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FAQ AND MORE BEAGLE RESOURCES

"Treating" Your Pet Right

Pet owners have always liked to show their animal family a little extra love with the occasional treat, but modern treats have gone way beyond slipping Rover a little turkey under the kitchen table. These days pet owners can visit pet bakeries, buy frozen dog desserts at the grocery store, or make homemade treats from a pet treat cookbook. With all these options, how do you know the right thing to feed your pet?

The good side of treats
There's nothing wrong with feeding your pet the occasional treat. Small amounts of tasty food can be great motivators if you're trying to train your pet, or rewards to positively reinforce good behavior. These kinds of rewards can increase the bond between pets and owners, and some treats can even help your pet stay healthy. Best of all, it can be a lot of fun watching your pet savor a treat he/she really loves.

Treats can cause a few problems, however, if they aren't given carefully.

Count those calories
One of the most dangerous problems overindulgence in treats can cause is obesity. It's a growing problem for pets - nearly half of all the pets in the United States are overweight. Obesity can contribute to a wide range of health problems, from arthritis to diabetes and heart disease. (For more information, see Fat Cats and Pudgy Pooches and Heavy Isn't Healthy for People or Pets.

Treats can be a hidden cause of weight gain, because you may not realize quite how many you give your pet throughout the day. And some treats, because of the extra fat and sugar that make them so desirable to your furry friend, can be jam-packed with calories. Large biscuits can contain well over 100 calories each, for example. It's hard to estimate how many calories pets use, because calorie use varies a lot based on animals' sizes and activity levels. For the sake of example, however, we can imagine that an average 20-pound dog burns about 700 calories per day. Just a few large treats and a leftover burger from the family barbecue could supply enough calories for that dog for a whole day, before he/she even gets to his/her regular food. So be aware that some snacks are packed with calories, and stick with low-cal treats or avoid treats altogether if your pet is overweight.

Stay away from scraps
Much as your pup loves to lurk under the table during dinner, hoping for a few spilled crumbs, you should resist the urge to let him/her sample your table scraps. Leftover scraps from human food tend to be high in calories and fat but low in vitamins and other nutrients, and they can easily upset your pet's stomach. Not to mention that your pooch could get used to the tastier food form at the human table, and become picky, refusing his/her usual diet. Also, a pet that gets all the table food he/she wants is a lot like a five-year-old that fills up on ice cream before dinner. All the empty calories of table snacks can sate his/her hunger before he/she gets to his/her own, nutritionally balanced food, and he/ she can miss out on some of the nutrients he/she needs to stay healthy.

Besides, if you feed your pet from your plate even a few times, you'll most likely end up with a pet that begs constantly at the table, even when you have guests visiting. For the sake of your pet's health and your own sanity, make it a house policy to never share table scraps. It might be best to leave your pet in a different room while you eat, so that no one in the family will be tempted.

Tips for treats
So how do you choose the right thing when you want to treat your pet?

First off, buy treats made specifically for your kind of pet. These treats are designed to taste good to your pet without upsetting his/her stomach or throwing his/her diet out of whack.
If your pet eats at scheduled meal times, don't let him/her fill up on treats before meals.
Try giving your pet treats that benefit their health. Pet stores now offer dental treats that clean teeth and treats with added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants; and more.
If you're longing to let your dog sample a little human food but don't want to expand his/her waistline, you can try giving him/ her a few fresh vegetables. Dogs often love veggies like carrots, broccoli, and green beans, which are low in calories and high in vitamins and healthy fiber. You'll have to use some care, however, some produce that people love can be harmful to dogs. Onions can cause anemia, for example, and grapes and raisins can be toxic. Don't feed your dog any new or unusual veggies without consulting with your veterinarian.
When you give your pet treats, add up the number of calories in the treats, then subtract that from the number of calories he/she gets from his/her regular food for that day.
In general, don't let treats make up more than 10 percent of your pet's diet.

As for the gourmet yummies that are now available, use your best judgment when deciding what to give your pet. Check what ingredients they're made from and how much fat they contain. If your pet is healthy and his/her overall diet is balanced, the occasional extravagant snack won't do him/her any harm.

If you have any questions about how many and what kinds of treats are right for your pet, consult your veterinarian.

Diet & Weight Control

Obesity is one of the most common diseases affecting dogs in the U.S., according to recent studies indicating that 30 to 40 percent of U.S. pets are overweight and 25 percent of pets in the U.S. are obese. Similar to people, too much weight causes health issues in pets such as respiratory problems, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. Overweight pets also have a greater chance of tearing ligaments and wearing down their joints, both of which make getting around painful.

Pets weigh much less than people, so an extra pound or two makes a big difference. It is important to keep an eye on your pet’s diet, exercise routine and weight throughout his or her life. Dog’s ideal weight varies with his/her breed and size. A small dog may weigh about the same as a cat, while large-breed dogs may weigh sixty pounds or more. Your veterinarian can tell you what your dog’s ideal weight should be based on his/her size and breed.

How do I determine if my pet is overweight?
Your veterinarian can tell you if your pet is overweight during your pet’s regular wellness exam. Your veterinarian may take a sample of your pet’s blood for laboratory tests to determine if there is a medical reason for your pet’s increased weight. If your pet is older, his/her weight gain may be attributed to lower activity and metabolism levels. Another cause of weight gain is giving your pet too many treats.

At home, you can monitor your pet’s weight by feeling his/her ribs. Place your fingers on the side of his/her rib cage and press or rub gently. If you can easily feel your pet's ribs, he/she is probably not overweight, but if you have to press against his/her sides to feel his/her ribs, he/she may be overweight. You should also be able to easily spot your pet's "waist," that is, his/her body should become more slender as you look from the end of the ribs to the hindquarters.

What should I feed my pet?
The same weight loss methods that work in humans also apply to pets. Controlling your pet's caloric intake and making sure he/she gets the right amount of exercise is the best way to help keep your pet at a healthy weight. Your veterinarian can help you develop a diet and exercise plan to keep your pet fit and trim.

If your pet needs to lose weight, he/she should do so gradually — a one to two percent loss per week is best. You can control his/her caloric intake in a few ways:

Give less food
Give dry food rather than canned food (dry food usually has fewer calories)
Your veterinarian may prescribe a special diet designed specifically for weight loss

For dogs, the best diet is low in fat and high in fiber. Puppies (dogs that are less than one-year old) need a diet with extra protein, calcium and iron that is specially formulated for their developing bodies.

“Treat” your pet right
If your dog gets too many treats because you just can’t resist his/her charm, try feeding him /her low-calorie treats. Your dog may enjoy fruits and raw vegetables such as apples, oranges, carrots, broccoli, potatoes and green beans. If he/she has trouble digesting raw vegetables and fruit or if the weather is hot, you can also give him/her an ice cube for a calorie-free treat!

Dog treats are widely available at pet food and grocery stores. It is important to consider your pet’s entire daily caloric intake, no matter what type of treat you give him/her. Therefore, you should not add treats to his/her daily food allotment, but rather substitute treats for a small portion of your pet’s food. An easy way to do this is to take a few pieces of dry food from one of your pet’s meals and give them as treats.

Never give your pet table scraps. People food usually contains fat, salt and other ingredients that your pet does not need and will cause him/her to gain weight. People food may even cause indigestion or diarrhea in your pet. Make sure to keep all people food in a place where your pet can’t reach, such as your refrigerator or a covered trash can.

Most pets get the appropriate amount of fat, protein and other nutrients from their pet food, so treats should be only occasional indulgences. You should not make it a habit to vary from your pet’s regular diet of pet food. Talk to your veterinarian about the best diet and treat plan to meet your pet’s unique needs.

Your pet’s diet is just half the battle. Regular exercise is also important to help keep your pet in shape. Visit Exercising Your Pet for more information.

Exercising Your Pet

You know it's good for you. You know that exercise can give you energy, help you maintain a healthy weight, keep your muscles and joints flexible, help you live longer, and above all, make you feel better. For all the same reasons, your pets need to get up and get moving. Not only can exercise extend your furry friends' lives; it may also expend some of their nervous energy and make them a little less likely to chew on the living room drapes.

The thing is, nobody's filled pets in on all of these benefits of exercise. Without someone to lead the way, they're not going to run laps or do leg lifts in their spare time. So as a wonderful pet parent, part of your job is ensuring your animal family members get safe, enjoyable exercise on a regular basis--whether they're cats, dogs, turtles, or ferrets! All pets need some physical activity to live a happy, healthy life.

Different pets need different amounts of exercise, so you'll want to talk to your veterinarian before starting your pet's workout program. With your veterinarian's approval, you can embark on an exercise program that won't seem like work at all--to your pet, it's play.

Dogs on the run
Dogs, especially beagles, can be great fun to exercise, because they can get you out and moving yourself. You don't want to hit the ground running with your pooch, though. Just as with any animal--or person--you'll want a doctor's okay before you start your dog's fitness routine. "Begin with a visit to the veterinarian to discuss your plans and ensure your dog has a clean bill of health," says Dr. Jay Geasling, member and past president of the American Animal Hospital Association. "After your veterinarian gives you the go-ahead, start your dog on suitable exercise for beginners."

Just like people who aren't used to exercise, dogs should start off slow. Moderately paced walking and swimming are a good way to start--they let canine athletes build their cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints. A daily ten- to 15-minute walking or swimming session is a good start; you can build to an hour a day if Rover seems up to it. If, after a few months, she/he's doing well and can handle long, fast walks without fatigue, he/she can graduate to jogging with you. Once she/he's adapted to the exercise, you and your dog can run and walk to your heart's content, if you take a few precautions:

Keep a close eye on your dog: watch for any unusual signs of fatigue or trouble breathing. If your pup wants to stop, let him. Dogs that overdo it can suffer strained tendons or ligaments or other orthopedic problems.
Don't expect your fuzzy buddy to be a weekend warrior, even if you only get exercise on the weekends yourself. After a long week without exercise, your dog may be ready to get out and burn off energy. But because of their enthusiasm, many of the popular breeds, such as Labrador and golden retrievers, beagles and pointers will overdo it.
Safety first--keep Rover on a leash when you run. Even the best-trained dogs can run into the path of a car or a territorial animal. And if you have to run when it's dark out, put reflectors on your dog's collar as well as on your clothes.
Concrete and asphalt are tough on the paws, especially on hot days. Try to run on dirt paths or grass as much as possible. Gravel, cinders, and road salt can also irritate paws.
Take it easy in extreme weather. If it's freezing cold or hot and steamy out, either keep your run short or play a little indoor fetch instead.
The more active your dog is, the more water she/he'll need. Make sure she/he has plenty of fresh water before and after your run. If you're going for a long run, take some water along for her/him and plenty for yourself. If your dog is getting bored with running or walking, take heart: there are other ways to get him/her the exercise he/she needs. A 15-minute game of fetch makes for a good workout. Supervised play with other dogs is a good option too. Tug-of-war is not a good game because it can damage his teeth and may increase aggressive behavior. If you have the time and your dog has the inclination, you could even try running him through some agility obstacle courses, which incorporate a range of activities. If you're interested, your veterinarian may know of a dog agility organization in your area. I have some very good courses here and could give you some pointers of my own.

* Special thanks to Pet Library.com, Webter's Dictionary and Jacqui Piechowiak for this contributions to this page