About the Basset Hound
Low-slung, easygoing scent hounds with a big appetite. A typical adult Basset Hound weighs around 20–30 kg (Medium).
How many calories does a Basset Hound need?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 70 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1.104 for a typical dog at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure. The Basset Hound carries a breed metabolic adjustment of ×0.92, already applied below.
| Body weight | Daily calories | Dry kibble ~3,500 kcal/kg | Wet ~1,050 kcal/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 kg | 731 kcal | 209 g | 696 g |
| 21.429 kg | 770 kcal | 220 g | 733 g |
| 22.857 kg | 808 kcal | 231 g | 769 g |
| 24.286 kg | 845 kcal | 242 g | 805 g |
| 25.714 kg | 882 kcal | 252 g | 840 g |
| 27.143 kg | 919 kcal | 263 g | 875 g |
| 28.571 kg | 955 kcal | 273 g | 910 g |
| 30 kg | 991 kcal | 283 g | 943 g |
Feeding a Basset Hound for a healthy weight
Bassets are low-energy, food-driven and prone to obesity, and their long backs and heavy frames mean excess weight strains the spine and joints badly. Strict portioning is important.
What to feed a Basset Hound
Dogs are facultative carnivores: they thrive on meat-forward diets but can use carbohydrate and plant matter. A complete-and-balanced food (dry, wet, fresh, or properly-formulated raw) meeting AAFCO or FEDIAF standards should make up the vast majority of intake, with treats capped at 10% of daily calories.
Most adult dogs do best on two meals a day. Puppies under four months need three to four smaller meals; large-breed puppies should be fed a large-breed-specific formula to slow bone growth and protect their joints.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed a Basset Hound?
A 25 kg Basset at low activity needs roughly 950-1,100 kcal a day — fewer than their solid build suggests. They're prone to obesity, which is hard on their long backs, so weigh portions carefully.
How much should I feed my dog per day?
A 10 kg neutered adult dog at a healthy weight needs roughly 500-560 kcal per day — about 150-165 g of standard dry kibble split over two meals. Scale up or down with weight, activity and life stage using the calculator above.
Should I feed my dog once or twice a day?
Twice a day suits most adult dogs and helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. Puppies need three or more meals; some giant breeds prone to bloat also do better with smaller, more frequent meals.