’s food intake, including its calorie intake.
If your adult Basset eats three meals a day, you can try cutting it back to two meals and reducing the cups of food you give your dog daily.
Switch to low-calorie and high-fiber foods instead. Unfortunately, most dry dog foods contain more calories than wet foods, so you might want to check the label before you buy anything.
Instead of giving commercial dog treats, you can prepare homemade treats made from vegetables and fruits, as this can help your dog lose weight.
You should also seek your veterinarian’s help and ask about exercises and regimens that your dog can do to lose weight and avoid weight gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Basset Hound Not Eating?
If your Basset Hound is not eating, it could be for several reasons, including boredom over the same food, a sudden change of diet, lack of physical activity, or an underlying health problem.
However, if your dog goes for a week without eating and you notice symptoms such as vomiting and weakness, you need to immediately seek veterinary help.
Do Basset Hounds Eat a Lot?
Basset Hounds are hearty eaters and are known to love their food. That said, it is very important that you strictly monitor the amount of food you put in their food bowls.
You may also need to monitor the amount of treats you give them as this can also cause weight gain and lead to obesity later on.
Can Basset Hounds Eat Bones?
Feeding raw bones to your Basset Hound is okay, as long as you make sure that you take the bones away from them after 10 to 15 minutes.
However, cooked bones should never be given to Basset Hounds. Cooked bones splinter into shards, which can result in choking and serious damage to your dog’s mouth, throat, and intestines.
Can Basset Hounds Be Vegetarians?
Basset Hounds can be vegetarians. Though these dogs are mainly fed on meat, fish, and poultry, they can also thrive on diets with nutrients from vegetables and fruits.
However, be sure to check with your vet first before putting your dog on a vegetarian diet.
Final Thoughts
Dog feeding can indeed be overwhelming, especially for new owners. Every pet owner is faced with the same questions: “How much food should I feed my Basset Hound?” or “Am I feeding my dog the right way?”
However, feeding your dog should not be complicated. While there may be a lot of do’s and don’ts, the main takeaway is that you need to provide your dog with the right food with the right nutrients.
Of course, to do so, you need to play your part and do intensive research about these things. After all, feeding your dog right is the best way to show love and appreciation for your beloved dog.
Are you excited to follow this feeding guide for your Basset Hound? Let us know in the comments.
コメント