Beagles are generally a healthy dog breed, but they can be susceptible to specific health conditions. Most Beagles tend to become overweight and obese pretty quickly, and a lot of them can have allergies and experience dry skin and coat.
With diet playing a significant role in boosting1 a dog’s quality of life and lifespan, it’s important to make sure that your Beagle is eating the right kind of food. To help you out, we have some reviews of the best dog food for Beagles.
This article also contains information on a Beagle’s specific nutritional needs. So, make sure to keep reading so you can find the best dog food for your precious pup.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Delivered to your door
Tailored to your dogs specific needs
High quality ingredients
Click to Save 50%
- Free Shipping!
Best Value
Purina ONE SmartBlend Healthy Weight
Helps with weight management
Supports healthy eyes and joints
Great source of antioxidants
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Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain
Low-glycemic formula
No legumes, meat meals, and animal by-products
Uses high-quality ingredients
Check Price
Best for Puppies
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin
Rich in fatty acids
No artificial colors and flavors
Crude protein of 28%
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Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet
Only 9 key ingredients
Great source of omega 3s
No common allergens
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The 11 Best Dog Foods for Beagles
1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
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Calories: 721 cal/lbs of food
First Five Ingredients: Beef, sweet potatoes, cooked lentils, carrots, beef liver
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food is the best overall dog food for Beagles. The recipes are all packed with high-quality, human-grade ingredients. Yes, you read that right, human-grade. Meaning it’s good enough for you to eat!
Regular dog food can be bland, filled with nasty preservatives, and just plain boring for your dog. The Farmer’s Dog fresh dog food formulas are created by vets and backed by the AAFCO so you know they aren’t only satisfying for your dog, but they’re healthy too!
Along with beef. there are three other protein recipes available – chicken, turkey, and pork. When you go on The Farmers Dog website you’ll need to complete a small quiz to find out more about your dog and after that, you are all set. Your first order will be delivered right to your door.
One thing to consider about this brand is it is a little more expensive than regular, store-bought kibble, but we think it’s a small price to pay for this level of quality and convenience.
Pros
High-quality ingredients
Delivered to your door
Veterinarian formulated
Cons
A bit pricer than average food
Feeding your Beagle a high-quality meal doesn’t have to make a significant dent in your wallet. Purina ONE SmartBlend Healthy Weight High Protein Formula is a more affordable option that meets many of a Beagle’s unique needs.
High-quality ingredients
Delivered to your door
Veterinarian formulated
- High-quality ingredients
- Delivered to your door
- Veterinarian formulated
A bit pricer than average food
- A bit pricer than average food
Calories: 320 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Turkey, rice flour, soybean meal, corn gluten meal
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Real turkey is the first ingredient. The recipe also has an abundance of antioxidants to support the immune system and vitamins A and E, which benefit the eyes and joints.
The recipe also contains fewer calories and fat, so it’s an excellent option for Beagles that need weight management support. It also includes a good amount of fiber to help them feel fuller for longer.
The ingredient list does show that the recipe has some carbohydrate fillers, such as corn and soybean products. However, the guaranteed analysis shows that the formula consists of 27% crude protein, which is more than enough protein for an adult dog.
For all the benefits that this dog food provides, we believe that it’s the best dog food for Beagles for the money you pay.
Pros
Affordable option
Helps with weight management
Supports healthy eyes and joints
Great source of antioxidants
Cons
Contains corn and soy
This dog food is a top choice packed with nutritious and tasty ingredients. About 90% of the protein in the formula derives from high-quality animal sources. This formula is also great for dogs with hyperglycemia or diabetes. It’s specifically designed to be a low-glycemic formula that won’t cause blood sugar levels to spike.
Affordable option
Helps with weight management
Supports healthy eyes and joints
Great source of antioxidants
- Affordable option
- Helps with weight management
- Supports healthy eyes and joints
- Great source of antioxidants
Contains corn and soy
- Contains corn and soy
Calories: 394 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Lamb, dehydrated lamb, whole spelt, whole oats, dried whole eggs
The recipe doesn’t contain any plant products that are hard to digest, such as legumes. It also doesn’t have any meat meals or by-products. However, keep in mind that although the food is marketed as a lamb recipe, it contains whole eggs and a small amount of chicken fat, which are common food allergens.
The kibble is relatively large and can be too big for medium-sized dogs. So, many dog owners opt to feed their dogs the small breed version of this recipe.
If you’re wondering if this dog food is worth the high price, it depends. It has high-quality ingredients that seem to attract a lot of dogs. So, if your Beagle’s a picky eater, there’s a good chance it’ll like this recipe. However, if your dog isn’t very picky, you might benefit more from selecting a more cost-effective option.
Pros
Low-glycemic formula
No legumes, meat meals, and animal by-products
Uses high-quality ingredients
Palatable for picky eaters
Cons
Contains chicken fat and eggs
Large kibble size
In general, puppies have more sensitive stomachs and require more protein than adult dogs. So, Beagle puppies can be more susceptible to getting an upset stomach if they’re not fed a simple formula.
Low-glycemic formula
No legumes, meat meals, and animal by-products
Uses high-quality ingredients
Palatable for picky eaters
- Low-glycemic formula
- No legumes, meat meals, and animal by-products
- Uses high-quality ingredients
- Palatable for picky eaters
Contains chicken fat and eggs
Large kibble size
- Contains chicken fat and eggs
- Large kibble size
Calories: 428 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Salmon, rice, barley, fish meal, canola meal
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food addresses this issue very well. It uses relatively gentle ingredients, such as salmon and rice, and it doesn’t contain any common food allergens, except for a small amount of beef fat. It also doesn’t have any artificial colors and flavors.
Along with being gentle on the digestive tract, this formula nourishes and protects the skin and coat. It also contains a lot of fish, which includes omega fatty acids that support brain and vision development. With the crude protein at 28%, this recipe includes a substantial amount of protein that promotes healthy growth and development.
Pros
Made for sensitive stomachs
Rich in fatty acids
No artificial colors and flavors
Crude protein of 28%
Cons
Contains beef fat
This Merrick dog food formula is another top choice for Beagles because it checks all the boxes for meeting this dog breed’s needs. It’s a limited-ingredient diet and only contains nine key components, so there’s very little chance that your dog will experience an allergic reaction. It also doesn’t contain any common meat allergens, such as beef and chicken.
Made for sensitive stomachs
Rich in fatty acids
No artificial colors and flavors
Crude protein of 28%
- Made for sensitive stomachs
- Rich in fatty acids
- No artificial colors and flavors
- Crude protein of 28%
Contains beef fat
- Contains beef fat
Calories: 384 kcal
First Five Ingredients: Deboned salmon, salmon meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
The recipe lists deboned salmon as its first ingredient. Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acid, which has many health benefits, including supporting healthy skin and coat. The formula also doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
You won’t find any other ingredients that can cause digestive issues, such as dairy, eggs, and lentils. However, since brown rice is high in fiber, it might be a little more difficult for some dogs with particularly weak digestive systems to digest. Other than that, this recipe is a nutritious and safe choice for Beagles.
Pros
Only 9 key ingredients
Great source of omega 3s
No common allergens
No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Cons
May contain too much fiber
- American Journey Grain-Free with Lamb, Venison & Beef Dry Dog Food
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Calories: 345 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Deboned lamb, turkey meal, chicken meal, chickpeas, peas
This grain-free dog food has a high-quality recipe that’s very ideal for Beagles. It has animal protein and meat meal as its first three ingredients, and it also contains nutritious fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, carrots, and cranberries.
Only 9 key ingredients
Great source of omega 3s
No common allergens
No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Only 9 key ingredients
- Great source of omega 3s
- No common allergens
- No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
May contain too much fiber
- May contain too much fiber
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Calories: 345 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Deboned lamb, turkey meal, chicken meal, chickpeas, peas
The formula excludes corn, wheat, and soy, and it also doesn’t contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It’s been fortified with prebiotics and natural fibers to help with digestion. It also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat.
Since the recipe also contains various additional meats, it’s more palatable for picky eaters. Just keep in mind that it does contain some common allergies, like chicken and beef. So, if your dog has a particularly sensitive stomach, it may have a more challenging time digesting this dog food.
Pros
Variety of meat protein
No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Promotes healthy skin and coat
Supports a healthy digestive system
Cons
Contains common allergens
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a high-protein recipe that’s great for active Beagles. The formula is 34% protein, which is substantially higher than most other dog foods. Keep in mind that too much protein can be detrimental to dogs, so if your Beagle doesn’t engage in an exceptional amount of activity, you may want to pass on this recipe.
Variety of meat protein
No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Promotes healthy skin and coat
Supports a healthy digestive system
- Variety of meat protein
- No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Supports a healthy digestive system
Contains common allergens
- Contains common allergens
Calories: 415 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Deboned salmon, chicken meal, peas, pea protein, menhaden fish meal
Deboned salmon is the first ingredient, and the recipe also contains menhaden fish meal. These ingredients contain a high volume of healthy omega fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat and the immune system.
Although marketed as a salmon recipe, this dog food lists chicken meal as its second ingredient, and it contains dried egg product. So, it’s not a recipe for Beagles with food allergies.
Pros
High-protein diet for active Beagles
Deboned salmon is first ingredient
Good source of omega fatty acids
Cons
Not for low-energy Beagles
Contains chicken and eggs
Zignature Turkey Limited Ingredient Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food can be a viable option for Beagles with sensitive stomachs and food allergies. It has a very simple recipe that’s chicken-free and dairy-free.
High-protein diet for active Beagles
Deboned salmon is first ingredient
Good source of omega fatty acids
- High-protein diet for active Beagles
- Deboned salmon is first ingredient
- Good source of omega fatty acids
Not for low-energy Beagles
Contains chicken and eggs
- Not for low-energy Beagles
- Contains chicken and eggs
Calories: 394 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Turkey, turkey meal, chickpeas, peas, sunflower oil
The only source of animal protein is turkey and turkey meal. Turkey’s a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including selenium, riboflavin, and phosphorus. It’s relatively low in saturated fat, so this recipe is great for dogs that require weight management.
The recipe also has a crude protein percentage of 32%, so it’s an excellent option for young and active Beagles. It contains antioxidants to strengthen and protect your dog’s immune system, making this recipe a great choice for energetic Beagles who enjoy playing and spending time outdoors.
Pros
No common allergens
Good for weight management
High-protein diet
Cons
Not for low-energy dogs
This dog food works exceptionally well for dogs with severe food allergies. It only contains one animal protein and one vegetable and doesn’t have any artificial colors or preservatives, grains, dairy, eggs, beef, or chicken.
No common allergens
Good for weight management
High-protein diet
- No common allergens
- Good for weight management
- High-protein diet
Not for low-energy dogs
- Not for low-energy dogs
Calories: 469 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Turkey meal, peas, turkey, tapioca, canola oil
This recipe contains whole turkey, turkey meal, freeze-dried turkey, liver, and heart. Turkey is a more digestible alternative to chicken, and it’s highly nutritious for dogs.
Although it only contains two ingredients, the recipe’s fortified with all the essential nutrients that your Beagle needs to thrive. It has natural sources of omega fatty acids and antioxidants to protect your dog’s immune system and nourish its skin and coat.
We only have a couple of concerns with this dog food. First, turkey meal and peas are the first two ingredients, not turkey, which is the third ingredient. This may affect the quality of the recipe since the composition of the turkey meal is unclear. The food contains more calories than other recipes on our list. So, it won’t be the best choice for dogs that require weight management and maintenance.
Pros
Only contains one protein and one vegetable
No common food allergens
No artificial colors or preservatives
Fortified with essential nutrients
Cons
Turkey meal is first ingredient
Highly caloric
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
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Calories: 291 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Chicken, cracked pearled barley, brown rice, pea fiber, corn gluten meal
This dog food is another great option for Beagles that may need some help with weight loss or management. It contains only 291 kilocalories per cup and has a lot of fiber to keep your Beagle feeling full for a long time. The only caveat to this is that the high amount of fiber may cause digestive issues for some dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Only contains one protein and one vegetable
No common food allergens
No artificial colors or preservatives
Fortified with essential nutrients
- Only contains one protein and one vegetable
- No common food allergens
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Fortified with essential nutrients
Turkey meal is first ingredient
Highly caloric
- Turkey meal is first ingredient
- Highly caloric
Calories: 291 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Chicken, cracked pearled barley, brown rice, pea fiber, corn gluten meal
The only meat protein that this recipe uses is chicken, so it’s safe for dogs with beef allergies and rarer fish allergies. The amount of chicken and protein in this recipe helps support and maintain lean muscle mass.
The recipe does contain corn gluten meal, which can cause hot spots for some Beagles. Overall, it works best for Beagles that love chicken, need to lose some weight, and don’t have particularly sensitive stomachs.
Pros
Low number of calories per cup
Only protein is chicken
Keeps dog feeling full
Helps maintain lean muscle mass
Cons
May have too much fiber
Contains corn gluten meal
- Royal Canin Beagle Adult Dry Dog Food
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Calories: 283 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Corn, chicken by-product meal, brewer rice, wheat, corn gluten meal
Royal Canin has dog food specifically formulated for adult Beagles older than 12 months old. The formula supports weight control and contains the appropriate amount of calories for this dog breed. It also provides bone and joint support for active Beagles.
Low number of calories per cup
Only protein is chicken
Keeps dog feeling full
Helps maintain lean muscle mass
- Low number of calories per cup
- Only protein is chicken
- Keeps dog feeling full
- Helps maintain lean muscle mass
May have too much fiber
Contains corn gluten meal
- May have too much fiber
- Contains corn gluten meal
Calories: 283 kcal/cup
First Five Ingredients: Corn, chicken by-product meal, brewer rice, wheat, corn gluten meal
The kibble also has an intentional shape and size so that it’s easy for Beagles to pick up. The shape also encourages dogs to chew thoroughly and slow down eating.
Our concerns lie in the main ingredients in this recipe. It lists corn as the first ingredient and chicken by-product meal as the second ingredient. By-product meal is very ambiguous, so it’s difficult to know what’s inside. The fact that the recipe doesn’t list whole chicken at any point is also concerning.
Most Beagles do enjoy eating this food, so it’s a popular option amongst dog owners. However, with its premium price, we can’t confidently say that it’s the best dog food for Beagles.
Pros
Specially formulated for Beagles
Slows down fast eaters
Supports weight control
Cons
Corn is the first ingredient
No whole chicken
Relatively expensive
Specially formulated for Beagles
Slows down fast eaters
Supports weight control
- Specially formulated for Beagles
- Slows down fast eaters
- Supports weight control
Corn is the first ingredient
No whole chicken
Relatively expensive
- Corn is the first ingredient
- No whole chicken
- Relatively expensive
Buyer’s Guide: How To Find the Best Dog Food For Beagles
Contrary to popular belief, dry dog food can be very beneficial and healthy for your dog, as long as you find a high-quality recipe. When shopping for dry dog food, there are certain categories of ingredients that you should look for and other kinds that you should do your best to avoid.
Healthy Ingredients
Good dog food uses high-quality animal meat and nutritious fruits, vegetables, and grains. When reading through ingredient lists, always check for real meat protein and nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables.
Real Meat Protein
The first thing you want to check for is natural meat protein. You want to make sure that your dog consumes protein from high-quality protein sources, so look for natural meat, like deboned chicken, beef, or salmon.
Meat meal is a little more ambiguous, but it’s also passable because many dog food companies use high-quality meat meal. If you’re feeling extra cautious, you can do some research on individual pet food companies and search their histories for recalls or reports of using low-quality ingredients.
Nutritious Fruits and Vegetables
Many fruits and vegetables are both nutritious and tasty for dogs. Common nutrient-dense vegetables dogs can safely eat include carrots, kale, and green beans. Blueberries, apples, and bananas are delicious and also contain some vitamins and minerals essential to dogs.
When it comes to grains, opt for recipes that contain whole grains, oats, and barley. These kinds of grains have a lot of nutrients and a good amount of fiber to help keep your Beagle feeling full.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has rules and regulations that document essential vitamins and minerals that dog food formulas should contain. Here are the following vitamins that your dog needs to support daily bodily functioning:
Vitamin A, B12, D, and E
Thiamine
Riboflavin
Pantothenic acid
Niacin
Pyridoxine
Folic acid
Choline
The following are essential minerals for dogs:
- Vitamin A, B12, D, and E
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Pantothenic acid
- Niacin
- Pyridoxine
- Folic acid
- Choline
Calcium
Phosphorus
Potassium
Sodium
Chloride
Magnesium
Iron
Copper
Manganese
Zinc
Iodine
Selenium
Common Allergens
Since Beagles are susceptible to food allergens, you can avoid recipes containing common allergens. The most common food dogs are allergic to is beef, followed by dairy and chicken. Dogs can be allergic to wheat, but it’s pretty rare for dogs to have wheat allergies.
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Chloride
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Copper
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Iodine
- Selenium
Carbohydrate Fillers
Carbohydrate Fillers are one of the reasons why dry dog food can have a bad reputation. Low-quality dog food will contain cheap carbohydrates to increase the volume of food and bind the kibble into bite-sized pieces.
Examples of carbohydrate fillers are cornmeal and white potatoes. Some dog foods will also use corn syrup to help bind kibble together. All these types of ingredients add little to no nutritional value and can just increase the number of carbs and calories that your dog consumes.
By-Product Meal
Meal meals aren’t the worst ingredient that you can find in recipes, but it’s best to be wary of animal by-product meals. These are very vague ingredients containing varying amounts of animal tissue, bones, and organs, excluding hair, horns, teeth, and hooves.
Conclusion
Based on our reviews, The Farmer’s Dog is the best dog food for Beagles. The formula is great for Beagles with food sensitivities and supports healthy skin and coat.
Purina ONE SmartBlend Healthy Weight High Protein Formula Adult Dry Dog Food is another one of our favorites because it addresses most of a Beagle’s unique needs at an affordable price.
Overall, Beagles have specific dietary needs. So, it’s important to pay attention throughout their life stages to ensure that they eat foods that support them.
Featured Image Credit: Przemek Iciak, Shutterstock
