If you own a Beagle,you might have noticed your canine companion's hunting skills are probably reserved for sniffing out food during dinner time. These dogs love to eat.
They're relatively easy to please when it comes to dog food formulas. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't put any thought into their diet.
To ensure that your Beagle stays happy and healthy throughout their life, you'll need to provide them with a high-quality dog food that supports their body and helps them avoid a slew of common health issues.
Here's a quick overview of the recommended formula's./ best dog food for Beagles
Understanding Your Beagle's Dietary Requirements
Beagles can be voracious eaters when they're left to their own devices. As a result, you need to be vigilant about just how much food your pup is eating. Beagles are a tricky breed to put in a box when it comes to weight and size.
While most don't realize it, there are actually two Beagle size classifications. Beagles can be 13 inches tall or 15 inches tall. Because all dogs are different, it can be difficult to distinguish the two.
Not only that, but breed standards don't have a preferred weight range for these dogs. As a result, we have to rely on other methods to determine what constitutes a healthy Beagle.
Typically, show Beagles weigh around 25 pounds when they're fully grown. Of course, your dog may weigh a little more or a little less.
For the purpose of consistency, the National Research Council of the National Academies determined that a healthy Beagle in this weight range should be consuming up to 1,010 calories each and every day.
You can use your dog's actual weight to get a better idea of how much you should be feeding your furry friend. Beagles are considered to be small dogs, so they will need roughly 40 calories of food for each pound of body weight.
The Best Dog Foods for Beagles - Top 5
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food
This Blue Buffalo dog food is specifically designed for small breeds like the Beagle. It's an adult formula that can support your pup's health throughout their life.
It has increased levels of protein and complex carbs. In total, protein makes up 18 percent of the recipe. That protein comes from quality sources like deboned chicken, chicken meal, and fish meal.
It also has the brand's LifeSource bits, which are small morsels filled with antioxidants and vitamins.
To keep your Beagle's joints in good condition, it also has a healthy dose of glucosamine and chondroitin.
Pro's
- Utilizes high-quality protein sources for a varied amino acid profile, strong muscle development, and continued maintenance
- Provides a long-lasting supply of energy
- Fortified with antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits, glucosamine, and chondroitin
- Chelated minerals and vitamins for better immune health
Cons
- Might not appeal to pickier Beagles
Overal Score for Adult Beagles
2. Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Small Breed
Another great option for small breeds like the Beagle, the Wellness Core kibble is formulated with high levels of protein. It's also dense in calories and nutrients, helping your pup avoid unwanted weight gain.
Protein makes up about 36 percent of the recipe through its inclusion of deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal. You won't find any unnecessary filler in the form of corn, wheat, or soy.
It's also completely grain-free, making it a great food for Beagles with hyperthyroidism or gluten intolerance.
Pro's
- Exceptionally high protein content and impressive nutritional density
- Provides a long-lasting supply of energy
- Includes healthy supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, taurine, and more
- Uses omega fatty acids and antioxidants for skin, heart, and immune health
- Probiotics and prebiotics for better absorption, fewer stomach upsets, and more regularity
Cons
- Some Beagles may not enjoy the taste of this formula
Overal Score for Adult Beagles
3. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food
With 32 percent protein, the High Prairie formula from Taste of the Wild is an excellent option for any Beagle. Real meat from bison, buffalo, and venison are used.
There's also beef, lamb meal, and chicken meal.
The kibble is free of grains, fillers, and artificial preservatives. Instead, there are beneficial antioxidants through the use of blueberries and raspberries.
To ensure that your dog's intestinal system stays healthy, the kibble is made to be highly digestible. Probiotics are added to keep the gastrointestinal tract balanced.
Pro's
- Uses unique protein sources to fulfill the nutritional needs of dogs with allergies
- Provides a long-lasting supply of energy
- Includes a healthy strain of probiotics, antioxidant-rich plant-based ingredients, and joint-supporting supplements
- Suitable for all life stages
Cons
- Some Beagles might experience food sensitivity to the novel protein
Overal Score for Adult Beagles
4. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Bites Recipe Dry Dog Food
The individual pieces of kibble in the Nutro Wholesome Essentials dog food are small, making it easier for your hungry Beagle to eat safely. Non-GMO ingredients are used in the recipe.
They include quality meat sources like lamb, chicken meal, and lamb meal. Complex carbohydrates are used as well. They help to give your dog a slow and steady supply of energy throughout the day.
You'll find great carbs like chickpeas and split peas. Overall, about 22 percent of the formula is made of protein while 14 percent is fat.
5. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food
The Whole Earth Farms dog food is chock-full of ingredients that can support your dog's health.
Vegetables like alfalfa, peas, and sweet potatoes provide a boost of vitamins and minerals. They also do double-duty as complex carbs to give your dog all the energy they need.
Salmon oil is used as well. It keeps your dog's skin and fur in great condition. When it comes to protein, the dry dog food is made up of about 22 percent. This comes from chicken meal and turkey.
Best Wet Dog Food for Beagles
1. Instinct Grain-Free Stews Recipe Natural Wet Canned Dog Food by Nature's Variety
If you're looking for a high-quality canned food for your Beagle, try this option from Instinct. It's grain-free and contains real ingredients that you can see.
The main protein sources are beef and beef liver. The individual pieces of meat are soaked in a beef broth gravy that your Beagle will love. About 9 percent of the recipe is protein.
When it comes to vegetables, there are carrots, peas, and pumpkins. The latter two ingredients are also great sources of fiber to keep your dog regular.
Ingredients to Look for in Dog Food for Beagles
In addition to feeding your pup the right amount of dog food, you need to provide them with a nutrient-rich formula. Inferior dog foods are packed with bad ingredients and unnecessary filler that can do more harm than good.
When you're looking for that perfect dog food for Beagles, keep an eye out for the following things.
Protein
Protein should be at the top of your Beagle dog food's ingredients list. At the very least, Beagles need to eat a formula that's made up of 18 percent protein. This is the bare minimum for all dog breeds. It's always recommended to go with recipes that have even more.
Proteins are the building blocks of muscles. They're filled with amino acids that keep your pup's body in good condition. Go with dog food brands for beagles that have high-quality protein sources. These include
As long as it's easy to identify, it should be good for your dog. Meat meals are also acceptable. However, you should avoid overly processed meat sources and mystery ingredients.
Fat
Despite all of the hate that fat gets from us humans, it's actually a necessary nutrient for dogs. Fat is a healthy source of energy that can keep your dog going throughout the day.
To meet your Beagle's dietary needs, their dog food should be made up of around 10 percent fat. It's important to keep fat levels relatively low, as Beagles are prone to weight gain.
Look out for high-quality fat sources.
Salmon oil, flaxseed oil, and natural animal fat are the way to go. Salmon and flaxseed oil contain beneficial omega fatty acids. They can keep their skin supple and fur shining.
Healthy Extras
Beyond meat and fat, there are a lot of other ingredients that could benefit your dog's overall health. The first is fruits and vegetables. While plant-based ingredients aren't always vital to a dog's diet, they contain vitamins and minerals.
Some ingredients also have antioxidants that could strengthen your dog's immune system. A healthy mix of plant-based ingredients is always welcome.
Another great addition would be probiotics and prebiotics. Your Beagle's stomach is very sensitive. These ingredients can help to keep the bacteria in their system healthy. This ensures that their food goes down smoothly without any discomfort.
If your Beagle puppy or adult is getting a bit long in the tooth, they may benefit from ingredients that improve joint and bone health.
Glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, and phosphorous are all good things that your dog's body can take advantage of.
Common Beagle Health Issues
Generally speaking, Beagles are pretty healthy. However, that does not make them immune to medical issues. While some problems are a result of genetics, others can be avoided or treated with a high-quality diet.
Obesity
As mentioned earlier, obesity is a very real problem with Beagles. These dogs will continue to eat long after they are full. You should never leave food out for your Beagle to free-feed. You need to separate portions accordingly.
Obese dogs can suffer from a range of secondary health issues. They can suffer from heart problems, organ failure, and more. To avoid weight gain, follow a strict feeding schedule and adjust caloric intake as your dog's lifestyle changes.
Hypothyroidism
If your dog suffers from hypothyroidism, it means that their thyroid isn't producing enough hormones for the body. This condition may be avoided with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Luckily, once it's diagnosed, it's relatively easy to treat. Your pup will need to take supplementary hormones. Not only that, but it's recommended that these dogs are placed on a modified diet that's grain-free and low-carb.
Hypothyroidism has a number of side effects. One of the most common is weight gain. It's more important than ever to be vigilant about your dog's feeding schedule if they suffer from this condition.
Joint Problems
Beagles are susceptible to a number of joint issues, especially when their overweight. Any extra weight on their midsection puts more stress on their joints than necessary.
Arthritis is a common problem among older dogs. It causes chronic aching, making it difficult to move around. You can support their aging joints with foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin.
Hip dysplasia is another common concern. This often occurs when a dog gains too much weight in their puppy years. The hip joints become malformed, causing problems in the future.
Taking Body Condition Into Account
The previous figures should be used as a starting point. Every dog is different. Many factors, such as their activity level and age, can affect how their body responds to the food.
If your dog spends all day lounging around the house, you'll need to provide a little less food to prevent weight gain. On the other hand, active Beagles who exercise frequently may need upwards of 1,100 calories a day.
Take a look at your dog's body from above and make notes about their overall shape. Healthy dogs have a gentle slope from the front of their bodies to their tail. There should be some slight definition around their ribs.
You can consult with your vet and examine a canine body condition chart to find the perfect amount of food to provide.
Watch Out For Treats
One of the biggest mistakes that owners make is failing to consider how much treats are affecting their dog. Beagles are very susceptible to weight gain. Due to their build, obese Beagles can suffer from a host of health issues.
It's important that you stay on top of your dog's caloric intake throughout their lives. The nutritional value of treats needs to be taken into account when you're planning meals. Some treats can be very dense in calories.
While that small dental bone may not seem like it'll do much, it can slowly cause your pup to pack on the pounds.
At the very most, 20 percent of your Beagle's calories can come from treats. The reaming 80 percent needs to be reserved for their normal dog food.
Beagle Dog Food FAQs
1. Is wet or dry food better for Beagles?
The wet vs. dry dog food argument is largely up to personal preference, and there's a good chance that you'll need to have both on hand.
Most veterinarians agree that dry kibble is the better choice for everyday feeding.
Dry food has a crunchy texture that can clean the teeth and avoid tartar buildup. However, there will be times when dogs experience dental issues or need a little nudge to eat their food. In that case, wet meals are best.
2. Are Beagles at risk for developing food allergies?
Unfortunately, this breed is susceptible to developing allergies. Many Beagles will develop food sensitivities that wreak havoc on their skin. While troubling, these intolerances are easy to address.
You can work with your vet to perform an allergy test. Once you narrow down the sensitivity, the goal is to find food that doesn't contain it.
Beagles can become sensitive to common food ingredients like chicken. However, there are many fantastic limited-ingredient formulas and those that use novel protein sources.
You can also find skin-focused recipes and products targeting allergy-prone breeds like the Beagle.
3. Do Beagles need grain-free dog food?
There are many misconceptions about dogs and grains. In the past, some brands used cheap grains that caused health problems without a nutritional payoff. That lead to the rise of grain-free formulas.
Today, there's nothing inherently wrong with grains if your dog isn't allergic. Don't let the grain-free label fool you into thinking that a product is better than the alternatives. Always read the ingredient list.
4. Can you feed treats to Beagles?
You can feed Beagles treats, but you must account for those snacks in your dog's daily calories. Treats should make up no more than 20 percent of what they eat daily. More than that, you run the risk of nutritional deficiencies and weight gain.
5. Do Beagles need additional health supplements?
Ideally, your dog food will meet all of your Beagle's needs. High-quality products are nutritionally balanced, containing everything your dog needs to stay healthy.
You can also find products that address certain health issues like cardiovascular improvements, joint pain, and more.
6. How do you transition Beagles to new dog food?
The best way to transition your Beagle is to wean them off the old food while introducing the new recipe. To do that, start by replacing about a quarter of their daily meals with the new recipe.
Keep that ratio for a week before moving on to an even 50/50 split.
Provide the 50/50 mix for another week before doing a 75/25 ratio, with the new food being more prevalent. After about a month, you can remove the old food entirely.
7. Can you free-feed a Beagle?
It is not recommended to free-feed a Beagle. These dogs need a scheduled feeding routine. If they have the ability to eat whenever they want, there's a high chance that they will overeat and gain weight.
8. How often should a Beagle eat?
Most Beagle owners put their dogs on a two-meal feeding schedule. One meal occurs in the morning, while another occurs at night.
Working dogs can benefit from a third midday meal to keep energy levels up, but two meals daily are the norm.
9. How many cups of food does a Beagle need every day?
The amount of food you provide depends entirely on your dog's needs and the caloric density of the food you provide.
All products are different, so refer to the labeling for guidance and portion your dog's meals based on calories instead of volume.
A healthy adult Beagle will need 40 pounds per pound of body weight in the neighborhood daily. For standard dog food, that can be anywhere between one to two cups of dry kibble.
10. Are Beagles picky eaters?
Beagles aren't necessarily picky. However, they can grow bored of eating the same thing day in and day out. Consider mixing the food with canned meals, broth, or kibble toppers when that happens.
You can also consider switching to a new premium dog food formula.
Conclusion
You should be as careful and vigilant about your dog's food as you are about your very own. The market is flooded with cheap foods filled with cheap ingredients.
If you want your adult or Beagle puppies to thrive and stay healthy, take the extra time to find something that works for their unique dietary needs.
Category: best dog food by breed
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