The regal Norwegian Elkhound enjoys its reputation as one of the oldest European breeds. A working dog, the Norwegian Elkhound is also a cherished family companion, eagerly lavishing its love and attention on those it loves most. Keeping this active breed in tip top health is the priority of every Norwegian Elkhound owner. Whether you are feeding a puppy, an adult, or a senior, our top picks for premium tier diets will keep your Norwegian Elkhound enjoying excellent health for many years to come.

Breed Group:
Hound | AKC Norwegian Elkhound Profile

Ideal Weight:
Female Adult: 45 to 50 pounds
Male Adult: 50 to 57 pounds

Exercise Need:
60 to 120 minutes per day.

Breed Summary

The Norwegian Elkhound originated in Scandinavia over 6,000 years ago. Though considered to be one of the oldest breeds still in existence today, the Norwegian Elkhound was only brought to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1931, the breed gained notoriety when President Herbert Hoover was given a Norwegian Elkhound he named Weeje as a gift.

This happy go lucky breed possesses a thick undercoat, making it well-suited to life in exceptionally cold temperatures. The Norwegian Elkhound has boundless reserves of energy, so it is better suited to life in a house with a fenced yard than an apartment. Regular, daily exercise is required to keep this breed happy and well.

Norwegian Elkhounds are very alert, loyal, and friendly — all qualities that make them well-suited to life as a cherished companion and dutiful family watchdog. Because of their independent nature, they can be more difficult to train than other breeds. Though definitely a dog with a mind of its own, the Norwegian Elkhound has a soft spot for its family, considering them part of their “pack.” To fuel the high energy levels of the Norwegian Elkhound, this charming, sociable breed needs a diet of exceptional quality that is based on a foundation of lean, meat-based proteins.

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Health Considerations for Norwegian Elkhounds

Dental

A Norwegian Elkhound's teeth and gums are always under plaque attack, which forms naturally from food particles and other bacteria. Dogs aren’t too concerned about having pretty white teeth, but dental care is critical for oral health. Bacteria in the mouth can even affect internal organs, like the heart, liver and kidneys, so there are certain things below we like to see in food or supplements to combat these threats to Norwegian Elkhounds. Learn more about dental health in dogs.

Puffy/crunch kibbles (bigger)
Sodium hexametaphosphate
Treats based on solubility, not hardness

Gut

Think of your Norwegian Elkhound's gut like a diverse community of bacteria and other microbes that work together to keep the body healthy. Keeping all these balanced is very important for overall health, including digestive, mental, and immune well-being. For these reasons, we prefer Norwegian Elkhound food that support the GI system and supplements that contain attributes below. Learn more about gut and digestive health in dogs.

Prebiotics
Probiotics
Fermented foods

Bone & Joint

It’s very common for breeds like the Norwegian Elkhound to develop discomfort or pain in their joints and bones, especially as they age. Some of these issues are hereditary, and some come from wear and tear over time. We can’t usually prevent these problems, but proper nutrition and weight management will do wonders in minimizing pain in our beloved pets. We always make sure diets include the ingredients below. Learn more about joint health in dogs.

Glucosamine
Methylsulfonymethane
Chondroitin
Omega-3 from Fish Oil
Green Mussel
Taurine
Turmeric
Vitamin E
Antioxidants

Cognitive

Puppy and senior Norwegian Elkhounds need a little extra brain power in their nutrition plans. In the early years, puppy brains are developing quickly and need a healthy flow of vitamins to help them grow strong. Once they hit senior years, brain function can deteriorate and we like to supplement their diets with nutrients that will keep them sharp. Learn more about cognitive nutrition for dogs.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids
Vitamin E
Vitamin C
L-carnitine

Eye

The only thing better than looking into your Norwegian Elkhound’s eyes is looking into your Norwegian Elkhound’s healthy eyes. All dogs are susceptible to degenerative vision and eye function, but supplementing their diets with things like beta carotene, lutein, EPA, DHA, and other nutrients can help maintain quality vision. Learn more about eye nutrition for dogs.

Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Anthocyanins
Astaxanthin
Beta-carotene
Carotenoids
Glutathione
Lutein
Lycopene
Omega-3 essential fatty acids
Phytonutrients

Skin & Coat

Skin is a Norwegian Elkhound’s largest organ, and it plays a huge role in protecting from the outside world. Just think — weather, allergies, stress, parasites — all these things are trying to get under your dog’s skin. A healthy outer layer is key to avoiding irritants that may irritate or infect. And pay close attention to their coat. Unhealthy looking (or smelling) fur can mean bigger problems. To keep Norwegian Elkhound skin & coats healthy, we recommend that diets contain ingredients below. Learn more about skin nutrition for dogs and the dog foods focused on a healthy coat..

GLA
ALA
Omega-3 fatty acids
Vitamin E
Vitamins and choline
Flaxseed/fish oil
Antioxidants
Probiotics

Heart

Chances are, if you’re doing what’s right for your Norwegian Elkhound’s heart, you’re doing what’s right for his or her health overall. Proper exercise, weight management, and nutrition are all key to a healthy ticker. Most heart issues in dogs are a result of normal wear and tear with age, so heart-focused diets with taurine and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil could be the gift of a lifetime for your Norwegian Elkhound. Learn more about heart nutrition for dogs.

Taurine
Carnitine
Omega-3 fatty acids
Antioxidants
Complete protein
Low sodium

Immune

There is a powerful little army inside your Norwegian Elkhound (the immune system) that protects the body from bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and countless other microscopic predators. As pet parents, our job is to keep this army strong, conditioned, and well-supplied. Most of the battle is won in the gut, so a balanced diet plus probiotics and antioxidants are key for victory. Learn more about immune system nutrition for dogs.

Antioxidants
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Omega-3 fatty acids
Fish oil
Coconut oil

Weight Management & Obesity

There is nothing more important than keeping your Norwegian Elkhound at a healthy weight. Even a little excess poundage can cause a wide variety of health problems, including the pain of extra burden on their joints. Unfortunately, almost half of dogs in the US are overweight. Let’s fight dog obesity together by giving our dogs appropriate exercise and managing their caloric intake. If your Norwegian Elkhound needs to shed a little weight, look for diets with these labels below. Learn more about weight management and obesity for dogs and how to tell if your dog is overweight.

Low calorie
Low fat
Large bites (to slow chewing)
L-carnitine

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Foods We Recommend for Norwegian Elkhound Puppies

How long do Norwegian Elkhounds need puppy food?
Until they're 12 to 16 months old

Norwegian Elkhounds are very focused on growing, and how we feed them should help them do just that. Since they have so much growing to do, they need higher amounts of nutrients than adult dogs, especially proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and — don’t forget — water. It’s still important to not overfeed puppies, so make sure to portion food and keep treats to no more than 10% of their caloric intake. Since balance is so important, we recommend that your young Norwegian Elkhound is eating food that is made just for puppies from a reputable brand.

Foods We Recommend for Norwegian Elkhound Adults

When should Norwegian Elkhounds start transitioning to adult food?
Until they're 12 to 16 months old

From a nutrition standpoint, Norwegian Elkhound become adults once they reach about 90% of their expected weight. Once adults, our two key nutrition goals are balance and maintenance. We want balance because a dog’s body is responsible for a lot of things, like digestion, fighting infection, keeping muscles strong, and chasing squirrels. These are all important tasks, so we want to make sure each body function gets its share of nutrients. We also need to maintain a healthy weight. Underfed dogs are at risk for malnourishment, and overfed dogs can become obese — both of which lead to even worse problems for a Norwegian Elkhound.

Foods We Recommend for Norwegian Elkhound Seniors

When should Norwegian Elkhounds start transitioning to senior food?
All dogs can age differently, but Medium dogs like the Norwegian Elkhound can start to benefit from senior food around 7 to 8 years old

Ever watch kids running around the playground and wish you had that energy again? Yeah. Dogs get there, too. The metabolic processes in senior Norwegian Elkhounds slow down as they age, which often means they aren’t needing quite as many calories as they did in their prime. Smart dog food companies have formulated senior diets to ease up on calories but still help them feel full and give them adequate maintenance protein. Still, like humans, everybody is different. Sometimes older dogs need just as many calories, or more, depending on how their bodies progress. So keep a close eye on their body condition, and look for dog foods made for seniors.

Affiliate Disclosure
We do not accept money to recommend pet foods. However, we do receive referral fees from online retailers (such as Chewy or Amazon) on qualifying purchases. Our recommendations are neutral, and diet recommendations are made without considering whether we will receive a referral fee.

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