Best Dog Food for Basset Hounds

Karan French

By

Karan French
Karan French

Karan French

Senior Researcher

Karan is a senior researcher at the Dog Food Advisor, working closely with our in-house pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, to give pet parents all the information they need to find the best food for their dog.

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Updated: September 5, 2024

Verified by Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Pet Nutritionist

Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.

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Laura Ward

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What’s the best dog food for Basset Hounds?

Basset Hounds are prone to obesity due to their low activity levels and tendency to overeat, so it’s important to select a dog food that is formulated to meet their specific energy requirements without overloading them with excessive calories.

Consider a formula labeled for “less active” or “weight management” if your Basset Hound is overweight or prone to weight gain.

Basset Hounds are susceptible to joint problems, including hip dysplasia ar can help support joint health and mobility.

This dog breed may also be prone to digestive issues, including bloating and gas. Choose a dog food that contains easily digestible ingredients, such as high-quality proteins and fibers. Avoid foods with excessive fillers or artificial additives that can contribute to digestive upset.

As always, ensure that the dog food you choose provides a balanced mix of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Opt for a dog food that lists high-quality animal-based proteins as the main ingredients, such as chicken, turkey, or fish. These proteins provide essential amino acids for muscle development and maintenance.

Basset Hounds may have food sensitivities or allergies, so be mindful of potential allergens in their food. If your Basset Hound exhibits signs of allergies or digestive issues, consult with your veterinarian to identify potential triggers and consider a limited ingredient diet or specialized formulas.

Below, you can see our recommendations of the best foods for Basset Hounds, which we hope will help you choose the right food for your pet.

You’ll also learn the answer to each of the most frequently asked questions we get about Basset Hounds.

The Dog Food Advisor - Editor's choice

Best Dog Food for Basset Hounds October 2024

Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for Basset Hounds for October 2024.

  • 1. Acana

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    Light and Fit Formula is one of six dry recipes included in our review of the Acana Dry product line.

    Acana Light and Fit Formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37.5% protein, 11.4% fat and 43.1% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.

    Read our review of the full Acana Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, whole red lentils
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 37.5
    AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance
    Best For Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "My dogs loved this food! They enjoyed the flavor very much. This food is perfect if your dog is looking to shed a few pounds. This is easy on the stomach. They are perfect sized bites too."

    Read more buyer reviews at Acana.com
  • 2. Wellness

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    Reduced Fat Formula is one of 12 dry recipes included in our review of the Wellness Core product line.

    Wellness Core Reduced Fat Formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36.7% protein, 11.1% fat and 44.2% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.

    Read our review of the full Wellness Core Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned turkey, turkey meal (source of glucosamine), chicken meal (source of chondroitin sulfate), lentils, peas
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 36.7
    AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance
    Best For Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "We have always been “Wellness Core” fans, but when our vet told us that our Basset hound needed to go on a diet, the switch within the brand was easy. High in protein and low in filler, this was the perfect product for our older pup who is starting to become less active."

    Read more buyer reviews at WellnessPetFood.com
  • 3. Orijen

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    Orijen Fit & Trim is one of nine dry recipes included in our review of the Orijen product line.

    Orijen Fit & Trim derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 47.7% protein, 14.8% fat and 29.5% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 31%.

    Read our review of the full Orijen Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), turkey, cod
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 47.7
    AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance
    Best For Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "This dog food is incredible! First and foremost, the ingredients list is amazing. On the bag it tells you exactly how much of each protein has been included in the bag and I appreciate that. I have 2 dogs, a lab mix and a puggle, and they both need help staying fit since they’ve gotten older. The lab can eat this no problem but my puggle does have a tough time chewing it with her small mouth. I also want to mention how easy it was to switch from their old food to this! It was incredibly gentle on their stomachs and they love the way it tastes. I highly recommend this food!"

    Read more buyer reviews at OrijenPetFoods.com
  • 4. Instinct

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    Original Real Rabbit Recipe is one of six wet recipes included in our review of the Instinct Original product line.

    Instinct Original Real Rabbit Recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from rabbit. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 45.5% protein, 13.6% fat and 32.9% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.

    Read our review of the full Instinct Original Dog Food (Canned) range here

    Main Ingredients Rabbit, pork, pork liver, pork broth, ground flaxseed
    Texture Wet
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 45.5
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stage (except for growth of larger size dogs)
    Best For Puppies and Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "It can be hard to find food our dog likes. He has a lot of food allergies & think most dog foods upset his stomach. He cannot eat any poultry or white rice. He scarfed down this food. So glad he loves it."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 5. Raised Right

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    Puppy Growth Turkey Recipe is one of 11 fresh recipes included in our review of the Raised Right Fresh product line.

    Raised Right Puppy Growth Turkey derives the bulk of its meat protein from turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 59.4% protein, 21.9% fat and 10.8% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 37%.

    Read our review of the full Raised Right Dog Food (Fresh) range here

    Main Ingredients Turkey thigh, turkey heart, turkey liver, carrots, blueberries
    Type Grain-free, fresh
    Protein Percentage 59.4
    AAFCO Standards Growth and Reproduction
    Best For Puppies and or lactating females

    Sample buyer review...

    "Our Princess had been on Raised Right and loved it! Due to some health issues that arose, she needed to be on a custom diet. As luck would have it, she would not eat the custom food, little stinker. Our pet nutritionist approved us adding in the Raised Right food along with her custom meal. And of course, she's a happy little camper doing well. Thank you Raised Right for developing wonderful food for our pets!"

    Read more buyer reviews at RaisedRightPets.com
  • 6. PetPlate

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    Barkin’ Beef Entrée (Grain-Free) is one of six fresh recipes included in our review of the Petplate Fresh product line.

    PetPlate Barkin’ Beef Entrée (Grain-Free) derives the bulk of its meat protein from beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28.9% protein, 21.1% fat and 33.8% estimated carbs… resulting a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%.

    Read our review of the full PetPlate Dog Food (Fresh) range here

    Main Ingredients Beef, oats, chickpeas, pea protein, carrots
    Type Grain-free, fresh
    Protein Percentage 28.9
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages (except for growth of larger size dogs)
    Best For Puppies and Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "Frank loves the Pet Plate toppers. He gets so excited at meal time when we take the container out of the fridge and is always licking the bowl for more! His coat is also shinier and his poops are much healthier after starting Pet Plate."

    Read more buyer reviews at PetPlate.com

Basset Hounds are a medium sized breed of dog known for their scenting abilities and characteristic howl. The American Kennel Club (AKC) consistently ranks Basset Hounds within the top 40 most popular breeds in the United States.

Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about Basset Hounds:

Frequently Asked Questions

How big are Basset Hounds?

Basset Hounds are up to 15 inches tall and weigh between 40-65 pounds. Although they are easily recognised by their low-slung bodies, they have large heads, big paws, and strong legs.

What kind of fur does a Basset Hound have?

Basset Hounds have short, smooth hair which can shed excessively and needs regular grooming. The most common fur on a Basset Hound is white with brown and black markings, however there are many variations of this listed under the AKC.

What temperament do Basset Hounds have?

Basset Hounds have a charming personality and the following traits:

  • Intelligent
  • Loyal
  • Protective
  • Happy with other dogs and pets
  • Good with children
  • Low energy
  • Highly vocal
  • Independent

How much exercise do Basset Hounds need?

Basset Hounds are not as energetic as other breeds but they still need a daily walk at a moderate pace. After exercise they will enjoy a long sleep.

Which health concerns do Basset Hounds have?

Basset Hounds are susceptible to a number of health conditions such as:

  • Ear infections
  • Dental disease
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Glaucoma
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Luxating patella

Final word

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