How Much to Feed a Beagle (Feeding Chart & Guide)

As Beagle owners, it’s important to understand proper feeding guidelines to maintain their health. Determining the right amount to feed your Beagle will ensure they stay fit and at an optimal weight.

Beagles should be fed with the right amount of food appropriate for their age. A regular-sized Beagle puppy should have ½ to 2 ¼ cups of dry food. Adult Beagles need 1 ¼ to 2 cups, while senior Beagles need at least 1 to 1 ½ cups of dry food to maintain ideal weight. 

This guide also includes information on recommended feeding frequency and helpful advice for transitioning your dog to a new food, along with much more useful information!

What Factors Impact How Much to Feed a Beagle?

The key to successful Beagle feeding is familiarity with factors affecting the amount of food to feed your pooch. Check whether your Beagle gets proper nourishment while maintaining a healthy weight. 

The following are essential factors to consider when deciding how much food to give your Beagle: 

• Age: Beagle puppies need more food than adults and seniors. The first 12 months of a puppy’s life are critical for development. As they reach adulthood, the feeding requirements of your Beagle puppy begin to level off, and they no longer need to eat as often or as much. 
• Weight: The weight of your Beagle is a major factor in figuring out how much dog food you need to give. Your Beagle’s ideal weight changes over time, and a monthly body weight check lets you know if you need to adjust their food intake. 
• Activity Levels: A greater level of activity burns more energy than usual. For Beagles with normal activity levels, the guide on your dog food packaging is normally advised. Increase your dog’s food intake if they do lots of exercise.
• Overall Health: It is known that Beagles enjoy eating; hence they are prone to obesity. Maintain your dog’s health and avoid weight-related issues by giving them a balanced diet and high-quality dog food to meet their nutritional needs.

One of the factors that you need to consider as well is the type of your Beagle. A neighbor used to have a pocket Beagle which will remain smaller than the standard even in its adult or even senior years.

Hence, to ensure that her Beagle gets the right kind of diet, I suggested consulting with a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist for guidance on the proper caloric intake for her dog so that it remains healthy for its size.

Now that you are aware of these factors, you will find it easier to estimate the appropriate amount of dog food for your Beagle.

How Much to Feed Your Beagle

This section presents information on how much food to feed your Beagle puppy, starting from age two months to the senior age of eight and beyond.

While the food quantities mentioned here are good starting points for Beagle feeding, you should also consider their weight, activity level, overall health, and reproductive status.

Beagle Puppy Feeding Chart (2 to 12 months)

Before the age of two months, getting milk from their mother is highly recommended. A canine milk replacer is recommended if the mothers are not able to nurse their Beagle puppy.

Free feeding your Beagle puppies is recommended when weaning from five weeks of age. Once the Beagle puppy is weaned from its mother’s milk, you can begin feeding them puppy foods.

The table below shows how much food to feed a Beagle puppy:

If you plan to feed your Beagle puppy dry commercial puppy food, don’t forget to soften the puppy food with water. Make sure to let your Beagle puppy eat food that will support their overall nutritional needs. 

Adult Beagle Feeding Chart (1 to 7 years)

As your Beagle puppy approaches the age of one year, their nutritional requirements shift significantly.

Transitioning from puppy food to adult dog food should take a few days to a week. Your Beagle puppy may have an upset stomach from a sudden change in food.

The table below shows the recommended food quantity for an adult Beagle:

While no particular dog food is ideal for all adult Beagles, you are on the right track if you start feeding them high-quality adult dog food. In moderation, foods high in healthy fats can be included in your Beagle’s diet.

If you plan to feed your Beagle homemade food, they need supplements to ensure they get enough vitamins and minerals from their meals.

Senior Beagle Feeding Chart (8 years and older)

Beagles qualify as seniors when they reach the age of 8 or 9 years old. Although they have the same appetite, senior dogs don’t burn as many calories as younger dogs.

Take a look at the table below for the recommended quantity of food to give senior Beagles:

Your senior Beagle is more susceptible to obesity and gastrointestinal issues, which are common complaints from fur parents. Your Beagle can benefit from having essential fatty acids and glucosamine for their joints.

How Often Should You Feed Your Beagle

The age of your Beagle will determine its feeding frequency. A Beagle puppy of 3 to 12 months needs at least 3 to 4 feedings a day. By the age of 1 to 7 years, limit the feeding to 2 meals distributed within the day. Meanwhile, a senior Beagle can be fed once or twice daily.

An active Beagle puppy needs more frequent feedings due to their activity and rapid development. Quality food is essential to ensure your Beagle puppy gets all the nutrients they need to be healthy.

A senior Beagle, on the other hand, due to their decreased activity, can be given one meal a day, given that the Beagle eats a balanced diet.

The table below can serve as your guide on how often to feed your Beagle:

Beagles have an affinity for food, and it can be entertaining to watch your Beagle puppy eat. But always keep in mind to stick to your feeding schedule since it’s important to avoid overfeeding.

Further, having this discipline in following a feeding schedule also manages your expenses in your Beagle’s diet.

How to Transition Your Beagle to New Food

Whether you want to transition from Beagle puppy food to adult food, try out wet food, kibble, home-cooked food, or consider a raw food diet, it is important to properly introduce new food to your Beagle.

Usually, when getting your new Beagle puppy from a breeder, you feed the same brand of dog food and gradually switch to the one you prefer. 

The guide below will give you an idea of the timeline and food portion needed to successfully change your Beagle’s diet:

While changing your Beagle’s diet, make sure to observe if they will have an upset stomach or other issues. 

Tips on Feeding an Overweight Beagle

One of the concerns that Beagle owners have is their Beagle’s body weight. Being unaware of your Beagle’s eating habits may result in increased food intake.

A quick way of knowing whether you have an overweight Beagle is to do the rib test. Additionally, you’ll notice that they act sluggishly and their stomachs are sagging. 

If you suspect that your Beagle is overweight, here are some tips for feeding an overweight Beagle:

• Take a trip to the veterinarian. Consulting with your veterinarian and asking for an assessment regarding your Beagle’s weight and body condition will give you a better idea if you need to change your Beagle’s food and address its specific needs.
• Change to a low-calorie diet. To assist your dog in losing weight, switch to a low-calorie dog food specially made for managing weight. These diets are designed to supply your dog with the nutrition they require while also controlling their calorie intake.
• Avoid giving table scraps and extra treats. Giving your Beagle table scraps and treats is okay as long as they’re done in moderation. Avoid giving extra treats since it can quickly add up to their calorie intake. Instead, give them low-calorie treats or use their regular food as a treat.

Owning a Beagle myself in the past, I can attest that these dogs are one of the most aggressive beggars of table scraps and treats. Hence, they really do have a high tendency to gain additional weight because of this.

When dealing with an overweight dog, extra care and thought are essential. Monitoring your Beagle’s diet, food portion control, and exercise can help your four-legged buddy stay in shape. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know If I’m Feeding My Beagle Enough?

Some physical indicators that let you know if you are giving your Beagle enough food are bright eyes and a shiny coat. The Beagle breed is an active dog. If it always seems tired, it might not be getting enough food.

Check their stool as well. If the stool is too loose or watery, they are not getting enough food, while persistently hard and dry stool signals that they are getting too much food but not enough water. 

A visit to their vet to determine your Beagle’s body condition score (BCS) will give you a more in-depth assessment of your Beagle’s overall health.

Why Is My Beagle Not Eating?

There are various reasons why some Beagles refuse to eat. One of the most common reasons is stress. Moving into a new home or a change in routine can cause your Beagle to lose their appetite.

A drastic change in diet can make your dog hesitate to eat. Some Beagles who are picky eaters are given wet food formula instead of dry food due to its softer texture and high water content, which helps with hydration. 

If your Beagle is not feeling well or has an injury, it may refuse to eat. Refusal to eat paired with vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy means you should seek pet medical advice right away.

Can I Feed My Beagle With Human Food?

Feeding human food instead of commercial dog food or special homemade dog food is not 100% recommended. Human food contains too much fat and salt for dogs to properly digest, which is not as beneficial to them.

There are some human foods that can be given as treats. An example is unsalted peanut butter, which is a great source of protein and healthy fats. A cooked chicken meal or beef meal without bones can also be given.

Baked or boiled sweet potatoes are a good option if you want a treat that supports a healthy digestive system. They contain essential vitamins, are low in fat, and have high dietary fiber content.

Do Beagles Eat a Lot?

With their history as hunting dogs, Beagles are naturally food-driven. Unlike other breeds, Beagles seem to have little capacity for regulating their appetite.

When you let your Beagle eat as much food as it can, it will make itself sick. This is also one of the reasons why a strict schedule should be followed to prevent overfeeding and excessive weight gain.

Can Beagles Eat Bones?

While dogs are known to enjoy gnawing on bones, they are not always safe to eat. Cooked pork or chicken bones break down and splinter easily, causing damage to your Beagle’s intestine, mouth, or throat. 

Give an appropriately sized bone to your Beagle since big bones can cause dental and jaw problems. After 10 to 15 minutes, take the bone away, refrigerate, and dispose of them after four days.

When given properly, bones can be a good source of minerals, in addition to providing them with a nutritious diet. It is also advantageous for preventing plaque buildup and gum disease.

Hopefully, you have learned valuable tips from this feeding guide. Share with us your experiences in Beagle feeding in the comment section!