There’s nothing much to do when you have a beagle puppy. Your furry baby will sleep 18 to 20 hours a day during their first few weeks, meaning you’ll likely spend most of your time staring at or cuddling them.
If your pup is eight weeks old, you only need to bathe them once a month. But you have to brush their hair gently daily to remove the dead ones, distribute natural oils on their coat to keep it clean and healthy and stimulate their skin.
Visits to the vet and vaccinations are frequent activities with your pup but will only eat up a little of your time.
When you have a beagle puppy, you’ll likely spend most of your time playing and bonding with your pup whenever they are awake.
Feeding your puppy will also take up plenty of time since you have to give them the best wet dog food several times a day to ensure they get the nutrients they need to thrive.
Whether you are a first-time beagle owner or not, you must remember that your puppy relies primarily on their food for strength, sustenance, and development. Because of this, you have to know what to give them and the correct frequency and practices for feeding them.
Feeding Chart for Beagle Puppies
Below is a feeding chart you can use as a guide to ensure you are nourishing your puppy based on their age:
Neonatal
If your beagle gives birth to a litter, the mother will feed and take care of the puppies most of the time. Your beagle puppies will get the nutrition they need from their mother’s milk.
However, if one or more of the pups are rejected, you have to take over the responsibility of feeding and taking care of them.
In this case, you must bottle-feed the puppy with a canine milk replacer. You can use a tube if the pup is too young to be fed with a bottle.
Four weeks
If you adopt a month-old beagle puppy or your pups reach this age, you must be prepared to support them as they undergo different developmental changes. This includes the weaning process.
Weaning is the stage wherein puppies start to make the transition from a liquid to a solid diet.
To help your puppy make a successful transition, start giving them wet, soup-like food or something that has the consistency of watery mashed potatoes.
Feeding your pup food with these consistencies can help them learn how to chew correctly and safely.
It is best to give your beagle pup store-bought wet food made for puppies to ensure they get the right amount of nutrients. You can add water to make it easier for them to chew it.
Also, you would do well to stick with only one brand of food since sudden changes can lead to hypoglycaemia, a condition that causes a canine’s blood sugar levels to go down.
At this stage, experts recommend feeding beagle puppies one-half to a three-fourths cup of wet food four to six times throughout the day. If you are unsure how to wean your puppy, consult their veterinarian.
Six weeks
When your beagle puppy turns six weeks old, they usually have already adjusted to eating solid food.
You can then increase the amount of food you feed your pup. At this stage, you should be feeding your puppy about one cup of wet food daily, spread over three meals. You can start reducing the amount of liquid you add to what they are eating.
Ensure you feed your puppy food high in nutrients to help them grow and meet their milestones at the expected stages.
Eight weeks
Solid food should be part of your beagle puppy’s normal diet at eight weeks old. Moreover, since your furry baby is more active and playful at this stage, you need to increase the amount of food you feed them to compensate for their increased activities.
Your pup should get about one and a half cups of food a day, spread over three meals. This means feeding your puppy a half cup of food during their three mealtimes.
If you’re changing your dog’s food based on your vet’s recommendation, make sure it is high in proteins, calories, and other nutrients they need to grow and stay healthy and active.
10 weeks
Continue feeding your pup half a cup of food three times a day when they turn 10 weeks old. Most experts recommend feeding puppies in the morning and then throughout the day on schedule so they won’t get hungry.
This routine can also teach them to behave better in the long run. Additionally, it is a good idea to start training your beagle pup when they turn 10 weeks old. This means giving them treats to reward them during their learning sessions.
However, avoid overfeeding your puppy since you don’t want them to become overweight and unhealthy. Again, make sure you are feeding your pet nutritious dog food recommended for puppies. Choose healthy training treats as well.
12 weeks
Your puppy should already be hungry and eager and have a healthy appetite during their scheduled feeding times.
As such, continue feeding your pup one and a half cups or increase it to two cups of nutrient-rich puppy food per day. Continue feeding your puppy three times a day on schedule.
At this stage, you have to take note of your puppy’s activities, progression, and development since you have to adjust the amount and type of food you give them to meet these factors. You might need to change their food if your pup is active.
You have to get a product with more quality proteins, calories, and other nutrients. It is best to use the same brand if you want to replace your puppy’s food. Also, make changes in their diet gradually to help them adjust and avoid upsetting their stomach.
Again, seek your vet’s advice if you want to make drastic changes to your beagle pup’s diet and eating schedule.
One of the most important responsibilities you have as a beagle owner is feeding your pet correctly to support their growth and wellness.
You can pave the way for your beagle’s healthy development by giving them the best dog food and feeding them at the right times starting at their young age.
