Beagle Obesity How to Deal with Judgment from Others
Fat Beagles How Can I Help My Overweight Beagle?
Many factors can lead to a beagle becoming overweight. However, one of the most common reasons is simply overeating. Beagles are known for their incredible sense of smell, which means they can easily sniff out dog food and gain weight. Unfortunately, this can lead them to beg for food constantly, even when theyre not hungry.
Beagles are one of the most popular dog breeds in America. According to the American Kennel Club, they were the seventh most popular breed in 2021.
This blog post will explore some other reasons beagles may get fat and provide tips on keeping your beagle at a healthy weight.
Is My Beagle Fat?
Beagles should have a bit of a paunch or round tummy, so it can sometimes be difficult to tell if your beagle is overweight.
Using a body condition score chart is the best way to tell if your beagle is overweight. This will give you a general idea of whether your beagle is a healthy weight, underweight, or overweight.
- Adult pet beagles under 13 inches tall (from the top of their shoulder blades to the floor) should weigh no more than 20 pounds.
- The ideal weight range for adult Beagles is 20 to 30 pounds, however, it ranges depending on their size (13 to 15 inches).
Please note that you shouldnt be overly concerned about an overweight beagle puppy. A puppys coat is thicker and rounder than an adult dogs, giving it a fuller, more complete appearance like a fat beagle. In addition, it helps to maintain proper body temperature and nourish the rapidly expanding bodies of puppies. When beagles reach the age of one and a half years, their bodies are considered fully developed.
Health Risks Associated with an Overweight Beagle
Carrying around extra weight can put a lot of strain on your beagles body. It can lead to joint problems, respiratory issues, and even diabetes. Check out or post about the expected life span of a beagle.
Joint Problems
Joint problems are one of the most common health issues for a fat beagle. The extra weight puts extra pressure on the joints, leading to pain and inflammation.
Respiratory problems
Respiratory problems are also common in overweight dogs. The extra weight can make it difficult for them to breathe, especially when they exercise. This can lead to fatigue and a decrease in activity levels.
Diabetes
Diabetes is another serious health concern for a fat beagle. Dogs who are obese are more likely to develop diabetes than those who are at a healthy weight. Diabetes can cause several health problems, including blindness, kidney disease, and even death.
Heart disease
Heart disease is a serious health concern for overweight dogs. The extra weight can strain the heart and lead to high blood pressure. This can eventually lead to heart failure.
Hypertension (increased blood pressure)
Increased blood pressure is a common health problem for an overweight beagle. The extra weight can strain the heart and lead to high blood pressure. This can eventually lead to heart failure.
Other common health concerns
Other common health concerns for overweight dogs include liver disease, kidney disease, and cancer.
Reasons for Beagles Get Fat
There are many reasons why beagles may get fat.
Overeating
The most common reason beagles get fat is simply overeating. Beagles are known for their incredible sense of smell, which means they can easily sniff out food. Unfortunately, this can lead them to beg for dog food constantly, even when theyre not actually hungry.
Age
As beagles age, they tend to slow down and become less active. This can lead to weight gain if theyre not getting enough exercise or if theyre overeating.
Gender
Female beagles are more likely to be overweight than males. This is because they tend to eat more and exercise less.
Neutering
Beagles who have been neutered or spayed are also more likely to be overweight. This is because they often have a slower metabolism and burn fewer calories.
Genetics
Some beagles are simply predisposed to being overweight due to their genetics. If your beagles parents were overweight, theres a good chance your beagle will be as well.
Medical conditions
Some medical conditions can lead to weight gain in beagles. These include hypothyroidism, Cushings disease, and Addisons disease.
Overindulging
One of the most common reasons beagles get fat is their owners overindulge them. Beagles are known for their begging habits, and many people give in and give them whatever they want. This can lead to weight gain if they eat more than they need.
Lack of exercise
Another common reason beagles get fat is not getting enough exercise. Beagles are active dogs and need a lot of exercise to stay healthy. If theyre not getting enough, they can start to put on weight.
Helping an Overweight Beagle Lose Weight
If your beagle is overweight, you can do a few things to help them get back to a healthy weight. Please remember its good to maintain a healthy beagle weight than to help a beagle lose weight.
Cut back on dog food
The first thing you need to do is cut back on their food. If theyre begging for food constantly, you may need to feed them smaller meals more often throughout the day. You should also make sure theyre getting enough exercise.
Increase exercise
Exercise is crucial for helping your beagle lose weight. Beagles are active dogs and need a good amount of exercise to stay healthy. If theyre not getting enough, they can start to put on weight. So take them for walks, runs, or hikes. You can also play fetch or other games with them.
Talk to your veterinarian
If youre concerned about your beagles weight, make an appointment with your veterinarian. They can help you develop a weight loss plan and answer any questions you have.
Be patient
Weight loss takes time, so be patient. It may take several months for your beagle to reach their ideal weight. But if you stick to the plan, they will eventually get there.
Final Thoughts
If your beagle is overweight, you can do a few things to help the dog lose weight. The most important thing is to reduce their food and increase their exercise. You should also talk to your veterinarian about a weight loss plan. Be patient, as it may take several months for your beagle to reach their ideal weight. But if you stick to the plan, they will eventually get there.
We hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading!
Overweight Beagles Lifespan How Obesity can affect their health
These adorable little cuddle-monsters will eat anything that they can fit into their mouth. Beagles love to eat. I wont be surprised if my beagle jumps and grabs all the pancakes and eat them in one go, even right after having his meal. Due to their obsession with eating, beagles are prone to obesity. This affects their health drastically. Lets look into the average lifespan of an overweight beagle.
According to the data published by Banfield Pet Hospital, on average, the lifespan of overweight beagles is 2 years shorter than the beagles with normal weight. While beagles with healthy weight live for 15 years, overweight beagles live for 13 years.
Lets look into more about the research conducted to find how weight can affect a dogs lifespan. We will also see how you can find out if your beagle is overweight.
What does the research say
A study was conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital, where scientists examined how weight can have a negative or positive effect on the lifespan of a dog. The research was done over two decades and included popular breeds like labrador retrievers and beagles. You can find the Journal here:
Association between life span and body condition in neutered client-owned dogs.
This study examined more than 50,000 dogs of a 12 different breed, both male and female, and aged between 6 1/2 and 8 1/2 years.
The research proved that overweight dogs have a shorter lifespan compared to dogs with a healthy weight.
The lifespan of an overweight beagle is reduced by 2 years. While a male beagle with a healthy weight lives for 15.2 years, an overweight one lives for 13.2 years. A female beagle with normal weight lives of 15.3 years, and an overweight female lives for 13.3 years.
How to find if your beagle is overweight
A healthy weight for a male adult beagle is 22 to 35 pounds (10 to 15 kg). Whereas, 20 to 30 pounds (9 to 13 kg) is healthy for a female beagle.
According to AKC, there are two varieties of beagle:
- Beagles whos full-grown size stand under 13 inches at the shoulder.
- Beagles whos full-grown size stand between 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder.
A healthy weight of these two types of beagles is:
- Under 13 inches: 22 to 30 pounds (10 to 13.6 kg)
- Between 13 and 15 inches: 25 to 35 pounds (11 to 15.8 kg)
Anything above this is considered overweight.
Other ways to tell if your beagle is overweight
There are some other ways to confirm that your beagle is overweight. Lets have a look into them.
Note: The ways mentioned below are for adult beagles only. Its okay for a puppy to look chubby or fat even after feeding healthy food. They are supposed to carry extra weight.
Check their ribs
You can put your hand on your beagles ribs and gently apply a little pressure. Healthy beagles have a layer of skin with thin fats over them, and you can feel the ribs.
And if you can feel a good amount of fats before you can feel the ribs, then your pooch is overweight.
And in case if the ribs of a beagle are visible and popping out of his skin, then the beagle is underweight.
They look chubby
Beagles are hunting dogs, and the breed, in general, is athletic, and so is their body. You can easily spot an overweight beagle by looking at them. They are chubby and have lots of fats on their body.
They are not flexible.
Overweight beagles struggle to scratch behind their ears and find it difficult to lick their other body parts.
They get tired easily.
Healthy beagles are a powerhouse of energy. They love to play and run.
However, an overweight beagle will struggle to run and get tired quickly. They become lazy and lethargy.
Why overweight beagles have a shorter lifespan
Obesity in beagles can create lots of health concerns and invite diseases that can reduce their lifespans.
Lets discuss some common health risks found in overweight beagles.
Sugar Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus or sugar diabetes is prevalent in overweight beagles. Obesity increases insulin secretion. If it keeps increasing over a long period, it can burn out cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, which results in diabetes.
Complications in Joints, bones, and ligaments
As the bodyweight of the beagle increases, the pressure on joints and bones increases too, causing severe damage over time. Overweight can cause joint problems, arthritis, and hip dysplasia.
Heart disease
The heart needs to pump more blood in an overweight body. This can cause congestive heart failure.
Hypertension (increased blood pressure)
Excess body weight can cause increased blood pressure in dogs too. You can read more about it here.
Other common health concerns
Other common health concerns in overweight beagles include difficulty breathing, decreased stamina, decreased liver function, digestive disorders, lower immunity, and a higher risk of cancer. You can read about these complications in detail here.
All these diseases and health complications are caused by excess body weight in beagles. This increases the chances of early death and results in shorter lifespans.
Helping your Beagle to Lose weight
Please consult a certified veterinarian first before you come to any conclusion. If your vet has confirmed that your dog is overweight and needs to lose some pounds, then its time to become strict with your beagles diet and routine.
Step 1: Try to make this as fun as possible for your beagle.
Begin with a positive mindset. In any case, losing weight should not be a negative experience for your beagle.
Try to keep things excited and fun for both of you.
Step 2: Slow and Steady Wins the race.
Set a realistic goal that can be achieved over a period of a comfortable time. The plan is to transform your dog slowly but steadily.
Setting unrealistic goals for quick results will put your beagle through a lot of physical as well as mental stress. And we dont want that.
Losing 1 to 2 pounds a month seems like a safe and reasonable goal.
Step 3: Feeding Guide
Two things you need to check:
- What are you feeding
- How much are you feeding
Ask yourself, what are you feeding your dog? Is it healthy? If its not, then try finding a healthier option.
Weight-loss dog food for your beagle should have more protein, less fat, and fewer calories.
My top three suggestion of dog food for weight loss are:
The second thing to look for is how much are you feeding your canine. You neither want to overfeed nor underfeed him. Every dog food has its own feeding guide printed on its package, so follow that to find the correct quantity.
One more thing to keep in check is the treats that you feed him. The number of treats and snacks must be reduced. Try switching to a low-calorie treat. My recommendation for a healthy low calorie treats:
Step 4: Exercise
Regular exercise is essential for keeping your beagle in shape and increase his lifespan.
Overexercising your beagle out of his capacity can cause joint or bone injury.Ask your veterinarian or a dog trainer to create an exercise plan for your beagle according to his weight.
Apart from that, make sure your pooch drinks enough water while exercising so that he doesnt overheat.
You can go through these 7 best ways for beagle to lose weight.
Final Thoughts
Beagles are supposed to be active and healthy. If you stop exercising your beagle and allow them to eat unhealthy food, then it will most definitely cause him to overweight and decrease his lifespan.
