Updated: July 30, 2021
In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for Basset Hounds.
We’ve compared quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money
to give you our top recommendations below.
Breed Advisor only recommends products that we’ve tested, or significantly researched . This page contains affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission for the site. Find out more here.
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Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free is a food that delivers big on both nutrition and value for each family’s dog food dollar. Considered to be one of the best dog foods for Basset Hounds, Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free bases its recipe on novel proteins such as buffalo and lamb meal. Both of these meats offer ample servings of amino acids to support healthy muscles and are easy on the Basset Hound’s digestive system.
A high protein diet, Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free makes fruits and vegetables the basis of its carbohydrate content. Each was selected from its abundance of antioxidants and fiber to support a healthy immune system and fluid digestion. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are present in sufficient quantities to encourage excellent coat and skin health.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free is made without any grains, corn, wheat, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. A probiotic has been added to assist with gut health and fluid digestive processing.
Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free is a premium diet that meets all of the nutritional needs of the Basset Hound. A diet that places a high emphasis on easily digestible meats, deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal are the primary ingredients in this food. Both freeze-dried pieces of meat and kibble are found in this food, increasing its flavor and palatability. This makes this diet an excellent choice for picky eaters.
Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free, one of the best dog foods for Basset Hounds, contains no grains or gluten.
For a diet that delivers big on nutrition and value, it’s hard to go wrong with American Journey Chicken and Sweet Potato. Consistently rated among the best dog foods for Basset Hounds, this grain-free recipe also contains no corn, wheat or soy, making it an excellent choice for dogs with sensitivities to common food allergens.
A diet that prioritizes the use of fruits and vegetables as its carbohydrates, American Journey Chicken and Sweet Potato contains many superfoods to boost a dog’s immunity including blueberries, kelp, and sweet potatoes. Healthy fats are found in the addition of both flaxseed and salmon oil, two ingredients that support coat and skin health and fuel the Basset Hound’s energy reserves.
For families looking for something a little different to feed their Basset Hound, Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw might offer all the change they are looking for. A freeze-dried raw diet, Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw is a meat-rich formulation. It has only one protein in its recipe: chicken which is included with ground bone and organ meats to increase its nutrient value.
Carbohydrates in this diet, rated as one of the best dog foods for Basset Hounds, are derived from antioxidant and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
Merrick Grain-Free Adult is a top quality diet that has been specifically formulated to help meet the Basset Hound’s nutritional needs. This diet takes beef as its main ingredient, an amino acid rich protein that is reinforced by the addition of lamb meal and salmon meal. This emphasis on exceptional meat-based proteins ensures ample amounts of essential fatty acids to support coat and skin health and strong reserves of energy.
A grain-free food, Merrick Grain-Free Adult is consistently rated among the best dog foods for Basset Hounds. It has been fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin to encourage healthy joint functionality in dogs.
With his long ears and droopy jowls, the gentle natured Basset Hound is a breed that is much loved throughout the world. A dog that has become synonymous with the famous shoe brand Hush Puppy, this stocky little pooch carries itself with dignity and grace and is highly prized for its hunting prowess.
The Basset Hound traces its roots to France. Its name is derived from the French term “bas,” a reference to this dog’s short stature. The breed is well muscled and strong. Though it moves with its own distinctive lumber, the Basset Hound has excellent stamina and is very strong.
Basset Hounds are considered to be scent hounds. Their lengthy ears serve an important purpose in helping them fulfil their jobs by wafting scents from the ground up towards their noses. A typical hound, the Basset moves with its nose to the ground as often as possible. They can be very difficult to train as they are prone to being stubborn by nature.
The Basset Hound does not require much daily exercise to remain mentally and physically satisfied. However, this sweet natured, loving breed loves to eat and gains weight very easily. To help maintain a healthy body condition, the Basset Hound should never be free fed.
The Basset Hound is gentle and affectionate. Not prone to having large amounts of energy, this breed is often described as lazy. The Basset Hound bonds deeply to its family and is well renowned for its faithful, friendly nature.
The best dog foods for Basset Hounds have a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Selecting the right food for a Basset Hound is only slightly harder than figuring out precisely how much of it to feed a dog. The best dog foods for Basset Hounds have suggested serving sizes printed on their packaging. These are an excellent starting point for owners. The best course of action is to adjust the amount of food given to reflect the dog’s activity, appetite, weight, and age until the correct portion is found.
All food given to the Basset Hound should be carefully measured. Since this breed is prone to obesity, owners should take care to monitor all intake as well.
Basset Hounds, like all dogs, are carnivores and thus require a diet with meat as its primary ingredient in order to thrive. The best dog foods for Basset Hounds include whole meats or meat meals as the basis of their formulation. By-products are comprised of undesirable parts of an animal that are not deemed worthy of human consumption. These are not optimal for the Basset Hound and should be avoided.
Plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are common allergens for many dogs. Since Basset Hounds can suffer from skin sensitivities, foods containing these ingredients are best left on the shelf. Other ingredients to avoid include chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors.
No well-balanced diet would be complete without carbohydrates. These can come from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. Of primary importance in any carbohydrate included in a diet for the Basset Hound is its antioxidant and fiber content as these nutrients support excellent digestion and a healthy immune system. For Basset Hounds with food-related allergies, a grain-free diet may be preferable.
Healthy fats are the stepping stones that help the Basset Hound to enjoy coat and skin health as well as strong reserves of energy. The best sources for these items are animal based and include such foods as chicken fat and oily fish. Plant-based oils such as safflower and canola also offer ample servings of these vital nutrients.
Supplements can help a food to be more effective for the Basset Hound. The most beneficial supplements to look for in a diet for this breed include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Basset Hound:
The best dog foods for Basset Hounds list a lean meat as their first ingredient. Whole meats or meat meals are the best option. By-products and plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are inferior in quality and should be avoided.
The most nutritionally complete foods for Basset Hounds are comprised of ingredients that are easily recognizable to most dog owners. The addition of chemicals, colors, or fillers provide no nutritional value to the Basset Hound and can trigger an allergic reaction. Avoid foods containing one or more of these items.
Supplements can help boost the nutrients found within a diet to provide the Basset Hound with additional nutritional benefits. The ideal supplements to look for include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
As a baseline measure of quality, any food selected for a Basset Hound should bear the AAFCO seal of approval as indication the food is properly balanced and appropriate to meet the dog’s basic nutritional needs.
