The Treeing Walker Coonhound is an intelligent, high-energy breed known for its exceptional hunting skills and stamina. With a muscular build and boundless enthusiasm for activity, they need a well-rounded diet to support their energy levels and overall health. Our Petabolix nutrition experts have crafted food recommendations specifically for Treeing Walker Coonhounds to keep them thriving at every life stage.

Breed Summary

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a spirited and athletic breed with a rich history in hunting and tracking. Often called the “People’s Choice” of coonhounds, this American breed is highly regarded for its speed, endurance, and acute sense of smell. Recognizable by their sleek, muscular body and tricolor coat (black, white, and tan), Treeing Walkers are built for the outdoors and are especially skilled in chasing and treeing game, particularly raccoons.

Their friendly, sociable nature makes them wonderful family companions as well. However, they do best in active households where they can have plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation. Though gentle and affectionate with their families, Treeing Walkers have an independent streak and a strong prey drive, which means they benefit from early socialization and training. Their boundless energy and drive make them ideal pets for those who enjoy outdoor adventures, from hiking to long-distance runs. With a little structure and a lot of exercise, Treeing Walker Coonhounds make devoted and loyal companions.

Vet’s Note

Treeing Walker Coonhounds are typically healthy dogs, but they have some specific needs. Due to their high activity level, they require a diet rich in quality protein and moderate fat to sustain energy while preventing excess weight. They can be prone to hip dysplasia, so foods containing joint-supportive ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin are beneficial. Additionally, some Treeing Walkers may experience digestive sensitivities, so a diet with easily digestible ingredients and added fiber can aid in gut health and nutrient absorption, helping them make the most of every meal.

Health Considerations for Treeing Walker Coonhounds

Dental

A Treeing Walker Coonhound'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 Treeing Walker Coonhounds. Learn more about how to take care of your dog's teeth.

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

Gut

Think of your Treeing Walker Coonhound'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 Treeing Walker Coonhound food that support the GI system and supplements that contain attributes below. Learn more about gut and digestive health in dogs and how to keep a dog's gut healthy.

Prebiotics
Probiotics
Fermented foods

Bone & Joint

It’s very common for breeds like the Treeing Walker Coonhound 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 Treeing Walker Coonhounds 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 Treeing Walker Coonhound’s eyes is looking into your Treeing Walker Coonhound’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 Treeing Walker Coonhound’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 Treeing Walker Coonhound 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 Treeing Walker Coonhound’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 Treeing Walker Coonhound. 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 Treeing Walker Coonhound (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 Treeing Walker Coonhound 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 Treeing Walker Coonhound 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

Are Fresh Food Diets Good for Treeing Walker Coonhounds?

Only if they’re properly balanced.

Many well-intentioned Treeing Walker Coonhound parents spend a lot of time preparing meals at home, but health benefits are lost if meals aren’t properly portioned and balanced with all the nutrients dogs need. Recently, a few companies have done an excellent job ensuring accurate portions and nutrient balance by delivering pre-prepped fresh meals customized to the size and needs of your dog. Farmer’s Dog, Ollie and Nom Nom have each been approved by our nutrition team as delivering truly quality and well-balanced meals. They can be a little expensive (usually 3-4x more per day than kibble), but many find the added health benefits worth the cost. They do offer discounts to new customers, though, if you’d like to try one out.

Pros and Cons of Fresh Food Diets

✓ Diets balanced by Nutritionists
✓ Customized portions for weight control
✓ Superior digestive and immune health
✕ More expensive than standard dog food

Farmer's Dog

"Fresh, human-grade dog food"
Ollie

"Healthy, Simple and Delicious"
Nom Nom

"Real, fresh, custom dog food"

Foods We Recommend for Treeing Walker Coonhound Puppies

How long do Treeing Walker Coonhounds need puppy food?
Until they're 12 to 16 months old

Treeing Walker Coonhounds 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 Treeing Walker Coonhound is eating food that is made just for puppies from a reputable brand.

Foods We Recommend for Treeing Walker Coonhound Adults

When should Treeing Walker Coonhounds start transitioning to adult food?
Until they're 12 to 16 months old

From a nutrition standpoint, Treeing Walker Coonhound 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 Treeing Walker Coonhound.

Foods We Recommend for Treeing Walker Coonhound Seniors

When should Treeing Walker Coonhounds start transitioning to senior food?
All dogs can age differently, but Large dogs like the Treeing Walker Coonhound can start to benefit from senior food around 6 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 Treeing Walker Coonhounds 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.

What are the Best Dog Foods for the Treeing Walker Coonhound?

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