50% off your first order. Redeem Now

Dog Food Chevron
Cat Food Chevron
More Chevron
See Plans & Pricing Account

FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Basenji

The Basenji is a lean, athletic African hound with a cat-like streak — fastidious, light on its feet, and easy to keep trim. At only about 20 to 24 pounds, every treat and every extra ounce of food counts more than it would on a bigger dog.

Here is exactly how to feed a Basenji on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the clean, high-protein nutrition that suits an active hound and supports the thyroid, kidneys, and joints this breed needs to watch.

  • Adult weight20–24 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan13–14 years
  • CoatShort, smooth single coat — low shedding, self-grooming
Build my dog's plan → Shop recipes
A healthy Basenji
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Basenji's body needs

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

  • Small, lean & athletic

    Needs: Calorie-honest, precise portions

    At ~20 lb, a Basenji has little margin for error. Freeze-dried raw is measured by weight, so it is easy to portion exactly and keep this naturally trim hound at a lean, healthy condition.

  • High prey drive, high energy hound

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

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

  • Prone to hypothyroidism

    Needs: Whole-food protein + healthy fats

    A clean, minimally processed diet rich in quality protein and omega-rich fats supports metabolism and skin health — the very things a sluggish thyroid undermines.

  • 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 staying lean takes load off the joints.

  • Smart, easily-bored & food-curious

    Needs: Strong-smelling, low-junk treats

    Single-ingredient freeze-dried treats are intensely aromatic for training a clever hound — and pure enough that they will not blow a small dog's daily calorie budget.

How much to feed a Basenji

Quick answer: a healthy adult Basenji (20–24 lb) needs about 3.0–3.6 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)
20 lb 3.0 oz 1.5 oz
21 lb 3.2 oz 1.6 oz
22 lb typical Basenji 3.3 oz 1.7 oz
23 lb 3.5 oz 1.7 oz
24 lb 3.6 oz 1.8 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.

Get exact portion →

What to feed a Basenji

For a Basenji 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 suit this trim, easy-keeping hound and any sensitivities; richer Beef suits a hard-running, very active Basenji. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Basenjis

Shop all →

Daily support for Basenjis

Shop all →

Treats Basenjis love

Shop all →

Feeding a Basenji by life stage

  • Puppy: Feed a Basenji puppy a complete, growth-appropriate raw diet across 3–4 small meals a day until about 12 months. Portion to a lean body — overfeeding a fast-growing pup adds unnecessary strain to developing hips.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag — small dogs need small, precise portions.
  • Senior: Activity may ease but appetite often does not. Trim portions to hold a lean weight, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and metabolism-supporting whole-food nutrition.

Common Basenji concerns — and the diet connection

  • HypothyroidismThis breed is prone to low thyroid function, which affects metabolism, weight and coat. A clean, high-quality protein diet with whole-food fats supports a healthy metabolism and skin barrier alongside any veterinary care.
  • Fanconi syndrome (kidney)A genetic kidney condition seen in the breed. While diet does not cause or cure it, fresh, highly digestible animal protein and proper hydration — easy with rehydrated freeze-dried raw — support overall kidney-friendly nutrition under your vet's guidance.
  • Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients — natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, plus omega-3 — help slow progression and ease day-to-day comfort.
  • Lean weight & lean muscleA small, active hound runs best on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not carbohydrate fillers — and an honest, measured diet is the easiest way to keep a Basenji trim for life.

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

Feeding a Basenji: what to know

Basenjis are fastidious, often self-regulating eaters, but their small size means weight creeps on quietly — a handful of extra treats is a big share of a 20-pound dog's day. Feed to body condition: you should feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above.

Their curiosity and intelligence make mealtime a chance for enrichment. A puzzle or slow feeder keeps a bored Basenji busy, and weighing portions rather than eyeballing them keeps this lean breed exactly where it should be.

Basenji feeding questions

How much should I feed my Basenji?
A healthy adult Basenji (about 20–24 lb) needs roughly 3–4 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 adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a lean, active Basenji?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet of lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod gives this athletic hound clean, high-quality protein for muscle and stamina, with easy portion control to keep a small dog trim.
How do I switch my Basenji to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Basenjis are fastidious but usually take to the rich, meaty flavor quickly — start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline.
Are treats a problem for such a small dog?
They add up fast. On a roughly 20-pound dog, a few treats can be a big slice of the daily calories. Use single-ingredient freeze-dried treats — intensely aromatic for training a clever hound, and pure enough not to derail the diet — and count them toward the day's total.
Does a Basenji need joint support?
It can help. The breed carries some hip dysplasia risk, so freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and a dedicated joint supplement plus a lean body weight is the most effective joint protection there is.

THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE

If your dog won't eat it, it's on us

Try Basenji's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.

  • 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
Build my dog's meal plan →

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.