How much to feed a Bloodhound
A Bloodhound is a giant breed, typically 36–50kg as an adult, with a deep chest and a hearty appetite to match its size. The amount to feed depends on your individual dog's weight, age and the specific food's calorie content — use the feeding guide on the pack as your starting point — but how you structure that amount matters as much as the total for a breed this size and shape.
Working out the amount
Every complete food carries a feeding guide cross-referencing weight against daily amount, and that's the right starting point rather than a generic figure, since calorie density varies considerably between products. Weigh your Bloodhound periodically and adjust to the current weight band, checking body condition — a visible waist, ribs easy to feel — rather than relying on the chart alone.
Bloodhounds are often enthusiastic, food-motivated eaters, which makes it easy to overfeed a dog who always looks like they want more. Sticking to a measured, weighed portion rather than judging by enthusiasm helps avoid gradual weight gain on a frame that's already carrying a lot of size.
Why feeding structure matters as much as amount
As a deep-chested giant breed, Bloodhounds are in the group where splitting food into two meals a day, rather than one large meal, is standard advice, since a single very large meal is one of several factors linked to a higher bloat risk. Bloat is a genuine emergency needing immediate vet attention.
Slowing down fast eating with a slow-feeder bowl, and avoiding vigorous exercise for a period either side of a meal, are further precautions commonly recommended for this body type.
Drooling, mess and mealtime practicalities
Bloodhounds are known for prodigious drooling, and mealtimes can add to that, so many owners find a raised bowl or a specific feeding area easier to manage and clean than feeding on carpet or soft flooring.
Long ears are another Bloodhound trait worth planning around at mealtimes, since they can trail through food and water if left loose — some owners use a narrower bowl or tie ears back loosely during meals to keep them cleaner between baths.
Foods that suit this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Alpha Sensitive Salmon & Rice
A salmon and rice dry food for adult dogs with sensitive digestions, made without wheat gluten, soya or dairy.
£49.00
Alpha Working Dog Maintenance Chicken
An energy-controlled chicken dry food for working dogs with lower energy needs or a tendency to put on weight.
£29.00
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
£82.35
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Bakers Superfoods Chicken with Vegetables Dry Dog Food
Bakers Chicken with Vegetables dry dog food, 14kg, complete nutrition for adult dogs
£39.15
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Burgess Supadog Adult Complete Dog Active
Complete dry food for active adult dogs, built around poultry meal and calcium for bone health
£29.15
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food Turkey Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for adult dogs, evenly balanced with potato in the mix
From£12.75
James Wellbeloved Adult Breed Dry Dog Food Turkey Rice
A hypoallergenic dry food for adult dogs, in small and large breed versions, built around single-source turkey protein
From£45.75
Common questions
- How many meals a day should a Bloodhound have?
- Two meals a day is standard advice for adult Bloodhounds, given their deep chest and the bloat-risk considerations that come with that body type, rather than one large meal. Puppies start on more frequent meals and reduce as they grow.
- Why do Bloodhounds need slow feeding?
- As an enthusiastic, food-motivated giant breed, fast eating combined with a deep chest is a combination linked to higher bloat risk. A slow-feeder bowl or puzzle-style feeder can help slow down an eager eater.
- How much should an adult Bloodhound weigh?
- Adult Bloodhounds typically weigh somewhere between 36 and 50kg, though individual dogs vary. Body condition — a visible waist and easily felt ribs — is a more useful day-to-day check than aiming for a specific number.
- Is it normal for a Bloodhound to always seem hungry?
- Many Bloodhounds are enthusiastic, food-motivated eaters, which can make them seem hungrier than they need to be. Stick to a measured portion based on their actual weight and body condition rather than feeding to satisfy apparent appetite.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.