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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a American Foxhound

The American Foxhound was bred to run for hours on the scent — a lean, big-engine hound that burns serious fuel and asks for very little in the way of grooming. Feeding one well is less about a heavy coat and more about steady, clean energy and protecting those hard-working hips.

Here is exactly how to feed an American Foxhound on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the protein-forward nutrition that fuels endurance and keeps their joints comfortable for the long haul.

  • Adult weight60–70 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan11–13 years
  • CoatMedium, hard, low-maintenance — light shedder

One of America's rarest AKC breeds

A healthy American Foxhound
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a American Foxhound's body needs

Every American Foxhound trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Endurance hunting build

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and the steady, all-day stamina a Foxhound is built for — without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Runs lean & burns hot

    Needs: Calorie-dense, digestible fuel

    Freeze-dried raw is energy-dense and highly digestible, so an active hound gets the fuel to cover ground without a bloated bowl of filler.

  • Hip dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and a lean frame takes load off the hips.

  • Big food drive, loves to train

    Needs: Precise portions, real-food rewards

    Measured raw fed by weight keeps calories honest, and single-ingredient freeze-dried treats reward that working nose without tipping the daily total.

  • Long ears, outdoor life

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can feed chronic ear and skin inflammation in a dog that spends its days outside.

How much to feed a American Foxhound

Quick answer: a healthy adult American Foxhound (60–70 lb) needs about 9.0–10.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
60 lb 9.0 oz 4.5 oz
63 lb 9.5 oz 4.7 oz
66 lb typical American Foxhound 9.9 oz 5.0 oz
69 lb 10.4 oz 5.2 oz
70 lb 10.5 oz 5.3 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

What to feed a American Foxhound

For an American Foxhound we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a high-value topper while you transition.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod give clean, sustained energy for an athletic hound; richer Beef suits hard-running or underweight dogs that need extra fuel. Just add water and serve.

Daily support for American Foxhounds

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Feeding a American Foxhound by life stage

  • Puppy: Foxhound puppies are large-breed and high-energy, so grow them slowly to protect developing joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals a day and resist overfeeding — fast growth raises hip dysplasia risk.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist across two meals, and add fuel on heavy-exercise days. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition and activity, not the bag.
  • Senior: Activity eases but appetite usually holds. Trim portions to match, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition for aging hips.

Common American Foxhound concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) help slow progression and support day-to-day comfort in an athletic hound.
  • Recurring ear infectionsLong, broad drop ears trap moisture and warmth; a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and helps dial down the inflammation that feeds chronic ear trouble.
  • Endurance & lean muscleA working hound runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers that spike and fade.
  • Clotting (thrombocytopathy) awarenessA rare inherited platelet issue in the breed isn't a diet problem, but a complete, balanced whole-food diet supports overall health — always loop in your vet on any specific concern.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a American Foxhound: what to know

Foxhounds were built to cover ground, so an active one runs hot and lean — feed enough to hold a lean, muscular frame, then adjust up on heavy-exercise days. You should feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above.

Their famous nose and food drive make them easy to over-treat, especially during training. Count treats toward the daily total — no more than 10% of calories — and weigh meals rather than eyeballing them, re-checking every few weeks as activity changes with the seasons.

American Foxhound feeding questions

How much should I feed my American Foxhound?
A healthy adult Foxhound (60–70 lb) needs roughly 9–11 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and add a bit more on heavy-exercise days.
What is the best food for a high-energy American Foxhound?
A protein-forward, complete freeze-dried raw diet gives clean, sustained energy for an endurance hound. Lean proteins like Chicken or Cod suit everyday activity, while richer Beef adds fuel for hard-running or underweight dogs.
How do I switch my Foxhound to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. A food-driven hound usually takes to it fast — it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline.
Does an American Foxhound need joint support?
It's worth it for this athletic, large breed with a hip dysplasia predisposition. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your hound lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
How do I use treats with such a food-motivated hound?
Foxhounds train beautifully with their nose, so reward generously but smartly — use single-ingredient freeze-dried treats and keep them under 10% of daily calories, counting them toward the day's total to keep that lean frame.

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  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch
  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper
  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.