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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a large, lean, all-day tracker — a nose on four legs that can trail a scent for miles, then turn quiet and mellow the moment it comes back indoors. That working build and big, deep chest shape exactly how, when, and how much you should feed one.

Here is how to feed a Black and Tan Coonhound on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, in calm split meals, with the lean protein and joint nutrition a hard-trailing hound depends on.

  • Adult weight50–75 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan10–12 years
  • CoatShort, dense — moderate seasonal shedder
A healthy Black and Tan Coonhound
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Black and Tan Coonhound's body needs

Every Black and Tan Coonhound trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Large, athletic trailing build

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels the lean muscle a Coonhound uses to trail for miles, with steady energy that does not spike and crash like carb-heavy kibble.

  • Deep chest, bloat (GDV) risk

    Needs: Calm, split, measured meals

    Freeze-dried raw is portioned by weight, so it is easy to divide into two even meals a day — the single most important feeding habit for a deep-chested hound.

  • Hip dysplasia predisposition

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real bone, cartilage and organ supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s ease joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off the hips.

  • Long, low, moisture-trapping ears

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can feed the chronic ear and skin inflammation floppy-eared hounds are prone to.

  • Short coat with seasonal shedding

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping that sleek black-and-tan coat glossy and easing spring and fall shedding.

How much to feed a Black and Tan Coonhound

Quick answer: a healthy adult Black and Tan Coonhound (50–75 lb) needs about 7.5–11.3 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)
50 lb 7.5 oz 3.8 oz
56 lb 8.4 oz 4.2 oz
62 lb typical Black and Tan Coonhound 9.3 oz 4.7 oz
68 lb 10.2 oz 5.1 oz
75 lb 11.3 oz 5.6 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 Black and Tan Coonhound

For a Black and Tan Coonhound we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — served as two measured meals, or used as a high-value topper while you transition.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod keep an active hound trim and suit sensitive stomachs; richer Beef suits a hard-working or underweight dog in peak trailing season. Just add water and serve at room temperature.

Daily support for Black and Tan Coonhounds

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Feeding a Black and Tan Coonhound by life stage

  • Puppy: As a large breed, Coonhound puppies should grow slowly to protect developing hips and joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 small meals and resist overfeeding — fast growth raises the risk of hip dysplasia later.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two even meals a day to protect against bloat. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition and trailing workload, not to the bag.
  • Senior: Trailing slows but the appetite and nose do not. Trim portions to match lower activity, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition for aging hips.

Common Black and Tan Coonhound concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but a lean body weight plus joint nutrients (natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, plus omega-3) help support comfortable, mobile hips through a long working life.
  • Bloat / GDVA deep-chested risk that is managed at the bowl: feed two calm, measured meals a day rather than one large one, keep the bowl low, and avoid hard exercise right around mealtimes.
  • Ear infectionsLong, low ears trap moisture; a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and dials down the inflammation that can make recurring ear trouble worse.
  • Skin & coat healthThat short black-and-tan coat stays glossy on whole-food animal and fish fats, which feed the skin from the inside and help ease seasonal shedding.
  • Lean muscle & working energyA trailing hound runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained, all-day energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers.

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

Feeding a Black and Tan Coonhound: what to know

Coonhounds are large and deep-chested, which makes them a bloat-risk (GDV) breed. Always split the day into two equal meals instead of one big bowl, keep the bowl on the floor rather than raised, and leave a buffer of calm time around mealtimes instead of feeding right before or after a hard run.

A trailing hound burns real energy outdoors but lazes indoors, so appetite and activity can swing. Weigh portions rather than eyeballing, feel for the ribs and a visible waist, and re-check the amount every few weeks — especially when the season or workload changes.

Black and Tan Coonhound feeding questions

How much should I feed my Black and Tan Coonhound?
A healthy adult Coonhound (around 50–75 lb) needs roughly 7.5–11 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, visible waist and adjust every few weeks based on how much trailing your dog is doing.
How do I lower my Coonhound's bloat risk at mealtime?
Feed two equal meals a day instead of one big bowl, keep the bowl on the floor rather than raised, use a slow-feeder if your hound inhales food, and leave calm time around meals instead of feeding right before or after hard exercise. Measured freeze-dried raw makes the two-meal routine simple.
What is the best food for an active Black and Tan Coonhound?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet built on lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod keeps a working hound trim and well-fueled, while richer Beef suits a hard-trailing or underweight dog. Real meat, organ and bone deliver the protein and natural joint support a large hound needs.
How do I switch my Coonhound to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Hounds are usually enthusiastic eaters — it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range, keep to two meals, and watch the waistline.
Does a Black and Tan Coonhound need joint support?
Many do, given the breed's hip dysplasia predisposition and athletic workload. 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 — a dedicated hip and joint supplement can add targeted support.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper
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    — 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.