Why Are Beagles Always Hungry? [Causes & Things To Do]


Why Are Beagles Always Hungry

All dogs love food. However, Beagles seem to adore food a lot more than regular canines. These dogs have a penchant for gobbling up everything in their bowls and they simply don’t know when to stop.

If you’re a first-time beagle owner, it’s not unusual to wonder if your canine’s voracious appetite is a cause for concern.

But just why do beagles seem to have a deep love affair for food? Are they greedy? Aren’t they getting enough food? Do they have high metabolism? Or is the behavior indicative of intestinal worms?

Surprisingly, all these are possible reasons why any dog would overeat. But when it comes to beagles, the reasons for overeating mainly come down to their unusual food digestion as well as powerful hunting cum scavenging instincts.

If you’ve recently been wondering ‘why do beagles eat so fast,’ this article is for you. Read on for a definitive guide to why beagles never seem to stop eating.

Natural Reasons Why Beagles Are Always Hungry

If you’re a first-time beagle owner and have recently started paying attention to your dog’s eating habits, you may have noticed what appears to be an unusual appetite. This may get you asking, ‘why is my beagle always hungry?’

So, why do beagles eat so much?

Slow digestion is the primary natural reason why beagles seem to be perpetually hungry. Beagles are unable to regulate their appetite as efficiently as other canines. That’s due to their slow and rather unusual digestion.

Note that digestion in most dogs (and even humans) begins right from the mouth where enzymes in saliva start to break down the food as it’s chewed. This escalates the digestion process, ensuring that the feelings of satiation occur shortly after consuming moderate food portions.

But for beagles, the process won’t begin until the food hits their stomachs. As such, it takes considerably longer for the sensations of fullness to set in for a beagle. And until those feelings take effect, the dog will continuously gobble up his food.

There’s no standard duration it takes for a beagle to feel satiated. But some animal experts theorize that the dogs may take up to three days for the feelings of fullness to set in. You can only imagine what would happen if a beagle ate continuously for three days.

Beagle Eating Sausage

Here are other natural reasons why beagles are always famished;

1. Hunting Instincts

Beagles were bred primarily for hunting hare. Hare hunting is technically known as beagling, which pretty much explains the breed’s name.

Most hunting dogs have a reputation for being opportunistic feeders, and the beagle is no exception.

But why do hunting dogs always crave for food?

A high food drive is one of the core behavioral attributes in all hunting dogs. The logic is simple – the animals must be hungry enough to remain focused on tracking down their prey.

The fact that beagles were particularly bred as pack hunters made them opportunistic eaters. That’s because there was always competition for food among dogs in large packs. The dog would eat as much as he could after every successful hunt as he knew it could probably take days to nail the next meal.

2. Scavenging Instincts

Beagles are not only skilled hunters. These dogs are master scavengers too.

Beagles are known to rummage through trash cans for any food leftovers. That’s regardless of whether the dog is well-fed or not.

Scavenging instincts may help improve a dog’s hunting skills. But it can also increase the animal’s food drive.

3. Scoffing

Scoffing, also known as food bolting, is a phenomenon when an animal eats his food too quickly, usually without much chewing. The behavior generally occurs when the animal fears that their food source may be taken away from them.

Many dog breeds are susceptible to scoffing. But to beagles, the habit is more like their second nature.

Scoffing is more common in beagles that were born as part of a large litter where competition for their mother’s milk was intense.

4. Curiosity

Beagles are naturally curious. Again, this has a lot to do with their powerful hunting instincts.

A beagle is always happy to check out new things in his surroundings. And one way the dog explores his environment is by tasting objects.

To most beagles, anything that can fit in the mouth is potentially edible. The dog will try to swallow the object or at least break it down before spitting it out.

Beagle Eating Fish

Medical Reasons Why Beagles Are Always Hungry

The above-listed natural reasons for insatiable appetite are almost unique to beagles. However, the following medical reasons can affect any dog breed;

1. Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites will most certainly make a dog hungry all the time. These parasites consume much of the food a dog eats, leaving the animal malnourished and perpetually famished.

Common symptoms that your beagle could be battling intestinal parasites include;

  • High food drive
  • Rapid, unexplained weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Scraggly coat
  • Frequent shedding

2. Compulsive Eating Disorders

Like humans, dogs can suffer from various eating disorders. Some of these diseases can cause a dog to undereat while others may have the animal consuming more than his fair share of food.

Pica is probably the most common eating disorder in dogs. The condition is characterized by the compulsive consumption of non-edible objects, such as dirt, rocks, metals, plastics, grass, hair, paint, and even poop.

A dog suffering from pica will definitely want to gobble up more food than he should.

2. Metabolic Disorders

Any disease causing high food metabolism will most certainly increase your beagle’s food drive.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder that may interfere with a beagle’s food digestion. The condition results from an inability to secrete the hormone insulin or utilize this hormone efficiently. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which is involved in blood sugar regulation.

Type 2 diabetes can produce a wide spectrum of symptoms. Two of those symptoms include increased food and water drive.

Sale
Embark Breed & Health Kit - Dog DNA Test - Discover Breed, Ancestry,...
  • ACTIONABLE HEALTH INSIGHTS: Test for over 270 genetic health conditions and get actionable insights to help you give your pup the best care possible....
  • MOST ACCURATE BREED IDENTIFICATION: Test for over 350 dog breeds including dingoes, coyotes, wolves, and village dogs. Using a research-grade...
  • TRAIT INSIGHTS THAT HELP YOU BE MORE PREPARED: Test for 55 physical traits. Size, coat, grooming needs — your dog's traits don't just make them...

Last update on 2024-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. Malabsorption Conditions

Malabsorption conditions refer to diseases that inhibit a beagle’s ability to absorb and utilize nutrients in the food that he eats. One such condition is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), which causes loose stools, rapid weight loss, and increased hunger. The disease may also cause nausea, vomiting, and greasiness to the coat.

Besides EPI, malabsorption may also result from bacterial overgrowth in your beagle’s small intestine (ileum). In addition to increased hunger, bacterial overgrowth may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, gassiness, and loud gurgling sounds coming out of the stomach.

5. Stress and Boredom

Stress, anxiety, and boredom may cause a beagle to resort to unbecoming behaviors, such as overeating.

Beagles that are left alone for long and without sufficient provisions to keep them stimulated can develop a severe anxiety disorder known as separation anxiety.

Other symptoms of separation anxiety besides overeating include;

  • Nervousness on the part of the beagle when his owner is about to leave the house
  • Overexcitement when the dog’s owner returns home from a long absence
  • Undereating
  • Bad potty habits, such as going on the floor
  • Destructive chewing or digging
  • Nuisance vocalizations, such as barking, howling or growling

6. Endocrine Disorders

Last but not least, certain hormonal disorders may interfere with your beagle’s eating habits, causing the animal to eat a lot.

Examples include;

  • Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) – Excess production of the stress hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands.
  • Hyperthyroidism – Excess production of the thyroid by the thyroid glands, causing rapid weight loss and increased hunger as some of its core symptoms.

So, why do beagles act like they are starving?

As we’ve just highlighted, there are numerous natural and medical reasons behind your beagle’s high food drive.

The next things to consider are the risks involved and how you can help mediate this behavior.

Dangers of Overeating in Beagles

One of the frequently asked questions about beagles is – do beagles tend to overeat?

The answer is a resounding yes, and we’ve already explored the various reasons why. Your next concern should be what could possibly go wrong if your beagle overate.

Cute Beagle Dog Waiting For Food

Below are the top inherent dangers of overeating in beagles;

1. Obesity

Any dog that eats more than his fair share will eventually become obese. Obesity is a severe lifestyle disease that can open up your beagle to other medical problems, such as arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and even heart disease.

2. Vomiting

The fact that a beagle takes longer to feel satiated doesn’t necessarily mean his stomach will handle the excess amounts of food. The dog may end up vomiting the excess food.

3. Choking and Intestinal Blockage

Choking risks in beagles mainly result from scoffing. Remember that these dogs do not take their time chewing food. Therefore, they could easily swallow larger chunks than their small throats can accommodate, leading to asphyxiation.

Swallowing large food chunks might also result in intestinal blockage, a severe medical problem that may necessitate surgery.

Worse yet, beagles suffering from pica might swallow sharp objects. These objects could end up tearing through the animal’s digestive tract, causing severe internal hemorrhage.

4. Death

Having highlighted some of the adverse effects of overeating in beagles, you may now be wondering, will a Beagle eat itself to death?

Unfortunately, beagles can easily eat themselves to death due to their insatiable appetite.

5. High Maintenance Costs

There are also economic implications associated with overeating in beagles. Even if the dog doesn’t suffer any medical complications from overeating, his voracious appetite may strain your finances.

AWOOF Snuffle Mat Pet Dog Feeding Mat, Durable Interactive Dog Puzzle Toys...
  • RICH FEEDING GAME – Look at the Big Orange Flower in the middle of the snuffle mat dog puzzle toys. Total 4 layers of orange petals can hide large...
  • EXTRA FUN ATTRACTS YOUR PUPPY – We are extremely positive of our snuffle mat. But in order to provide more fun for lovely puppies, we set up 4...
  • EXCELLENT RELEASE BUCKLE DESIGN – Have you ever bought a snuffle mat for your dog that want to develop good habits in your dog. But your dog likes...

Last update on 2024-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Stop My Beagle from Eating Everything

It’s not unusual to come across a beagle owner wondering, ‘my beagle is always hungry, what can I do to address the dog’s high food drive?’

The most important tip for dealing with overeating in beagles is to understand the root cause of the problem. The solutions you adopt should be able to address the underlying triggers.

Below are some ways to curb your beagle’s high food drive;

1. Do Not Reward the Behavior

What did you do the first time you realized your beagle was overeating? Did you add more kibble to his bowl?
If yes, then you may have inadvertently encouraged the behavior.

Whatever you do, never reward a beagle for overeating. Do not yell at the dog either, as doing so only reinforces the bad behavior.

2. Baby-Proof Your House

Baby-proofing your house is all about restricting the areas where the dog can venture into. Pay particular attention to the kitchen and dining area for obvious reasons.

Also, do not forget to clear the dining table immediately after having a meal.

3. Ignore The Dog’s Begging

Beagles will happily rummage through trash cans for food leftovers even after having a large meal. And if there’s nothing in there to scavenge, the dogs will come begging for more food from you.

Do not give in to these antics. Ignore the dog completely, provided that you’re convinced he has had his fill.

4. Say ‘NO’

You can deter your beagle from chewing on objects by saying the ‘NO’ or ‘STOP’ command. Just be sure the dog already associates these words with a warning to stop.

However, do not shout at the dog. Instead, say the words in a soft but assertive tone.

5. Practice Portion Control

Controlling the food portions your beagle consumes may also go a long way in addressing the problem of overeating. But perhaps the big question here is – how much should a beagle eat?

You can calculate the food portions enough for your beagle based on the animal’s age and body weight. Beagles generally weigh between 25 and 30 pounds. The recommended calorie intake for dogs with a similar weight range is between 650 and 900. Obviously, you can adjust this recommendation based on your beagle’s size and activity levels.

Beagle Dog Eating Pasta

6. Feed Small Portions Multiple Times a Day

It’s not enough to avoid free feeding. You should also consider feeding your beagle smaller food portions multiple times a day as opposed to larger quantities once or twice a day. This makes it almost impossible for the dog to overeat.

But just how many times a day should beagles eat?

Consider feeding your beagle 4 to 5 times a day provided that the portions are incredibly low. In the same breath, avoid giving your beagle too many treats. Restrict treats to 10% of their daily calorie intake.

7. Have Fixed Meal Times

Dogs are habitual creatures. These animals instinctively know when it’s mealtime and naptime.

You can leverage these natural instincts to feed your beagle at specified times during the day. This will prevent the dog from begging for food outside his usual feeding hours.

8. Invest In Puzzle Feeders

Puzzle feeders slow down the eating and digestion process. These products discourage scoffing, which makes them excellent for beagles.

Besides, a slow-feeding bowl can keep your beagle’s brain engaged. This could further help avert stress, anxiety, and boredom.

9. Invest In High-Quality Food Too

Dogs should eat a balanced diet at all times, and the beagle is no exception. Not only does high-quality food prevents malnutrition. It may also help address the problem of overeating.

The conventional wisdom is to buy quality dog food from established brands. Avoid products containing cheap filler ingredients like corn bran, potato by-products, corn gluten, and oatmeal.

Also, insist on fiber- and protein-rich diets. The two nutrients are famous for their remarkable filling effects and can help keep your beagle satiated for much longer.

10. Visit the Vet

Numerous medical conditions may cause a beagle to overeat. The only way to address these problems is by whisking the dog to the vet.

Thorough diagnostic procedures will uncover the underlying health reasons your beagle is eating more than he should. Thereafter, the vet will recommend a raft of treatment measures to combat overeating.

Sale
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Dry Dog Food Chicken and Rice Formula - 6...
  • Protein-to-fat ratio is optimized to maintain muscle mass during weight loss
  • High protein formula, with real chicken as the first ingredient
  • Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health

Last update on 2024-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

So, Why Are Beagles Always Hungry?

There are numerous factors behind the beagle’s voracious appetite. Fortunately, there are equally many ways to prevent this unbecoming habit from taking a toll on the dog’s health.

Checkout Our Favorite Dog Products

1. BEST PUPPY TOY
We Like: Snuggle Behavior Toy with Heart Beat & Heat Pack – Ideal toy for new puppies.

2. BEST DOG TRAINING PROGRAM
We Like: Doggy Dan The Online Dog Trainer – Stop any dog problem and raise the perfect puppy with The Online Dog Trainer.

3. BEST DOG PUZZLE TOY
We Like: Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Toy – Every dog loves chasing squirrels at the park. The Outward Hound Hide-a-Squirrel Puzzle Toy gives your dog the same feeling as though he was outdoors chasing live squirrels.

4. Best Bone Broth for Dogs
We Like: (Solid Gold – Human Grade Bone Broth for Dogs) – Simmered Beef Bone Broth With Turmeric Provides A Nutrient-Dense And Flavorful Addition To Your Dog’s Meal + Rich In Natural Collagen From Beef Bones.

5. Best Multivitamin for Dogs
We Like: PetHonesty 10-For-1 Multivitamin – 10 Benefits in 1 Daily Treat – These Multivitamin Snacks combine a well-rounded blend of the most essential vitamins and supplements including glucosamine, probiotics, vitamins and omegas, for dogs’ overall daily health.

Maria

Passionate lover of dogs and proud owner of a friendly, mischievous and energetic golden retriever named Beethoven! I’m incredibly excited to share my experiences on how best to care for your beloved pet. The more we know, the happier we and our canine friends will be!

Recent Posts

Get Your Free 5 Dog Training Videos

Enter your Email Below to access the free training...

Enter Your Email Address Below To Instantly Download The Free Report