As I feared, my newly adopted Beagle, Pikey, is gaining too much weight. I need to start on a weight control program right away and I'm considering buying food designed for that purpose. I also need to give him more exercise; he gets a 30-45 minute walk every day and has the run of a small patio but that isn't enough. I will be grateful for any suggestions.
I think I would weigh Pikey, and start weighing his food accordingly John. I would say that a good quality, low calorie brand is the way to go. I know that you have been training him, (and the best way to a Beagles brain is definitely through his stomach), but did you allow for the the treats when working out his daily ration? Also, vegetables are a good way to make him feel more full. My lad has a heaped tablespoon of stewed mixed veg. on his kibble, plus, primarily for his health needs, a tablespoon of home made sauerkraut. Both of my dogs love white cabbage - whether it is raw or cooked - and finely shredded, it bulks up their ration without adding too many calories. Vets in this country will often suggest adding bran for the same purpose, but I prefer to use veggies.
From experience beagles and bassetts are prone to getting chubby. One problem is their tendency to sniff every microbe of each section of an individual piece of sidewalk. Ahh scent hounds definitely live by their nose. As with humans I don't hold much stock in "diet" foods, it's about more activity than calories consumed. I would just go with the recommended feeding of whatever food you use now. So perhaps add another walk or three. You also want to do a good distance each walk. Unless the weather is frightful I get Sophie out for an hour a day-usually at least 4-5 miles. Callie has bad knees so he gets a half hour or maybe a half hour morning and half hour evening but still manages close to 3 miles together. Keeps you in shape too.
John, have a look for salt-free canned green beans and also sugar-free pumpkin [not the pumpkin which pie is made with]. Both are ideal for bulking up regular food without adding calories. If you can buy frozen vegetable stew mix [make sure it does not contain onions] he can have some either defrosted or straight from the freezer. My dog is raw fed so does not care if it is defrosted or not! She is also overweight but there is nothing I can do about it at the moment.
John see if your vets do a weekly/monthly weigh in, they will be able to give you the best advice on how to manage your dogs food intake. x
Good advice; thanks. I was feeding him 1 cup Nutro twice a day and found that the requirements for a 25 pound Beagle is 3/5 cup twice a day. I am also extending his daily walks.
He is adorable Just slowly slowly reduce his food - bulk it out with vegetables if he asks for more, and a bit more exercise should do it. xx
As long as your dog as a waist he's ok. If there's a lighter version of the food your feeding him then I would swap, as you not be reducing the amount of food & your dog won't be hungry, which can happen if your only giving him half the normal amount.
Good looking beagle. Body condition looks pretty good,(Actually great compared to many I see). Yes just another walk and adjusting food a little, should have him where you want him at.
Pikey is overweight as I mentioned before. In addition to more exercise and lower portions of food, I have put him on a weight control food. The recommended portions are the same, so I assume there are less calories in the new food, although I don't yet know how many. I am intense about his weight because I allowed my previous Beagle, Joe, to get overweight which was probable cause of his heart congestion.
John, I do not remember if I suggested this before, but have you ever tried feeding Pikey on raw food?
I had a similar problem with my beagle and having reduced his food intake, but unable to increase the amount of exercise, was still not seeing much progress. I have now introduced him to a doggy backpack after finding out that it can have the effect of increasing exercise time. For example, a 30 minute walk with a backpack becomes the equivalent of 45 to 60 minutes, depending on how much your dog is carrying (and which website you choose for information). Starting with nothing in the side pouches, he has now worked up to carrying about 2lbs in weight, evenly distributed. I was advised to not go above 10% of his body weight so have about another pound to go if I want or need to. I used small plastic bags with fine sand in which I measured out in 4oz parcels so that I could be pretty specific in the amount he was carrying, and gradually increased it every few days. Its early days but he is calmer on his walks and less rambunctious while in the house so I am assuming this is because he is using up more energy!. Hope this helps
Welcome to Breedia Michelle. That is rather a good idea. Did you have much trouble getting him used to the backpack? I ask because my lad hates to wear a coat, even when it is really cold. After a few minutes he starts to pull at it with his teeth - It is just about possible to stop him while he is on a lead, but not when he is running free.
Thanks for the welcome Carole. I tried the backpack on him in the house first of all and it didn't really bother him. He took to it so well that my other dog, a female Harrier who is finicky wearing a coat, also now has a backpack. She has been very accepting of it and I can only think it is because it does not cover the entire length of her back so doesn't bother her as much as a coat. The type I bought is from Outward Hound and the only way I can describe it is being like a 3/4 coat with a saddlebag either side. These are removable though so you could even start with the backpack without the 'packs'. Some of the sites that I read up on regarding backpacks said that dogs become more calm and focused when wearing them as they feel they are doing a job . I came across all sorts of write ups that said people had their dogs carry everything from bottles of water to doggie bags and even snacks.....wouldn't work with mine; first sniff of anything food related and they would be trying to get into it, lol.
