Feeding Guidelines

by Kris Kraeuter

  It is highly recommend that you continue to feed the puppy/growth formula your breeder has supplied, or a high quality dry puppy kibble.  By using the better quality foods, both the intake and output will be reduced, as there are far less "filler" type ingredients which results in higher digestability.

   Should you choose to change the brand or formula of food which your puppy receives, please remember to make any dietary changes gradually in order to avoid digestive upsets.  Begin by mixing small amounts of the new food with that which was supplied/recommended at the time of sale... slowly increasing the proportion until the pup is eating the brand on which you have chosen to maintain him.  Your beagle should continue to receive a puppy/growth formula of dry kibble until more mature (between 9 & 12 months), at which time he/she should begin receiving a quality, adult maintenance diet.

   Most breeders  recommend feeding three times daily, until the approximate age of 3 to 4 months, then feed twice daily through adulthood.  Divide the daily suggested ration into an AM and PM feeding (with a third reserved for a noon-time or afternoon feeding in the case of younger pups).  Baby puppies may receive 1 tsp of cottage cheese with their morning feeding for the first few weeks after purchase, if you feel the need to supplement; but for all practical purposes the quality puppy kibble provides everything your growing pup needs and in proper proportions.  Puppies who are teething (typically ages 3 to 5 months) may have their regular kibble softened by soaking it in a bit of warm water to help combat sore gums.  On occassion adding a  spoonful of high quality canned food to the kibble in order to encourage an especially stubborn pup through teething, is allowable, but remember that it can become difficult to get them back to a dry diet afterwards.  In many cases, picky eaters are made not born, so use caution.

   Please try to avoid giving snacks or biscuits to puppies under six months of age, and give only one or two small dog treats per day to older pups and adult beagles.  Many of the doggie treats are the equivalent of human "junk food" - high in sugar &/or sodium.  If you or your children really want to give the puppy treats, use those treats made by companies such as Science Diet, Iams or other quality manufacturers..  These are equivalent to the quality dry kibble formulas, and there are directions right on the packages detailing the amount by which the daily food intake should be reduced in exchange for each treat given.  Beagles should never be given "people" treats of any kind!  Small bits of cooked meat or egg added to their kibble on occassion may not hurt, but cookies and potato chips are definately out!

   A word about dietary supplements- -
Given today's scientifically researched, premium quality dog foods, there is rarely any need for additional dietary supplementation.  In fact, in many cases the well meaning owner can cause more harm than good by adding unnecessary supplements to their dog's diet, thereby upsetting the correctly proportioned formula.  Be especially cautious of adding supplements to the diet of your puppy during the rapid growth period.  Please consult your veterinarian first, before deciding to use any dietary supplements. 

   Beagles love to eat, and they have a tendency to gain weight quickly and easily.  An overweight puppy may not develop properly, and obese adults typically suffer additional health problems.  The following chart may be used as a general guideline in determining the amount of food your beagle should receive daily- - but be prepared to modify the amounts upwards or downwards slightly, based on the physical appearance and condition of your hound.  Most older puppies and adult beagles typically need less  food than the chart suggests in order to maintain proper condition. Indoor "couch potato" beagles will typically burn less calories then the hound who is out hunting rabbits or competing in the show ring, so feed accordingly.  A roll of fat over the ribs, or near the base of the tail, are good indications of  a too heavy beagle. Please note that growing puppies need to consume approximately twice as much food per pound of body weight as do mature adult dogs.

 Most adult Beagles range in weight between 18 to 24 lbs., and can be fed   between 1 and 2 cups of kibble per day with good results.  A single cup per day is typically sufficient to maintain most  adult hounds in proper condition, with the amount increased for specific hounds during periods of stress, such as the pack dogs during hunting season or show dogs on the circuit.