How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Bloodhound Puppies
The Bloodhound puppy is a charming and clumsy ball of fun. A breed with ancient origins, it is believed this pup traces its roots back as far as the 1st century when it was used in hunts for wild boar, rabbits, and more.
In possession of an extremely powerful sense of smell, the Bloodhound puppy’s olfactory capacity is up to 100,000 times more powerful than our own. Experts agree that this breed can track a scent for up to 130 miles. Its scent detection capabilities are so accurate that they are legally admissible as evidence in court.
A true scenthound, the Bloodhound follows its nose every opportunity it gets. A highly active breed, the Bloodhound puppy will not be content as a couch potato, requiring regular and vigorous exercise each day. In possession of a high prey drive, the Bloodhound pup requires a securely fenced yard to remain safe and on its property and does not do well in an apartment.
A dog breed of great intelligence, the Bloodhound puppy can learn but isn’t all that excited about it. This breed is renowned for being exceptionally stubborn, making training a difficult task. This is a trait that is common to many hound breeds, but particularly to those driven by their nose.
Gentle natured, sweet, and patient, the Bloodhound puppy is a natural with children. Loving with family and strangers alike, the Bloodhound even as a puppy prefers the highly active lifestyle.
All breeds are predisposed to some health problems, and the Bloodhound puppy is no exception. Among the problems that can befall the busy and affectionate Bloodhound pup are eye issues, hip and elbow dysplasia, and fold dermatitis. Experts recommend a food that provides support for eye, joint, and skin health to help prevent these issues from occurring or from exacerbating symptoms if already present.
The best dog foods for Bloodhound puppies contain a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. As a large breed pup, the Bloodhound will not reach full maturity until nearly three years of age. For this reason, this pup should be fed a large breed puppy food until it reaches one year old or approximately 75 percent of its adult size. At this time, the pup should be transitioned to an appropriate adult diet.
The Bloodhound pup requires a diet with the ideal proportions of calcium to phosphorus to promote a healthy rate of bone growth. This is rated as 1.2 parts of calcium for each included unit of phosphorus.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Bloodhound Puppies
Determining how much of a diet to feed a pup can take some trial and error. The best dog foods for Bloodhound puppies list suggested serving sizes based on age and weight that owners can use to get them started. These measurements can be gradually increased or decreased as needed until the correct portion is found.
Bloodhound puppies can be predisposed to developing a life threatening condition known as bloat. It is not known what factors must combine to produce bloat, it is generally accepted that eating too much and too rapidly may be contributors. Feeding a large breed puppy food can help thwart these problems.
Though the Bloodhound puppy is not prone to becoming overweight, free feeding this pup is still strongly discouraged. For best results, all food should be measured and all intake monitored.
Dietary Requirements for Bloodhound Puppy Foods
Bloodhound puppies are highly active, and thus, need high quality daily fuel to thrive. The best dog foods for Bloodhound puppies take a lean, meat-based protein as their primary ingredient. Whole meats or meat meals offer the best foundation. By-products and plant-based proteins are difficult for pups to digest and are often common allergens for many dogs and should be avoided as a result.
Carbohydrates contribute the antioxidants and dietary fiber the Bloodhound puppy needs to enjoy excellent digestion and a strong immune system. These carbohydrates can come from fruits, vegetables, or a combination of the three. Bloodhound puppies with food sensitivities may do best on a grain-free diet.
From healthy fats, the Bloodhound puppy gains support for optimal eye and brain development, assistance with ideal coat and skin health, and fuel for potent reserves of energy. The ideal sources for these fats are animal-based and include such foods as chicken fat and oily fish. Other excellent sources of essential fatty acids vital to the Bloodhound puppy’s health and development are the plant-based oils canola, coconut, and safflower.
Supplements help a diet to work its most effectively. The most beneficial supplements for the Bloodhound puppy are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Bloodhound Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Bloodhound puppy:
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Lean, meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The best dog foods for the Bloodhound puppy list a lean, meat-based protein as their foundational ingredient. Whole meats and meat meals are considered the ideal options.
Though often used in commercially prepared dog diets, by-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat are not of sufficient nutritional quality to meet the Bloodhound puppy’s needs. Diets containing them are best avoided.
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Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
All items introduced into a food formulation should add nutritional value. Chemicals, flavorings, fillers, and mystery ingredients do not contribute anything positive to a Bloodhound puppy’s diet. In fact, many of these ingredients can be the cause of allergy issues in the Bloodhound pup.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
All diets can benefit from the addition of beneficial supplements to help their nutrition to work its most effectively. The ideal supplements to look for in a food for the Bloodhound puppy are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
The AAFCO seal approval should accompany any food considered for the Bloodhound puppy. This designation indicates a food has been assessed and found to be complete and properly balanced.