How to tell if a Beagle is overweight

How Do I Know if My Beagle is Overweight? (What Weight Yours Should Be)

Beagles are notoriously joyful, friendly and gentle. They make the perfect companion for family and single dog-owners alike, as they are very even-tempered: not too grumpy, but not too timid either. But like all dogs, Beagles can get overweight if not cared for properly.

Beagles can be prone to overeating and associated weight issues which, if not monitored properly, can spiral out of control and lead to health issues later on in life.

How do I know if my Beagle is overweight? The weight a Beagle should be is 10 to 11 kg (22 to 24 pounds) for a male and is 9 to 10 kg (19.8 to 22 pounds) for a female. You can also check whether or not your Beagle is overweight by checking and assessing their upper torso area.

But how does this torso check work, and how do you do it?

Its quite simple; heres how you can tell if your Beagle is overweight and you dont have scales.

Apply a little pressure to your Beagles chest and you should be able to feel their ribcage. This is how you know they are of an optimum weight. If you can barely feel the ribs at all, this is a fair indication that your Beagle is overweight.

What weight should a Beagle be?

Ive already covered this briefly, but just to confirm, a health Beagle who is not overweight should fall into the following weight ranges:

• Male: 10 to 11 kg (22 to 24 pounds).
• Female: 9 to 10 kg (19.8 to 22 pounds).

As well as taking a Beagles gender into account, you should also consider their height in comparison to their weight. Broadly, there are two Beagle height categories: up to 13 inches, and 13 to 15 inches.

For Beagles that grow up to 13 inches, a healthy weight for them falls between 22 and 30 pounds. Meanwhile, for Beagles that grow between 13 and 15 inches, a healthy weight range for them is between 25 and 35 pounds.

You should also consider other factors such as Beagles that are considered runts of the litter that may well never reach 13 inches. Consequently, you can expect smaller-than-average Beagles to weight a little less than the recommended guidelines.

Ensuring your Beagle remains a healthy weight may be challenging at times, but it is possible and helps to ensure your four-legged companion has a long, healthy and happy life.

This guide to ensuring your Beagle doesnt become overweight will explain some of the ways you can help to make that happen.

Handy Hint: Weight gain could also be the sign of pregnancy. If your Beagle is pregnant heres how long it will last and what to expect before the puppies arrive.

How much should a Beagle weigh at 3 months?

But what about Beagle puppies who are just about to leave their mother? How much should a Beagle at 3 months weigh?

A 3-month-old Beagle male should weigh in at around 4.3 and 4.7 kg (9.5 to 10.4 pounds). At 6 months of age, a male Beagle should weigh between 7.8 kg (17.2 pounds) for ones with a smaller frame, to 8.5 kg (18.7 pounds) for the largest Beagle puppies.

How much should a beagle mix weigh?

How much a Beagle mix should weigh is entirely dependent on what the Beagle has been mixed with. Here are some of the most popular Beagle mixes.

• The Cheagle (Beagle / Chihuahua)
• The Bagel (Beagle / Basset)
• The Beaski or Busky (Beagle / Husky)
• The Puggle (Beagle / Pug)
• Coagle or Bocker (Beagle / Cocker Spaniel)
• Beaglemation (Beagle / Dalmatian)
• Beabull (Beagle / Bulldog)
• Poogle (Beagle / Poodle)
• Beago (Beagle / Golden Retriever)
• Lagle or Beagador (Beagle / Lab)
• Beagi (Beagle / Corgi)
• Pomeagle (Beagle / Pomeranian)
• Beashund or Doxle (Beagle / Dachshund)
• Teagle or Boglen (Beagle / Boston Terrier)
• Borkie (Beagle / Yorkie)
• Bea-Tzu (Beagle / Shih-Tzu)
• Malteagle (Beagle / Maltese)
• Raggle (Beagle / Rat Terrier)

You should consult with your vet as they will be able to take the weight of both mixes and then give you an ideal weight limit your Beagle mix should be.

How big will my beagle get?

According to the VetStreet.com website:

Beaglescome in two sizes: 13-inch and 15-inch. The smaller variety includesBeagleswho are no taller than 13 inches at the shoulder and weigh 22 to 30 pounds, while the larger variety includesBeagleswho are taller than 13 inches but not more than 15 inches and weigh up to 35 pounds.

More ways to tell if your Beagle is overweight

As well as weighing them and checking their upper-torso area, there are several ways to check whether or not your dog is piling on the pounds that doesnt involve a visit to the vets.

1. Assess their appearance

As mentioned, a common rule of thumb when assessing the weight a Beagle should be is to look to their ribs. If your Beagle is a healthy weight, you shouldnt be able to see their ribs, but you should be able to feel them easily usually, they should have just a thin layer of fat over them.

Its the same with their spine: if you see it, that means theyre too thin, but you should be able to feel the spine of a healthy Beagle with ease, because it should ideally only be covered by a thin layer of fat.

Beagles of a healthy weight should also have a visible waistline that is slightly smaller than their chest, and the base of their tail should have a small layer of fat that is smooth to the touch.

2. Their body has no definition

Beagles are supposed to have a lean and athletic build. This is why, at a healthy weight, you should be able to feel their ribcage and spine.

So, if your Beagle is looking a bit chunky or you are unable to feel their ribcage or spine under all the fat, you need to put them on a diet.

3. They get tired and overexerted easily

When Beagles are out of shape and overweight, they will become fatigued after just a few steps, panting a lot or wanting to stop already only minutes into your walk.

If this seems to be happening more often than it should, and you can rule out other external factors (such as hot weather) as being the cause, it is time to consult your vet about a diet and exercise plan.

4. They struggle to groom themselves

If your Beagle cant reach behind their ear to itch their scratch or dont seem to have the flexibility necessary to bite or groom themselves, this is a clear indication that they need to go on a diet due to being overweight.

Why are Beagles more prone to weight-gain?

When it comes to mealtimes, most dogs are able to self-regulate, and stop eating after a certain point once theyre full up or have enough food to maintain their energy levels.

However, Beagles are one of the few dog breeds that do not possess that ability of knowing when to stop if left to their own devices, they could possibly even eat themselves to death.

Beagles love food and will eat pretty much anything, but they dont know where to stop. Their owners need to remain extra vigilant in order to ensure that they do not overindulge and end up harming themselves as a result due to being overweight.

Handy Hint: If youre unsure about how much your Beagle should be eating then please check out this Beagle feeding chart.

Owners need to keep mealtimes to twice a day with controlled, limited portions in order to ensure the wellbeing of their dog.

As well as this, Beagles, especially when they approach a more senior age, tend to be a lot less active when they get older.

If left to their own devices, they will run around and play a lot less than is healthy for them, and as with humans, this lack of exercise contributes to them gaining weight.

Handy Hint: Find out how fast a Beagle can run in this guide to Beagle running habits, including how far, how quick, and what to do if they keep running away.

Conclusion

If you choose a Beagle as your pet, rest assured that you have gained an adoring best friend for life!

Theyre a breed of small hound and were originally bred as a scent hound for hunting hare; so, it is clear to see that for Beagles, being your companion is in their very DNA.

This naturally social and even-tempered nature unsurprisingly makes them a wonderful starter pet for for first-time dog owners.

However, that doesnt mean that owning a Beagle comes without some challenges to overcome.

Although Beagles might be more prone to weight gain to other breeds, this doesnt have to be a problem provided owners are vigilant in their care and regularly assess and check their Beagle for signs of weight gain.

On the whole, as long as you dont feed your Beagle more than twice a day and ensure that they get their daily exercise, they should be fine.

If you have any concerns about your Beagles weight, it isnt the end of the world, either. It is just something to discuss with your vet to make sure your dog has a happy, fulfilling and healthy life.

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There are certain foods your Beagle should never eat, as they can be toxic to them. See what they are on the link below.

How Do I Know If My Beagle Is Overweight? Here Are Some Ways

You will agree that out of all dog breeds known; beagles are famously blissful, cordial, and delicate.

They make the ideal ally for the whole family and form close companions to the single owners, too, as they are calm and non-fussy.

Yet, similar to all other doggies, a beagle can gain excess weight if not thought about appropriately regarding diet.

Beagles can be inclined to gorging and related weight issues which, if not observed appropriately, can wind up wild and lead to medical problems later on throughout their life, which no one would want.

So, read this article to know more about whether your beagle is overweight or not!

How To Know If Your Beagle Is OverweightIs? Here Are Some Ways

Before going deep, a simple go-to technique to know whether your beagle is overweight or not is by locating and feeling their ribcage below their chest.

For this, apply a slight press on the beagles chest. If you can barely feel the ribcage, there are chances of your beagle being overweight. Besides, below are other ways to ascertain this.

1. Appearance

As talked about above, one dependable approach while evaluating the weight of a beagle is by feeling their ribs.

If your beagle is overweight, you shouldnt be able to detect their ribs, though you may feel them (through some pressure), as they naturally ought to have a thin layer of fat over them.

The same goes with their spine, shoulders, and hips as well, i.e., if you cant see any of these easily, that implies theyre excessively weighed than usual.

Additionally, a healthy beagle will have an obvious midsection that is marginally more modest than their chest, and the base of their tail ought to have a little layer of fat that is smooth to the touch.

Related:

1. Beagle running speed: How fast they can run?

2. Non-Athletic Body With No Shape

All beagles should have a slender and muscular body shape. This way, you have the option to feel their ribcage and spine, as referenced above.

Hence, if your dog is looking somewhat thick or you cant feel their ribcage or spine under all that fat, you need to put them on a careful nutritional plan.

3. They Get Worn Out And Overexerted Easily

At the point when beagles are in the wrong way and overweight, they ought to feel weary after only a couple of steps or needing to stop just minutes into their regular walk.

On the off chance that this is, by all accounts, happening more frequently than it should, the time has come to counsel your vet about an eating routine and exercise plan for your beagles gaining weight.

4. The Problem In Grooming Themselves

Dogs love grooming themselves all day long.

On the off chance that your beagle cant reach behind his ear to tingle any scratch or dont appear to have the adaptability important to chomp or prep themselves, this is an unmistakable sign that they need to start eating better due to being slightly overweight.

What Is The Healthy Weight For A Beagle?

For a male beagle, the healthy weight lies in the range of 10-11 kgs (or 22-24 pounds), while that for a female breed is 9-10 kgs (or 19-22 pounds).

Apart from your beagles gender, height also plays a vital role in his/her weight. For beagles growing up to 13 inches, the weight can fall between 22-30 pounds, and if the height is between 13-15 inches, 25-35 pounds looks decent.

Remember, maintaining a healthy weight for your beagle can be challenging; its equally fruitful for both of you in the long run.

How Much Should A 3-Months Old Beagle Weigh?

A cute 3-months beagle should weigh anything between 4.3 to 4.7 kgs (or 9.5 to 10.4 pounds), and the same for a 6-months old can be 7.8 kg (or 17.3 pounds).

Are Beagles Prone To Weight Gain? If Yes, Why Is It So?

Most dog breeds know pretty well when to stop taking in meals to have enough stamina for their day-long activities.

However, then there is one unique breed, beagles, that doesnt possess this ability. Its also said that if left to eat on their terms, they might end up overeating!

Beagles love their food and will eat practically anything served to them.

However, they dont have the foggiest idea when to halt, making their proprietors keep a keen eye over their meals to guarantee that they dont overindulge and wind up oppressing themselves due to being overweight.

For this, you, as the owner, can limit serving them two to three times per day with a regulated and restricted proportion of food to safeguard your canines prosperity in the long run.

Just as other dogs, beagles, when they touch a more senior age, will, in general, be much less active, which in turn requires regulated mealtime with proper care.

Hence, when left on their terms, they will go around and play much, not precisely as sound for them (for dogs), the absence of which adds to them putting on weight.

Are Fat Beagles Unhealthy?

Beagles are famous for their attractive eyes, friendly demeanor, and stocky bodies. But one thing that ruins their image is OVERWEIGHT.

As said above, beagles are one such breed that loves food the most, and due to overeating, they gain excessive weight and become fat.

Now, the question that arises in most of their owners is that fat beagles are unhealthy, and it ought to! So, lets understand this.

Yes, being overweight isnt healthy for anyone, be it humans or animals, especially dogs. The reason being that fat dogs or beagles stay at risk of inviting several severe health problems, as listed below.

• Arthritis,
• Diabetes,
• Ragged ligaments and tendons,
• Frequent breathing problems,
• Wheezing,
• Heart disease,
• A shorter life expectancy (than usual 12-14 years), and so on.

If the above illnesses can occur due to weight gain, its also a possibility that an underlying disease might be a cause for your beagles drastic weight gain.

Be it any case, a fat beagle is unhealthy. Two of the most widespread underlying illnesses are:

• Cushings disease:Condition in which the body develops excessive cortisol.
• Addisons disease.Just the opposite of Cushings disease, in this condition, the body develops insufficient cortisol.

Both of the above diseases mark uneven changes in the dogs weight, sometimes weight gain or weight loss.

Conclusion

No doubt that beagles are a humans best and most adoring companion for their whole life; however, its equally valid that their care isnt everyones cup of tea.

Even though beagles are more inclined to weight gain to different varieties, this doesnt need to be an issue.

Given their keepers are watchful in their mind and consistent in surveying and checking their hound breed for indications of weight pick up (even slight) if any.

Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.