Are you a first-time Basset Hound owner who wants to give the best possible life to your pet? Are you trying to learn everything you can about this breed and also how often can a Basset hound eat? Did you know that you can break up your Bassets eating into a few meals a day and coincide with your meals so you don’t spend extra time in the kitchen?
I did a little research and came up with some valuable information that you might want to read.
How Often Can a Basset Hound Eat?
Basset Hounds should be fed 2-3 times a day, depending on their age. A puppy Basset Hound can eat three meals per day, split into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An adult Basset Hound can eat one meal per day, but many owners choose to split that meal into breakfast and dinner.
It is important to feed your Basset Hound properly. Many factors come into play when it comes to feeding. I am talking about determining the kind of food to feed your Basset, how often to feed your Basset, and how much should he eat. You should read my article about Age-Appropriate Feeding where I go into detail about how much should you feed your Basset depending on his age.
Basset Hounds are a breed of dogs that are known for having a lot of health issues. Many of those health issues are associated with their weight. That’s why it’s super important to feed your Basset Hound with the right food and the right amount of food.
Because of their health issues, Basset hounds are given for adoption more than any other type of breed. But, if you take care of your Basset the proper way, he will avoid many of those health issues.
If your Basset is younger than four months, he should eat three times per day. After four months of age, you can feed your Basset hound twice per day.
Many Basset Hound owners switch from two meals per day to one meal per day when their Basset reaches one year of age. You can split that one meal into two smaller ones, breakfast and dinner. This does not include the treats throughout the day. Just keep a watch on your Basset’s weight and don’t let him get overweight.
How Many Cups Of Food Should I Feed My Basset Hound?
If your Basset Hound puppy is eight to twelve weeks of age, he should get four meals per day and 1/3 cup of food (50-65 grams of food). A 3-6 month-old Basset should eat three meals per day and 1/2 cups of food (75-100 grams of food). When your Basset is 6-12 months old, he should eat two meals per day and 1 1/2 cups of food (130-180 grams of food). An adult Basset hound should eat one meal per day and 2 cups of food (230-305g).
Basset hound puppies need more food because they grow and develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. Basset Hound puppies will reach grow the most in the first 12 to 24 months and they will reach 90% of their adult size. Until they reach adulthood, they will go through many stages and the number of cups of food will change as they grow.
Older Basset Hounds need to have a consistent and stable diet, and you should only change the amount of food due to health issues. I said consistent and stable diet because how much they eat can tell you how they feel and when they get sick. If your Basset Hound has been eating the same amount of food for years and suddenly he stops, he might be having some health issues and you should call your veterinarian.
What Human Food Can Basset Hounds Eat?
There are some human foods that your Basset hound can eat. You should feed your Basset hound with human foods only as treats during training or when you just want to reward them.
- Protein – Cooked salmon, hard-boiled eggs
- Dairy – Yogurt is the only product that you can feed your Basset with.
- Peanut Butter – Xylitol free (very important)
- Rice Cake and Popcorn – sugar-free, salt-free, additives-free.
- Fruits and Vegetables – Watermelon, apple, bananas, carrot, berries, pumpkin, green beans, sweet potato.
Like I said before, do not feed your Basset Hound with human foods every day. Instead, use the approved human foods only as treats during training or simply because I love you moments.
Does Age or Health Affect How Often I Should Feed My Basset Hound?
Yes, your Basset’s age and health affect how much and how often you should feed your Basset hound. As your dog reaches a certain stage of life, many challenges and advantages arise.
During puppyhood, your Basset hound needs more calories because they engage in playtime, training, and growth. During adulthood, your Basset hound will become more ”lazy”. He won’t be spending a lot of time playing or running around. If you continue to feed your adult dog as much as your puppy, he will become overweight very fast.
Then, when your Basset hound reaches seniority, he will become unhealthy and their diet will fluctuate. Their metabolism slows as they age and their body manages food differently.
You should always pay close attention to your Basset’s eating and react if there are any changes. Each Basset is unique and what might happen to one Basset, doesn’t mean that it will happen to another.
Final Thoughts
Feeding your Basset Hound the right amount of food at the right times is very important for its health and well-being. Bassets love eating and lack of food might not only affect them physically but mentally too.
Have a long talk with your veterinarian and write things down. Don’t hesitate to call your vet if you have any questions. Bassets can be hard to care for, especially if you are a first-time owner. It’s up to you to give your the best life possible for your dog.
