Question about Beagles..

[CountryWolf07]

Do they gain a lot of weight quickly? Rosie has gotten heavy, and I don't know what happened. We free feed her and Anna, and they eat whenever they please.. hmm..

[tatsxxx11]

Guess it's time to start lifting the bowl!;) Seriously, I've met a number of Beagles who developed wt. issues, but usually later in life. They do have a tendency to put on weight if you don't watch their diet. Has her exercise routine changed? Does she seem to be eating more? Maybe you could try scheduled feedings? It may take some time and patience, but most adjust to the change in routine. Of course, Anna would need to be on schedule too.

[CountryWolf07]

Anna, we don't worry about her, she is pretty in good health, not chubby or too skinny, she's just right at average. :) Now, for Rosie, I have noticed she has been sleeping a lot during the day.. although I try to keep her up since she needs some moviation to play or have her go outside. Once she has slept in my bed from 8am til' 3pm, now that's nuts! I think it's just her being lazyiness..

[tatsxxx11]

Sounds like Rosie needs to get on an exercise program!:D I guess you need to try and figure out just how much a day she's eating. My Star is about 60 lbs. She only eats dry, about 2 cups per day and she is VERY active. If you can, try measuring out Rosie's food, feeding her twice a day. I'm not really sure how much a mod. active, 40 lb. pup would eat...but less than Star's 2 cups, I'd guess. Maybe your vet can give you some advice!:) Hugs to the precious pair!:)

[lv4dogs]

The previous suggestions are great but I would also keep in mind medical issues, like Thyroid problem. A simple & fairly cheap blood test can determain that. It is more common in older dogs (5+) but can happen to any of them.

[wolf_Q]

What kind of food do you feed them?

I've seen an awful lot of very heavy beagles at my work...it may be a tendency in the breed.

I think it'd be a good idea to measure their portions and stop free-feeding.

[lovemyshiba]

I'm with Amy--I think it is a tendency in the breed.

We had a beagle growing up, named Spike who was a bit on the tubby side. And with Abbey now, I constantly moniter her food intake, and treats, and activity level. If, for some reason she was to quit running around the yard for hours a day like a maniac, I would walk her more. She does tend to put on a little bit of weight in the winter, but usually loses it in the spring--about 5 pounds or less.

My neighbor said to me one day, "Wow, Abbey is getting fat!", and it hurt. I thought it was an incredibly rude thing to say, and I let her know that. Anyway though, they way she is built, you can notice a couple of pounds on her, so I try to limit her treats and food daily. She weighs about 50 pounds right now, but she's tall, like a dalmation or a lab, not small like a beagle normally is, so she's normal for us!!

Maybe you could give Rosie an extra walk..it couldn't hurt:)