Overweight Beagle How to Help Your Pet Achieve a Healthy Weight

7 Ways to Help your Beagle Lose Weight

My neighbors beagle, Cookie has gained a lot of unhealthy weight lately. So we decided to take this challenge of transforming Cookie by helping her to lose excess weight.

After doing a lot of research and talking with my vet, I found seven effective ways to help a beagle lose weight.

These ways worked amazingly for Cookie, and they will help any beagle to lose unhealthy weight. But just to be safe, consult your veterinarian before implementing them.

1. Start Measuring Calories

Start measuring your beagles calory intake and cut it down. If you are feeding your pooch according to the feeding guide mentioned on the dog food package, then stop. These guides are made for active dogs with an average healthy weight.

By feeding your overweight beagle according to these guides, you are feeding him 20% to 30% more than he needs.

Ask your vet to calculate the necessary amount of calories that your beagle needs every day and start feeding accordingly.

You can use this formula to get a general idea of many calories your inactive dog requires. But make sure to check it with the vet first.

First, divide the weight of your beagle by 2.2, then multiply it with 30, and then add 70 to it.

[(Weight of your Beagle / 2.2) x 30] + 70

Most dog food packages have calories per bowl or calories per 100 grams. Start measuring the calories and feed your beagle accordingly.

2. Use vegetables as treats

Manufactured treats are not the best option for an overweight beagle. Try replacing these treats with vegetables that your pooch loves. Some popular and healthy vegetables that many dogs enjoy are baby carrots, apples, bananas, green beans, and celery.

Try different types of vegetables until you find a few that work best on your canine. Here is a list of 32 vegetables safe to feed your beagle.

Make sure not to feed to much vegetables that contain natural sugar like bananas and apples.

But if your beagle is like my niece who hates veggies, then here are two low-calorie and healthy treats:

3. Daily Exercise

While cutting down calories will stop your beagle from gaining weight, exercising will help burn calories and lose weight.

Beagles are a breed of hunting dogs. They are suppose to run, chase, and be active. If you fail to provide enough exercise for your beagle, they start gaining weight and become lethargic.

To help your beagle lose weight without causing any health risk, take things slow but steady. Start with taking your pooch out for a walk just around the block. And gradually increase the distance.

Make a schedule and be consistent with it. Do not miss even a single day.

Here are 12 fun ways to exercise your beagle.

4. Feed many small meals

Once you know how much you are supposed to feed your beagle in a day, divide the ratio into 3 to 6 small portions and feed them throughout the day. According to Dr. Carol Osborn, it requires energy to digest the food that burns calories. Feeding small meals many times a day will burn more calories.

She says that feeding a small portion of meals every 4 to 6 hours makes your dog feel full throughout the day and reduces appetite spikes.

5. Cut down Carbs

Most beagles do not need a diet that is high in carbohydrates, and still, most dog foods have high carbs. Dog food for losing weight should be low in carbs and high in proteins.

6. High protein Diet

Many manufactured dog foods contain fillers, by-products, grain, and unhealthy preservatives. They are high in fats and carbohydrates and have low protein.

Switching to high-quality, grain-free dog foods with fresh meat as their primary ingredients can help your beagle achieve goals of being healthy.

I recommend these three high-protein dog foods for losing weight:

Make sure to consult your veterinarian before switching food.

You can even start feeding your beagle home-cooked food. Its the best way to ensure that your pooch gets all the essential nutrients. Ask your veterinarian or a pet nutritionist to create a home-cooked died for your beagle.

7. Play with them

Beagles love to interact with their human buddies. One way to make them happy and burn some calories is to play some games with them.

You dont need to go out; you can play some indoor games like hide and seek and fetch.

Bonus: Teach and revise tricks

Teach them some tricks and commands; this will be fun for you as well as your pooch. And the best part about it is that it will be a mini exercise for them.

Teaching new tricks also provides mental stimulation, which makes them feel good and excited.

Fix a time and add this to your schedule to teach and revise trick to your beagle. Just make sure you dont over-treat them.

Did you know obisity can decrease the lifespan of beagles.

Conclusion

DO NOT set an unrealistic goal of making your dog fit in just a month, its not safe for them. Ideally, losing 1 to 2 pounds a month is safe and less stressful.

Keep this weight-loss thing as much fun as possible for your beagle. And dont be too strict with everything. Its more about being consistent.

The above ways have worked for us as well as many other dogs. But to be safe, please ask your veterinarian before doing any lifestyle changes in your beagles routine.

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!