How Much to Feed a Beagle Puppy
Beagles are notorious food lovers — and that starts from puppyhood. These compact, energetic hounds have a reputation for eating anything and everything, which means portion control is especially important. Overfeeding a Beagle puppy sets them up for a lifetime of weight issues.
Here's exactly how much to feed your Beagle puppy at each stage of growth.
Beagle puppy feeding chart by age
| Age | Weight Range | Daily Calories | Food/Day (dry) | Meals/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-10 weeks | 4-6 lbs | 350-450 | 3/4 - 1 cup | 4 |
| 10-12 weeks | 5-8 lbs | 400-525 | 1 - 1 1/4 cups | 3-4 |
| 3-4 months | 7-11 lbs | 475-625 | 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups | 3 |
| 4-6 months | 10-15 lbs | 550-750 | 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 cups | 3 |
| 6-9 months | 14-20 lbs | 650-850 | 1 3/4 - 2 cups | 2 |
| 9-12 months | 18-24 lbs | 700-900 | 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 cups | 2 |
Based on puppy food averaging ~400 kcal/cup. Always check your specific brand's calorie content.
Why Beagle portion control matters more
Beagles are scent hounds bred to track game for hours. That breeding gave them an incredibly efficient metabolism and an almost insatiable appetite. Studies have actually found that many Beagles carry a gene variant (POMC) that makes them feel perpetually hungry — they genuinely don't feel full the way other breeds do.
This means your Beagle puppy will always act like they're starving, even right after a meal. Don't fall for it. Measure every meal precisely and resist the urge to top off their bowl.
Choosing the right puppy food
Look for a puppy food formulated for medium breeds with:
- 25-30% protein from named meat sources (chicken, beef, salmon — not "meat meal")
- 12-18% fat — enough for energy but not so much it promotes excess weight gain
- DHA for brain and eye development
- Calcium around 1.2% — important for proper bone growth
Avoid grain-free formulas unless your vet specifically recommends one. The FDA has flagged a potential link between grain-free diets and heart disease in dogs, and there's no evidence most dogs benefit from grain-free food.
When to switch to adult food
Most Beagles can transition to adult food around 12 months. They reach their adult weight of 20-30 lbs (13-inch variety) or 20-35 lbs (15-inch variety) by about a year. Switch gradually over 7-10 days, mixing increasing amounts of adult food with decreasing puppy food.
Signs you're feeding the right amount
You should be able to feel (but not see) your Beagle puppy's ribs easily. When viewed from above, they should have a visible waist — a narrowing behind the ribs. From the side, the belly should tuck up slightly. If you can't feel ribs without pressing hard, cut portions back by 10%.
Get personalized feeding amounts → Feeding Calculator