Weight
Beagle Weight
Overview
Many owners are concerned about Beagle weight. Let’s talk about this issue, from the newborn to the adult dog.
Newborns are tiny, less than a pound. Depending on the size of the dam and sire, a newborn Beagle puppy
may weigh anywhere between 5 and 10 ounces. A healthy pup will gain weight each and every day. Those who have a litter are urged to weigh each pup, each day at the same time (morning, for example) and record the results. There should be a change every day.
Right from birth until the age of 6 months will be the most rapid phase of growth.
When the dog is done growing, the approximate weight for 13” and under Beagles is 22 to 30 pounds (9.97 to 13.60 kg). Approximate weight for 13 to 15” Beagles is 25 to 35 pounds (11.33 to 15.87 kg).
Smaller or Larger than the Standard
There will always be dogs that are either lighter or heavier than the AKC standard range. There are several possible reasons for this. In a litter, if one is lighter, it may be due to having smaller bone structure. Often the word 'runt of the litter' is use and while this word has a stereotype against it, all it really means is that out of all of the pups in a litter, one is smaller than the others…
This is most often due to genetics and as long as he or she is healthy, there is nothing wrong with having “the little one”.
Of course, if a pup or dog is not eating well and is not gaining weight nice and steady during that 1st year, the owner should ensure that a full and complete veterinarian checkup be performed to identify any possible medical reasons.
Many Beagles end up being much larger than an owner expected. Again, there are different reasons for this. One possible reason is that this breed can rapidly gain weight if not given the opportunity to exercise each day.
This breed is a hunter…They have an instinct to walk/ run through the woods and fields each day. Owners must feed this “hunger” by making sure that their dog is taken for a long, brisk walk each day.
In addition, play time can be done in a safe, fenced in area… and cardio exercise
such as hiking while exploring new areas…or playing catch is a great way for the dog to release pent up energy and have enough exercise to stay healthy.
Beagle weight can also be affected due to the bone structure of the dog. If you purchased your dog from a breeder, hopefully they showed you the parents (dam and sire)…and you can always get a good idea of what size to expect your pup to be when grown…
However in some cases, genetics can go back 5 generations or more. This means that even with an estimate from the breeder, an owner may find that they simply have a more sturdier, bigger boned dog than expected, who therefore weighs more than anticipated.
Ahead,
we'll discuss how to help a Beagle lose weight.
Putting a Beagle on a Diet
A good way to determine if your Beagle weighs too much is to look at the ribs.
If they clearly show without any manipulation from you, the dog is too thin.
If they do not show, but you can easily feel each one under the fur, this usually means that they are in a good range.
If it is very difficult to feel the ribs, this usually means that there is too much fat in the way, a sign that it is time to go on a diet.
You should always confirm this with the veterinarian and be sure that your Beagle is healthy in all other regards before you help him lose weight.
There are several ways to go about helping a Beagle lose weight:
It may seem daunting to cut down on food when a Beagle has a hearty appetite and always seems hungry. It's best to lower calories, not quantity. That, coupled with exercise, can lead to a safe, gradual loss.
1) Swap out some of your Beagle's regular food for low calorie ingredients.
This helps keep portion size the same. In this way, the low calorie food will take the place of higher calorie items. Doing this will in turn help a Beagle lose weight.
Some great choices which dogs often do not even notice when mixed in well are:
- Baby carrots - Each one has 4 calories.
- Green beans - A half cup has only 15 calories
- Green peas - A 1/4 cup will be just 29 calories
- Raspberries - Sprinkle in a 1/4 cup of these, which not only taste great but are also packed with antioxidants and there's only 16 calories.
2) Offer low calorie snacks.
As with any food that you feed your Beagle, you'll want to steer clear of those that have artificial additives or ingredients that are hard to digest. And when a Beagle needs to lose weight, you'll want to look for low calorie options that taste great.
One of the best diet snacks is Fruitables. Each piece is only 2 to 3 calories. While a Beagle will eat more than one for a treat, these still keep calorie count pretty low. These come in a variety of awesome flavors like Skinny Mini Apple Bacon and Pumpkin and Mango. These are all natural, with just a few wholesome ingredients.
Another great option is Zuke's Skinny Bakes.
These are 5 calories each. A Beagle will eat 3 to 6 for each reward, but at 15 to 30 calories, that keeps calorie count low. These all natural, with no additives, and come in great flavors like peanut butter and apples, with cranberries, or with blueberries.
How Much Weight a Beagle Should Lose Per Month
When you place a Beagle on a diet, this does not need to be a difficult time for the dog. The goal of loss should be slow and steady. Depending on how overweight a Beagle is, a good weight loss goal would be 2 to 4 pounds per month.
