Beagle Weight Management

Beagles are active, energetic dogs who love for their owners to take them out for exercise. There is but one thing a beagle loves more than his daily exercise: FOOD. They will often ‘acquire’ food without permission, bingeing on last night’s leftovers that he found in the trash. A beagle’s love of food can lead to serious health problems later in life. If your beagle is looking a bit chubby around the edges, this article is for you.

Turning on the Charm

Beagles have such lovable faces, and sometimes it is hard to say no. All they have to do is look at you with those big innocent eyes, their floppy ears dangling, and his paw resting on your leg, until you succumb to his manipulation. If your dog has weight issues, it is important that you resist these urges to feed him extras, there are several good reasons. Firstly, and most obviously, it’s not good for your dog’s health, think of the consequences of canine obesity, such as arthritis and heart problems, which can lead to early death. Secondly, you will be teaching your dog bad social habits, you don’t want your dog begging for food from other people. Thirdly, a begging dog is never satisfied, if you give in once, they will still be asking for more, and they eat treats so fast it’s hard to believe that they actually enjoyed it. Being strong, resisting your beagle’s charm is a good step to controlling your dog’s weight.

Exercise

I’m sure you already know this, but all dogs need exercise. It does depend on the size and age of the dog, but for beagles, they should be getting at least 40 minutes of exercise a day. Walking is good exercise for dogs, but I know that my Beagle prefers to run. My dog is exercising his best when he has another dog to play with. Sometimes the neighbours dog will come and play at the park with us, and the dogs will run from one side of the park to the other, by the time the 40 minutes is up, the dogs have used up all their energy, which also contributes to a better behaved dog. Adapt the exercise to suit you and your dog, games such as fetch are good games if your dog is up for it.

Eating the Right Food

Putting your dog on a diet can be a good way to managing your beagle’s weight. If you want to do this you should definitely check with your vet first. Many top dog food manufacturers offer a low calorie version of their product for weight management. This, along with healthy treats can help your dog achieve its ideal weight. Remember to avoid giving your dog unhealthy human food, and take steps to ensure that it cannot steal any food (from the trash, off the kitchen counter, from the open pantry etc).

With a set plan, dedication and commitment, you can help your dog to lose those pounds and not only improve the appearance and general health of your beagle, but also to prevent long term health risks.