The 5 Best Dog Foods For Coonhounds
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Coonhounds dogs make wonderful companions. They’re the perfect pet for an apartment or condo, and they are guaranteed to be your best friend for life.
This breed has high energy levels and that requires quite a bit of nutrition depending on their lifestyle.
If you want to enjoy your Coonhounds dog’s company for as long as possible, feed it a healthy diet specific to its nutritional needs. This includes breed appropriateness, guaranteed analysis, and calorie content.
Keep reading to learn more about your Coonhounds dog’s unique nutritional needs and to receive some tips for picking the best dog food to meet those needs. But first let’s look at our criteria for picking the best dog foods for Coonhounds.
Compare Best Dog Food For Coonhounds
OVERALL BEST  1. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR SENIORS  4. Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | |||
Protein 27% Min | Protein 10% Min | Protein 10% Min | Protein 22% Min | Protein 25% Min |
Fat 14% Min | Fat 5% Min | Fat 7% Min | Fat 14% Min | Fat 16% Min |
Fiber 3.5% Max | Fiber 1% Max | Fiber 2% Max | Fiber 3.5% Max | Fiber 4% Max |
Calories 377 kcal/cup | Calories 1,372kcal/kg | Calories 1,380 kcal/kg | Calories 3654 kcal/kg, 343 kcal/cup | Calories 3,645 kcal/kg or 408 kcal/cup ME |
Our criteria
We understand that some people think of dogs as wolves and believe dogs need lots of meat in their diet. Many people have also been led to believe that dogs need to follow near human guidelines about what they should eat. Most of these beliefs, however, are based on pet food marketing and not nutritional research.
For reasons we will explain below, we try to follow the criteria provided by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association when choosing the best dog foods for Coonhounds and other dogs.
Using the WSAVA guidelines, we look for dog foods that meet the following standards:
- The dog food should be AAFCO-approved, preferably by means of a food trial instead of a nutrient profile.
- We prefer dog food companies that invest in nutritional research to back up their formulations.
- We look for pet food companies that have canine/veterinary nutritionists on staff to formulate their foods.
- The company that makes the dog food should have strong quality control measures and be willing to discuss them.
- Good nutrition is more important that clever marketing. You won’t be eating the dog food you purchase, your dog will. You should choose the dog food that is most nutritious for your dog even if the ingredients don’t sound appealing to you.
Along with these standards, we also consider the warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about a possible link between grain free dog foods and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The FDA’s investigation has now expanded to include exotic proteins in dog foods.
Top 5 Best Rated Dog Food For Coonhounds Reviewed
This dog breed generally requires a high amount of protein in order to maintain its active lifestyle.
This is why the list as shown below mostly comprises of dog foods with high protein content.
However, not all products given in the list are grain free, because some grains are actually good for them. This list will also look into some health conditions and recommend dog food for dogs with sensitivities.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 27% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Calories: 377 kcal/cup
- High nutrient density is good for small dogs
- Some picky dogs love the taste
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Affordable
- Change in formula causes skin issues in some dogs
Plus, it does contain poultry by-products that could trigger allergies or other health problems. This dog food product uses high-quality natural ingredients to support the overall good health of the Coonhound.
It is also available in other flavors such as pork, beef and lamb, salmon and whitefish, and also turkey and duck.
Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food Turkey Fare Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 5% Min
- Fiber: 1% Max
- Calories: 1,372kcal/kg
- Specialized fiber system for better nutrient absorption and digestion
- Formulated for the higher metabolism of Coonhounds
- Optimal levels of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids
- More expensive than other formulas of the same brand
Nom Nom fresh food is made with wholesome, natural ingredients including premium animal proteins and portioned according to your dog’s calorie requirements.
We like the Tasty Turkey Fare recipe because it is the highest in calories but still rich in protein to maintain lean mass.
Because it is a fresh food product, it is also high in moisture to support your dog’s hydration and digestion. It also retains more of its original nutritional integrity because it hasn’t been cooked at high temperatures.
This recipe features ground turkey as the main ingredient with brown rice as a digestible source of carbohydrates.
It is higher in calories than other Nom Nom recipe to provide for your Coonhound’s energy requirements but still moderate in fat to prevent obesity.
Ollie Dog Food Healthy Tasty Lamb Fare Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 7% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Calories: 1,380 kcal/kg
- Higher in protein and calories
- Human-grade, all-natural ingredients
- Novel source of protein for most dogs
- Use caution to avoid overfeeding and weight gain
- This is a grain-free recipe
Ollie fresh pet food is portioned according to your dog’s nutritional needs and made with fresh, human-grade ingredients.
Plus, it is cooked at low temperatures to preserve the nuriitonal integrity of the raw ingredients.
We like Ollie’s Tasty Lamb Fare recipe for Coonhounds because it contains 1,980 kcal/kg and is loaded with premium protein and healthy fats.
It will help your dog maintain its lean mass while also providing a high-energy source of quality nutrition.
Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 22% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Calories: 3654 kcal/kg, 343 kcal/cup
- Optimized to support ideal body weight in small breeds
- Plenty of essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Rich in dietary fiber for healthy digestion
- Some dogs do not like the taste
This is a chicken-flavored dog food, which is made from real chicken and does not contain chicken by-product meals.
It comes in two bag sizes, 4 pounds and 25 pounds. Unlike other brands that use generic animal fats, this dog food uses chicken fat.
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Adult Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 25% Min
- Fat: 16% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 3,645 kcal/kg or 408 kcal/cup ME
- Made with deboned turkey and salmon meal
- Fortified with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Rich in dietary fiber for healthy digestion
- DHA for healthy brain development
- Some picky dogs do not like the taste
- May cause constipation in some dogs
- Some dogs get digestive issues after eating it
Made with deboned turkey and salmon meal, this recipe is rich in protein and healthy fats for strong muscles and brain development.
This recipe is fortified with antioxidants and essential nutrients for immunity and contains plenty of protein to support your puppy’s digestive system.
Key Consideration When Buying The Best Dog Food For Coonhound
Coonhounds of specific types may require a specific type of diet depending on their lifestyle. However, many veterinarians agree that Coonhounds can be given a more general diet as long as they are healthy. However, though many dog food products contain the nutrients that they need, only a few are compatible with their bodies. Here are some key considerations that you must note while buying food products for your Coonhound.
- Breed Appropriateness – Dogs are generally classified under one category that requires a generic diet, but as a matter of fact, their specific breeds have some special needs. This is why you have to look for dog food products that cater to such needs, but that is only if you wish to keep your pet healthy. If you feed dogs with foods that are formulated on the basis of the dog’s size, then the dog might not get the nutrients that it requires. This also applies to dogs that have a more active lifestyle and are fed low protein food products.
- Guaranteed Analysis – The breakdown of nutrient percentages is important for any dog owner who cares about the dog’s health. These percentages specify the number of nutrients that are included per serving. It is also preferable that the dog food product is approved by dog food associations. This ensures that the percentage of nutrients that your dog will get is as accurate as it can get. That’s because the associations would have tested it.
- Calorie Content – Calorie content in a dog’s diet is very important, more so if they live a certain lifestyle. This dictates how much energy your dog will get per serving, and thus should be adjusted accordingly. If a dog food product’s calorie content is high, then the cups should be lowered to suit your pet’s needs. Feeding your dog with too many calories will only result in health problems.
Nutritional Requirements
Coonhounds require an above average nutrition since they are a large dog breed. Their large bodies contain a high amount of energy, which also needs adequate activity. Most Coonhounds benefit from a high protein diet, especially if they are very active. Shown below is a list of the typical nutritional requirements of a Coonhound.
- Protein –Your adult Coonhound dog needs a minimum of 18 percent protein in his diet for daily maintenance. A pregnant/nursing dog and puppies need a minimum of 22 percent protein in their diets. Most dog foods today have higher protein percentages than these levels but your dog doesn’t need a huge protein percentage.High protein sounds great but if your dog is getting more protein than his body needs, he will excrete the excess in his urine.
- Carbs – Though Coonhounds most likely lived on the meat of the prey that they hunted, they can still benefit from carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are important for keeping your dog’s glucose levels steady so he can avoid blood sugar spikes after meals. Carbohydrates can also help prevent your dog from feeling hungry between meals.
- Fats – Just like any other dog breed, even Coonhounds need about 16 percent of fat in their food in order to survive. This fat should come from animals, as this kind of fat is healthy for them. However, some dogs are allergic to animal fats, and healthy oils can work as a replacement. Healthy fats are most important for senior Coonhounds, who need such nutrients to move about normally.
- Fiber – Fiber can be either soluble or insoluble. You will often see soluble fiber on a dog food ingredient list in the form of chicory, beet pulp, and inulin. This kind of fiber draws more water into your dog’s digestive system, turning stomach contents to gel and slowing the digestive process. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the digestive matter and helps speed digestion. Most kibbles today have somewhere between 3 and 6 percent fiber. If your Coonhound is having loose stools it could be because there is too much fiber in the food for his system. You can try changing to a food that has less fiber and see if it solves the problem.
- Minerals and Vitamins – An average adult Coonhound needs about 11 percent minerals and vitamins in a dry dog food. Coonhounds are a very hardy breed, and unlike other breeds, do not need much of this. Therefore, excess vitamins will not be absorbed by their bodies and will end up as waste. So unless your dog has a specific vitamin deficiency, this should be more than enough for your pet.
How Much Should You Feed Your Coonhound By Age?
Coonhounds need lesser calories as they age because their activity levels lower as they get older. It is typical for puppies of different breeds to need more calories, and Coonhounds are no different. So depending on your dog’s lifestyle and health, it may need more or less to maintain its energy. Here are some of the recommendations about how many calories a Coonhound would need according to its age.
- Puppy – Puppy Coonhounds that are under the age of 5 months require about 1600 calories per day. As they grow older, and transition into an adult, their calorie requirements lower. Puppies greatly benefit from a high calcium diet because their bones need to develop. Food products rich in antioxidants also help boost their immunity, which can help them grow normally. For more info, click here to read our article on the best dog food for puppies
- Adult – Adult Coonhounds need only about 1394 calories if they are living a typical lifestyle. In case they are hunting dogs, or dogs that are more active, they need about 1500 calories or more per day. Hunting dogs need a higher protein diet as compared to the normal Coonhounds in order to maintain their weight. They would also benefit from dry dog food products rich in fat in order to prevent muscle mass loss.
- Senior – Typically, a senior Coonhound would need about 1194 calories to maintain their weight. Fewer carbohydrates and more protein would be beneficial to them. You must, however, spread these calories into three portions per day. To prevent brittle bones, you can also feed your senior Coonhound with treats packed with calcium. click here to read our article on the best dog food for senior dogs
Coonhound Food Allergies And Food Related Health Issues
Coonhounds may develop gastrointestinal problems due to unhealthy fillers typically found in most dog food products. Since food allergies commonly develop as a result of eating too much of a certain food, they are not safe from common allergens. Just like other dogs who have deep chests, they are more susceptible to these problems. Some other food-related issues that Coonhounds get are shown below. This is often the result of a poor diet.
- Hypothyroidism – Coonhounds are at a higher risk of developing this illness than any other breed. Low amounts of iodine in a Coonhound’s diet puts them at a higher risk of getting this disease. For this reason, most Coonhound dog owners are advised to feed their dog a diet rich in iodine. Hypothyroidism does not necessarily kill dogs, but it can lead to other serious diseases.
- Obesity – Despite being fit dogs, Coonhounds can still get obese. This is because most of them are fed sugar-rich diets, and that gets stored in their bodies. Obesity can cause a lot of problems in a dog, such as having difficulty breathing and joint problems. Obesity lowers their energy levels and makes dogs lethargic instead of active.
- Yeast Infection – Yeast infection is a result of a dog consuming too much yeast bacteria containing foods. Yeast is not necessarily bad for dogs, but excess amounts can irritate them. Most of the time, it manifests as a skin infection which causes dogs to scratch themselves tirelessly. In some cases, dogs get runny noses and red eyes as well.
Final Thoughts
These dogs are not immune to food allergies, just like any other dog breed. Unfortunately, this breed is at a higher risk of developing bloat, which is easy to prevent if the quantity of the food is lowered.
These dog food products do not contain a high concentration of carbohydrates derived from grain and fillers. However, before you buy any of these products, you have to make sure that your dog is not allergic to the main ingredients used in it.
