Best Dog Food For Basset Hounds

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

The Basset Hound is a dog breed from the hound family. It has short legs, big wet eyes, big floppy ears, and a remarkable sense of smell. This hound is bred for hunting and makes a very good domestic dog.

On average, they weigh between 45 and 65 pounds and can have a height of about 15 inches. On top of that, bassets have short coats and an average lifespan of 12–13 years.

They are very useful in rallies, hunting, tracking, conformation, and field trials.

Compare Best Dog Food For Basset Hounds

OVERALL BEST 1. Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR ALLERGIES 2. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food - Potato & Duck Formula View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR OVERWEIGHT/WEIGHT LOSS 3. Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR SENIOR 4. ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR PUPPIES 5. Fromm Gold Puppy Food Large Breed View on Amazon Read Review
Protein 48% Min	Protein 21% Min	Protein 32% Min	Protein 38% Min	Protein 26% Min
Fat 28% Min	Fat 10% Min	Fat 8% Min	Fat 15% Min	Fat 14% Min
Fiber 5% Max	Fiber 4% Max	Fiber 5% Max	Fiber 8% Max	Fiber 3.5% Max
Calories 50 kcal/patty	Calories 350 kcal/cup	Calories 360 kcal/cup	Calories 414 calories per cup	Calories 384 kcal/cup

Basset Hound Dietary Needs

Here are some of the top things to look for in Basset Hounds dog food:

• High-Quality Protein. Protein is the most important nutrient for any dog, but it is particularly important for Basset Hound dogs to maintain lean muscle mass. Look for premium animal sources for protein.
• Moderate Fat. Fat provides your dog with a concentrated source of energy as well as essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, but you want to keep the content moderate to avoid feeding your dog so many calories that he becomes obese.
• Joint Support. Large-breed dogs have a higher risk for bone and joint problems than smaller breeds, so look for a recipe that contains joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin.
• Digestibility. Many large-breed dogs have sensitive stomachs, so you want to make sure that the recipe you choose is made with digestible ingredients and free from low-quality fillers and artificial additives that could upset their stomachs.

Best Rated Dog Food for Basset Hounds Reviewed

Basset hounds, with their happy nature and powerful nose, are well-loved dogs. Therefore, it is very important to get the best dog food that will meet their individual needs.

It does not matter what life stage your dog falls under or his health status; this review will consequently help you get the very best dog food.

OVERALL BEST

1.

Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 48% Min
• Fat: 28% Min
• Fiber: 5% Max
• Calories: 50 kcal/patty

Pros

• Patties are very versatile
• Great for dogs with allergies
• Well-tolerated and palatable for picky eaters
• Keeps dogs very healthy and happy
• Makes coats shinier and produces minimal waste

Cons

• Expensive
• Some customers do not like the fact that the product arrives crumbled

Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties is the best overall dog food for Basset Hound. It is protein-rich with 95% raw and cage-free chicken, organs and bones.

This special patty was formulated in the USA. 100% complete and balanced nutrition is what your Basset will enjoy when fed this dinner. It is also equipped with a lot of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and antioxidants to meet all your canine friend’s nutritional needs.

There are also lots of organic fruits and vegetables to add more nutritional value to this diet. Moreover, it is great for your dog’s as it ensures healthy skin, coat, teeth, gums, and weight.

Furthermore, increased energy levels, stamina, endurance, and vitality are also offered by this nutrient-dense meal.

Straight out of Stella & Chewy’s Kitchen, this freeze-dried meal does not require cooking, heating or microwaving so it will not lose its ‘natural diet’ appeal.

In the end, all you need to do if you find it too dry for your Basset is to rehydrate with cool or warm water before serving.

In addition, this dog food is free from grains, glutens, fillers, hormones, antibiotics, artificial colorings, and artificial preservatives.

BEST FOR ALLERGIES

2.

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food - Potato & Duck Formula

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 21% Min
• Fat: 10% Min
• Fiber: 4% Max
• Calories: 350 kcal/cup

Pros

• tilizes limited ingredients to produce high-quality dog food
• Very effective for treating allergies and allergic reactions
• Ensures very good digestion with solid and less smelly stools
• Keeps dogs from being overweight
• Ideal for all life stages of your Basset

Cons

• The price fluctuates and can be a bit pricey
• Natural Balance keeps downsizing the product

Natural Balance L.I.D. Dry Dog Food Potato and Duck Formula is the best dog food for Basset Hounds with allergies and sensitive stomachs.

This grain-free dog food concentrates on your Basset’s digestive health with its limited sources of protein and carbohydrates. The presence of potatoes ensures easy digestibility and increase in energy levels for your Basset.

In the end, your dog will love the duck flavor and most likely will not react to this protein source. Omega -3 and -6 will also provide your dog with healthier skin and a more lavish coat.

The premium ingredients of this dog food do not include artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. This complete and balanced nutrition is suitable for all the life stages of your Basset Hound.

BEST FOR OVERWEIGHT/WEIGHT LOSS

3.

Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 32% Min
• Fat: 8% Min
• Fiber: 5% Max
• Calories: 360 kcal/cup

Pros

• Very satisfying, keeps dogs full and minimizes begging
• Makes fur full and glossy
• Very easy for dogs to digest
• Keeps dogs looking healthier and happier

Cons

• Quite expensive
• No alternative flavor options for overweight dogs with different preferences

Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe is the best dog food for overweight Basset Hounds or those suffering from weight loss.

Its first five ingredients are deboned beef, chicken meal, potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes. Also, this protein-rich diet contains amino acids which your Basset needs for improving its metabolism and building muscles.

The fiber content will consequently help in easing digestion. It will also help with reducing accumulation of fat or calories. In the end, your adult dog has a lot to benefit from this well-cooked balanced nutrition.

The high-quality ingredients also include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables like blueberries, peas, apples, and sweet potatoes. Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, and lots of other essential vitamins and minerals are in this diet.

They also guarantee healthy skin, coat, hips, joints, and weight. In addition, it comes highly recommended by pet owners as the perfect choice for easy digestion, low-fat, weight control, and overall dog health.

BEST FOR SENIOR

4.

ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 38% Min
• Fat: 15% Min
• Fiber: 8% Max
• Calories: 414 calories per cup

Pros

• Very rich in protein
• It is grain and filler free
• Keeps seniors strong, healthy, and happy
• High quality dog food and reduces gas

Cons

• It is very expensive
• It stinks
• May be too protein-rich for some sensitive stomachs

Orijen Senior Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for senior Basset Hounds. It meets your Basset’s natural needs with its great biologically appropriate philosophy.

This tasty diet is rich in meat varieties, fruits, an assortment of fruits and vegetables, as well as limited carbohydrates. Your senior needs the high energy levels and lean muscle mass provided by this dog food to stay healthy and active.

In the end, the fear of your Basset getting overweight will be a thing of the past once you introduce him to this tantalizing grain-free food.

The ingredients are freeze-dried to help keep the ingredients fresh, natural and nourishing. In addition, this dry dog food is grain-free and filler-free.

BEST FOR PUPPIES

5.

Fromm Gold Puppy Food Large Breed

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 26% Min
• Fat: 14% Min
• Fiber: 3.5% Max
• Calories: 384 kcal/cup

Pros

• Keeps puppy’s coat very full and beautiful
• Makes puppies grow faster
• Puppies digest this food quite easily
• Made in America with natural ingredients
• Keeps the puppy’s weight well controlled and healthy

Cons

• Does not smell tantalizing enough to appeal to some puppies
• Gives inconsistent stools

Fromm Gold Puppy Food is the best dog food for puppy Basset Hounds.

It has chicken as its first three ingredients and will consequently help in the quick development of lean muscles. There are healthy carbohydrates and other wholesome ingredients to help increase your puppy’s energy levels.

This dog food provides complete and balanced nutrition to large dog breeds like the puppy Basset Hounds. It is USA-made with a holistic approach to keeping growing puppies safe, strong and healthy.

Probiotics are also included to aid digestion, salmon oil will consequently ensure a full and healthy coat, while chicory root will reduce the risk of worms. Also, there is no wheat and enough protein to increase the absorption of nutrients.

How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Basset Hounds?

The best place to start when looking for the best dog food is a high-quality diet formulated for Basset Hound dogs. This will help ensure that your Basset Hound gets the protein it needs to build healthy muscle without so much fat that it becomes overweight or obese.

When it comes to protein and fat, your Basset Hound will be able to digest animal-based ingredients better than plant-based ingredients. Meat, poultry, and fish are excellent sources of protein for dogs, and healthy fats include things like chicken fat and salmon oil.

Your dog can digest certain carbohydrates as well, like whole grains, starchy vegetables, beans, and legumes, but protein should be the star of its diet. In addition to protein, fat, and digestible carbohydrates, your large-breed dog can benefit from certain supplements.

Keep reading to see our top 5 recommendations for the best dog food for Basset Hounds.

Key Considerations When Buying The Best Dog Food For Basset Hound

To ensure your dog lives long and stays healthy, you have to start feeding him very early. A healthy dog is a happy dog. As born hunters, they need a lot of energy to stay active. Thus, getting dog food that will give them optimal energy levels without posing any health risk to them should be a priority. However, before you do this, there are a number of factors to consider before buying your Basset Hound the best dog food.

• It should meet the nutritional standards established by AAFCO: This is the basic nutritional standard a dog food can have. Most of the dog foods from major brands meet this standard. Thus, do not buy any dog food that has not been approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). To know if your product is AAFCO-approved, check the product’s packaging for a nutritional adequacy statement.

• Life Stage Specification: Be sure to check the life stage that your dog food is specified for. The life stages your Basset Hound goes through are puppy, adult, and senior life stages. Do not buy senior dog food for puppies or adult dog food for senior dogs. This is because your dog will not get the best nutrition out of this inappropriate dog food. However, there are some products that are for all life stages.

• Premium Dog Food: It is also important to buy premium dog food for your basset. This is because it will be made mostly of meat. Therefore, be careful not to buy dog food that has mostly vegetable proteins. Premium dog food will also provide complete and balanced nutrition for your dog. In addition, the first ingredient, or first two ingredients, should be an animal protein like chicken, salmon, turkey, beef, or duck.

How Much Should You Feed Your Basset Hound by Age?

Your basset hound should be fed well and cared for. Thus, give him an ideal meal at an amount that is perfect for his level of activity and specific needs. Otherwise, this will throw his diet off balance and do more harm than good.

• Puppy: Your puppy will need about 1381 kcal/day of puppy food from the time they are about 3 weeks old. Thus, they can be fed 3 to 4 times a day with a protein-rich diet.
• Adult: This should be given 2 or 3 small meals daily. They will, therefore, require between 1006 kcal/day and 1957 kcal/day, depending on their activity level.
• Senior: This life stage is more prone to lack of activity and obesity. They should be given a low-calorie diet and some exercise. Moreover, 1 meal each day or 2 small meals each day of senior dog food will go a long way in helping them enjoy their senior years.

Basset Hound Food Allergies And Food-Related Health Issues

• Allergies: The best way to avoid food allergies is by avoiding some of the more common ingredients your dog reacts to. Thus, allergens should be kept as far away from your basset as possible to avoid complications. Some of the things you should not feed your dog include chocolate, cooked bones, grapes, raisins, mushrooms, alcohol, dairy products, and onions. Although many dogs react to grain, it is not necessarily bad for your dog.

• Arthritis: This is a musculoskeletal condition that will consequently require an increase in your dog’s calcium and protein intake.

• Colitis: This is a gastrointestinal issue common in Bassets. It will require a lot of natural fiber to fix. Therefore, you have to make sure your dog’s food contains the right proportion of fiber.

• Dermatitis: This condition will require an increase in fat levels. As a result, it will ensure your dog’s skin is healthier.

• Eye Issues: Your dog’s droopy eyes may lead to the buildup of mucus. To avoid this buildup, your basset should be fed a lot of vitamins, one of which is beta-kerotine.

• Gastric Dilation-Volvulus: This condition consequently affects large dogs like Basset Hounds. It is a severe form of bloating. Also, you can avoid it by feeding your dog his meal in small portions.

• Obesity: This is one of the basic problems Basset Hounds face. It is mostly caused by the dog owner yielding to those soulful eyes begging for more food. Moreover, feeding your dog table scraps and not taking him out for regular exercise could make your dog accumulate too many calories. Also, a well-scheduled meal plan is important to keep your dog fit and healthy. An obese dog will consequently become lazier over time, and it can be hard to get down to a healthy weight. In addition, obesity can result in spinal and joint problems when their bodies are no longer able to carry their excess weight. Thus, try to make sure your dog does not weigh too much. If he does, get a weight-management dog food for him. As a result, he will lose weight and get healthier.

• Yeast Infections: Your basset may get yeast infections in the area near the mouth folds. For this reason, to eradicate this infection, your dog’s food should include a lot of probiotics.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, these French hounds are very nice to have around. Not only do they thrive on good-quality food, but they also have a lot of affection from family members. There are a lot of excellent dog food brands to pick from, so you have to make sure you are well aware before buying anything for your dog. For this reason, this review is your first step in the right direction.