The Basset Hound dog breed was developed to hunt small game such as rabbits, and it is still employed to do so in some parts of the United States.
They're laid-back family buddies who love kids when they're not on the hunt for a bunny.
Bassets can be found in shelters or in the care of rescue groups, despite the fact that they are purebred canines.
These dogs will appeal to rookie pet parents who are new to the canine world since they are adaptable, affectionate, and easygoing.
You will, however, need to commit to at least moderate activity and feeding your dog a nutritious diet, since their laid-back nature can lead to weight gain and the health problems that might accompany it.
You'll have a loving friend who will be around for many years if you can keep your Basset active, no matter how much they protest.
The Best Way To Feed A Basset Hound
- Between the ages of eight and twelve weeks, Basset Hound puppies require four meals every day.
- Feed 3 meals every 24 hours to basset hound puppies aged 3 to 6 months.
- Puppies between the ages of six months and one year should be fed twice a day.
- When your basset hound reaches the age of one, one bowl in a twenty-four-hour period is usually sufficient.
- Adult basset hounds, on the other hand, may prefer two lighter meals. Adapting to your basset hound's food schedule is your duty.
Adult basset hounds benefit from a balanced diet of high-quality dry dog food, which can be blended with canned food, broth, or water.
Cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables, and cooked eggs may appeal to your basset hound, but these meals should not account for more than 10% of her daily food ration.
Puppies of Basset Hounds should be fed high-quality, brand-name puppy food.
However, you should strive to limit “people food” because it can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies, dental and bone problems, as well as very fussy eating habits and obesity.
Give only clean, fresh water, and be sure to clean the food and water dishes on a regular basis.
Basset Hound Feeding Chart
Why does my Basset Hound need to eat only raw food?
It's crucial to examine the canine anatomy and digestive system while selecting on the best Basset Hound diet.
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 number of serious health issues.
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.
What Is the Maximum Number of Times a Basset Hound Can Eat?
What is the maximum amount of food a Basset Hound can consume?
The number of meals consumed by Basset Hounds each day varies based on their age.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are the three meals a puppy Basset Hound can have per day.
Although an adult Basset Hound can eat only one meal each day, many owners prefer to divide it into breakfast and dinner.
It is critical to properly feed your Basset Hound.
When it comes to feeding, many aspects come into play.
I'm talking about figuring out what kind of food your Basset should consume, how often he should eat it, and how much he should eat.
You should read my post on Age-Appropriate Feeding, in which I explain how much you should feed your Basset based on his age.
Basset Hounds are a breed of dog with a long history of health problems.
Many of their health problems are linked to their weight.
That's why it's critical to provide your Basset Hound with the proper diet and amount of food.
Basset hounds are given up for adoption at a higher rate than any other breed due to health difficulties.
However, if you properly care for your Basset, he will avoid many of these health problems.
Your Basset should eat three times a day if he is under four months old.
You can feed your Basset Hound twice a day after he or she has reached the age of four months.
When their Basset Hound reaches the age of one year, many owners switch from two meals per day to one meal per day.
That single meal can be divided into two smaller meals: morning and dinner.
This does not include the snacks you'll get during the day.
Simply keep an eye on your Basset's weight and don't allow him become obese.
How Much Food Should I Feed My Basset Hound In Cups?
If your Basset Hound puppy is between the ages of eight and twelve weeks, he should be fed four times a day and 1/3 cup of food (50-65 grams of food).
A 3-6 month old Basset should consume three meals and 1/2 cup of food per day (75-100 grams of food).
Your Basset should consume two meals every day and 1 1/2 cups of food when he is 6-12 months old (130-180 grams of food).
An adult Basset Hound should consume one meal and two cups of food per day (230-305g).
Puppies of Basset Hounds require more nourishment as they develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally.
Puppies of Basset Hounds will grow the greatest in the first 12 to 24 months, reaching 90 percent of their full size.
They will go through numerous stages before they reach adulthood, and the quantity of cups of food they consume will alter as they grow.
Older Basset Hounds require a constant and stable diet, with the amount of food only changing when health difficulties arise.
Because how much they eat can tell you how they feel and when they get sick, I stated consistent and stable diet.
If your Basset Hound has been eating the same amount of food for years and then suddenly stops, he could be suffering from a health problem, and you should consult a veterinarian.
Can Basset Hounds Eat Human Food?
Your Basset Hound is allowed to eat some human foods.
Human foods should only be fed to your Basset hound as rewards during training or when you just wish to thank them.
- Cooked salmon and hard-boiled eggs are good sources of protein.
- Dairy – Yogurt is the only dairy product that your Basset can eat.
- Xylitol-free peanut butter (very important)
- Sugar-free, salt-free, and additive-free Rice Cake and Popcorn
- Watermelon, apple, bananas, carrots, berries, pumpkin, green beans, and sweet potato are examples of fruits and vegetables.
Toxic Human Foods Basset Hounds Can’t Eat
Most people are aware that chocolate is harmful to dogs, but there are a number of other substances that your dog should avoid!
These are some of them:
- Alcohol
- Avocado
- Yeast
- Dough
- Tobacco
- Chewing
- Gum
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Xylitol
- Cooked
- Bones
- Currants
- Grapes
- Sugar
- Human
- Vitamins
- Macadamia
- Nuts
- Marijuana
- Salt
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Persimmons
- Rhubard
- Fruit
- Pits
- Raisins
How to Feed a Basset Hound a Healthy Diet
To avoid health problems, properly feed your Basset Hound and make sure you offer them small meals throughout the day.
Here's where you can learn more about how to feed your hound.
Basset hounds have huge, floppy ears that almost reach the ground and are short, heavy-bodied dogs.
These dogs have a variety of health issues, including weight gain and bloat, but you may help them by correctly feeding them and dividing their food into numerous little meals rather than one huge meal per day.
They should also avoid exercising for about an hour after eating, as this has been related to bloat, which can be fatal.
Regularly check your dog's weight and adjust the quantity you're feeding if he appears to be getting too heavy.
Kibble (Dry)
Basset hounds will flourish on a dry kibble diet that has all of the protein, carbs, fats, and nutrients that dogs require.
Bassets have a proclivity for gaining weight quickly.
Look for a kibble that is high in protein and has nutrients such as fiber, but does not contain a lot of grains or fillers, such as maize or wheat, on the food label.
These products bulk up the food and add calories, but they don't provide much in the way of nourishment for dogs.
Because most bassets are relatively inactive, feed your basset according to the recommendations on the dog food bag, using the lowest recommended amount for your hound's weight.
Diets that are natural
The BARF diet is frequently chosen by owners who want to feed their dogs an all-natural food.
The bones and raw food diet, also known as the biologically appropriate raw food diet, is an acronym for biologically appropriate raw food.
This diet is used by some dog owners to get as close as possible to the dog's natural diet in the wild.
The diet consists primarily of raw bones and meat, with the remainder consisting of pulverized fruits and vegetables.
Because this type of food might be difficult to perfect, give your basset hound a balanced canine vitamin supplement every day to keep him healthy.
Because the diet necessitates the handling of raw meat, maintain the same level of hygiene as you would for your own food, keeping meats refrigerated until required, and thoroughly washing hands, utensils, and counters with hot, soapy water after preparing your dog's meals.
Treats
Treats can be a healthy component of your basset hound's diet, but you must be careful about the sort and number of treats you give them.
Avoid snacks that are high in empty calories and low in nutrition because they will not benefit your dog's health.
Feed cooked liver or chicken cubes, or low-calorie commercial snacks, instead.
As a treat, some bassets may eat carrots, cut-up apples (without seeds), or ice cubes.
Experiment with different foods to discover what your basset will eat.
Chocolate, onions, macadamia nuts, raisins, or avocados should never be given to your basset hound as a treat because they are harmful to dogs and can make them sick.
A dog can die if he eats too much of these items.
Obesity
Even though the canines are not strictly fat, weight increase in basset hounds can be a major issue.
Because of the basset hound's bone structure, even a small amount of extra weight can put stress on your dog's back, legs, and hips.
Large bellies can also be a severe issue for these low-slung dogs, as they may drag on the ground.
This can be a serious problem, particularly for men, as it can result in open sores and infections.
To protect their dogs from the problems that come with being overweight, owners must keep track of how much their pets eat.
Don't overfeed bassets with snacks or table scraps, as this can cause to obesity and intestinal issues.
How Does My Basset Hound's Age or Health Affect How Often I Feed Him?
Yes, your Basset's age and health have an impact on how much and how often you should feed him.
When your dog reaches a particular age, he or she faces a variety of problems and benefits.
Your Basset Hound will require more calories throughout puppyhood because to increased playtime, training, and growth.
Your Basset Hound will grow more “lazy” as an adult.
He isn't going to spend much time playing or running about.
If you continue to feed your adult dog the same amount as you did when he was a puppy, he will quickly become overweight.
When your Basset Hound reaches seniority, he will become ill and their diet will become unstable.
As individuals get older, their metabolism slows and their bodies handle food differently.
Always keep a close eye on your Basset's feeding habits and react quickly if anything changes.
Each Basset is an individual, and what happens to one does not always mean that it will happen to another.
Basset Hound Background
Basset is derived from the French word “bas,” which meaning “low.”
On the other side, Basset Hounds are extremely low to the earth.
They typically weigh 50 to 65 pounds, despite being no more than 14 inches tall at the highest point of the shoulder, due to their heavy bones and muscularity.
In reality, they are huge dogs with short legs.
Achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism, is responsible for their short-legged appearance.
Despite his size, the Basset hound considers himself a lap dog and will do his best to fit into yours.
Bassets are scent hounds, which means they were bred to hunt by tracking their prey's scent.
Their incredible sense of smell is only surpassed by that of the Bloodhound.
The coats of Basset Hounds are smooth, short, and hard-textured, making them relatively easy to care for.
The most common color combination is black, tan, and white.
A gray (sometimes known as blue) Basset is occasionally seen, although its hue is considered unfavorable because it is supposed to be linked to genetic disorders.
When the dog is tracking, the Basset Hound has a rounded skull with a deep muzzle and a lot of loose skin on the face, which is heavily wrinkled over the brow.
Because of their loose skin, Bassets have a melancholy appearance, which many people think contributes to their appeal.
Many of the Basset Hound's characteristics serve a purpose because they were developed to be hunting dogs in the first place.
Their long, low-set ears drag the ground and gather up scents, while the loose skin around their heads forms wrinkles that trap even more of the fragrance of whatever they're after.
Because of their tiny legs, they travel more slowly than longer-legged dogs, making it simpler for hunters on foot to keep up with them.
Their tails are large and stand upright with a white tip at the end, making them easier to spot in tall grass for hunters.
Basset Hounds also have large paws that turn slightly outward to match the width of their shoulders.
Around the house, Basset Hounds are calm and lazy.
They have a pleasant, cheerful demeanor and are loyal to their humans.
They love to be with their family and get along with other pets because they were bred as pack dogs.
Bassets dislike being left alone for long periods of time, and if left alone for an extended amount of time, they may become disruptive and scream.
Their distinctive baying bark is deafening and can be heard for kilometers.
Basset Hounds are voracious eaters, but because they aren't very active indoors, they can quickly acquire weight and become obese, leading to back and limb problems.
Exercise should be done on a regular basis.
Bassets have a lot of stamina, so they enjoy going for lengthy walks.
Be mindful that your Basset loves to track when you're out for a walk.
If he doesn't have a leash, he can get away if he detects a smell he wants to follow.
If they're not leashed or confined by a fence, Bassets are single-minded when tracing a scent and will pursue it into the roadway in front of a car.
Many Basset owners use their dogs' excellent scent-trailing abilities in organized tracking contests known as basseting, which are predominantly held in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Bassets are naturals at tracking, hunt test, and field trials, but with the right trainer, they can also compete successfully in agility, obedience, and rally.
When it comes to training a Basset Hound, patience is a virtue.
He can be stubborn and difficult to teach unless you can persuade him that it's something he wants to do.
Many Basset Hounds will accept commands if you give them food, but they will not obey if you don't give them something good to eat.
Housetraining a Basset is also a challenge, but you can train and housetrain your Basset with patience and effort.
Just be sure to train in a gentle, pleasant manner.
Basset Hounds are emotional creatures who will shut down if they are mistreated.
Basset Hounds have distinct vocalizations.
They prefer to howl (also known as a bay) rather than bark.
They also have a distinct muttering whine that they use to attract attention or beg for food.
They frequently win treats of Chinese cuisine, pizza, French fries, and other yummy junk food thanks to their beautifully begging expressions.
Bassets that have been properly bred are calm, quiet, and usually happy dogs.
When it comes to children and other pets, they are really gentle.
Their major flaws are their proclivity for drooling and howling when lonely or sounding an alarm.
If you can put up with his quirks, the Basset can be a wonderful family companion who is equally at home lounging around the house as he is out hunting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much should a Basset Hound eat per day?
1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dog food each day, divided into two meals, is the recommended daily quantity.
How much should a 2 month old Basset Hound eat?
As a result, unless owners keep track of their food intake, they may gain a lot of weight.
From the age of two to six months, Basset Hound puppies should be fed three to four times per day.
After 6 months, two meals per day should suffice.
How long should I feed my Basset Hound puppy food?
A full and balanced dog meal is ideal for adult Basset Hounds.
For the first year of their lives, Basset Hound puppies should be fed a comprehensive and balanced puppy chow.
Puppy food contains all of the nutrients that Bassets require for proper growth and development.
How many times a day should a Basset Hound puppy eat?
Between the ages of eight and twelve weeks, Basset hound puppies require four meals every day.
Feed your basset hound puppy three meals a day once he is 3 to 6 months old.
From the age of six to twelve months, basset hound puppies should be fed twice a day.
How much dry food should a Basset Hound eat?
In the morning, we prescribe 1 to 12 cups, and in the evening, 1 to 12 cups.
Most dog food bags and cans have serving sizes that are far too large for the hound to consume.