Best Food for a Basset Hounds: Top Picks 2024

Basset Hounds are super special, not just because of how they look, but also because of what’s inside them. Their bodies work a bit differently than some other dog breeds.

For instance, because of their longer backs, they might have some issues if they get too heavy. It’s super important to make sure they don’t eat too much and gain extra weight. Their distinct body shape means that they need a balanced diet to keep them active and jolly.

Picking the best food for Basset Hound can feel like a big puzzle. If you’re like many Basset Hound owners, you might wonder: “Is it okay for my dog to eat grains?“, “How much meat should be in their food?“, or “What if my dog is allergic to something?“. 

With their droopy ears and short legs, this breed needs special food to stay healthy and strong. So, finding the right food isn’t just about taste—it’s about making sure they live a long.

Don’t worry! This guide is like a treasure map to the best food for your Basset Hound. Let’s discover together what makes a meal perfect for your furry friend.

How to Choose the Best Food for Basset Hounds?

1. Ingredients & Nutrition

When looking at dog food labels, always check the ingredients list first. Top-quality food will have real meat, vegetables, and whole grains listed as the main ingredients. Avoid foods that start with “by-products” or have lots of artificial colors or preservatives.

• Premium Proteins

Basset Hounds thrive on good quality proteins. Look for dog food that lists real meats like chicken, beef, fish, or lamb as the first ingredient. These proteins support muscle growth and overall health. Steer clear of vague terms like “meat meal” without specifying the type of meat.

• Good Fats

Fats are essential for this breed, as they provide energy and keep their skin and coat healthy. Search for foods containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Ingredients like fish oil or flaxseed are great sources of these essential fats.

2. Beneficial Carbs

Carbohydrates provide energy. However, it’s crucial to pick the right carbs. Whole grains like brown rice, barley, and quinoa are excellent choices.

They release energy slowly, keeping your Basset Hound active and full of energy for longer. Avoid foods with filler ingredients like corn syrup, which can cause unhealthy weight gain.

3. Food Types

There are different types of dog food available – dry kibble, wet food, raw, and homemade. Each has its benefits. For example, kibble can help keep teeth clean, while wet food is more hydrating. It’s essential to find out which type your Basset Hound prefers and which meets their nutritional needs best.

4. Allergies and Reactions

Some Basset Hounds can develop food allergies or sensitivities. If your dog starts scratching more than usual, losing hair, or has digestive problems after switching foods, they might be reacting to an ingredient. In such cases, consult a vet and consider hypoallergenic dog food options.

5. Every Dog is Different

Lastly, remember that every Basset Hound is unique. What works for one might not work for another. It’s crucial to monitor your dog’s health, weight, and energy levels and adjust their diet as needed.

Always be willing to experiment a little and consult with your vet to find the perfect diet for your furry friend.

What to Look When Choosing Food for Your Bassed Hounds?

With its endearing physique and lively nature, this breed has specific dietary needs to ensure they remain healthy and vibrant.

A well-rounded diet should emphasize:

• Protein: This should be the cornerstone of your Basset’s diet. High-quality proteins like chicken, lamb, beef, or fish help maintain muscle tone and overall vitality. For an adult Basset Hound, protein should make up about 18-25% of their diet.

• Fat: Despite their laid-back appearance, Bassets are energetic and require good fats to support this energy. Fats should make up about 10-15% of their diet. Seek out sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, essential for a shiny coat and healthy skin.

• Carbohydrates: Beneficial carbs provide the energy needed for their playful bursts. Opt for whole grains and complex carbohydrates, which offer sustained energy and support digestion.

• Specific Health Concerns: When selecting food for your puppy, it’s crucial to consider their unique health predispositions. Bassets can be prone to obesity due to their body structure and love for food.
  Thus, monitoring calorie intake and ensuring the food supports a healthy weight is paramount.
  They can also suffer from joint issues; foods fortified with glucosamine or chondroitin can be beneficial in such cases.
  If your Basset has a history of allergies or food sensitivities, hypoallergenic or grain-free diets might be a good option to explore.

• Reading Labels: Beyond the Fancy Packaging: Don’t be swayed by attractive packaging or enticing marketing claims. The real information lies in the ingredient list. Prioritize foods where high-quality protein sources are listed first.
  Be vigilant and avoid common fillers like corn, wheat gluten, and meat by-products, which offer little nutritional value.
  Additionally, steer clear of artificial additives, colors, and preservatives, as they can lead to allergies or other health issues in the long run.

Top 10 Best Food for Basset Hound in This Year

Discover the top 10 best foods for your Basset Hound this year! From Hill’s Science Diet for healthy development to Castor & Pollux ORGANIX for a holistic, organic approach, find the perfect nourishment for your furry friend.

1. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food

Features

• High-Quality Protein: Made with real chicken, this food promotes healthy muscle growth and strength in young dogs.

• Balanced Nutrition: Enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, this blend supports your puppy’s immune system and ensures optimal development during their early life stages.

• Digestive Health: With natural fibers, it aids in keeping your puppy’s digestive system running smoothly.

• Omega Fatty Acids: The inclusion of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids ensures a shiny coat and healthy skin for your growing pup.

Additional Benefits

• Veterinarian-Recommended: The brand has a strong reputation, and many vets recommend it, which speaks volumes about its quality and nutritional value.

• No Artificial Additives: This food is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, making it a safe choice for your young canine companion.

• Brain Development: The inclusion of DHA from fish oil aids in cognitive development, ensuring your puppy has a great foundation for training and learning.

Reasons to Buy

Purchasing this food ensures that your puppy gets a head start in life with balanced nutrition. Its small kibble size is perfect for puppies that might find larger chunks challenging.

Given that it’s from Hill’s Science Diet—a trusted name in pet nutrition—you can be confident in your choice to support your puppy’s health and growth.

2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Puppy Food

Features

• Grain-Free Formula: Designed to mimic a puppy’s ancestral diet, this food is entirely grain-free, minimizing the risk of grain-related allergies or sensitivities.

• High-Protein Content: As the name suggests, this variant of Blue Buffalo puts a premium on protein, using real chicken to ensure your puppy has the building blocks for strong muscle development.

• LifeSource Bits: Unique to Blue Buffalo, this food incorporates LifeSource Bits, a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, cold-formed to preserve their potency and specifically chosen by veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support a puppy’s immune health and overall well-being.

• Balanced Omega Fatty Acids: To promote a shiny coat and healthy skin, the product is enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Additional Benefits

• Natural Ingredients: Crafted from the finest natural ingredients, it includes no poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

• Supports Cognitive Development: With the inclusion of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid naturally found in mother’s milk, it helps support cognitive development and retinal function.

• Bone and Teeth Health: The optimal blend of calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins ensures robust bone and teeth development.

Reasons to Buy

When you invest in Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Puppy Food, you’re opting for a holistic, high-quality diet that mirrors what dogs would naturally consume in the wild.

The brand’s commitment to natural ingredients, combined with the assurance of no fillers or harmful additives, makes this an excellent choice for those wanting the best for their puppies.

3. Royal Canin Dry Dog Puppy Food

Features

• Tailored Nutrition: Royal Canin offers breed-specific formulations, ensuring that each puppy receives nutrition that’s precisely right for their breed’s unique needs.

• Digestive Support: Recognizing the sensitivity of a puppy’s stomach, this food is designed to be easily digestible, thanks to a combination of high-quality proteins and a balanced fiber blend.

• Immune System Boost: The product is enriched with antioxidants and vitamins that specifically support a puppy’s developing immune system during these foundational months.

• Joint and Bone Health: Considering the rapid growth of puppies, the food contains an optimal blend of calcium and phosphorus to support healthy bones and joints.

Additional Benefits

• Scientific Approach: Royal Canin invests heavily in research, ensuring that each formula they produce is based on scientific findings and provides the best nutrition possible.
• Palatability: Their puppy food is known for its taste, making mealtime a treat for even the pickiest of eaters.

• Kibble Design: The unique shape, size, and texture of the kibble are adapted for puppies, encouraging proper chewing and aiding in dental health.

Reasons to Buy

Choosing Royal Canin Dry Dog Puppy Food is an endorsement of quality and science-backed nutrition. Their breed-specific approach ensures that you’re getting a formula tailored to your puppy’s exact needs, eliminating much of the guesswork in puppy nutrition.

With decades of research and countless testimonials, it’s a trusted brand for many puppy parents.

4. Wellness Complete Health Just for Puppy Canned Dog Food

Features

• Natural Ingredients: Crafted using premium, all-natural ingredients, it ensures a wholesome meal for your pup every time.

• Protein-Rich: Contains high-quality proteins like chicken and salmon to cater to the rapid growth and muscle development needs of puppies.

• DHA-Rich: Enriched with DHA for brain and eye development, it replicates the beneficial component found in mother’s milk.

• Complete Nutrition: As the name suggests, this food offers a well-rounded diet, incorporating all essential nutrients tailored for a puppy’s growth and overall well-being.

• Grain-Free Option: Perfect for puppy parents looking to avoid common allergens in their pet’s diet.

Additional Benefits

• Hydration: Being a canned food, it naturally has a higher moisture content, ensuring puppies stay hydrated.

• Taste: The rich, meaty flavor of the canned food is often a favorite among puppies, making meal times easier, especially for picky eaters.

• No Harmful Additives: Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, guaranteeing a safe meal every time.

Reasons to Buy

If you’re looking for a combination of taste, hydration, and nutrition for your puppy, this Wellness product is hard to beat. The brand’s commitment to natural, high-quality ingredients and the evident science-backed nutritional benefits make it a trustworthy choice for puppy parents wanting the best for their little ones.

5. Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Puppy Grain-Free Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food

Features

• Nulo’s Freestyle Limited+ Puppy Grain-Free Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food brings a uniquely crafted formulation to the puppy food market

• Single Animal Protein Source: Using only turkey as its primary protein source, this ensures a minimal ingredient approach, reducing the chance of potential allergens.

• Grain-Free Catering to pups with sensitive stomachs, the lack of grains eliminates common allergens often found in other foods.

• Patented BC30 Probiotic: Supports a healthy gut and aids in digestion, ensuring optimal nutrient absorption.

• Rich in Omega Fatty Acids: This promotes a shiny coat, healthy skin, and overall well-being of the puppy.
• No Artificial Ingredients: Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, guaranteeing a natural meal every time.

Additional Benefits 

• Limited Ingredients: This approach can significantly benefit puppies with sensitive stomachs or those prone to allergies.

• High-Quality Protein: The use of real turkey ensures that the puppy is getting a protein-rich diet, essential for growth and muscle development.

• Supports Immune Health: The addition of the patented BC30 Probiotic not only aids in digestion but also bolsters the pup’s immune system.

Reasons to Buy

If you’re a pet parent who prioritizes a grain-free, limited ingredient diet for your young canine, Nulo’s offering is one to seriously consider. The brand’s focus on high-quality, natural ingredients coupled with the power of probiotics makes it an appealing choice for those aiming to provide optimal nutrition for their pets.

6. Nutrisource Grain Free (Turkey) Small Medium Puppy Food

Features

• High-Quality Protein: The primary ingredient is real turkey, providing puppies with the necessary proteins to support muscle growth and overall health.

• Grain-Free: Perfect for puppies with sensitive stomachs or allergies, this formula eliminates common grains that can often cause dietary reactions.

• Rich in Omega Fatty Acids: These support healthy skin, a shiny coat, and overall well-being of the puppy.

• Balanced Nutrition: The formulation ensures that all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are present for a balanced diet.

• No Artificial Additives: Puppies get a natural meal every time, free from any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Additional Benefits

• Digestibility: Its formulation is designed to be easily digestible, ensuring optimal nutrient absorption and lesser gastrointestinal issues.

• Supports Immune System: With a rich blend of antioxidants, this food aids in building a strong immune response in puppies.

• Tailored Kibble Size: Specifically designed for small to medium breeds, the kibble size is appropriate, promoting better chewing and digestion.

Reasons to Buy

Nutrisource’s dedication to natural, high-quality ingredients makes this product a top pick for puppy parents. The grain-free formulation, coupled with real turkey as the protein source, ensures that your pup receives nutrition that’s both wholesome and beneficial for growth.

Moreover, its attention to digestibility and immune support sets it apart from many other products in the market.

7.  American Journey Puppy Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Features

• High-Quality Lamb: Lamb, known for being a protein-rich source, serves as the primary ingredient, promoting muscle growth and providing energy.

• Grain-Free Formula: Sweet potatoes replace traditional grain sources, making this ideal for pups with grain sensitivities or allergies.

• Fruits and Vegetables: It’s not just about proteins; the food includes blueberries and carrots that deliver essential vitamins and antioxidants.

• Omega Fatty Acids: These come from sources like flaxseed and salmon oil, promoting a shiny coat and healthy skin.

• No Harmful Additives: The brand steers clear of corn, soy, and wheat, and there are no artificial preservatives or colors.

Additional Benefits

• Nutritional Wholeness: Beyond just the main ingredients, the inclusion of DHA supports brain and eye development, crucial for growing pups.
• High Fiber Content: With chickpeas and sweet potatoes, the food ensures better digestion and consistent energy release.

• Taste: The blend of lamb and sweet potato often appeals to many puppies, making meal times smooth and fuss-free.

Reasons to Buy

If you’re looking for a food that prioritizes natural ingredients, grain-free formulation, and a blend of protein and fiber for your growing pup, this American Journey product is hard to overlook. Its detailed attention to not only muscle growth but also cognitive development and digestive health makes it a comprehensive food choice.

8.  Merrick Grain Free Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Puppy Food

Features

• Top-Grade Beef: The primary ingredient is genuine Texas beef, providing puppies with a rich protein source that supports muscle development and sustained energy.

• Grain-Free Nutrients: With the absence of grains, sweet potatoes are utilized as a carbohydrate source, making it a suitable option for puppies with grain sensitivities.

• Loaded with Fruits & Veggies: Blueberries, apples, and peas are just a few of the wholesome inclusions that offer essential vitamins and antioxidants.

• Omega Fatty Acids: Derived from salmon oil and flaxseed, these essential fatty acids promote a glossy coat and skin health.
• Free from Fillers: There’s no presence of corn, soy, or wheat, and the formula steers clear of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Additional Benefits 

• Locally Sourced Ingredients: Many of the ingredients, especially the beef, are sourced from local trusted farmers, ensuring freshness and quality.

• Joint Support: Glucosamine and chondroitin are added to the mix, essential for joint health and mobility, especially beneficial as puppies grow.

• Taste Factor: The rich beef flavor combined with sweet potato is often a hit among puppies, ensuring they look forward to mealtime.

Reasons to Buy

Merrick’s dedication to quality, natural ingredients combined with the health benefits packed into every bite make this product a must-try for puppy parents. From joint health to skin and coat benefits, it covers many bases, making it a comprehensive choice for puppy nutrition.

9. Solid Gold Love At First Bark Puppy Grain-Free Chicken, Potato & Apple Dry Dog Food

Features

1. High-Quality Chicken: Real chicken is the main ingredient, supplying ample protein to support a puppy’s muscle growth and overall energy requirements.

2. Grain-Free Composition: Using potatoes as a primary carbohydrate source, this formula is designed to meet the energy needs of puppies without using grains, catering to those with sensitivities.

3. Nutritious Fruits: The inclusion of apples provides natural sweetness, fiber, and essential vitamins, enhancing the nutritional profile.

4. Holistic Approach: It integrates 20 superfoods like cranberries, blueberries, and almond oil, adding to the overall wellness quotient of the food.

5. No Additives: The formula steers clear of artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors, focusing on genuine ingredients for purity and health.

Additional Benefits

• Digestive Health Prominence: The presence of living probiotics, combined with fiber-rich ingredients, ensures optimal gut health and smooth digestion.
• Taste Appeal: The trio of chicken, potato, and apple not only provides nutrition but also a taste that many puppies find irresistible.

• Comprehensive Nutrition: With a focus on whole-body health, the food promotes optimal growth, cognitive development, and a robust immune system.

Reasons to Buy

For those seeking a holistic approach to puppy nutrition that integrates taste, health benefits, and high-quality sourcing, Solid Gold’s offering is hard to overlook. The brand’s attention to detail, from muscle health to digestion, positions it as a premium choice for puppies.

10. Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Puppy Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Features

• Organic Ingredients: Emphasis on 100% certified organic ingredients ensures purity and nutritional integrity.

• Grain-Free: Designed to cater to puppies with grain sensitivities, this formula eliminates common grains, opting instead for alternative carbohydrate sources.

• Quality Protein: The primary protein source is organic free-range chicken, supporting muscle growth and providing the energy puppies require.

• Enhanced with Superfoods: Ingredients such as organic flaxseed and organic blueberries bring essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

• No Synthetic Additives: This puppy food is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Additional Benefits

• Certified Organic: Among the few dog foods that prioritize certified organic ingredients, ensuring no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.

• Cooked in the USA: Ensuring quality and safety standards, the food is crafted in organically certified kitchens in the USA.

• Omega-Rich: The blend of organic flaxseed and coconut oil promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Reasons to Buy

Choosing Castor & Pollux’s ORGANIX is not just about feeding your puppy; it’s about investing in a holistic health journey. The focus on organic ingredients, combined with a grain-free formula, addresses both short-term palatability and long-term wellness goals.

Best Picks

Best Food for a Basset Hounds – Champion

When it comes to the pinnacle of nutrition and quality, the champion title goes to the brands that offer a seamless blend of premium ingredients tailored specifically for Basset Hounds. These foods not only promote overall health but also cater to the unique needs of this breed, ensuring they grow strong, active, and happy.

Best Food for a Basset Hounds – Runners up

The runners up aren’t far behind the champions. They boast of commendable ingredient lists and offer substantial health benefits. While they might miss the champion mark by a tiny margin, they still promise a nutritious meal that any Basset Hound would relish.

Wrapping Up

Finding the perfect food for your Basset Hound isn’t always easy, but it’s crucial for their health and happiness.

This 2024 guide of best food for Basset Hound has laid out top options to consider. Always remember, it’s not just about filling their bowl, but nourishing their heart and soul.

Let’s make every mealtime a treat for our loyal companions. Cheers to happy tails and even happier tummies!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)