beagle care

Question
Hello and thank you for your time. I just got my first dog and I am 20 years old, and I got a beagle. I don't know to much about them and was wondering are you supposed to get them groomed? Am I supposed to cut their nails and I have Chloe on Wal-Mart generic food is that ok?

Answer
Hello Murry!
Congradulations on your new joy. First off no most people don't get beagles groomed because their fur is short and does not need a lot of maintence. I recommend to people that you brush it once a weekk to get dead skin and stray hair out and it feels nice to them, but as far as having them professionally groomed, no. You can cut her nails, but you have to be very VERY careful because if you hit a vain Chloe could bleed. You look at her nails and the pink inside of her nail is the vain STAY FAR FROM THAT. Just get the curved part off. I would suggest you watch your VET do it the first time and get them to give you some instructions all dog's personalities are different and Chloe could be fusy about it. I could cut my beagle's when she was a puppy but she won't let me anymore because she just doesn't like it, and her VET has to put a muzzle on her just in case she gets really out of hand. They make a product called pedi paws which is a nail filer I have heard great things about that but we do it the old fashion way at out VET. I would get Chloe on some better food like beneful, pedigree, or science diet. Because the generic food doesn't have the same amount of nutrients and vitamins and protein as a more exspesive kind. I understand that not everyone can afford the $20.00 bags, but they good part about beagles are they don't eat a lot, or not supposed to overweightness is heridetary. I buy a 10 pound bag of beneful and that last me a very very long time and I only pay $15.00 for it at wal-mart. I would look into getting a different brand of food, which you can still purchase at wal-mart. Well I hoped this has helped and if you need anymore help please ask! Best wishes!