Feeding a Basset Hound prone to weight gain

A seven-year-old Basset Hound with a weight problem is a really common situation, and it matters more than people realise — Bassets are already prone to spinal and joint stress because of how they're built, and extra weight makes that significantly worse. Choosing dog food is genuinely complicated because the right answer depends on the dog's age, size, breed, and health, and the most expensive or most marketed options are not always the best fit. Before I point you anywhere, tell me: roughly how much does your dog weigh right now, and what are you currently feeding? Also, is there any joint stiffness or anything else going on health-wise that I should factor in?

Right, so Biscuit is about 8kg over where he should be, which at his age and with that morning stiffness is a real priority to address. The stiffness is almost certainly joint-related — Bassets carry a lot of weight low to the ground and their spines take a beating, so getting the weight down will genuinely help that too. The supermarket food is likely the culprit partly because of portion ambiguity — 'two cups' of a calorie-dense food can be 700–800 kcal per meal before you've even counted treats. Can I ask: does Biscuit get many treats through the day, and is he neutered? Both affect how aggressively I'd approach the calorie cut.

That's a really honest answer and it helps a lot. Neutered males already have a lower metabolic rate, and those daily treats are probably adding another 100–150kcal on top of already generous portions — so the picture is clear. Here's what I'd recommend: switch to Hills Science Plan Adult Light with Chicken, the dry kibble version. It's formulated specifically for dogs prone to weight gain, runs at around 306kcal per 100g, and importantly it has added L-carnitine which helps the body burn fat rather than muscle — that matters at seven years old when you want to lose fat without losing condition. For Biscuit at his target weight of 30kg, Hills' own guide puts daily intake at around 295g per day. I'd suggest splitting that into two meals of roughly 145g each, weighed on a kitchen scale not measured by cup. Then cut the treats to two small ones per day maximum and count them as part of his daily allowance. Weigh him every two to three weeks — you're aiming for around 0.3–0.5kg loss per week, no faster. At that rate you're looking at roughly four to six months to reach target, which is safe and sustainable for his age.

Definitely do it gradually — Bassets can have sensitive digestion and a sudden switch often causes loose stools, which doesn't mean the food is wrong, it just means the gut needs time to adjust. Do it over ten to fourteen days: start with about 25% new food mixed into 75% of the old food for the first three or four days, then go 50/50 for another three or four days, then 75% new and 25% old for the final stretch before going fully onto the Hills. Keep the total daily amount consistent throughout the transition period. If you notice any digestive upset, just slow the transition down a bit — there's no rush.

It's worth asking your vet before adding anything, but for a dog with early stiffness at seven, a joint supplement with glucosamine and omega-3s is a reasonable conversation to have. The Hills Light food does contain added glucosamine and chondroitin, which is one reason it's a good fit for Biscuit specifically — you're not starting from zero on joint support. If the stiffness doesn't improve as the weight comes down, that's when I'd push the vet conversation further. But honestly, getting those 8kg off will do more for his joints than any supplement will. The food change and the weighing routine are the things that will actually move the needle.