Known for being fun and loving dogs to be with, the beagle is usually a high-energy dog that requires a lot of TLC but will reward you with tons of heartwarming expressions that will make your heart flutter. But when it comes to food: how much do I feed a beagle puppy?
Like every dog breed, the floppy-eared beagle should start with a healthy diet from their puppyhood onwards to give them the proper nutrition that they need for their growth and development. Not all beagles grow in the same way – some live active lifestyles while others don’t get to go outside that much.
If you’re looking for a feeding guide for your beagle puppy, you came to the right place! In this article, we’ll share some tips on giving your pup the best diet plan according to their age and health condition(s), if any.
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Obesity is a big hurdle for most beagle owners because the breed is prone to it. Therefore, proper meal planning and scheduling are crucial to keeping your puppy happy and healthy throughout their journey to adulthood. Likewise, you also don’t want to give them too little food for their age, as under-feeding is also bad for their health.
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How much to feed a Beagle puppy?
Beagle puppies should be fed at least 3 times a day and this should be strictly monitored. After all, we mentioned above that beagle puppies are prone to obesity, right? They shouldn’t be free-fed because that will only lead to weight problems.
When your beagle puppy grows to 6 months old and above, you can just feed them 2 times a day – ideally in the morning and in the late hours. Always stick to a schedule from the start so your puppy doesn’t eat too much or too little – and keep the treats to a minimum, if possible.
With that said, you also need to take into consideration the calories that go into your beagle pup’s belly – around 55 calories per pound (of your puppy) is recommended for beagles. If you are preparing raw or homemade meals, this is a little trickier versus commercial food.
Feeding Chart
So, are you wondering how much to feed your beagle puppy based on their age? Here’s a rough estimation depending on how old your pup is:
| Puppy age | What to feed | Feeding frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks old | nursing/milk from mother | |
| 4 weeks old | half to a three-fourths cup of wet food | |
| 6 weeks old | wet food, 1/3 cup each meal, decrease the amount of water | 3 meals a day |
| 8 to 10 weeks old | transition to solid food, half cup per meal, 1 1/2 cups a day | 3 meals a day |
| 12 weeks old | 1 1/2 to 2 cups a day | 3 meals a day |
| 6 months old | 1 cup a day, adjust depending on puppy activity | 2 meals a day |
Of course, the above-mentioned chart is just a guide – it still depends upon your best judgment on what to feed your puppy based on various factors, such as their daily activity and the type of food. However, we still recommend putting your beagle in a schedule as soon as they can somehow chew solid food to ensure that they won’t be overfed (or underfed).
Growth Chart
You might be wondering: is my beagle puppy growing properly? Do I need to feed them more or less? To help ease your worries, we prepared a growth chart below, as well as a rough guide on what to expect when feeding your beagle pup during their different stages of life.
| Age in Month | Weight in Kilogram | Weight in Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 1.6-1.8 kg | 3.5-4 lbs |
| 2 months | 3.1-3.8 kg | 7-8.5 lbs |
| 3 months | 4.5-6.3 kg | 10-14 lbs |
| 4 months | 6-9 kg | 13-19 lbs |
| 5 months | 7-10 kg | 16-22 lbs |
| 6 months | 8-11 kg | 17-25 lbs |
| 8 months | 8.5-12 kg | 19-27 lbs |
| 10 months | 9-12.5 kg | 20-28 lbs |
| 12 months | 9-13 kg | 20-29 lbs |
| 24 months | 9-13.5 kg | 20-30 lbs |
When a beagle reaches 6 months old, they are likely to be 12 pounds or more depending on their height – smaller beagles are usually 13 inches or less while larger beagles can grow up to 15.
6 weeks old
A 6-week-old beagle puppy should already transition to solid food slowly. They will depart from being nursed by the mother beagle so, during this time, they need to be fed properly. If you are still transitioning your puppy’s food, you can decrease the amount of water and increase the solid food in the mix.
If your beagle pup is very active and full of energy, you might want to increase their servings a little bit. Generally, during this age bracket, a beagle pup should be fed 1 cup a day and divided over 3 meals (in the morning, afternoon, and night).
Keep in mind that since beagle pups love exploration, they are also prone to eating random items they find on the way – which could lead to stomach upsets. This is why they need to be watched over when they’re out. Always ensure that your surroundings are clear of any objects (or food that isn’t appropriate for pets) that are likely to be picked up by your beagle pup.
8 weeks old
By 8 weeks of age, your beagle puppy should already graduate from their mother’s milk. This means they should likely depend on solid food from now on. As a responsible owner, always keep their feeding schedule strictly fulfilled and monitor.
As mentioned above, 1 1/2 cups a day is a good amount to feed your beagle puppy by this time. This translates to 1/2 cup per serving, which can be a mix of anything your puppy likes – so long as it’s nutritious and safe for their diet. Most pet owners combine canned (wet) food with kibble, as well as raw and home-cooked meals.
Moreover, by this time, your pup could snooze a lot. Don’t worry – this amount of sleep is needed for their growth. However, be prepared for a hyperactive pup when they wake up, so be sure to play with them and give them the appropriate amount of food.
10 weeks old
Keep your beagle puppy at 1 1/2 cups a day even when they reach 10 weeks of age. The schedule of 3 meals a day should remain consistent so that they aren’t underfed or overfed. What a schedule does is to avoid hunger pangs throughout the day, which could lead to obesity.
Aside from that, we did mention above (and we’ll repeat it) to keep treats to a minimum. Rewarding with treats should be done sparingly because this is one of the main causes of overfeeding, which is especially bad for small breeds like beagles.
12 weeks old
When your puppy reaches 12 weeks of age, you may increase their daily intake to 2 cups a day depending on their activity, but still, keep the schedule to 3 times a day. If you’ve followed a strict schedule from when they were younger, your puppy should have little to no problem getting hungry during their expected meal times.
Choose food with calories and proteins that will help an active dog stay healthy and happy. On the other hand, you can also lessen the amount of food if your beagle pup hasn’t been going outdoors or running around lately to avoid weight issues.
If your puppy needs to have a change in their food, make sure to do it gradually in portions. As much as possible, we recommended sticking to the same manufacturer but with a different formulation or ingredients to avoid digestive upsets. However, if that brand is not available for some reason, pick the closest to the original food in terms of ingredients and formulation but always change the food slowly.
Recommended Food
Kibble (dry food) and canned (wet food) are the norms when it comes to giving your beagle puppy their daily meals. Many brands of dog food cater specifically to small breeds like beagles and they also have formulas that are made for puppies.
However, with that said, if you’re wondering which foods are suitable or best for beagles, here’s what to look for:
Fruits and veggies
Consider carrots and apples as they are sources of Vitamin A and C. Beagles are known to be prone to health conditions relating to the eyes such as glaucoma and cherry eye, as well as PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy. To combat the prevalence of these diseases when they reach adulthood, feed them foods rich in vitamin A.
You can also try other vegetables such as beans, spinach, beets, and sweet peas. You could also give your beagle pup bits of bananas, mangoes, and strawberries. Veggies should make up about 25 percent of their meals while fruits can be about 10 percent. Mixing veggies and fruits with your main course (e.g. meat/fish) will maintain a healthy balanced diet for your puppy.
Quality meat sources
Consider specific meat types indicated in the package, especially for store-bought food, such as turkey, fish, bison, chicken, and the like. You should find something written like “chicken is the first ingredient”. Chicken meal is also okay because that’s a good protein source.
You can also look for some liver, kidneys, and other internal organs alongside the meat or fish content. Protein should make up about 40% of their daily meals because that will give them the energy they need throughout the day.
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Look for these two nutrients when choosing your beagle puppy food. These are great for fighting the onset of hip dysplasia and intervertebral disk disease when they get older, as beagles are known to be prone to them.
Healthy carbohydrate sources
Growing beagle pups should have about 25 percent of their daily meals from carbohydrate sources. Some examples of healthy carbs for your puppy include sweet potatoes, oatmeal, potatoes, and rice. In some cases, you can also give them pasta (but not the sauce!).
Foods to Avoid
Now that we know what you should feed your beagle puppy, what are the food types to avoid? Here’s what you shouldn’t give to your pup to ensure their health:
Filler-based dog food brands
By “filler”, we mean those commercial dog food brands that simply make the content plentiful without having any kind of health benefit or nutritional value to your pup. If you find that your puppy food has too many carbohydrates (e.g. corn, wheat, meat by-products), it’s not a good brand for them.
That’s because they won’t get any nutrients from it and in some cases, it may even cause digestive upsets, especially for those puppies that have a food allergy history. To avoid this, look for a puppy food that says “no added fillers” – and it’s usually the formulas and brands that have a certain type of meat (e.g. chicken) as the first ingredient and are mostly filled with protein.
Carbohydrates are okay for your puppy but too much might not be a good idea. Dogs have a digestive system built differently from humans, which is why they should have a specific dietary need. In this case, protein is more suitable for your beagle pup since they use it for energy and lean muscles – especially if your puppy likes to explore a lot and run around.
Toxic foods for dogs
Most of us are probably aware that chocolate and avocadoes are a no-no for dogs. Other human foods that are not suitable for your pup include coffee, raisins, cherries, garlic, and onions. That’s because they have certain chemicals that don’t do well inside your dog’s tummy.
If you aren’t sure whether a food you have is okay to be fed to your puppy or not, try searching about it on the internet, asking a fellow pet owner, or consulting your vet about it. Some beagles could have sensitive stomachs, which is why it’s more of a trial and error on what they should eat and what they shouldn’t.
FAQs on Feeding a Beagle Puppy
Now that you know how much to feed your beagle puppy and what types of food to give them, here are some more facts and frequently asked questions to help improve your pup’s nutrition:
When choosing food for your beagle pup, consider high-quality brands, especially if they have sensitive tummy issues. Consider a mix of store-bought (kibble) and home meals for the best diet balance. You can also add canned meals (e.g. foods with sauce or gravy) to help them digest the food properly.
We think giving treats is okay, but make sure to give them only when needed. Don’t spam your pup with treats because that will only ruin their whole eating schedule!
Beagles aren’t usually picky eaters but some pups are quite choosy. However, if they suddenly stop eating food that they usually like, we think it’s best to ask your vet about it. This could be a health problem.
Raw feeding a Beagle puppy
Raw feeding has been popular among pet owners, but is it okay to feed your beagle puppy raw food? The simple answer is that it depends, but the long answer is that raw feeding has its share of advantages and shortcomings.
Advantages to Raw Feeding
An advantage to feeding raw to your beagle puppy is that you can give your pup a more tailored meal depending on their nutritional needs. If your pup has a family history of hip dysplasia, for example, you may want to feed them more with foods that are rich in glucosamine.
Aside from that, you’re assured that your puppy gets a no-filler formulation. Fillers are usually not good for pets because they not only contain little to no nutrition but they might also cause digestive upsets and excessive weight not suited for their age and breed. By feeding your puppy raw food, you’ll get to choose which ingredient or nutrient goes into their diet and which doesn’t.
Disadvantages to Raw Feeding
Perhaps the most common disadvantage or the shortcoming to raw feeding is the amount of money you need to spend on it. Store-bought food is not only cheaper but also more accessible versus having to go to a wet market to buy a list of raw meat and ingredients.
Aside from that, people with busy lifestyles, such as those going to work, attending to family needs, attending school, and the like, may not have sufficient time to prepare raw food for their beagle puppies. Raw feeding also requires certain calculations of calories, whereas manufacturers that make store-bought puppy food already did the math for you.
If you live in humid areas, such as near the coastlines, your surroundings could be more prone to bacteria, which is not entirely suitable for raw feeding due to the possibility of meat/produce mishandling.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, beagle puppies are small yet energetic companions so they need to be fed in a schedule to keep their hunger pangs at bay and to limit the likelihood of obesity. Then again, feeding your beagle pup usually depends on their activity levels so it’s best to experiment and see if you can feel their ribs or not. What matters most is that you feed your pup properly and with the right food!
