As with all dogs, the type and amount of food offered is determined by the age of the dog. For the first two months of the beagle’s life, the mother’s milk provides all the nutrients needed. Toward the end of this period, after about five weeks, you can begin to wean the pup from its dependence upon the mother and on to eating solid foods.

The period that begins when your beagle becomes dependent upon solid foods, usually at eight weeks, until about six months of age will be one of rapid growth. During this period proper nutrition is critical. Feeding should be scheduled for three times a day. Scheduled feedings are usually logistically easier for the owner, and provide the dog with a dependable regimen that is a great component of improving behavior. This is also the period during which the time allotted for eating is limited, with the food being available for no more than one half hour at each meal.

After six months, you can begin to reduce the number of feedings per day to two: one in the morning and one in the evening. At the age of one year you can further reduce the meals to one a day supplemented by occasional snacks as rewards for training or good behavior.

The puppy phase, which comes to a close during the second year, should be over by the dog’s second birthday. You’ll then have a healthy, well behaved, and happy adult beagle for your constant and loyal companion. Your feeding routine should now be well established for both you and your dog. For the remainder of your time together, the major concern in feeding the beagle should be not to feed it too much. A fat dog is not a healthy dog.

As an adult, your beagle will not need as much food to grow. Watch your dog’s diet and go easy with the snacks. Back when your beagle was just a pup entering your life, you would have had to make a decision whether to feed the dog a mass produced manufactured dog food or a homemade food from your own kitchen. Either one is acceptable, with a few caveats.

Store bought prepared wet or dry foods vary in quality and in price and the two are generally in direct proportion to one another. If you decide to go with the prepared dog foods, keep in mind that both the lower priced and higher priced foods contain fillers which are empty calories. The major difference is in the percentage of fillers included. Generally the more expensive brands have less filler.

Homemade food does not mean table scraps. There are some foods eaten by humans that can be harmful, even deadly for your dog. If you should decide to feed your beagle with homemade foods check with your veterinarian for advice and go online for recipes tailored for dogs, some specifically for beagles. Generally, the homemade food should be slightly under 50% lean meats, approximately 30% of certain vegetables, and the remainder starchy foods like rice and pasta.

If you should find a nice piece of chicken left over after a family meal, you can give it to your dog as one of his reward snacks, but never do it from the table. Put the food in his eating bowl and present it to him at the usual eating location. Serving snacks to your beagle from the table, even if done only a few times, will create a boldly begging beagle, which you certainly do not want.

Most beagles, when properly fed and cared for will live out their expected 12 to 15 years in good health, but, as with all living creatures, they are susceptible to disease, parasites, and accidents that can threaten their health and longevity. One disease, recognized and experienced by humans, is epilepsy. The symptoms of seizures are easy to recognize, but specific diagnosis is difficult because the symptoms are normally gone when the dog is with the veterinarian. Treatment usually consists of the life-long administration of Phenobarbital, an anticonvulsant. Unless the seizures are very long or frequent, your dog’s brain should not be affected.

Hypothyroidism is another disease to which beagles are prone. It is not life threatening, but can affect weight and behavior. Treatment consists of life-long treatment with a synthesized thyroid hormone. The beagle’s long floppy ears are the culprit regarding ear infections. The floppy ears cover the inner ear so efficiently that moisture becomes trapped and infections develop. Once an infection is resident, an antibiotic treatment is necessary. Prevention is a matter of regular grooming during which the ear canals are wipe dry with a clean cotton swab.

Beagles are prone to glaucoma, which acts much as it does in humans causing eventual blindness if not treated. The current treatment involves the administration of anti-glaucoma drugs to reduce inner eye pressure. When drug treatment is ineffective, several surgical techniques are available. Older beagles that are sedentary or overweight can develop hip dysplasia and heart trouble. This can be prevented by providing adequate exercise opportunities. good eating habits, and controlled snack practices.

Some beagles are born with a condition called Pulmonic Stenosis, which is an abnormal stricture of the pulmonary artery. This condition can lead to severe high blood pressure. Treatment involves corrective surgery to reshape the valve. This reshaping can be done in some cases by balloon valvuloplasty, but is not as effective as the surgical approach.

As the beagle ages it becomes more prone to the discomforts of polyarthritis, in which the dog’s own immune system attacks the joints. Cortisone treatment helps to relieve the symptoms. Various cancers become more common in old age, as with all dogs. Standard treatments reflect those used in humans, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Funny Puppy, the name undoubtedly coming from observing a dog’s uncoordinated behavior, causes the beagle to develop weakness in the legs and a crooked back. This condition appears to be unique to beagles. The afflicted animals are normally healthy but do seem prone to frequent illnesses.
Being active field dogs, beagles are always bringing home parasites and exhibiting small cuts and sprains. Most of these problems can be taken care of at home by the owner. Tapeworm, however, would be best treated by a veterinarian.

One final affliction, that is not really an illness, is worth a mention. It’s called reverse sneezing. When the dog experiences this. it sounds like it is choking or gasping for breath. It apparently does no harm to the dog, but it certainly does scare the daylights out of the owner until he gets used to the sound.
These illness and diseases mentioned above are common ones seen in beagles and other dogs. Once recognized, the illness should be addressed as soon as possible to ensure that your beagle enjoys a long and healthy life as your faithful companion.

Grooming – Beagles have a great coat and should be brushed every week or two to get rid of any extra hair that has yet to be shed. Use a rubber brush or comb to remove any of the extra dirt as well as spread the oils to give the coat a nice healthy shine. Moreover, you only need to bath your dog two or three times a year, if you don’t send him to a groomer regularly.

Your Beagle should have short nails so clip them regularly.

At least once a month, check the inside of your Beagles ears to make sure they are clean. You should use a cottonball to clean the ear if it is dirty. Do not use a Q-tip as it will only push wax and dirt inside the ear!

Brushing a Beagle’s Teeth – Brush your Beagle’s teeth frequently. This should be done at least once a week to ensure your beagle as clean teeth. Brushing will help control build up of plaque and tartar. Poor brushing can lead to bad breath and teeth problems that can lead to serious dental issues. Make sure you use a dentabone and have the Vet check his teeth too!

Taking Your Beagle to the Vet – Your beagle should go to the vet once a year to get all his vaccinations and check ups. It’s important that they are seen regularly to make sure there are no problems. Moreover, do not forget to give your dog his heartworm pill. This is a very important pill that should be given to your beagle!

Food and Water– Beagles like to eat. Beagles like to eat anything really. However, it’s important that you train your beagle properly to avoid him eating human food. Your Beagle needs dog food that will provide the nutrition he needs to be healthy and strong. If you give your beagle treats, make sure that it is only once or twice during the day. Overfeeding and human food can lead to weight and other health issues.

Additionally, beagles dehydrate quickly and should have a full bowl of water out for them to drink everyday.

Playing and walking your Beagle– Beagles are very active dogs. They are hunting dogs are were breed to be outside in nature. They like wide open spaces, to play, and to run around. If you leave your beagle cooped up all day, they will start to get antsy and might cause havoc around your house. It is therefore important that you walk your beagle everyday. They should be allowed outside frequently. If you have a large backyard, you can let your beagle out for awhile and let them run around and have fun outside. Play catch with them.

Beagle care is not difficult and simply requires you to be attentive and caring to your pet beagle. If you feed them well, keep a beagle active, groom them, and take them to the vet as appropriate, you will find that beagle care is a rewarding and lovely experience.