As experts, please could you advise me as to whether it is alright to start introducing a normal dry mix, complete food for my 8 month old basset (Rosie).
I am not happy with the usual Vets response of "as long as the diet is balanced, then anything is alright"......your opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much
Mrs Jo Williams
Shropshire

Hi Jo,
Pups can be started on a complete food at weaning (well soaked at that age of course!) so it will be fine to change your Basset's diet now. Make sure you do it gradually (take 2 or 3 weeks to do the change-over), and make sure it's a quality food (I would personally recommend Burn's). Though of course, if your dog is thriving, then don't feel obliged to change the diet.
Good luck.
:)

Hi
You have to be careful with feeding a Basset Hound, as they have such large bones in a short body.
And I would not recommend that you take Rosie off her puppy food till she is about 18 months old.
She needs the extra nutrients and vitamins that puppy food will give her. I use puppy food for the large breed, a dry food. Always make sure that she has access to water at all times. My male basset now weighs almost 4 stone, is very fit and he loves his daily walks. They tend to be lazy if you let them.
I hope this helps you
Carol

Hi Jo,
Can I recommend that you check out this website before you decide on a complete food!
www.api4animals.org/59.htm
They have a lot on dog foods and what you should be avoiding.

Sarah.