7 Top Rated Dog Food for Basset Hounds in 2020 – Reviews and Ratings
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Are you skilled enough to assess nutritional needs of your basset hound? Have you noticed some changes in his behavior recently? Maybe you are feeding him the wrong food the entire time?
This is quite a peculiar breed thanks to its short legs and big floppy ears. Despite their physical appearance, bassets fall into a category of large dogs, and they can grow up to 75 pounds.
To reach their goal weight, as an owner, you must offer them a chance to experience the best dog food for basset hounds. Don’t know where to start?
Relax, we’ve got your back!
Today, we’ll review a couple of brands, and help you find a best quality dog food for your pet.
Top Dog Food For Basset Hounds Reviews
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | INGREDIENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall
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American Journey Dry Food Best Overall |
✓ Deboned Chicken ✓ Turkey Meal ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Sweet Potatoes ✓ Peas |
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|
Protein-Focused
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Wellness CORE Grain-Free Protein-Focused |
✓ Deboned Turkey ✓ Turkey Meal ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Peas ✓ Potatoes |
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|
Weight Control
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Merrick Weight Control |
✓ Deboned Beef ✓ Peas ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Sweet Potatoes ✓ Potatoes |
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|
Adult Dogs
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Hill's Science Adult Dogs |
✓ Chicken ✓ Whole Grain Wheat ✓ Barley ✓ Sorghum ✓ Whole Grain Corn |
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For Puppies
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Victor Yukon For Puppies |
✓ Salmon ✓ Fish Meal ✓ Peas ✓ Sweet Potatoes ✓ Canola Oil |
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Large Breeds
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Blue Buffalo Large Breeds |
✓ Deboned Turkey ✓ Brown Rice ✓ Oatmeal ✓ Turkey Meal ✓ Peas |
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|
Strong Muscles
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Now Fresh Strong Muscles |
✓ Deboned Turkey ✓ Dried Eggs ✓ Potato ✓ Potato Flour ✓ Peas |
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American Journey Dry Food - Best Overall
With their food range, American Journey is going an extra mile to satisfy nutritional needs of canines. If you are hoping to find a brand which provides the best grain-free dog diet, then look no more, American Journey is one of them. Therefore, it’s our #1 pick.
The savoring taste combined with high-quality whole chicken protein, will improve your pooch’s spirit and make him feel vibrant.
Some dogs might suffer from a sensitive stomach, so ingredients such as grain, corn, wheat, and soy, may only worsen this condition. Since this formula is wholesome and it’s free from the previously mentioned components, it should keep your pet’s tummy healthy and in balance.
Additionally, fruits and vegetables will stimulate your dog’s immune system, thereby protecting him from ailments.
Overall, the American Journey Chicken and Sweet Potato recipe provide a complete diet, while promoting your pet’s health.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free - Best Protein-Focused
Wellness Core nutrition puts its focus on protein consumption and eliminates the use of grains. This premium quality dog food features deboned turkey as the primary protein source, while other poultry parts are turned into a tasty meal.
The blend of potatoes and peas balances the ingredients and provides your pooch with a nutritiously-complete meal. Omega-3 fatty acids, extracted from the flaxseed and salmon oil, will take ensure healthy skin and shiny coat.
Due to the high amount of probiotics and prebiotics, this recipe is highly digestible, which will make your basset hound adore this formula.
To conclude, the Wellness Core is an immensely popular brand in the pet industry. Their choice of components will keep your basset happy, and it’s a kind of food dog lovers seek everywhere.
Merrick - Ideal For Weight Control
Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Diet is an excellent choice for obese basset hounds. This formula is rich in proteins, sourced from beef and chicken meal, while low in fats and carb.
To ensure healthy metabolism and maintain a balanced weight, Merrick Weight Control nutrition features omega fatty acids. They have an active role in building up the muscles within your pet’s body.
Another important feature to mention is the number of fibers, they facilitate digestion and minimize the accumulation of calories and fats.
Moreover, the premium set of ingredients includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, such as peas, sweet potatoes, apples, and many more.
Finally, this choice of food comes recommended by numerous basset hound owners. It’s excellent for digestion, manages weight, and improves dog health.
Hill's Science - Fit For Adult Dogs
Are you dealing with a mature basset hound and you require an appropriate diet to satisfy his nutritious needs? Unfortunately, the majority of recipes, even though they are formulated for adult canines, don’t contain the necessary ingredients. However, this rule doesn’t apply to Hill’s Science.
Numerous reviews speak highly of this brand, which further promotes his quality. Featuring chondroitin and glucosamine, the Hill’s Science supports healthy joints and minimizes many bone-related disorders.
And let’s face it, as your dog ages, these issues only pile up. Therefore, you require a formulation that will support your pet through mature years.
In summary, the Hill’s Science vitamin and mineral enriched food will offer you basset stability and rejuvenate his body and spirit.
Victor Yukon - Fit For Puppies
For nearly 70 years the Victor company has been supplying pet parents with dog food. All those years enabled this brand to have massive experience in understanding the canines needs. Therefore, they’ve earned the success and popularity their formulas receive.
Now, we are focusing on wild salmon and sweet potato recipe, ideal for puppies. The principal ingredient salmon promotes a healthy heart and provides optimal amounts of omega fatty acids. Additionally, it’s a fantastic source of protein.
Digestible carbs make this nutrition excellent for canines with food sensitivities, while the presence of prebiotics minimizes inflammation and promotes healthy GI tract.
In this end, you should have in mind that the first couple of month plays a crucial role in your pup’s development. For that reason, Victor Yukon recipe will offer you pooch the healthiest fat source and support his progress from early days.
Blue Buffalo - Ideal For Large Breeds
The thing about limited ingredient recipes is that they specifically target canines with food sensitivities and allergies. Therefore, these types of formulas are packed with proteins and healthy fats. In the case of Blue Buffalo, we have a deboned turkey as a dominant ingredient.
However, there is also oatmeal and brown rice. They provide an abundance of fibers and promote healthy digestion. Unlike with many limited ingredient recipes, this one actually includes fresh fruits and veggies, which is something we don’t see quite often.
Again, highly essential compounds, glucosamine, and chondroitin will support healthy joints in your basset.
The bottom line, the basset hounds, may appear as small dogs, due to their short legs, but they fall into a category of large breeds. That’s why this nutrition will satisfy their dietary needs.
Now Fresh - For Strong Muscles
Now Fresh grain-free recipe insists on freshness, and their manufacturing process eliminates rendered meat or by-products. That’s why high-quality ingredients, such as meats, meat meals, veggies, and fruits are even approved for human consumption.
Deboned turkey is the primary protein source, and we love the fact it doesn’t contain bones, which minimizes choking hazards. Dry pounded and dehydrated eggs activate the muscles, while your pet’s body quickly absorbs them.
The third ingredient potato carries a considerable bulk of carbs. However, it is classified as highly digestible, so dogs with sensitive tummies shouldn’t experience any issues. We want to mention the coconut oil, considering it improves cognitive functions and boost brain power in canines.
In all, if you are into all-natural ingredients, and you want your basset to have healthy and lean muscles, then Now Fresh recipe is an excellent choice.
Information About Basset Hounds
- History – the basset hounds, first appear in the 1500s where revolutionary French used them for hunting. However, based on numerous claims, this breed probably originates from the St. Hubert Hound, which is an ancestor of the present-day Bloodhounds.
- Height – male: 14 inches tall, female: 13 inches
- Weight range – both 40-60 pounds
- Life span – 8-12 years
- Health – can develop bleeding disorders, bloating, cherry eye, elbow, and hip dysplasia, glaucoma, and panosteitis
- Personality – laid –backed, sharp-tempered, sociable, calm, alert, excellent watchdog
- Appearance – short legs and coat, droopy eyes, floppy ears, tend to appear sad, but quite active and cheerful
- Living habits – bassets require a firm hand in feeding because they tend to become obese. They are highly active and need to run every day. This breed demands company and are happiest when surrounded by family.
Common Health Problems
Eye Issues
There are several eye conditions which are known to affect basset hounds. The most common is glaucoma. It’s a degenerative disease which results in loss of vision.
It is characterized by an excessive accumulation of watery fluid in the eye. The early stage diagnosis involves:
- Eye sensitivity
- A headache – strange head manipulation
- Vomiting or nausea
- Blue halo will form around the iris
- Irregular walking and awareness
If you notice the initial symptoms, then you will be able to stop the progression.
Gastric Dilatation
Gastric Dilatation can be fatal to this breed. It usually happens when a dog takes too much air, his stomach swells and then rotates. This twist traps the air, food, and water in the gut. When this occurs, your pet will start to salivate excessively and try to vomit. You will notice elaborated breathing and visible swelling of the stomach.
That’s why time plays a crucial role. If you suspect your basset might be suffering from Gastric Dilatation take him to the vet immediately. Otherwise, he might die within 30 minutes.
Skin Allergies
Allergies are often connected to diet. Therefore, you should determine whether your pet is sensitive to certain types of food. You will notice excessive scratching and nibbling. Try to change his nutrition to eliminate these symptoms.
Bassets are prone to skin infections as well. The air is unable to breach the skin barrier, which allows bacteria to build up, causing inflammation. However, good hygiene and regular bathing can solve this issue.
Read our recommendation here: Hypoallergenic Foods for Dogs
Arthritis
Arthritis is quite common in bassets due to their shape. It can affect canines of all ages, and it doesn’t relate to mature dogs only. There are a couple of types, and the initial symptoms indicate:
- Lack of interest in walking and exercise
- Difficulty in rising and getting up
- Excessive sleeping
- Swollen joints
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
Von Willebrand’s Disease
Von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited bleeding disorder. In this case, blood vessels are damaged which causes prolonged bleeding from small or superficial wounds.
If you suspect similar symptoms in your pet, perform a blood test to determine whether you are dealing with this disorder.
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia often happens in basset hounds. It is caused by abnormal development of hip and elbow joints. The combination of environmental and genetic factors is known to trigger this disorder.
Symptoms:
- Staggering
- Discomfort while walking
- Hesitance to run and jump
- Pain
To prevent hip and elbow dysplasia, make sure to keep your pet’s weight in check and perform a regular exercise.
Hypothyroidism
Obesity in dogs causes many hypothyroid disorders. One of the conditions is hypothyroidism where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormone which controls metabolic processes. A simple blood test should confirm your suspicion.
Symptoms:
- Obesity
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
- Depression and lethargy
- Dry eyes
- Aggression of misbehavior
Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation or “slipped stifles” is a common problem in short canines. It happens when the patella isn’t correctly lined up. You will notice lameness in legs or increased gait.
Even though it’s not a life-threatening condition, it can lead to many severe disorders, such as arthritis, a degenerative joint disease.
Basset Hounds Feeding Guide
Nutrition & Diet
Water, protein, fats, carbs, minerals, and vitamins should satisfy the basic nutritional needs of your basset. As you may imagine, water is the most important substance of them all.
Considering that proteins build muscle, your pet requires an animal source protein. You can either choose meat, or eggs and dairy products. Compared to plants, it’s much higher in quality. It’s common for cheap food to skip on this ingredient, and have less animal protein.
Fat in one of the crucial components, considering it supplies your canine with energy and provides essential fatty addicts, necessary for healthy skin and coat.
Read our recommendation: Best High Protein Dog Food
Eating Habits
Since they are prone to obesity, basset hounds require a firm hand in feeding. Therefore, you have to shape their feeding habits, to prevent many health disorders. Owners can either resort to commercial dog food or prepare homemade meals.
However, with homemade meals, you may experience vitamin and mineral deficiency. If you choose popular canine nutrition, then make sure to pay attention to ingredients. Learn how to read labels because they will mainly affect your pet’s eating habits.
In most cases, bassets require two meals per day. On the other hand, it all depends on age, activity, and health conditions.
Each dog has individual requirements, so you should adjust diet towards his nutritious needs. In some cases, you may even consult your vet. He is the most competent person in this entire process, and with his advice, you won’t make a mistake.
Ingredients To Look For
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Protein
Meat, eggs, fish and dairy products fall into a category of proteins your basset requires. They have a role in building up the muscles, repairing cells, and keeping your pet skin and coat healthy. When shopping for dog food, make sure to check out the first several ingredients.
The first ingredient should be a meat protein. However, nowadays, a lot of brands use plant-based protein. While some of them are okay, you better focus on an animal source. They promote digestibility and efficient absorption.
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Fat
Your pet also requires high-quality fats. First of all, they are an excellent source of omega fatty acids, which stimulate healthy skin and a shiny coat. Additionally, fat has an impact on your pet’s energy levels.
If you feed him diet low in fast, then he will experience issues with physical activity. Compared to plant oils, animal bones are easily digested and quickly absorbed.
However, keep in mind that too much fat can cause diarrhea and sensitive tummy in some canines.
Read our recommendation: Best Dog Food for Diarrhea
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Vitamins
Vitamins are needed in small quantities for proper metabolic functions. Considering your pet’s body can produce them, they must be acquired through diet. Fortunately, a variety of commercial formulas feature these organic compounds.
When purchasing dog food, make sure it includes vitamins A, D, E, K, B, and C. They will boost your basset’s immune system and serve as antioxidants.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Omega fatty acids have numerous health benefits. Generally speaking, the omega-3 fatty acid is vital for skin and coat. You can either buy dog food rich in omega fatty acids or look for supplements.
However, the most convenient solution is to go for pet food.
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Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria which improve digestion and promote healthy GI tract. Additionally, they stimulate the immune system and keep the harmful bacteria at bay.
Same as humans, canines require probiotic intake. They break down the food and help with the absorption of nutrients. However, when purchasing dog food which contains probiotic, check for those which are specially developed to satisfy bassets needs.
Ingredients To Avoid
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Preservatives
This goes without saying. Any artificial preservative is linked to various health issues in humans and animals. For that reason, you should avoid nutrition containing chemicals. Health conscious brands use natural sweeteners to make food more appealing to canines.
That’s why your dog doesn’t need an artificial one.
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Artificial Additives
Somehow artificial additive has become an integral part of any food, not just dog nutrition. Unfortunately, millions of pet parents are putting the health of their canines at risk by feeding them food rich in additives and chemicals.
They can cause numerous health disorders such as allergies, which are further linked to bad behavior and hyperactivity. You should be aware of terms like meat and animal derivatives, and EC permitted additives. These phases cover around 4,000 chemicals, and only professionals can notice the difference.
How Much And How Often To Feed
It all depends on your basset’s activity. A product label can help you a lot and should be a starting point. Later you can make the adjustments based upon a dog’s individual needs.
The goal here is to maintain an ideal weight. During the routine vet visit, you can measure your pet and determine perfect weight. Keep in mind that basset hounds can become obese, so it’s essential to measure your four-legged friend periodically.
The feeding schedule should consist of two meals per day. However, this doesn’t apply to all dogs. For instance, if your pet is a couch potato, he will need fewer nutrients, than an active dog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Basset Hounds
How many calories does it need?
If your basset weight around 70 pounds, then he will require an average daily intake of 1740 calories. On the other hand, if canine has been neutered, or has stepped into mature years, then he will need less. It all depends on activity and their metabolic rate.
Is homemade food recommended for them?
This is a common problem many pet owners face. Homemade diet includes cooked meat and veggies. However, this is not the same as feeding your pet with table scraps.
While they are many who support this type of food, it doesn’t necessarily have to be good. You can combine the ingredients your pet loves the most. But, be prepared for additional supplementation!
The home cooked diet can’t provide your furry companion with enough vitamins and minerals.
What is the best treat brand for fat and overweight dogs?
There are a lot of brands out there who are focusing on obese canines. For that reason, it’s challenging to pick one, considering they all promise the same results: weight management.
Yet, one brand has managed to capture our attention. Zuke’s low-calorie food range will balance your pet’s weight and further promote his health.
Is raw food diet safe for them?
While there is a broad scope of benefits for canines who have switched to raw food diet, many pet parents are still skeptical regarding this nutrition. The truth is, almost any dog can eat unprocessed food as long as he doesn’t exhibit any health issues.
Some of them require special nutrition, so before opting for this type of food, make sure to consult your vet.
Read our recommendation for: Best Raw Dog Foods
Conclusion
Contrary to their sad and depressed faces, basset hounds are fun and playful dogs. They can be an excellent addition to any home, considering they thrive on love and support.
Don’t be fooled by their slow appearance. Bassets are exceptional hunters and have an extraordinary sense of smell. For that reason, this breed is often used in hunting.
They are quite energetic and highly trainable!
To replenish all that energy, bassets have a hearty appetite, so you’ll have to pay attention to their eating habits. Choose food that your pet loves, not because it’s a famous brand.
References:
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