Best Dog Foods For Beagles: Puppies, Adults & Seniors

The Beagle is a friendly dog who is one of America’s favorite dog breeds. And most of the world for that fact! Anyone that has ever met a Beagle knows that they love food more than most. But that doesn’t mean you can feed him just any ol’ kibble.

Just because your Beagle might eat anything that you put in front of him doesn’t mean that it is nutritionally beneficial. It’s true that some dog food out there has little nutritional benefit. And sometimes, a poor quality kibble can do more harm than good.

So, it’s important that you get it right. Whether your Beagle needs a change in diet or you are about to welcome a new puppy into your life, this nutritional guide is a must-read. You’ll learn what nutrients your Beagle needs at each life stage, as well as ingredients to look for. Using all of this research, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite dog foods for the Beagle.

To give him the best start to life, always feed your Beagle the best nutrition you can afford. It can make all the difference between best health and being nutritionally deficient. A sign of good quality nutrition is the first ingredient being meat protein. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that puppies need a minimum protein content of 22%. Meat provides fuel for growth and energy for a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy omega fats are a crucial part of a puppy’s diet. Fats provide energy and growing power, as well as supporting healthy brain and eyesight development. It also supports vitamin and mineral absorption, keeps his coat supple, and boosts overall wellness. Ingredients such as fish, meat meals, flaxseed, fish oils, and eggs are rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). These fats are found in mothers’ milk and are crucial for puppy development.

Adult Beagle Nutrient Needs

From the age of 12 months, it will be the right time to switch your Beagle to an adult kibble. Beagles need less protein and fats during adulthood as his body will have completed most of their growing by now. In adulthood, AAFCO recommends that the minimum protein content should now be 18%. Just like before, always feed your pooch the best quality nutrition that you can afford.

A well-balanced diet is key during adulthood, and good quality kibbles will provide this. Dogs need more than just meat protein. Carbohydrates, fiber, omega fats, vitamins, and minerals are also required. Look for grains or, if you are seeking a grain-free diet, look for ingredients such as sweet potatoes, chickpeas, or legumes for energy. Prebiotic fiber such as vegetables and dried beet pulp are great sources of fiber.

Vitamin and minerals come from fruits and veggies, as well as additional supplements. If your Beagle has a sensitive stomach, look for a kibble that lists probiotic ingredients such as dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product. These promote friendly bacteria in his gut and assist with regular digestion.

The Beagle, with his larger-than-life appetite, is known to pile on the pounds easily. And excess weight can lead to a multitude of health problems. So it’s important not to overfeed him and to follow the package instructions. If you notice that he is getting too chunky for his frame, you need to either feed him less food or switch him to a weight management kibble.

Senior Beagle Nutrient Needs

It will be time to switch your Beagle to a senior kibble around the age of eight years old. Like before, the transition to life-stage appropriate kibble is important because his senior nutritional needs are different from his adult ones. Transition him between the different kibbles slowly because senior dogs have sensitive digestive systems.

Senior Beagles move about far less than adult ones, and as such, burn less energy. Therefore your senior Beagle will need less fuel. Otherwise, he will undoubtedly pile on the pounds. His weak joints and aging cardiac system could do without the extra weight. To keep him feeling fuller for longer, most senior kibbles have a higher fiber content as fiber is low in calories.

Senior kibbles also contain a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals to boost his slowing immunity to keep him fighting fit. Look out for more fruits, veggies, and added supplements in the ingredients list. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also essential senior nutrients because they keep his aging joints supple. These can be found in meat meals, fish, fish oil, green-lipped mussels, and added supplements.

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Best Dog Foods for Beagle Puppies

Beagle puppies will be weaned off their mother’s milk at approximately six weeks old. So when it’s his time to join you at home, you’ll need to have a kibble ready for him to eat. As already mentioned, it’s important to have the right balance of nutrients, while matching the calorie count needed to a growing puppy. Beagles will generally do best eating a puppy food formula made for small breeds. Here are our favorite kibbles for Beagle puppies.

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American Journey is one of the newest food brands on the block, but there are a few big reasons why we regularly recommend their recipes. They are high-quality formulas and budget-friendly for those on a tighter budget. The protein content is high at 30%, meaning that the Beagles muscles and overall energy needs are taken care of. The first three ingredients are lamb, chicken meal, and turkey meal.

This is a grain-free recipe that lists peas, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes as the main carbohydrates and energy sources. The meat meals, flaxseed, and fish oils provide the omega fatty acids needed for puppy development. Blueberries, carrots, and dried kelp are full of antioxidants for his immunity. And dried probiotic ingredients promote friendly bacteria in his gut.

We love that this formula lists a variety of nutrient-dense ingredients, which is great in supporting his developing immune system.

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This grain-free kibble was produced this kibble with growing puppies in mind. It has the second-highest fat content on this list. Meaning that his growing needs are met, and his coat will be super sleek and shiny. There is a long list of prairie meats, such as water buffalo, lamb meal, roasted bison, roasted venison, beef, and Menhaden fish meal. This is another recipe that’s free of any poultry.

This high quality formula uses sweet potatoes and peas as healthy carbs. They are nutritious and full of fiber, too, to aid in digestive regularity. In addition to the meat meals, salmon oil and egg product provide DHA and ARA for his brain and eyesight development. This dog food is highly digestible thanks to the long list of K9 strain probiotic ingredients. Guaranteeing live microorganisms in every bite.

We love that this formula focuses on gut health, thanks to all the gut-friendly ingredients listed. This is a great dog food formula for gassy pups with sensitive digestive systems.

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Hill’s Science Diet is made by scientists and canine nutritionists who have studied the nutritional needs of puppies. Throwing all of their research into the bowls of pups across the country, it is vet recommended. This is the only grain-inclusive recipe on our recommended list. It lists wheat, barley, and corn, which all provide energy and fiber. And for some pups, it helps to keep them regular.

It has the lowest protein content on this list, but this is just what some young pups need. Of course, it still exceeds the recommendations set by AAFCO with a 25% protein content. Chicken meal is the first ingredient, and with fish oils too, it is full of healthy fats. This formula is fortified with vitamin and mineral supplements for his immune system.

We love that this recipe is the best option for those Beagle parents who wish to feed their Beagle a grain-inclusive recipe.

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Blue Buffalo has a wide variety of formulas. This is one of their higher protein options. It has a protein content of 32%, and beef and beef meal are the first two ingredients. Which makes this super tasty. Fish meal, venison, and lamb are also listed further down, which provide a variety of amino acids, which is important for his muscle maintenance and puppy growth.

The meat meals, fish oil, eggs, and flaxseed, provide a high omega fatty acid content. Which is great for his cardiac function and overall puppy development thanks to the DHA and ARA. This kibble contains Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits, which contain seven superfoods and nutrients optimized for puppy development. There is also a long list of probiotic ingredients for his gastrointestinal health.

We love that this recipe is chicken and poultry-free, made from a variety of juicy red meats instead. Making this a great option for fussier pups or those who are intolerant of white meats.

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This is our premium option for Beagle pups, and it is a great formula that covers all developmental needs and more. It has the highest protein content of 36%, making this a great option for energetic Beagles. His muscle mass is well-taken care of thanks to the variety of meats, with chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal being the three leading ingredients.

This dog food for Beagle puppies lists a long list of rich antioxidants for his immunity, including spinach, broccoli, carrots, apples, blueberries, and kale. And each kibble piece is fortified in probiotics and omega fats for digestive support and optimized puppy development. Chicory root extract is great in keeping his appetite satisfied and stools healthy. And yucca schidigera extract can also help to reduce stool odor.

We love that this recipe has the highest protein content and calorie count per cup, which is great for the growing Beagle pup and his energy needs. 

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Best Dog Foods for Adult Beagles

The Beagle will be considered an adult around the age of 12 months. By now, he will have completed most of his growing. So adulthood is all about a well-balanced diet catering to his needs. If he is a working Beagle, you’ll want to pick a kibble with higher energy and protein. And if he’s a lazy dog, he’ll need a less calorific recipe to avoid weight gain. Here are our favorite options to cover all Beagle needs.

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The Farmer’s Dog offers four grain-free recipes that always offer more fresh-frozen meat than any other ingredient. Depending on the formula, you may find sweet potatoes, green beans, or even broccoli among the fresh produce fiber sources. All of these fresh superfoods pack a lot of nutrients, maintaining a robust immune system. And, since every recipe is AAFCO-certified for all life stages and the meal plan is customized for your unique dog, you can feel confident that your dog’s next meal will meet all of his nutritional needs to keep him healthy and strong.

If you’d prefer to include grains, you can always cook up some rice to mix in. This will diversify your dog’s diet and also help spread the food across more meals, saving you money!

We love that these recipes are cooked fresh based on a personalized meal plan for your best friend. And since every ingredient is human-grade, you can be sure that your dog is getting the very best dog food possible.

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This dog food for Beagle adults follows the American Journey puppy recommendation. Meaning that if your Beagle did well on this as a pup, he will probably do well on this as an adult too. It has a high protein content of 32%, thanks to deboned lamb, chicken meal, and turkey meal listed as the first three ingredients. Menhaden fish meal and salmon oil keep his joints supple and coat sleek and shiny.

This is a grain-free recipe that lists peas, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes for his extra energy needs. Dried kelp is listed which is nutrient-dense and particularly great for maintaining strong bones. Added vitamins and supplements boost his immunity, and taurine takes care of his cardiac system. Probiotic ingredients are also listed for his gastrointestinal health too.

We love that this recipe contains plenty of nutrient-dense ingredients, which is great for his immunity and overall health.

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Here we have another popular recipe, but it’s made with fresh fish instead of buffalo meat. Not only does it offer an alternative taste to poultry ingredients, but it is also rich in omega fats and taste. Some dogs also find single protein sources easier to digest, so this could be a great option for Beagles with sensitive stomachs. Plus, every bite guarantees naturally live microorganisms for improved gut health, thanks to the long list of probiotics.

This is a grain-free formula that uses sweet potatoes and peas as the main energy and fiber sources. All of which are high in other nutrients needed by his immune system. Blueberries and raspberries add an extra boost of antioxidants for a healthy oxidative state for his overall wellness. The fish ingredients supply omega fatty acids for joint support and a healthy coat. There’s a reason that Taste of the Wild is so well thought of, and this recipe helps live up to the brand reputation.

We love that this recipe uses fish as the sole protein source, making this ideal for those Beagles intolerant of other commonly used meats.

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Beagles are amongst the most affected breeds when it comes to canine obesity. This Purina Pro recipe is one of several Purina recipes designed to solve that problem. Thankfully, this recipe is super tasty with shredded chicken pieces that he will not realize you’ve put him on a diet. Chicken is the first ingredient, and this recipe has a protein content of 27%.

The optimum protein to fat ratio helps him to manage his weight. Fish oil and plant oils supply healthy omega fats while keeping fats to a minimum also to ensure effective weight management. This is a grain-inclusive recipe that uses rice and corn as the main energy sources. But added probiotics make this an easy-to-digest formula.

We love that this formula is the best option for adult Beagles looking to manage their weight. Many Beagles find themselves in this position, and this formula offers a helping hand.

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This performance recipe designed with optimized nutrients for supplying high and focused energy. Not all Beagles are lazy so-and-sos, and some still hunt daily with their master, so this choice is for them! L-carnitine is listed, which supports and stimulates his metabolism. This formula is made with gluten-free grains, such as sorghum and millet, which are easy to digest.

This recipe provides a protein content of 30% and lots of amino acids for strong muscles and full maintenance. The first ingredient is beef meal, with pork meal, chicken meal, and Menhaden fish meal. Blood meal is also listed, and although it sounds gross to us, it’s tasty and full of nutrients for Fido. Their Victor Pro blend of probiotics makes this rich formula gentle on digestive systems.

We love that this formula is a great option for very active or sporting Beagles regularly out on the field hunting. It has the optimum 30/20 (protein to fat) ratio for sporting dogs.

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This dog food for beagle adults also follows suit from our puppy recommendations. Again, meaning that if your Beagle did well on this recipe as a pup, he should thrive on it as an adult. This is our premium option for Beagle adults, and it uses top-quality ingredients. Deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal are the first three ingredients, and they are lean and full of amino acids.

This recipe offers a high fat and calorie count per cup compared to most of the others on this list, which is great for the more energetic Beagles. Each kibble piece is fortified in Wellness’s exclusive acticoat, which includes omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, taurine, vitamins, and minerals. Along with the meat meals, biotin and folic acid will keep his coat silky and shiny.

We love that this premium recipe has the highest protein content, which is ideal for energetic Beagles. Or those fussier pooches who prefer big meaty taste.

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Best Dog Foods for Senior Beagles

As your Beagle approaches eight years old, you’ll need to start thinking about switching him to a senior kibble. Feeding your senior and less-active Beagle an appropriate senior kibble will help to keep age-related weight gain at bay. Here are our favorite options for the older Beagles.

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This option completes the American Journey recommendations for the Beagle. For his senior years, we have chosen the salmon-based option. This is because it has the highest glucosamine content. High glucosamine dog food is helpful for dogs with aging bones and joints.The first ingredient is deboned salmon, with turkey meal and chicken meal in the first five ingredients. And they all help in keeping his skin and coat young and healthy.

There are a lot of nutrient-dense ingredients in this dog food formula. Including microalgae and dried kelp, which keep his immune system healthy and bones strong. And pumpkin and sweet potato are great for his fibrous needs, contributing to a high fiber content and keeping him feeling fuller in between mealtimes. This dog food formula can help prevent anal gland issues due to the higher fiber content, which beagles are known for. This recipe lists probiotic ingredients for his digestive system and l-carnitine to stimulate his metabolism.

We love that this recipe offers the highest protein content on our senior dog food list. Making this a great option for those whose relatively active muscles still need maintenance power.

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This Canidae recipe is ideal for the senior Beagle whose slowing digestive system needs a simpler formula to digest. There are several recipes in Canidae’s Pure dog food lineup, with a focus on fewer ingredients. This formula uses just nine key ingredients, meaning that everything included is needed for his senior health. Plus, there’s nothing in there that he doesn’t need. It is also grain-free for those who struggle to digest grains.

Chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal are the first three ingredients, contributing to a protein content of 28%. These meats are lean, and the fat content is low to manage his weight well. Sweet potatoes and alfalfa meal are nutrient-dense, and added vitamins and minerals boost his immunity to keep him strong. There are lots of probiotics that promote friendly gut bacteria.

We love that this recipe is a limited ingredient diet, making it ideal for those Beagles with sensitive stomachs who need extra help in the digestive department.

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This Blue Buffalo choice is from the Life Protection formula, which provides a well-balanced diet for his senior years. This recipe offers the lowest protein content on our list. But this might make this the right for your older Beagle if he struggles to digest rich recipes. Chicken is still the first ingredient, with chicken meal added for his glucosamine needs.

This is a grain-inclusive recipe that lists brown rice, barley, and oatmeal for his slow-release energy needs. Flaxseed and fish oil keep his skin supple and coat healthy, as well as providing DHA for continued cognitive function. Alfalfa meal and dried kelp are nutrient-dense. And this recipe also includes the LifeSource Bits, which are optimized with senior nutrients.

We love that this recipe focuses on digestive health, thanks to the long list of probiotic ingredients. As well as prebiotic fiber to keep him regular and appetite satisfied.

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This recipe is designed with seniors in mind, especially those struggling to maintain their weight as they become less active (but still hungry as heck!) The focused recipe ensures easier digestion thanks to selenium yeast, prebiotic fiber, and probiotics. Chelated minerals assist in vitamin and mineral absorption, helping your Beagle to remain as healthy and immune-strong as possible.

Blood meal and seaweed meal are nutrient-dense. This recipe also has a high glucosamine content for his hardworking joints. Beef meal is the first ingredient, and fish and chicken meal also contribute to a reasonably high protein content of 27%. Victor uses gluten-free grains in this recipe, including brown rice and millet, which are great for his energy and fiber needs.

We love that this weight management recipe is great for those senior Beagles struggling to maintain their weight in the senior years.

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This recipe has a high glucosamine content of 30%, and deboned chicken and chicken meal are the first two ingredients. Turkey meal and salmon meal are also listed, which all contribute to the high glucosamine content. Remember, high glucosamine dog food is important in preventing your dog from having issues with their joints as they age.It also includes healthy omega fats needed for his cognitive and organ functions. L-carnitine will stimulate his metabolism to keep him trim and lean.

The fiber content is 3.5%, which is low for a senior recipe. But this could be the best option for some Beagles who find that a lot of fiber binds them up too much. Apples, blueberries, and a long list of vitamin and mineral supplements will help him stay him fighting fit. This recipe is fortified in probiotics for easy digestion.

We love that this recipe has market-leading glucosamine levels, which is fantastic for his aging joints and keeping them supple.

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Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! Everything that you need to know about the Beagle’s nutrition, as well as all the foods that are fit for a Beagle at every stage of his life. With something here for every dog and every owner’s purse, we hope you have now found the best kibbles for your pooch.

By sticking to our recommendations above, you can be sure that you are taking the best steps towards achieving the healthiest life for your canine companion. This means less research time for you and more playtime for you and your Beagle buddy!