How Much To Feed A Basenji Puppy? [2022] (Full Guide)

The Basenji, sometimes known as the “barkless” dog from Africa, is a humorous handful who is best suited to someone with a sense of humor. 

They are mischievous, active, independent, and have a disposition that is often contrary to what dog parents expect. 

They remind me of that roommate you had in college who you'd leave alone for a while only to return and find them rearranging the entire apartment to their liking.

What Should I Feed My Basenji?

Basenjis do best when they are fed on a regular schedule to avoid overeating and gaining weight. 

They have a higher proclivity to gain weight as a result of their build. 

If you're ever unsure about your Basenji's weight, consult a veterinarian or use this quick check method: without pressing too hard, you should be able to feel but not see their ribs, and when looking down at them, you should be able to see their waistline.

You should feed raw, natural food to your Basenji (and any other dog breed for that matter). They are living creatures with digestive systems inherited from their “wolf” ancestors. 

Over time, processed kibble feeds inflict them more harm than good.

They prefer the taste of raw food. 

It has basic components, is beneficial for their health, and helps keep their coats shining. 

It keeps them content and happy, and it saves you money in the long run. It's a nice perk!

In general, you want to make sure that healthy meats are the main ingredient and that the meal isn't loaded with additives and substances you can't even pronounce in dog food (especially if you insist on sticking to bagged, kibble food). 

Grain and artificial flavorings should be avoided at all costs. 

Just like you should be cautious about what you put in your body, you should be cautious about what you feed your pet.

How Do You Feed A Basenji?

• Between the ages of eight and twelve weeks, 
• Basenji puppies require four bowls of food every day.
• Feed three meals a day to basenji puppies aged three to six months.
• Puppies aged 6 months to 1 year should be fed two bowls of food per day.
• When the basenji reaches the age of one, one meal per 24 hours is generally sufficient.
• Adult basenjis, on the other hand, may take two smaller meals at a time. It is your job to become familiar with your basenji's dietary habits.

For full-grown basenjis, high-quality dry dogfood can be mixed with broth, water, or canned food to offer balanced nutrition. 

Cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables, and cooked eggs are all good for your basenji, but they shouldn't make up more than 10% of his regular diet. 

Basenji babies should be fed high-quality, brand-name puppy food.

 However, you should try to limit “people food” because it can cause mineral and vitamin deficiencies, bone and tooth problems, as well as some extremely finicky food choices and obesity. 

Only clean, potable water should be available, and food and water dishes should be washed often.

Basenji’s Feeding Chart

Why is raw food best for my Basenji's diet?

It's critical to examine the anatomy and digestive system of the Basenji when deciding on the best Basenji food. 

Since they were wild wolves, dogs' digestive tracts haven't changed much, and they're best adapted to digesting fresh, high-protein prey.

This is what “species-appropriate nutrition” means, and it's what a natural, raw diet aims for.

A dog's stomach isn't designed to digest and ferment carbohydrates (the main ingredient in kibble).

Even grain-free foods like beans, peas, and lentils can have a lot of starchy carbs in them.

Giving this to a dog stresses their system, resulting in metabolically demanding insulin, glucagon, and cortisol spikes throughout the day, as well as inflammation and stress on important organs, all of which can lead to a variety of major health problems.

There's no doubt that dogs are hardy, and that they will adapt and survive for a long time even if they eat a diet devoid of natural components.

Regardless of breed, switching to a natural species-specific diet will fuel your dog's well-being, whether you choose Prodog Raw's no-fuss, no-nonsense raw dog food or make your own DIY raw food recipes at home.

What Is Your Basenji's Feeding Routine?

To avoid overeating, we must first recognize that these dogs demand a consistent food schedule.

The nature of this dog's body makes it more prone to putting on weight.

It's important to understand that a Basenji puppy can't be fed as frequently as an adult.

Puppies of this breed should be fed three to four times a day when they are between the ages of eight and twelve months.

You must give a Basenji puppy high-quality, nutritional food because it is in full development and growth at this time.

As a result, puppies need to eat more than adult dogs.

You should only feed your dog three times a day when it is six months old.

Between the ages of 6 months and one year, you should feed your Basenji twice a day.

It will have reached adulthood by this time, and it is the right amount of times it should eat.

During this time, you should already have a feeding regimen in place for your adult Basenji. It must become a regular part of your pet's routine.

Size, age, weight, metabolism, build, and level of physical activity all influence how much food your Basenji consumes.

You could ask your veterinarian for help in setting a suitable feeding schedule for your pet.

Your Basenji's Nutritional Requirements

The number of times you should feed a Basenji each day isn't the only factor to consider.

It's critical to know how much nutrients and vitamins you should put in your pet's food.

Remember that to live a long and healthy life, any dog, regardless of breed, requires a well-balanced diet.

All dog breeds, including the Basenji, require proteins.

They are an essential component of the canine body's organs, tissues, cells, and hormones.

Protein should make up between 25% and 30% of a basenji's diet. 

These aid in the animal's growth and development.

Protein isn't the only nutrient to consider in your Basenji's diet. 

Fat is also important since it provides a lot of energy. 

Excess fats, on the other hand, are not suggested in the canine diet, so you should only offer 5% of them.

Carbohydrates are a good source of energy since they contain minerals, fiber, and iron.

You can also feed your Basenji vitamins to aid metabolism, but make sure you give it the right proportions.

Many people buy vitamin supplements, but if you feed your Basenji a balanced and full diet, you won't need them.

What Foods Are Required for a Basenji Dog?

The need of a balanced diet for Basenjis cannot be overstated. 

As a result, you should select the best foods:

Meats: Because of the vitamins and nutrients that meat provides, you can feed your pet any form of meat, including chicken, fish, turkey, hog, veal, and lamb. 

It is important to note that this type of food should not be served with salt or be fried, since this can be harmful to the body.

Fruits: 

These are considered to be nutritious dog treats. 

They are extremely beneficial to a Basenji's health. 

Apples, strawberries, bananas, pears, watermelons, peaches, and other fruits are among them.

Vegetables: 

Vegetables are a good source of energy that will keep our dog fit, strong, and active during any physical exercise. 

Among them are carrots, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, pumpkins, and other vegetables.

Eggs: 

They are a fantastic source of protein for the wellness of our Basenji dog.

Cooked food can be served in a variety of ways to your dog.

Because raw eggs are a common source of salmonella, you should avoid giving it raw eggs.

Today, there are a variety of ways to feed a dog, with the BARF diet being one of the most well-known.

It entails feeding our dog raw meat, as well as vegetables, fruits, organs, eggs, grains, yogurt, and other foods. 

It should be mentioned that in order to avoid our pets from developing health problems, this approach must be adopted while maintaining a controlled and balanced diet.

As our Basenji grows, the high-quality food provided by a BARF diet will aid in the normal development of its bones, muscles, and ligaments. 

Make sure your dog gets a daily food amount of 2 percent to 4% of its body weight.

Whatever meal plan you choose for your Basenji, be sure to include an exercise schedule that fits your lifestyle.

Your pet's growth and development will be aided by a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Taking Care of Your Puppy

When your puppy is 8-12 weeks old, he will most likely need to eat three to four times per day.

You want to make sure you're giving your puppy just enough food, but not too much. 

When gazing down at them, you should be able to feel but not see their ribs, and they should have a discernible waist.

Taking Care of Your Adult

By 6 months, you should be reducing the amount of food you feed your Basenji to fit an adult feeding plan – about two meals per day. 

Feed your Basenji at the same times every day to establish a routine. 

Feeding your Basenji 3/4 to 1 cup of food every day, divided into two meals, is recommended.

It's best not to feed them table leftovers or “human” food, as this might encourage begging and lead to weight gain and other health issues. 

This is a rule that should be followed from the beginning and understood by everyone in your family and social circle who comes into contact with your Basenji.

It's important to remember that the amount of food you feed your dog is ultimately determined by their size, weight, age, build, metabolism, and degree of activity. 

Make sure you're familiar with your Basenji and his specific requirements, especially when it comes to feeding.

Basenjis Require Special Diets and Nutrition

The foods and nutrients listed below are essential for Basenji nutrition. 

A well-balanced food will help your dog live a long and healthy life.

Protein:

Protein is required in your Basenji's diet since it is the building block for tissue, cells, organs, hormones, antibodies, and enzymes.

It's also required for upkeep, repair, growth, and reproduction. 

Protein should be obtained from a variety of sources, including meat and vegetables.

They require 30% of their daily protein intake.

Fat: 

In your dog's diet, fat is a vital source of energy. 

It provides them with twice the amount of energy that protein and carbs do.

Although too much fat is bad for your dog's health, only give them 5% of their diet in the form of fats.

Carbohydrate:

Carbohydrate is another form of energy that your dog requires in his or her diet. 

Iron, minerals, and fiber are all provided by whole-grain carbohydrates.

Vitamine: 

Some levels are required for normal metabolic activity in your dog's food. 

Vitamin supplements are available on the market. 

Supplements are not necessary if your dog is eating a well-balanced diet, unless your veterinarian recommends them due to a vitamin deficit.

Minerals: 

Minerals are essential for healthy growth, strong bones, and teeth, as well as fluid balance.

The Best Basenji Dog Food

Choose the highest quality commercially prepared dog food available on the market when feeding your dog. You don't want to be sloppy with your beloved pooch's food.

Puppy Food (Dry and Wet)

• Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free, Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food is a high-protein, grain-free, natural puppy food.
• Cesar Canine Cuisine Wet Dog Food Variety Pack3.5 Ounce Canned Trays with Healthy, Meaty Foods for Your Pet
• Wet Dog Food Royal Canin Junior

Adult Food (Dry and Wet)

• Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food is a high-protein, grain-free dog food.
• Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free, Natural Adult Wet Dog Food, Turkey & Chicken Grill Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free, Natural Adult Wet Dog Food, Turkey & Chicken Grill
• Original Performance Formula for Black Gold Explorer

Supplements For Basenjis That Work

Supplements should only be given to dogs if they are suffering from a nutritional shortage.

If your dog is consuming a comprehensive and balanced diet, supplements aren't necessary.

Give these to your pet only if your veterinarian recommends them because of a nutritional deficiency.

The following are some of the greatest Basenji supplements:

• Fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6
• Multivitamins
• Probiotics
• Glucosamine
• Digestive enzymes that aid in the digestion of meals by the body.
• What to Feed Basenji and What Not to Feed Him
• The foods listed below are both beneficial and harmful to your dog.

Food that Is Good For Basenji

• Broccoli
• Meat
• Asparagus
• Salmon
• Popcorn
• Apples
• Eggs

Food That Is Toxic

• Raisins or grapes
• Chocolates
• Dough with Yeast
• Food that is salty
• Onions
• Garlic

Why is your Basenji refusing to eat?

You'll notice that your Basenji isn't eating as much as it used to. 

They could be avoiding food for a variety of reasons.

• Changes in the environment
• Changes in the feeding schedule
• Problems with your teeth
• Recent immunization
• Pickiness or an issue with behavior
• It's possible that other pets are consuming its food.

Basenji Background

The Basenji, sometimes known as the “barkless” African dog, impresses lovers with its aristocratic demeanor, sitting high on its legs and alert but poised. 

It has a beautiful stride and a tail that is usually coiled securely over one hip.

Its wrinkled forehead has a curious, almost wicked expression on occasion.

The Basenji is one of the world's oldest and most pure dog breeds. 

The Basenji has remained mostly unchanged since the Ancient Egyptians used them as companions and for hunting small wildlife. 

Basenjis were painted on historical Egyptian hieroglyphs years ago, and this was recorded.

Due to their unusually shaped larynx, which prevents them from barking like a normal dog, they are known as the barkless dog. 

However, this does not imply that they are deafeningly quiet. 

They make a yodel and, like other dog breeds, can growl, cry, and whine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)