Answers to How to Feed an American Foxhound
The American foxhound is a breed of dogs developed in the U.S. for fox hunting. George Washington was an early champion of the breed and had several dogs of his own, according to the American Kennel Club. The American foxhound resembles a tall beagle, and stands 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder. Bred for chasing foxes, they require a lot of exercise to stay fit. A foxhound kept at home as a pet can follow a normal, well-balanced diet recommended by a veterinarian. If your foxhound will be used in field trials or as a hunting dog, you'll need to increase some vital nutrients in its diet.
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Instructions
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Select a dry dog food with high-quality meat ingredients and protein levels between 32 and 40 percent. Avoid dog foods that list soy or corn products as one of the first five ingredients. While these ingredients may be fine for a pet, meat products offer better nutrition for canine athletes, according to Martin Coffman, DVM.
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Select a dog food that is high in fat, approximately 20 percent. Your dog will be burning a lot of calories. Avoid any foods labeled "diet" or "low-calorie."
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Select a dog food that has the proper balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Dr. Coffman recommends a ratio between 5:1 to 10:1 omega-6 to omega-3. If the ratio is not listed on the nutritional panel, the food was probably not formulated with these requirements in mind.
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Select a dog food with fiber levels between 4 and 7 percent. Ideally, the fiber will come from a source like beet pulp.
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Encourage your active dog to drink water by adding a dash of flavored gelatin or a few pieces of dog kibble to the water bowl. However, do not allow your dog to drink large amounts of water when it is overheated or about to go on a run, because this may cause stomach upset.
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Tips & Warnings
Some manufacturers sell commercial dog food designed specifically for active dogs.
Return to a normal diet when your dog is no longer extremely active.
Make a gradual switch to new food when changing diets. The first few feedings, mix 5 percent of the new with 95 percent of the old. If there are no signs of digestive upset -- runny stool, vomiting -- after three feedings, mix 10 percent new. Continue increasing the new food by five percent until you are feeding only the new food.
Never feed your dog shortly after exercise, and wait at least two hours after feeding before beginning strenuous activity. Exercising the dog on a full stomach can cause a potentially fatal condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus.
Always consult your veterinarian for feeding recommendations.
