How Much To Feed A Bloodhound Puppy? [Answered]

The ancestors of the Bloodhound were designed to track deer and boar in medieval France.

This is a very clever and active canine breed that has found a specific position in law enforcement and search and rescue because of their excellent sense of scent. 

They are well-liked by their followers due to their lovely personality and distinctive appearance.

You may find them in the care of shelters or rescue groups, despite the fact that they are purebred dogs.

If this is the breed for you, consider adopting one.

You'd be hard pressed to find a more attentive and loving companion for an experienced dog parent, as long as you don't mind a little drool here and there. 

However, newcomers should be aware of the sensitivity and stubbornness that this breed is known for.

Bloodhounds require a lot of exercise and a lot of firm, persistent training. 

You'll be rewarded with a happy and contented best companion for the rest of your life if you meet the breed's needs.

Bloodhounds Feeding Chart

Feeding Schedule for Bloodhounds

• Between the ages of eight and twelve weeks, bloodhound puppies require four meals every day.
• Feed three meals a day to bloodhound puppies aged three to six months.
• Every 24 hours, feed two meals to puppies aged 6 months to 1 year.
• One bowl every twenty-four hours is plenty for the bloodhound when he or she turns one.

Bloodhounds may benefit from two smaller portions at a time. It's up to you to keep up with your bloodhound's eating habits.

For mature bloodhounds, high-quality dry food can be mixed with broth, canned food, or water to offer a balanced diet. 

Cooked eggs, fruits and vegetables, and cottage cheese may appeal to your bloodhound, but they should not account for more than 10% of her daily ration. 

Puppies of bloodhounds must be fed high-quality, brand-name puppy food. 

However, you should attempt to keep “table food” to a minimum, as it can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, bone and tooth problems, as well as a variety of choosy food choices and obesity. 

Always provide clean, potable water, and wash your food and water bowls on a regular basis.

Needs for Food

The average height of a male Bloodhound is between 25 and 27 inches.

Females are about 23 to 25 inches tall. 

The average weight of a male Bloodhound is around 90 pounds (though they can weigh up to 110 pounds). 

Females are roughly 80 lbs in weight (though they can weigh up to 100 pounds).

Bloodhounds, as previously said, are not the lazy slobs that are sometimes depicted in television shows and movies. 

This breed of dog has a lot of energy in it. 

Young Bloodhounds, in particular, can be a bit of a party animal. 

Many Bloodhound owners and their dogs also compete in events such as Tracking, Obedience, Rally, Agility, and Trailing. 

When calculating how many calories your Bloodhound needs in his diet, keep in mind if you and your dog are involved in any of these activities.

An active adult Bloodhound weighing 90 pounds requires a daily caloric intake of 2038 kcal, according to the National Research Council of the National Academies. 

Older dogs or those that have been spayed/neutered may require fewer calories. 

Depending on their level of activity and metabolism, some dogs may require more calories than others. 

You might need to feed your Bloodhound (weighing 90 pounds) roughly 2265 kcal if you train him and do tracking with him. 

Young adult dogs, as well as growing puppies, consume more calories than adult dogs. 

A 70-pound young Bloodhound dog (4-12 months) requires an estimated 1865 kcal per day. 

You must always alter your dog's food consumption in accordance with his level of activity and other considerations.

We recommend providing a decent meal intended for large breed puppies because Bloodhound puppies are a large breed that grows slowly. 

These foods are usually low in calories and high in calcium, making them ideal for large breeds.

A healthy top level of calcium for large breed puppies is 4.5 grams per 1000 kcals according to the National Research Council, although most pet nutritionists recommend no more than 3.5 grams of calcium per 1000 kcals (or less) for growth or all life stages of food developed for large breed puppies. 

For large breed puppies, the amount of calcium in the meal should be between 1% and 1%.

During these months, a puppy's skeleton is growing and developing, and too much calcium in a large breed dog can cause structural issues including hip and elbow dysplasia. 

(There is a lot of study and information regarding feeding large breed pups and dogs on the internet, but much of it is aimed toward Great Danes, but the most of it can be applied to Bloodhounds.)

Between the ages of 4 and 8 months, your Bloodhound puppy should gain 3-5 pounds per week. 

Your dog will continue to grow, but at a slower pace, for another year or two.

If you feed a puppy food, most breeders recommend waiting until your puppy is roughly 80% of his adult size before feeding it. 

You should not move to an adult maintenance food for a large breed puppy like a Bloodhound while the puppy is still growing. 

Until your dog reaches maturity, continue to feed a large breed puppy food or a food for all life stages. 

A large breed like the Bloodhound need a high level of calcium and other minerals that aren't found in regular dog food. 

Because they usually have experience with how their puppies grow and develop, you should chat to your breeder about the diet they prescribe for their puppies.

Why is my Bloodhound's diet the best for him?

It's crucial to consider the canine's anatomy and digestive system while choosing the best Bloodhound diet. 

The digestive tracts of dogs have not changed much since they were undomesticated wolves, and they prefer to eat fresh, high-protein prey. 

This is referred to as species-appropriate nutrition,' and it is the goal of a raw, natural diet.

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

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

Starchy carbohydrates, like beans, peas, and lentils, are frequently used in grain-free kibble.

When a dog is fed this, their system is put under stress, generating spikes in insulin, glucagon, and cortisol throughout the day, as well as inflammation and strain on important organs, which can lead to a variety of major health problems in some situations.

Although the canine species is hardy, they will adapt and survive for a long time despite consuming a diet that lacks the necessary natural components. 

Nonetheless, there is a significant distinction between surviving and thriving in life.

How to Feed Your Bloodhound

Bloat/torsion, often known as GDV, is a common problem in bloodhounds (gastric dilatation volvulus). 

It is one of the breed's most common causes of death. 

Many feeding decisions for Bloodhounds are influenced by concerns about bloat. 

Small puppies (8-12/16 weeks), for example, should be fed three to four small meals throughout the day, according to the American Bloodhound Club. 

They recommend moving to three feedings per day when your Bloodhound puppy is 12/16 weeks to 6 months old. 

You can feed your Bloodhound two meals per day from the age of 6 months onwards. 

Some owners, however, prefer to feed their dogs three meals per day, even for adult dogs, with snacks and treats in between, as this is thought to reduce the risk of bloat in some quarters. 

You should not eat a single large meal a day. 

Bloat/torsion can occur when you have an empty stomach because there is more air/gas.

There has been a lot of research and a lot of studies on the internet about bloat. 

If you're thinking about getting a Bloodhound or another breed with a bloated chest, we recommend taking a look at them.

Divide meals into smaller portions throughout the day; soak dry food in water before feeding it to the dog; raise the food dish 8-12 inches so the dog takes in less air when he eats (though some people claim raised bowls cause bloat); monitor the dog's exercise before and after he eats to ensure he gets enough rest; and use a “slow” bowl to discourage dogs from eating too fast.

Feeding prebiotic and probiotic-rich dog foods, as well as supplementing with other supplements, may be beneficial.

A decent quality dog food with a protein content ranging from the upper 20 percent to the lower 30 percent is recommended by most Bloodhound owners. 

A fat proportion of 12 to 18 percent is indicated.

You should feed your Bloodhound high-quality dog food, just like any other dog. 

It's usually a good idea to eat foods that are high in animal protein.

It's up to you whether you feed your dog grain-free or grain-free food. 

Because their dogs have digestive issues, food allergies or sensitivities, or skin issues, many people choose grain-free dog foods. 

Many healthy dog feeds utilize alternative grains/cereals such as oats and barley, but you may wish to avoid the most common grains, such as corn and wheat, which are often overused in dog foods. 

If you still want to feed your Bloodhound a grain-free dog food, that should work as well. 

Try a few different foods, both grain-free and grain-free, and see how your dog reacts to them before making a decision.

The Ultimate Buyer's Guide to Bloodhound Food

The Bloodhound is a very old breed that is known for its nose and tracking abilities. 

In the Middle Ages, this scent hound was developed to hunt huge game such as deer and wild boar.

Monks at Saint-Hubert Abbey, Belgium, possibly bred them from hounds bred by monks. hounds from the Normans and the French around 1000 AD. 

The origins of the contemporary Bloodhound, however, are disputed, with the British also claiming it as a native breed.

In the late 13th and early 14th centuries, the breed appears to have been well-established in England, and in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, the English used it to follow William Wallace (Braveheart) in Scotland. 

Bloodhounds were said to have been employed to track humans from the beginning, and were frequently referred to as “sleuth hounds” as a result of the popularity of fox hunting and the fall of deer and wild boar hunting after the 18th century. 

When dog exhibitions were introduced in the nineteenth century, there was a surge of interest in the breed, but after World War II, the breed's popularity in the United Kingdom and Europe plummeted.

In the United States, though, the breed has always been quite popular. 

The Bloodhound has a lengthy history of being utilized in the United States to track down people who have escaped from jail or who have gone missing, frequently with tremendous success.

There are more Bloodhounds in the United States today than anyplace else on the planet. 

The Bloodhound is the 49th most common breed in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club. In 1885, the AKC recognized them for the first time.

The Bloodhound is a curious, friendly, and good-natured dog with a friendly, good-natured temperament. 

They, like many other hounds, are able to think for themselves and are reasonably self-sufficient.

When they find a scent, they are kind, friendly dogs who work tirelessly. 

They can be difficult to train, especially if they are oblivious to their surroundings. 

Your dog may then become disinterested in you and continue to ignore you. 

Aside from that, they are normally excellent family dogs. 

However, like with any dog, you should keep an eye on them when they are around tiny children because of their size.

 Despite the fact that they are frequently depicted as a sluggish, bumbling dog, they require regular exercise and plenty of room. 

They enjoy romping and playing with their large, strong canines. 

If you don't give your Bloodhound adequate exercise, he may begin to wreak havoc on your property. 

If you have a Bloodhound, you must have a fenced-in yard and they should not be let loose. 

In the canine world, these dogs have the best noses. 

When they scent anything interesting, their instincts and 1000 years of selective breeding encourage them to follow. 

When a Bloodhound detects a unique scent, it can pursue it for kilometers. 

When you leave the house together, make sure he's on a leash because he won't detect a vehicle approaching him.

If you don't like the way bloodhounds slobber, drool, or bay, this isn't the breed for you.

Diet for Bloodhounds

A substantial, diverse diet is required for this robust, athletic breed. 

In addition to animal-based proteins/fats and carbohydrates for energy, Bloodhound food should also include vitamins, minerals, and fiber for digestive and immunological health as well as omega fatty acids for coat and skin health. 

Because of this, the finest Bloodhound diet will include both high-quality dry food and fresh/raw components. 

The commercial food of excellent quality will offer a Bloodhound with balanced amounts of all of the above-mentioned elements, which are all necessary for a Bloodhound's long-term health. 

At least one meal a day for their Bloodhounds should include lean meat and fresh fruit or vegetables.

 It is not recommended for these dogs to eat cheap, generic food because it is largely made up of “filler” foods that have little nutritional value. 

It is far preferable to eat premium food, even if it is more expensive and difficult to find.

In terms of portion sizes, a typical adult Bloodhound will require roughly five cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals, depending on its age, size, and degree of activity. 

Until six months of age, bloodhound puppies will need around 312 cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) depending on their age.

Try to stick to the sections indicated above if at all possible. 

If overfed and under-exercised, these dogs can easily become overweight, and an obese Bloodhound will have joint, respiratory, and digestive problems, as well as a shorter lifetime. 

Establishing consistent feeding and exercise regimens, avoiding feeding the dog table scraps, and not putting food in the dog's bowl all the time, allowing it to eat whenever it wants, can help you keep your Bloodhound's weight under control. 

The best way to keep your Bloodhound's dish clean is to just put it down at mealtimes and then pick it up 20-30 minutes later.

If you're worried your Bloodhound is overweight, offer it a simple test: if you can't feel any ribs, it's time to start a diet. 

Add an extra walk, jog, bike ride, or play period to the dog's daily activity regimen, and reduce the dog's daily food consumption by one-fourth.

Bloodhound Foods That You Should Eat

The most popular (and nutritious) choice for Bloodhounds is premium dry food, especially the kind created for smaller breeds, despite differing perspectives on what is the best dog food.

When eaten regularly, this high-quality food has the highest daily nutritional value. 

At least one meal a day for their Bloodhounds should include fresh/raw food (such as chicken and raw carrots, for example).

Three brands with good dry feeds in large-breed formulations are recommended: Natural Balance, Merrick, and Blue Buffalo.

Bloodhound Nutrition

With this breed, nutrition is similar to exercise in that it takes into account your hound's age and energy level as well as his/her development. 

In addition to providing you with a recommendation for your puppy's feeding and nutrition, experienced, responsible breeders will also recommend some brand(s) of dry food or an alternate method of feeding if they home cook food or feed a raw diet, and so on. 

Your veterinarian may make some suggestions when looking at your Bloodhound while your puppy is vaccinated. 

Observe his or her condition with your own eyes, as this will help you decide whether to increase or decrease the amount of food you give him or her.

Generally speaking, as a puppy grows older, the amount of food he or she eats will be increased (don't be surprised if some of these puppies eat 8-12 cups of dry food per day during a certain period of their development). 

As a general rule of thumb, feed the puppy an amount of food that the puppy will eat quickly.

With a small puppy (8 weeks – 16 weeks), you'll need to feed three to four small meals throughout the day. 

To feed the puppy if you are unable to come home for lunch, you must arrange for someone to come over and feed the puppy.

After about 12/16 weeks to 6 months, if you haven't already, you can start feeding your Bloodhound three times a day, and after about 6 months, you can start feeding twice a day if you haven't already. 

There are some owners who feed their adult hounds three times per day, while others feed them twice a day, with some snacks or treats in between.

 Because of the risk of bloating/torsion, or GDV, you should avoid eating one large meal at a time. 

These are serious health issues that, if left unchecked, could lead to a life-or-death situation if left unchecked for long enough. 

To put it another way, bloat refers to a situation in which the stomach fills up with gas and expands, similar to when you see a balloon expand. 

You should see a veterinarian if your hound's middle is growing and becoming hard to the touch, like the top of a drum. 

The stomach may or may not have expanded with gas as a result of Torsion, but it will have flipped over 180 degrees or 360 degrees. 

There is no way you can see the turn/flip, but the situation is life-threatening and every second counts – get a veterinarian's help as soon as possible. 

That stomach's expansion puts a lot of strain on other nearby organs, and a Torsion cuts off blood supply and oxygen delivery to the heart by flipping the stomach, which puts a lot of strain on the heart, sending the dog into shock and eventually death. 

Because the process of bloat and torsion is extremely painful, surgery is required right away to correct the problem. 

Although it's difficult to tell because none of us have X-ray vision, you could have one or both of the conditions at the same time, and veterinary care is required as soon as possible.

In the past few decades, many researches have been conducted by a number of well-known veterinary institutions and individuals, but no single definitive cause for each case has been identified.

Owners of Bloodhounds can, however, take steps to reduce the risk of either one or both of these conditions. 

The first and simplest method is to feed your hound twice or more a day and split meals. 

Prior to feeding, owners will soak the kibble in warm water for 5-10 minutes to allow any dry food expansion to occur. 

As the hound reaches to pick up the kibble and swallows, many owners raise the food dish about 8-12 inches off the ground to reduce the amount of air inhaled. 

Raise food stands were used by owners of the dog breeds he was studying in his first study report on bloat, which he published in 1996. 

For those who were interested, he had thought that the raised food stand might have been involved in the first study, but as he was completing his second report and findings, he discovered that the raised food stand did not contribute to Bloat, but rather was a common feeding method for large, large-extra-large, and giant breeds.

It's also important to keep an eye on the hound's activity before, during, and after eating to make sure it's not jumping or running around. 

Before and after eating, some owners will allow their dog to rest for a while so that a full stomach is not jostled around. 

To aid in stomach emptying, other owners will only allow sedentary activities (such as walking around the yard).

Those who have hounds who “inhale” their food or eat it so quickly that it looks like a vacuum cleaner sucking up dirt can use food bowls designed to slow down the eating and gulping of air that occurs when this happens. 

When it comes to dogs that are more sensitive to change or stress, Dr. Glickman suggests keeping things on track by feeding at the same time of day and keeping track of or reducing stress/changes as much as possible. 

At this time, no specific cause for bloat and/or torsion has been identified, but research is continuing in the hopes of finding a solution. 

Before that lucky day arrives, get into the habit of watching your Bloodhound eat and observing his or her eating habits so that you are aware of his or her eating habits. 

Then you'll be able to tell when something isn't normal for him or her, or if it's a cause for concern, when you see it. 

Take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as you have any doubts; if you do, you may be able to save his or her life.

Many owners choose to have each hound undergo a medical procedure known as a preventative (or prophylactic) gastropexy as a way to buy time in the event of an emergency and/or to avoid a torsion. 

This preventative medical procedure should be performed by a veterinary surgeon when your hound is in good health. 

The same procedure will be used in an emergency to treat a Bloat and/or Torsion. 

Due to the fact that this is a pre-emptive procedure, your Bloodhound will be in perfect health at the time of the procedure. 

Due to the fact that the hound will be kept quiet, on leash walks, etc. for the same amount of time as the spay or neuter, many owners choose to have this procedure done at the same time.

But if your vet is comfortable with 8 or 10 months and you are scheduling other procedures, or 1.5 years and that is his/her preferred time frame, then go with the time frame in which he/she has the most experience. 

Most veterinarians prefer to wait until around a year old when the greatest percentage of growth has occurred. 

This is not a procedure that your vet should be learning about with your hound, but it does require some knowledge. 

That honesty should be respected if your vet is uncomfortable with this procedure. 

Local Bloodhound owners will often be able to provide you with a list of veterinarians who are familiar with, comfortable with, and knowledgeable about this procedure. 

Furthermore, scheduling this preventative surgery when your Bloodhound is in good health will save you a lot of money compared to paying for an emergency veterinary clinic surgery when your hound is in a critical situation.

Bloodhound owners feed their dogs a variety of foods. 

A high-quality kibble should be considered if you prefer to feed your pet dry food. 

Most of the time, your budget and the ease with which you can get that specific dry food, but your breeder or other Bloodhound owners will be able to give you some advice as well. 

It will depend on the dry food and its ingredients whether you add a supplement or not, whether you add canned food or not. 

Quality dry kibble now often contains probiotics or digestive enzymes to aid in the digestion process and reduce the amount of gas produced in the stomach after a meal. 

The kibble, home cooked food, or raw diet can be supplemented with yogurt or powdered digestive enzymes if they are not included. 

This will assist you in avoiding bloating. 

Check the protein, carbohydrate, and fat percentages on the bag as well. 

The majority of Bloodhounds recommend a protein intake of 12 to 18 percent, and a fat intake of 12 to 18 percent. 

Overall, you want a good balance in those three areas, and depending on how active your hound is, you may need to adjust the contents of those three to make them more or less balanced.

When feeding a raw or home-cooked diet, you'll need to think about how to balance the ingredients you use, and there are a lot of books and websites out there to help you out.

During the teenage and young adult stages, or around the time that the hormones start to kick in (7/8 months to 1.5/2 years), we do have some finicky eaters in this breed. 

On the verge of starving, that young puppy who was eating like a pro suddenly stops eating, or refuses to eat anything. 

This is a time that can be both frustrating and worrying. 

First and foremost, make sure there isn't a medical reason for your puppy's behavior, and that you aren't overfeeding it.

Feeding four or three meals, or feeding more kibble than needed, or if it's a male Bloodhound, that a female isn't in season nearby. 

The amount of kibble your teen consumes on a daily basis is likely to be between 2/2.5/3 cups, depending on the brand, the amount of exercise and the level of energy. 

Consequently, he or she no longer cares about their meal.

It's only by increasing exercise that you can increase your appetite, as long as you've kept the same eating routine, location, and timetable, and haven't changed the brands of food you've been eating. It may appear counter-productive, but it works. 

If you want more exercise, add a half-mile to your daily walk or 15 minutes more at the dog park, plan a longer dog play session, or add retrieving in the backyard.

Bloodhound Puppy Background

The baying man trailers in films like Cool Hand Luke to a lazy hound sunning himself on the front porch of a home in a sleepy Southern town come to mind when we think of the Bloodhound.

The image of the mantrailer is more accurate, but it also portrays the breed in a misleading light.

On the hunt, the Bloodhound is extremely focused, but what many people aren't aware of is that once he's discovered his target, he may lick them to death, but he will never attack.

He's a nice and affectionate hound, yet he's not a lazy dog. 

He'll always prefer snoozing on the sun porch to following a scent trail for miles. 

If you live with a Bloodhound, you should expect to go on long walks every day.

The Bloodhound is one of a breed of dogs known as Sagaces, which is derived from the Latin term “sagacious,” which refers to the attributes of sharp discernment and sound judgment. 

The ability of the Bloodhound to detect scent is certainly described by those words.

Bloodhounds were once used to track boars and deer in medieval Europe, but now they work for police agencies and search and rescue teams as man trailers. 

They are so skilled that their “testimony” in a court of law is considered admissible. He's also a good family dog, but he'll need a lot of attention.

There aren't many people who can live with a giant dog who eats slobber, has a distinct houndy odor, loves nothing more than to follow his nose, destroys everything he comes across in puppyhood, has an infinite supply of energy and stamina, and is the definition of stubborn. 

You'll find the Bloodhound to be compassionate, sympathetic, and tolerant of children and other animals if you can get them to be. 

He's a fantastic dog with a great personality who gives a lot of love and laughter to the proper home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)