This post may contain affiliate links. We are compensated for referring customers to our affiliate partners.
The Beagle is a small- to medium-sized dog and a member of the Hound Group for the AKC. This breed is known for its even temper and friendly disposition in addition to the fact that it gets along well with children and other dogs. The Beagle consistently ranks among the top 10 most popular breeds in the United States according to AKC statistics, loved both as a family pet and a hunting dog. Below you will find valuable information about meeting your Beagle nutritional needs as well as some special considerations to make. You will also find recommendations for commercial dog foods for this friendly and fun-loving breed.
Nutritional Needs for Beagles
As a small- to medium-sized breed, the Beagle has different nutritional needs than larger dogs. While large-breed dogs have higher total daily requirements for calories, a small-breed dog actually needs more calories per pound. Consider this – a 110-pound Rottweiler needs a total of about 2,500 calories per day while a 22-pound Beagle only needs about 750. If you do the math, however, you will find that the Rottweiler needs about 23 calories per pound of body weight while the Beagle needs about 34 calories per pound. Small-breed dogs have very fast metabolisms so they require a commercial dog food diet that is calorie-dense to ensure that their energy needs are met.
In addition to requiring a calorie-dense diet, the Beagle also needs a healthy blend of nutrients – this includes protein, carbohydrates and fat as well as water, vitamins and minerals. Protein is the most important component of any dog’s diet and it should come from high-quality sources of animal-based proteins like fresh meat and fish. Meat meals are also a valuable addition to any commercial dog food diet because they are a highly concentrated source of protein since they have already been cooked down to a moisture level around 10%. One thing to be wary of with meat meals, however, is that they should come from named sources like chicken or salmon rather than unnamed generic sources like poultry or meat. When evaluating a commercial dog food diet you should check the ingredients list and look to find at least one high-quality source of animal protein at the top of the list.
Fat is another very important consideration for a Beagle’s diet because fats are the most highly concentrated source of energy for dogs. These fats should not come from just anywhere, however – they should also come from high-quality, animal-based sources. Check the ingredients list for things like chicken fat and menhaden fish oil rather than canola oil or ground flaxseed. While these plant-based fat sources are not necessarily bad for your dog, animal-based fats are more biologically valuable for dogs. In addition to checking that the fats used in a product are from animal-based sources you should also check to make sure that they provide a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – your Beagle needs both to maintain good health and to ensure that his coat and skin stay in good condition.
Special Considerations for Beagles
Beagle puppies need plenty of calories in order to fuel their growth which is why you should offer your Beagle puppy a commercial diet specially formulated for small-breed dogs. Keep your Beagle on a puppy formula for at least six months and allow him to feed freely. Once your puppy reaches about 80% of his adult size you can switch him over to a small-breed adult formula and start rationing his meals into two or three small portions per day. While the Beagle is not one of the smallest breeds out there, they are still small enough that they should be given a commercial diet made with small kibbles that are easy to chew. Small-breed commercial diets are also formulated to meet the energy needs of small-breed dogs in smaller portions because they have small stomachs and cannot eat a lot at one time. Be careful about overfeeding your Beagle, however, because small-breed diets are so calorie dense. Beagles have a very high risk for obesity and once your dog becomes obese it can be difficult to get him back to a health weight.
Another factor to consider when selecting a commercial dog food diet for your Beagle is the prevalence of food allergies in dogs. All dogs are at-risk for developing food allergies with the most common allergens being beef, dairy, and wheat. To prevent your Beagle from developing a food allergy you should feed him a commercial diet that is free from these and other common allergens. If your Beagle already suffers from food allergies, a limited ingredient diet (LID) might be the best choice. These diets are made with novel sources of protein (like rabbit instead of chicken) as well as gluten- and grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potato and tapioca. If you suspect that your Beagle is suffering from a food allergy you should switch him to a limited ingredient diet for at least 12 weeks. Then you can introduce potential allergens one at a time in order to identify which one is causing the problem. After you identify the culprit you then simply need to keep your Beagle on a diet free from that ingredient.
Top Recommended Dog Foods for Beagles
If you need some help in finding the right food for your Beagle, consider one of the commercial dog food brands discussed below. Be careful when considering a breed-specific formula for your dog – do not just assume that the formula will meet your dog’s needs without evaluating the product for yourself. Consider the ingredients list to make sure that the product is of high-quality before offering it to your dog.
Earthborn Holistic Small Breed
The Earthborn Holistic pet food company is dedicated to providing dogs and cats with fresh, wholesome nutrition. Their formulas are made from top-quality ingredients including digestible proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a precise blend of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to ensure well-balanced nutrition. Earthborn Holistic offers three different lines of dog food – Natural, Natural Grain-Free, and Moist Grain-Free. Within the Natural line of pet foods is one formula specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of small-breed dogs like the Beagle. This formula is made with chicken meal, whitefish meal, and oatmeal as the top three ingredients so you can rest assured that it will meet your dog’s needs for protein and carbohydrate. This formula also contains chicken fat, ground brown rice, and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you are looking for a formula that will provide your dog with well-balanced nutrition, then look no further than this Earthborn Holistic Small Breed formula.
Acana Adult Small Breed
The Acana pet food company is known for providing dogs and cats with biologically appropriate diets made from fresh, regional ingredients. Acana offers two main product lines – the Acana Classics and the Acana Regionals line – both of these product lines are made from the freshest ingredients available in the award-winning Acana kitchens. Within the Acana Classics line of dog foods there are two formulas specially designed for small-breed dogs – one for puppies and one for adult dogs. The Adult Small Dog formula is made with cage-free chicken, whole eggs, and wild-caught flounder as well as a blend of fresh, locally sourced fruits and vegetables. This product is also infused with DHA and EPA to ensure that your Beagle’s coat stays healthy. This formula contains 60% chicken, egg, and fish ingredients with 20% regional fruits and vegetables plus 20% low-glycemic Alberta oats. What more could you ask for?
Nutrience Natural Healthy Adult Medium Breed
The tag line for Nutrience pet foods is “pet food made with a purpose” and that purpose is to provide your dog with well-balanced nutrition that nourishes the body and fuels the spirit. Nutrience offers three different lines of dog food formulas – Original, Natural, and Grain-Free. Each line of dog foods contains special formulas designed for dogs of different sizes – this company even offers formulas for medium-sized breeds which is very unique. The Adult Medium Breed formula within the Original line of dog foods is made with chicken meal as the first ingredient so you know it will provide your dog with high-quality protein – it also has chicken fat for concentrated energy. The Natural line of dog foods contains two Healthy Adult formulas and the Grain-Free line does as well. If you choose Nutrience for your Beagle’s diet you will have several high-quality options to choose from.
The Beagle is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 breeds in the USA, and for good reason. Not only are Beagles friendly and fun-loving, but they are also smart and good with children. If you have a Beagle, do yourself and your dog a favor by feeding him a commercial diet that is specially formulated to meet his nutritional needs.
