Here’s How Much Exercise Your Beagle Needs Every Day

Beagles are some of the more energetic breeds of dogs. They love physical activity, making it vitally important that your beagle receives an adequate amount of exercise every day. 

Find out how much exercise your beagle or beagle puppy needs. Plus, we’ll tell you some fun exercises to keep your dog physically and mentally stimulated.

How Much Exercise Does a Beagle Need?

The recommended exercise requirements for beagles ranges anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours per day. Moreover, experts recommend at least 2 walks a day for your beagle. 

That said, there is no correct answer for how much exercise your beagle needs. Your beagle’s exercise requirements will depend on their:

• Size
• Age
• Health
• Weight
• Diet

Even factors such as your dog’s preferences and eating habits will impact the amount of exercise they need and the schedule to follow.

Source: PLOS ONE

Studies have shown most dog owners ensure their dogs receive vigorous exercise at least 1 to 2 days a week.

2 Types of Essential Dog Exercises for Your Beagle

There are two types of exercises you should aim to do with your beagle: walking and high-intensity cardiovascular exercises.

Walking

Walking is one of the best exercises for beagles, helping stretch their muscles, maintain muscle mass, boost metabolism, and release energy. What’s more, dogs learn to to heel and tolerate traffic as they become accustomed to regular walks.

Beagles should be walked at least once a day, with twice a day being ideal. If your beagle is particularly energetic, you may need to consider 3 to 4 walks every day.

Walks should be of a moderate duration (20-40 minutes) and at a brisk pace. Remember, what seems brisk to you might be a run for a puppy. A male beagle jogs at 8.5 mph (about 14 kph) and the average female at 6.5 mph (about 10 kph). For context, the average human walking speed is 3 mph (or about 5 kph).

Walks should be steady but not leave your beagle out of breath. 

Intensive Exercising

Cardio exercises are great ways to get intense exercising. These should be for short durations, but intense. Aim for at least 1 session per week of intense exercising; ideally you should have 2 or 3 intense sessions weekly. 

Most beagles love running free in parks or open fields, but always supervise them. Be cautious if taking them off-leash, as their strong scent instincts could lead them to chase after small animals.

Cardio doesn’t just have to be running or long jogs. Even playing fetch, tug of war, hide and seek, frisbee, and water sports can be great ways for your dog to receive the recommended intensive exercise.

How Much Exercise Do Beagle Puppies Need?

Source: Unsplash

Puppy beagles are energetic and need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. However, it’s crucial not to overdo it since their bones and joints are still developing. A useful guideline for beagle puppy exercise is giving them 5 minutes of exercise for each month of age, up to twice a day. 

For example, give your puppy two 5-minute exercise sessions every day, if they are a month old. For older puppies, say six months old, aim for 30 minutes of exercise twice a day.

This can include short walks, playtime, and training sessions. Walking outside in the yard and interacting in public areas should wait until your beagle has received all of their puppy vaccinations.

One reason why you’d want to give your Beagles enough exercise is that it reduces the restless energy they exhibit – usually in the form of barks and howls.

Don’t Overdo Exercising for Your Beagle Puppy

Also, remember that a beagle’s skeletal system isn’t fully developed until they’re 18 months old. Over-exercising before this age can disrupt bone growth. Limit walks to about 1 mile (or 1.5 km) twice a day.

The goal is to let your young beagle exercise, run, and play without letting them overexert themselves. Avoid pushing them to the point of panting or being out of breath, as vigorous hikes and runs can strain their growing bodies.

After 18 months, beagles can enjoy multiple walks or hikes daily. You can also add playtime outside and other fun activities. This energetic and loving breed will relish any physical activity.

Also, provide plenty of mental stimulation with puzzle toys and interactive games to keep them engaged.

Exercising Your Senior Beagle

As your best friend ages, they’ll experience a decline in mobility and energy levels. However, regular exercise remains essential for their health and quality of life–both mental and physical. 

Shorter walks or gentle play sessions are often more suitable. It may help to divide their exercise into multiple sessions throughout the day, rather than prolonged sessions. 

Aim for 2 walks every day (or more, if your dog needs it), preferably about 30 minutes each. Be mindful of your beagle’s needs, and tailor their exercise routine to their specific needs and limitations.

4 Types of Exercises to Do With Your Beagle

Source: American Kennel Club

1. Walking and Running

Beagles are great walking companions who love exploring their surroundings. 

A brisk 30-minute walk or jog daily helps keep your beagle in good shape. Running is also an excellent way to burn off excess energy and maintain fitness. 

For their safety and yours, keep your beagle on a leash; unless you are in a leash-free area and are confident that your beagle will not lunge or get startled easily.

2. Play and Games

Beagles enjoy playing games like fetch, tug of war, and hide and seek. An obstacle course or flyball can also be a lot of fun for them.

These activities provide both mental and physical stimulation and help strengthen your bond with your beagle. 

3. Training and Agility

Beagles are intelligent and enjoy learning new things. Training and agility exercises keep them mentally stimulated and physically fit. 

You can teach simple commands like sit, stay, and come at home, while agility training can be done at specialized facilities.

4. Mental Stimulation

In addition to physical exercise, Beagles need mental stimulation. Scent games and scent work are great for engaging their keen sense of smell.

Puzzle toys can also keep your Beagle’s mind active and challenged. Some popular options are Kongs and treat balls.

Exercise Isn’t Enough, Your Beagle Needs the Right Diet Too

Source: UK Pet Food

Overfeeding will make your beagle lethargic and obese; underfeeding will be detrimental to their health and energy levels. You need to find the right balance between nutrition, quantity, and routine.

For Growing Puppies

Growing beagle puppies and younger dogs often need increased food portions to support their development. 

The ideal dietary composition for beagle puppies includes about 25% protein. 5-10% of their diet should consist of fats, and around 6% of their intake should be fibers. 

Feeding portions for a beagle puppy should range from a minimum of 0.3 cups to a maximum of 1.75 cups daily. This portion provides an energy intake that spans between 220 and 1650 kilocalories. 

It’s essential to adjust the portions based on the puppy’s age, size, and activity level to meet their specific needs.

Puppies should eat 4 times a day up to their third month. From the fourth month to their first year, transition them to three meals per day. 

For Adult Beagles

The shift from puppy to adult food for your beagle should ideally occur when they are about 10 to 12 months old. 

Transitioning slowly over 7 to 10 days is recommended. Begin by introducing a small amount of the new adult-formulated food to the puppy kibble. Gradually increase the proportion of the new food each day while decreasing the old portion. 

This gradual change will help your beagle adjust to the new diet without causing digestive issues.

The goal is to provide your beagle a complete and balanced diet. 

Also read:

• How much do Beagles shed?
• How much do Beagle puppies cost?

For adult beagles, an optimal meal composition includes 25% protein, 25% carbohydrates, 5.5% fat, and 3% fiber. This balanced diet will support their overall health, providing the necessary nutrients to maintain their energy and well-being.

The appropriate daily food intake for an adult beagle ranges from 0.75 to 2.75 cups, delivering between 1125 and 1575 kilocalories. 

Adjust the portions based on your beagle’s size, age, and activity level to meet their specific needs. Proper portioning ensures they receive the right amount of nutrients without overfeeding.

Adult Beagles benefit from a structured feeding routine of two meals, roughly 12 hours apart. This consistent schedule helps maintain their energy levels throughout the day and supports their overall health. 

A Healthy Beagle is a Happy Beagle

Beagles were bred as hunting dogs, and it shows. Beagles fall somewhere in the upper-mid range of breeds when it comes to energy. They need regular exercising and mental stimulation to stay happy…just like you!

The easiest way to ensure your beagle (or beagle puppy) receives the right exercise and diet is building a routine. Routines will help your dog get used to feeding times, and give them something to look forward to. For you, it’ll minimize the stress of preparing food and finding time to exercise your beagle.