Ah, the hunting dog. Full of energy, a powerful bark, a never-ending appetite and, yet, always time for a nap. What gives?
While beagles have been bred to hunt, many of them find a loving home that doesn’t allow them to use those hunting instincts that are wired into their DNA. Many eat more calories than their bodies consume and many are slightly obese because of it.
In order to raise a happy, healthy beagle, we have some suggestions to help you to find the best below.
Before You Select
There are a few things to take into consideration before you choose the right food for your beagle. Let’s take a look at them:
- General Health. Does your beagle have health problems and require a special diet? Do they have allergies or intolerances to certain dog food ingredients? Is your beagle overweight?
There isn’t just one magic food that will do for each breed. You need to take everything into consideration as you compare and contrast dog foods, so on our list below we’ve tried to pick out a few formulas based on the dog’s general health
- Age. Puppy, adult or senior formula?
If you’ve just gotten your beagle (whether it’s a puppy or an adult) it’s important to switch them over to any new dog food brands gradually.
A food switch should happen over the course of about 5-7 days. This will help the dog’s digestive system get used to the new food gradually and you’ll also be able to keep an eye on them to make sure they aren’t having any negative reactions to it.
Top 6 Dog Foods for Beagles Table
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What Beagles Need
Beagles are pretty energetic so you don’t want to skimp on the protein.
You’ll need to take into consideration your dog’s activity level as you choose a food. If your dog is a couch potato and doesn’t get much exercise or have a garden to run around in, then look for a food with a protein percentage of around 30%. Number 2 is good if you have an overweight beagle since it’s a reduced fat formula and for less active beagles, check out number 6. It helps maintain a healthy weight for dogs that don’t get much exercise.
If you have a very active beagle (agility events, hunting or one that gets plenty of exercise), then you might want to go a little higher on the protein level. Check out numbers 2 and 5 if this sounds like your dog.
Top 3 Best Dog Food for Beagles Reviews
[easyazon_link asin=”B0093OMIJ0″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]1. Orijen Adult Dog Food[/easyazon_link]
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Orijen is pretty much the best dog food for beagles and any other dog out there. We know that some of you won’t agree, but out of all commercial dog food brands, it is favored by dog owners because of the high quality, natural ingredients they use.
This is a protein-rich formula (38%) that doesn’t use grains. It also doesn’t contain any potato, tapioca or plant protein concentrates. Plenty of chicken, whole eggs, fish, turkey and veggies to keep your dog healthy.
It is an expensive dog food and we know not everyone can opt for a brand in this price range, but in terms of quality, it’s hard to beat.
[easyazon_link asin=”B000VTRI3C” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]2. Grain Free Dry Dog Food[/easyazon_link]
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If you’re looking for a protein-rich, low fat food, Wellness has an excellent formula.
This is grain-free, so there is no wheat, soy or corn. It is also free of meat by-products, artificial colors, artificial flavors and preservatives. It would be ideal for someone who has an overweight beagle that has the opportunity to exercise regularly. The crude protein minimum is 33% (to keep their energy levels up) but the crude fat percentage is 10-12%.
It’s a good dog food for the price. If you can’t spring for Orijen, Wellness is an excellent alternative!
[easyazon_link asin=”B000W5SLB8″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]3. Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food[/easyazon_link]
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Taste of the Wild has plenty of flavors to choose from and it’s a very popular brand of dog food for those who have active dogs.
The one above is their Pacific Stream formula with smoked salmon. It has a 25% crude protein minimum, which makes it good for less active beagles, and it is also grain-free. They use sweet potatoes instead of grains, claiming that it is more digestible for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Each dog is different so we’ll let you be the judge of that!
This is a quality food in the mid-price range. Check out the other flavors available if you’re in need of something with different nutritional percentages (some of them are higher in protein and would be great for active dogs).
An excellent choice for many beagles.
