How to tell if your beagle is overweight

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!

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.