By Pat Robidoux

If you own a beagle, you will probably be fighting the Battle of Beagle Bulge as your dog grows into adulthood. Beagles appear to be predisposed to obesity, so maintaining a healthy, consistent diet is vital to your dog's good health. Those few extra pounds can suddenly blossom into a severe problem with obesity, compromising your beagle's good health.

Severely overweight dogs, like overweight people, are more likely to develop health problems, some potentially life threatening. Joint and muscular problems can be complicated by obesity. Liver and skin problems occur more often. Diabetes is an added risk. Obese dogs also are more susceptible to to pancreatitis. These health problems are no doubt expensive to treat, but they also can shorten the dog's life and threaten his quality of life.

Is My Beagle Overweight?

Beagles come in many shapes and sizes, although the AKC recognizes the 13" and the 15" beagles. Some beagles are tall and slender, others shorter and quite muscular. Beagles exceeding 15" are naturally going to be be able to handle more weight than a 13" beagle. Rather than relying solely on weight, a good test for obesity is to physically palpate your dog, checking for the rib cage. If you can easily feel your dogs ribs and spot a waistline when viewing your beagle from above, then it probably isn't overweight. If those ribs disappear under folds of fat, and your dog looks a little "round," then it is probably time to talk to your veterinarian. Dogs that appear to be overweight may have hidden medical conditions, so please consult with your vet before beginning any weight-loss program.

Should My Beagle Go On A Diet?

This is something you need to discuss with your veterinarian. There are some good commercial "lite" dog foods available, and others that are only available through a veterinarian. Your vet may suggest additional exercise, changes in feeding habits and reduced-calorie dog food to help slim down your dog. DON'T MAKE ANY SUDDEN DIET CHANGES WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR VET.

How Will A Change In Diet Affect My Dog?

Sometimes changing food can cause diarrhea. Dogs' systems can be sensitive to any dietary changes, so when changing to another food, it's helpful to mix small amounts of the new food with your beagle's current food. Gradually add more new food and decrease the amounts of the old food over a period of about a week. Soon your dog will be eating all new food with less likelihood of stomach upset. This technique isn't just for switching from "regular" foods to "lite" foods, but also from one brand to another.

Can My Beagle Eat Table Scraps?

He can, but should he? Table scraps are loaded with calories. And those calories convert to fat quite quickly on dogs. Remember that humans are much larger and can handle more calories than your 30-pound beagle. Most dog owners are guilty of slipping their pet human food, but when the dog becomes a garbage disposal, you are asking for trouble. Most beagles have ravenous appetites and will eat until they make themselves sick. Remember, too, that especially rich foods can cause severe stomach upset, enough that the dog can end up at the vet clinic needing costly medical treatment. I know. I've been through it. We all know how hard it is to ignore those big brown eyes staring at us during dinnertime. If you just can't resist the temptation, it's time to confine your beagle to another room while you eat. Table scraps will do more harm than good in the long run.

What About Exercise?

Depending on their age, beagles can participate in many activities. Younger dogs like to chase balls, and if you have two beagles, they will chase and play with each other. Older dogs benefit from regular walks if they are up to it. Be sure to start an exercise program after consulting with your veterinarian and begin slowly, working up to more vigorous activities with time.

Use Your Good Sense...

If you see your beagle adding those unwanted pounds, and he is otherwise healthy, take steps to cut back on caloric intact and make sure your dog gets ample exercise. Remember that obesity is common in many beagles, but it need not compromise your dog's health. Your beagle doesn't know that all those goodies he eats adds pounds. Remember that most of what your beagle eats comes right from the hand that feeds him... YOU. So you must be the one to control what goes into his mouth. Resist those pleading brown eyes and JUST SAY NO!

©1997 Patricia M. Robidoux

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Page last revised June 23, 2000

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