Food Recommendations for Duke?

**K9soul** · 11-01-2011, 12:51 PM

I feed mine Taste of the Wild grain-free formulas (I pick different formulas off and on for variety) mixed with raw feeding. It's the most affordable grain-free that I feel comfortable with and they have done well on it. I had tried a higher rated food with grain but just didn't like how they gained weight on it and had more stool. The ToTW that I get at the feed store is about $46 I think for 30 pounds.

Anyway, I'd be very cautious about deciding to add 10 pounds to him. You say he is "probably" no where near 40, but be sure you weigh him first. My Tasha is 40 pounds and does not look it. She's a lean light dog. Second of all, what a lot of people think looks "too skinny" is actually a healthy lean weight on a dog. A study recently showed that over 50% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese. That's a very sad statistic. Another study has shown that leaner dogs live longer. You can read more about that here: http://mullerveterinaryhospital.com/...ean%20dogs.htm

It's actually better to be a couple pounds under than over, especially as mentioned before on a breed with a long back and short legs. Ten pounds is actually quite a bit to add on in my opinion. I would also get his stool checked for worms before upping his intake.

**IRescue452** · 11-01-2011, 02:05 PM

Agreed about the weight. If he's lean but not losing weight with a regular diet then you shouldn't worry. If he is losing on a regular diet then worry. 10 pounds is 25% of a 40lb dog's weight. That's the equivalent to about 38 pounds on the average 150 pound human. So that's like a lean person suddenly wanting to add 38 pounds. Not something that should be done real fast by simply overeating.

**Roxyluvsme13** · 11-01-2011, 02:10 PM

Well, my mom and I are going to try to weigh him soon and see how much he weighs. Ten pounds was just a guess (and I'm really bad about judging weight on animals), but he just looks really skinny to me and I can feel all his ribs and see them, so that's why I'm a bit concerned. He eats ALL the time and is ALWAYS hungry, but I know he's getting fed enough because I've seen him inhale his food like it's nothing.

He looks and acts very healthy, I'm just concerned about seeing his ribs and feeling them. Maybe I'm just worrying too much?

**Karen** · 11-01-2011, 02:56 PM

Have you checked his poop for worms? Eating a lot and not gaining weight ....

**Roxyluvsme13** · 11-01-2011, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

Have you checked his poop for worms? Eating a lot and not gaining weight ....

That was the first thing I did when we got him. Poop is 100% worm free. I even dug through it a little with a stick to double check. Maybe he's not as skinny as I think he is

I'll take a picture and let y'all see whenever I get home this week.

**Karen** · 11-01-2011, 04:05 PM

You're likely worrying too much, and knowing Bassets, at some point he'll start packing on the pounds ... so if a vet check says he's fine, I'd not worry about it. He's your first "hound," isn't he? that vacuuming down food is pretty typical, don't worry!

**Roxyluvsme13** · 11-01-2011, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

You're likely worrying too much, and knowing Bassets, at some point he'll start packing on the pounds ... so if a vet check says he's fine, I'd not worry about it. He's your first "hound," isn't he? that vacuuming down food is pretty typical, don't worry!

I'm always paranoid about new pets having health problems. His previous owners (Even though they didn't give him the best of care) said he was indeed a healthy dog, he just didn't seem to put on weight even though he ate ALL the time.

Yes, he's my first hound

. Do they all eat like vacuum cleaners?

**K9soul** · 11-01-2011, 04:19 PM

Lean and fit hounds often tend to seem more "ribby" than some other breeds of dogs, especially since you are used to a fluffy pom

. If his spine and hips are not jutting out he's probably pretty good even if you can see the ribs outlined. You are actually starting out ahead of the game so to speak by him not being overweight. Bassets are notorious for becoming overweight too easily. As he gets settled he may fill in a couple pounds without adding extra to his food.

By the way congratulations on your adoption of him, I hadn't been to the general area yet but just noticed this thread topic when I stopped by earlier.

**Karen** · 11-01-2011, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme13

Yes, he's my first hound

. Do they all eat like vacuum cleaners?

Yup, pretty much a given, though there is the occasional picky eater, that's the anomalous one! You won't have much worry about crumbs lingering on the floor ....

**luvofallhorses** · 11-01-2011, 06:04 PM

Even if there aren't worms in his poop I would definately have your vet worm him especially since he had fleas. If you need any help with anything, PM me. I am pretty hound savvy as I have a coonhound and have had them in the past.

Also do not over feed him, hounds get fat FAST, so it's better to keep them lean.

**Roxyluvsme13** · 11-01-2011, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by K9soul

Lean and fit hounds often tend to seem more "ribby" than some other breeds of dogs, especially since you are used to a fluffy pom

. If his spine and hips are not jutting out he's probably pretty good even if you can see the ribs outlined. You are actually starting out ahead of the game so to speak by him not being overweight. Bassets are notorious for becoming overweight too easily. As he gets settled he may fill in a couple pounds without adding extra to his food.

By the way congratulations on your adoption of him, I hadn't been to the general area yet but just noticed this thread topic when I stopped by earlier.

Well, that's good to know then. You can see his spine and hips some, maybe? I'm not 100% sure on that as he's not right in front of me, but I'm pretty sure if he was like really malnourished I would know, and he eats well, so I guess it's good that he's on the leaner side. I'm expecting him to start gaining weight when he starts a higher quality food and gets neutered, so I'll just have to make sure to exercise him some to keep his weight healthy.

And thanks!

He's such a goof and I'm glad he's in our family.

Originally Posted by Karen

Yup, pretty much a given, though there is the occasional picky eater, that's the anomalous one! You won't have much worry about crumbs lingering on the floor ....

Well, Duke eats ANYTHING. He kind of tried to eat the cat poop in the litter box

so we have to keep the litter box away from where he can get into it

.

Originally Posted by luvofallhorses

Even if there aren't worms in his poop I would definately have your vet worm him especially since he had fleas. If you need any help with anything, PM me. I am pretty hound savvy as I have a coonhound and have had them in the past.

Also do not over feed him, hounds get fat FAST, so it's better to keep them lean.

Will do! And thanks! I'll probably need some information at some point or another!