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Known for their floppy ears and bubbly personalities, beagles make wonderful family pets. These dogs are a joy to keep and they are loving, loyal companions. To thank your beagle for being such a faithful friend, make sure to feed him a healthy and wholesome diet. Also keep in mind that beagles are prone to a number of health problems, and an inadequate diet has the potential to make matters worse.
If you’re not sure where to start in choosing high-quality dog food for your beagle, you’ll be glad to know that we’ve done the hard work for you. Read on to learn more about meeting your beagle’s nutritional needs and to see our top picks for the best dog foods for beagles.
Understanding Your Beagle’s Nutritional Needs
The beagle typically reaches an adult size between 20 and 35 pounds which puts him at the upper limit for small breeds but under the minimum for large breeds. As a medium-sized dog, choosing the right diet for a beagle can be tricky. Small-breed recipes may be too high in calories because the beagle is highly prone to obesity but large-breed formulas may not be enough for an active beagle.
Because it can be difficult to choose a size-specific formula for your beagle, it may be better to simply shop for a high-quality recipe that meets the general nutritional requirements for most dogs. All dogs require a diet rich in animal protein with moderate amounts of healthy fats, limited carbohydrate content, and the right balance of essential nutrients.
Animal-based proteins are the best for dogs because they’re complete sources of protein—this means that they contain all of the essential amino acids your dog is incapable of synthesizing on his own. Animal products are also more biologically valuable for dogs and easier for them to digest. This applies to fats as well, though plant oils can be used to provide the right balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Carbohydrates should be limited and should come from digestible sources.
What to Look for in a Dog Food for Beagles
It’s difficult to say whether the beagle has unique nutritional needs based on the breed size because there is some variation. If your beagle is right around the 20-pound mark and is highly active, a small-breed formula could be appropriate. For larger and less active beagles, the best place to start is with a high-quality adult dog food made with plenty of animal protein.
Here are some general things to look for in dog food for beagles:
- Complete and balanced nutrition. Always check the label for an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy that shows the product is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage. This ensures that it will meet his minimum nutritional requirements.
- Rich in premium animal proteins. Look for a high-quality source of meat, poultry, or fish as the main ingredient and consider a single-source protein recipe if your beagle has food allergies.
- Low to moderate fat content. The beagle is a fairly active breed but can be prone to obesity with overfeeding so choose a fat content appropriate for your dog’s energy level. Make sure most of it comes from digestible animal sources like chicken fat or salmon oil as well.
- Highly digestible ingredients. Dogs are better able to digest animal ingredients than plant foods, so look for a diet with limited carbohydrate content. The addition of prebiotic fibers and probiotic supplements helps with digestibility as well.
- Limited Ingredient Diet. Beagles are one of the breeds more highly prone to allergies, so if your dog has allergies consider a diet made with limited ingredients. A grain-free diet shouldn’t be necessary unless your dog is specifically allergic to grains.
Now that you have a better idea of what your beagle needs and what to look for in dog food, you’re ready to start shopping! If you’re still not quite sure, don’t worry—we’ve put together a list of our top picks for the best dog foods for beagles below.
The 12 Best Dog Foods for Beagles
The best dog food for Beagles will feature a high-quality source of animal protein as the first ingredient, followed by low-to-moderate amounts of healthy fats and digestible carbohydrates. Beneficial supplements like prebiotic fibers, probiotics, and chelated minerals are excellent additions as well.
Here are our top picks for the best dog foods for beagles:
American Journey Chicken & Brown Rice Protein First Recipe
Featuring high levels of lean protein and natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, this protein-first recipe is a nutritious and affordable option for your beagle puppy.
Buy Now on ChewyWellness Complete Health Small-Breed Puppy Turkey, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe
An active beagle puppy needs a protein- and energy-rich source of nutrition like this Wellness Complete Health small-breed puppy recipe.
Buy Now on ChewyFarmina Natural & Delicious Chicken Small & Medium Breed Puppy Formula
Formulated for small and medium breed puppies, this recipe is high in protein but low in carbohydrates to deliver a premium source of digestible, balanced nutrition to start your beagle off right.
Buy Now on ChewyNutro Ultra Adult Dog Food
Not formulated for dogs of any particular size, this recipe delivers a healthy dose of lean protein with a rich blend of superfoods to deliver balanced nutrition.
Buy Now on AmazonTaste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Food
If you really prefer to feed your dog a grain-free diet, this recipe features a single source of premium animal protein with plenty of other high-quality natural ingredients.
Buy Now on AmazonMerrick Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Real Lamb Canned Food
If your beagle has a sensitive stomach or a grain allergy, this canned food made with a limited list of high-quality ingredients could be the solution.
Buy Now on AmazonZignature Turkey Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Food
For beagles with grain allergies, a limited ingredient formula like this one provides a high-protein source of balanced nutrition with the added benefit of chelated minerals.
Buy Now on ChewyRachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe
Limited ingredient diets can be fairly expensive, but this Just 6 recipe features a shorter list of high-quality ingredients in a digestible, affordable recipe.
Buy Now on ChewyWellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe
If you’re concerned that your beagle might have food allergies, switching to a limited ingredient diet made with a novel source of protein and carbohydrate like this could help.
Buy Now on AmazonVictor Senior Healthy Weight Dry Food
Beagles are highly prone to obesity, so a recipe like this that features 78% meat ingredients is a great choice, especially if your beagle is getting older.
Buy Now on AmazonBlue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight
Featuring lean chicken and digestible brown rice, this healthy weight formula is a great option for older or less active beagles.
Buy Now on AmazonCanidae Life Stages Platinum Formula Canned Dog Food
As your beagle gets older, his risk for obesity increases, but he still needs a healthy diet. This canned food formula is designed for senior dogs and is made with high-quality, natural ingredients.
Buy Now on AmazonBeagles are a unique and wonderful breed, but they may not be the ideal choice for everyone. If you’re thinking about adding a beagle to your family, it’s important that you learn everything you can about the breed.
Who better to describe the beagle breed than beagle owners? Check out our list of things only true beagle people understand.
