Best Food of Basset Hounds: 10 Vet-Approved Picks of 2025

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The best food for basset hounds should prioritize high-quality protein to maintain muscle mass while controlling calories to prevent obesity.

Look for foods with real meat as the first ingredient, limited fillers, and ingredients supporting ear health and joint function. Avoid grain-heavy kibbles that cause bloating and weight gain.

Your basset needs around 1,740 calories daily if they’re an active 70-pound adult, but portion control is vital since this breed gains weight easily.

Choose formulas specifically designed for their unique body structure and digestive sensitivities. The right nutrition makes all the difference in preventing common health issues that plague these loveable hounds.

Basset Hound Nutrition Needs

Your Basset Hound needs a carefully balanced diet to support their unique body structure and prevent common health issues.

A balanced diet isn’t just good nutrition—it’s the foundation for your Basset’s lifelong health and happiness.

Understanding their specific nutritional requirements helps you choose foods that keep them healthy, active, and at an ideal weight throughout their life, which is crucial for maintaining their overall well-being and preventing issues related to their unique body structure.

Protein Requirements

Your Basset Hound needs high-quality proteins to maintain their stocky frame and dense bones.

Adult Basset Hounds require 18% crude protein, while puppies need 22.5% for proper growth.

Animal-based protein sources like chicken, beef, and fish provide essential amino acids that plant proteins can’t match.

Look for dog food with named meat as the first ingredient to prevent protein deficiency and support muscle health.

Fat and Carbohydrate Needs

Beyond protein, healthy fats serve as your basset hound’s primary energy source while supporting skin and coat health.

Complex carbs from sweet potatoes provide sustained energy and essential fiber intake.

Proper fat content (around 5.5% for adults) aids weight management, while digestible carbohydrates prevent digestive upset in your basset hound nutrition plan.

Vitamin and Mineral Essentials

Your basset hound’s body runs like a well-oiled machine when you provide the right vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin absorption improves with proper supplement timing, while mineral bioavailability guarantees nutrients reach their target.

Puppy minerals support growing bones, and senior vitamins maintain aging joints.

Quality basset hound nutrition includes vitamins A, D, and E for immune function, plus calcium and phosphorus for strong bones.

Your basset hound health depends on balanced mineral intake.

Health Concerns and Diet

Your Basset Hound’s unique body structure and genetic predispositions make them vulnerable to specific health issues that proper nutrition can help manage.

Proper nutrition isn’t just about feeding your Basset—it’s about preventing the health problems their unique build makes them prone to.

The right diet can substantially reduce ear infections, support joint health, and minimize digestive problems that commonly affect this breed, which can be achieved through proper nutrition.

Ear Infections and Diet

Frequent ear infections in your basset hound often link to dietary triggers like high-moisture, grain-heavy foods that create inflammation.

Joint Problems and Nutrition

Given their stocky build and short legs, your Basset Hound faces increased risk for joint problems that diet can help manage.

Weight Management prevents excess stress on joints, while Joint Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate support cartilage health.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids reduce joint inflammation naturally.

Basset Hounds are also prone to ear and skin issues, so regular grooming is essential.

Nutrient	Joint Benefit
Glucosamine & Chondroitin	Cartilage repair and maintenance
Omega-3 Fatty Acids	Reduces inflammation and stiffness
Lean Protein	Maintains muscle mass around joints

Digestive Issues and Food Sensitivities

Your basset hound’s sensitive stomach needs careful attention. These dogs face higher bloat risks and common food allergies to beef, chicken, corn, and wheat.

Recurrent ear infections are also frequently linked to food allergies in Basset Hounds.

1. Grain-free benefits – Reduces bloating and gas in sensitive basset hounds
2. Limited ingredients – Helps identify specific food sensitivities through elimination
3. Novel proteins – Duck or venison alternatives prevent allergic reactions
4. Digestive enzymes – Support proper nutrient breakdown and absorption

Choosing The Right Dog Food

You’ll need to carefully evaluate dog food ingredients to find the best match for your Basset Hound’s unique nutritional needs and health concerns.

Look for high-quality animal proteins as the first ingredient, beneficial fats like omega-3s, and avoid common allergens that can trigger digestive issues or ear infections, considering unique nutritional needs.

Ingredients to Look For

When selecting food for Basset Hounds, prioritize high-quality proteins like chicken or fish as the first ingredient.

Look for essential fats from fish oil that support coat health and reduce inflammation, and complex carbs such as sweet potatoes that provide sustained energy without digestive strain.

Key vitamins A and E boost immunity, while beneficial minerals like glucosamine support joint health in this dog breed.

Many owners also supplement with additional glucosamine products for enhanced joint support.

Ingredients to Avoid

Steer clear of artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5, which can trigger food allergies in Basset Hounds.

Harmful preservatives such as BHA and BHT pose cancer risks. Excess fillers like corn gluten and wheat offer little nutrition while causing food sensitivities.

Low-quality proteins and generic meals contain unspecified animal parts that worsen allergies.

Basset Hound Dietary Restrictions

You’ll need to pay special attention to what goes into your Basset Hound’s bowl, since these dogs often react poorly to grains, fillers, and certain proteins.

Choosing limited ingredient diets can help manage food sensitivities and keep your Basset healthy.

Grain-Free Diets

Grain-free benefits for your basset hound diet include reduced digestive issues and better food allergies management.

However, digestibility concerns exist since some dogs struggle with high-protein alternatives.

Cost comparison shows grain-free options typically cost 20-30% more than conventional foods.

Limited Ingredient Diets

When your Basset Hound’s sensitive stomach rebels against traditional dog food, limited ingredient diets offer a lifeline.

These specialized basset hound diet formulas contain fewer components, making Allergy Testing easier and identifying triggers simpler.

Recipe Simplicity reduces digestive stress while maintaining nutrition. Look for foods with single protein sources and minimal additives.

Novel proteins like venison can be a great option for sensitive dogs.

Ingredient Sourcing matters—choose brands that transparently list origins.

Limited ingredient diets effectively manage food allergies and support Basset Hounds with sensitive stomach food needs.

Novel Protein Sources

When your basset hound diet triggers food allergies or sensitivities, novel protein sources offer relief.

Duck vs. venison, insect protein, and alligator meat provide alternatives to common allergens like chicken or beef.

These unique proteins reduce dog allergies risk since your pup hasn’t developed sensitivities yet.

Plant-based proteins can also help, though animal sources remain ideal for protein allergies management in food sensitivities cases, particularly for food sensitivities.

Feeding Your Basset Hound

Proper feeding schedules and portion control are essential for keeping your Basset Hound at a healthy weight and preventing obesity-related health issues.

You’ll need to monitor your dog’s weight regularly and adjust portions based on their activity level, age, and body condition to guarantee healthy outcomes throughout their life, focusing on healthy weight.

Feeding Schedule

Adult Basset Hounds thrive on consistent meal timing to prevent bloat and maintain healthy digestion.

Most owners find success with structured feeding guidelines that adapt to their dog’s life stage.

• Puppy feeding: 3-4 small meals daily until 6 months old
• Adult schedule: 2 meals per day, 12 hours apart
• Senior frequency: 2 smaller meals with easier digestion timing
• Meal timing: Morning and evening feeds work best
• Portion distribution: Split daily feeding amount evenly between meals

Portion Control

Most Basset Hounds need careful calorie counting to prevent obesity.

Measure food portions using a kitchen scale rather than eyeballing amounts. Feed twice daily with consistent timing to establish routine.

Limit treats to 10% of total calorie intake. A 50-pound Basset typically requires 1,200-1,400 calories daily, but consult your vet for personalized recommendations based on activity level.

Accurate measurement requires a precise food scale, ensuring you can follow the daily routine effectively.

Monitoring Weight and Health

Regular weight checks keep your Basset Hounds healthy and catch problems early.

Weigh them monthly to track changes – ideal weight ranges from 40-65 pounds.

Watch their body condition by feeling for ribs and observing their waist.

Schedule annual vet checkups for professional assessment.

Remember to check for signs of good health, such as a glossy coat.

Monitor exercise impact on weight management, as obesity leads to joint problems requiring targeted supplement needs.

Top 10 Best Food for Basset Hounds

You’ll want to choose food that supports your Basset Hound’s unique nutritional needs while addressing their common health concerns like joint problems and sensitive digestion.

The following ten options have been carefully selected based on their quality ingredients, nutritional profiles, and suitability for different life stages and health requirements.

American Journey Puppy Food

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American Journey Active Life provides excellent nutritional benefits for growing Basset Hounds with 25% crude protein and 15% crude fat.

This puppy food supports proper puppy development through ingredient analysis revealing real chicken as the primary protein source.

Following feeding guidelines helps establish healthy eating habits during key growth phases.

Brand comparison shows competitive pricing without compromising quality for your Basset Hound puppy, offering a great value with excellent nutritional benefits.

Victor Senior Healthy Weight

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Specifically designed for less active senior Basset Hounds, Victor Senior Healthy Weight emphasizes weight management with 27% protein and 11.5% fat.

This nutrient-dense formula has glucosamine and chondroitin for long-term joint health and L-carnitine to help convert fat to energy for your aging companion’s specific Senior Basset Needs.

• Weight Management Focus: Lower fat content supports healthy weight maintenance
• Ingredient Quality: Premium beef, chicken, and fish meals provide complete nutrition
• Joint Support: Glucosamine and chondroitin promote mobility in senior dogs
• Feeding Recommendations: Ideal for Basset Hounds adopting less active lifestyles

Nutro Natural Choice Adult Dog Food Lamb Rice Healthy Weight

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While Victor focuses on senior dogs, Nutro Natural Choice targets adult Basset Hounds struggling with weight management.

This lamb and rice formula provides controlled calories without sacrificing nutrition.

The lamb protein supports muscle maintenance while rice offers gentle digestibility for sensitive stomachs.

Feature	Details	Basset Hound Benefits
Nutro Ingredients	Real lamb, whole brown rice, rice bran	High-quality protein with digestible carbs
Weight Management	Reduced fat content, added fiber	Helps maintain ideal body weight
Lamb Benefits	Novel protein source, omega fatty acids	Reduces food sensitivities, supports coat
Rice Digestibility	Whole grain brown rice, easy on stomach	Perfect for sensitive digestive systems
Cost Analysis	Mid-range pricing, good value	Affordable breed-specific nutrition option

Wellness Complete Puppy Chicken Oatmeal Salmon

Wellness Complete Health puppy food delivers balanced nutrition for growing Basset Hounds with real chicken as the first ingredient.

This formula supports healthy puppy growth through ideal protein levels and essential nutrients. The chicken and salmon combination provides high-quality proteins while oatmeal offers digestible carbohydrates.

Brand comparison shows Wellness maintains consistent quality standards, making it reliable for Basset Hound puppies requiring steady nutritional benefits during development with balanced nutrition and essential nutrients.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy

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Quality nutrition becomes the cornerstone for growing Basset Hounds when you choose Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy.

This grain-free formula delivers exceptional protein sources and breed suitability for developing puppies.

• High-protein content: Real chicken provides 34% crude protein for muscle development
• Life stage optimization: Specifically formulated for puppy growth requirements
• Cost analysis advantage: Premium puppy food brands offer better value through concentrated nutrition

This dog food supports healthy development in Basset Hounds through quality puppy ingredients.

Large breed puppies require controlled calcium levels to support healthy bone growth.

Merrick Texas Beef Sweet Potato Puppy Food

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Merrick Texas Beef Sweet Potato Puppy Food delivers robust nutrition for growing Basset Hounds through real deboned beef as the primary ingredient.

This puppy food contains ideal protein levels supporting muscle development while sweet potatoes provide digestible carbohydrates.

Brand comparison shows competitive pricing with premium ingredient analysis, and feeding guidelines recommend gradual switches for sensitive Basset Hound digestive systems during critical puppy development phases, ensuring optimal nutrition.

Taste Wild High Prairie Puppy

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Taste Wild High Prairie Puppy delivers exceptional breed-specific nutrition with real buffalo and venison as primary proteins.

These novel Taste Wild ingredients support robust puppy growth support while being gentle on sensitive Basset Hound digestive systems.

The grain-free formula promotes ideal digestion and taste, making it an excellent best puppy food choice, and you’ll find this best dog food widely available at competitive prices, ensuring consistent nutrition for your growing puppy.

Diamond Naturals Adult Dog Food

Diamond Naturals provides a reliable adult dog food option that many Basset Hounds find palatable.

This dog food brand offers solid protein sources with real meat as the first ingredient.

The ingredient analysis shows balanced nutrition for adult dogs, though cost comparison reveals it’s moderately priced among premium dog food brands.

Availability is widespread across pet stores, making it accessible for most owners seeking quality nutrition.

Go Sensitivities Lamb Dry Dog Food

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For Basset Hounds with food sensitivities, Go Sensitivities Lamb Dry Dog Food offers a lamb protein source with limited ingredients to minimize allergic reactions.

This formula targets skin allergies and digestive health issues common in sensitive stomachs.

The simplified recipe helps identify trigger ingredients while providing complete nutrition. If your Basset struggles with digestive issues, this dog food’s gentle approach supports overall wellness without compromising taste or nutritional value.

CANIDAE Senior Chicken Food

Your senior Basset Hound deserves nutrition that matches their golden years, and CANIDAE’s chicken-based formula delivers exactly that.

This senior dog food addresses the unique needs of aging Bassets with targeted ingredients that support their changing metabolism and joint health.

• Senior-Specific Nutrition – Customized calorie content prevents weight gain in less active older dogs
• Chicken Protein Source – High-quality protein maintains muscle mass without straining kidneys
• Joint Health Support – Added glucosamine and chondroitin ease stiff joints and hip dysplasia
• Digestibility Concerns – Gentle formula reduces digestive stress common in senior Basset Hounds
• Palatability Factors – Appealing taste encourages eating in picky senior dogs

Basset Hound Care and Maintenance

Proper nutrition goes hand-in-hand with thorough care to keep your Basset Hound healthy and happy throughout their life.

Beyond selecting the right food, you’ll need to address their unique exercise needs, grooming requirements, and health monitoring to guarantee your low-slung companion thrives for years to come, which involves thorough care.

Exercise and Activity Level

Low-energy companions, Basset Hounds need moderate daily walks rather than intense workouts.

Ideal Exercise includes 30-45 minutes of gentle activity to prevent obesity while protecting their joints.

Activity Variety like sniffing games keeps them mentally stimulated.

Puppy Exercise should be limited to avoid joint damage, while Senior Exercise focuses on maintaining mobility without overexertion for effective weight management.

To protect their developing joints, it’s important to understand puppy exercise basics.

Grooming and Coat Care

Your Basset Hound’s short, smooth coat sheds year-round and requires consistent maintenance. Quality dog food with omega fatty acids supports coat health and reduces skin issues.

• Shedding Control: Brush 2-3 times weekly with a rubber grooming mitt
• Bathing Frequency: Monthly baths or when dirty, using gentle dog shampoo
• Ear Cleaning: Weekly cleaning prevents infections in their long, droopy ears
• Nail Trimming: Clip nails every 2-3 weeks to prevent splitting
• Wrinkle Care: Clean facial folds daily to prevent bacterial buildup

Regular Health Check-Ups

Regular veterinary visits act as your Basset Hound’s safety net against serious health concerns.

Schedule check-ups every six months to monitor weight, assess joint problems, and catch digestive issues early.

Your vet will maintain vaccination schedules, implement parasite control, provide dental care, and guarantee proper weight monitoring.

Early detection of conditions like hip dysplasia or hypothyroidism can dramatically improve your dog’s quality of life and longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)