Beagle Not Eating [Solutions]

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

Have you been having trouble getting your Beagle to eat? Or do you have a Beagle that won’t eat, and you’re worried about him or her?

I’m a former vet tech with over 6 years of experience and I totally know what it’s like to be a dog owner who is worried about their best friend.

I remember one time, I had a client who brought in her beagle because she was concerned that he wasn’t eating properly and losing weight.

It turns out that his favorite thing to eat was apples and so she started feeding her dog lots of them.

As you can imagine, her beagle is not going to be too interested in other things!

Your situation might be different though, and in this post, I share 6 reasons why your beagle is not eating and 6 ways you can improve the situation.

6 Reasons Why Your Beagle is Not Eating Like Usual

First of all, understand that no matter the reason your dog is not eating, you have to make sure that it is well-hydrated.

Dogs can go up to 5 days without eating, but they must have water.

If your Beagle is not drinking any water, you must send it to the vet right away.

Now, let’s get down to business.

1. Your Beagle Might Have Experienced Emotional Trauma

If your Beagle is not eating, there are a number of potential causes for this, one of which is going through some form of emotional stress.

Moving into a new home, having a new baby (or even just having one around), changing routines and environments (such as going from a rural area with lots of open space and fresh air to an urban apartment with few windows), or even adopting a new pet can all be stressful situations.

Beagles are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment, so they may not be eating well if they feel stressed.

2. Your Beagle Could Have Fallen Ill

Similar to when we feel bad, your dog may lose its appetite while ill, or it could be because it ate something inappropriate, such as the casing from a bologna sandwich.

When you discover your dog isn’t eating, pay close attention to how your dog behaves because other symptoms might not be as obvious.

Some telltale signs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or weakness.

If your dog is not eating and suffering from any of these symptoms, it’s important to make an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Doggy says, you might like this too: Pigeon Chest French Bulldog: How to Deal With It?

3. Your Beagle’s Food May Have Gone Stale

Are you feeding your dog fresh food?

There could be a problem with the way you’re cooking your dog’s meals, for example.

Also, if you leave cooked meat out at room temperature for longer than two hours (or even only one hour in the summer), bacteria may develop on it and make the meat hazardous to dogs.

In this case, you should always reheat leftovers before serving them again.

Even while some dogs don’t mind eating old food, that doesn’t imply it’s healthy for them.

And that is why you should always make sure your dog eats as soon as the food is presented.

Sticking to a fixed schedule will greatly help.

Did you accidentally buy puppy food for an adult dog? It won’t be suitable for your dog!

4. Your Beagle May Have a Toothache

Something that you should try to rule out is the possibility of any dental problems.

A dog with a toothache will certainly lose its appetite and might stop eating completely.

Your Beagle may exhibit chewing difficulties as a result of a toothache or sore gums.

It may also vomit or sleep more than normal if it’s in pain.

A visual check might reveal some clues, and if you believe your pet is experiencing dental problems and needs care, make a vet appointment as soon as you can.

5. Your Beagle Might Be Getting Too Many Treats

Just like the story I mentioned in the beginning, if your dog is having too many treats, it is very likely to stop wanting to eat its main meals.

It could seem like a harmless habit if your dog has been consuming daily treats for some time, but it can potentially result in some major issues.

Both humans and dogs can develop obesity and other health problems from eating too much sugar.

And do you know if anyone else in the household is doing that?

Figuring this out can alleviate a lot of headaches.

Have you accidentally fed your dog twice? Find out what you can do.

6. You’ve Recently Changed Your Pet’s Diet

Your dog may not be accustomed to a new diet if you recently changed it.

This could be the cause of an upset stomach, especially if you changed the diet to something that is much richer or has more sugar in it than what your dog was eating before.

It can take your pet a few days to adjust if you recently moved from one brand to another, be patient with him while he adjusts.

How to Get Your Beagle to Eat

Your beagle may occasionally just be being picky and reject everything you put in front of it.

This may be nothing more than a mood swing and will last for just a day or so.

Here are some ways to motivate it to resume eating.

Just be careful not to try foolish things like food or spitting in your dog’s mouth. That is ineffective!

1. Feeding Your Beagle the Right Food

If your dog has suddenly stopped eating his food, the first thing to do is make sure that you’re feeding him the right kind of dog food.

If you feed him something new, it’s likely that he’ll reject it because he doesn’t like it.

You should also make sure that your dog’s diet is balanced and contains all the nutrients it needs.

If you are uncertain about what foods are best for your pet, consult with a veterinarian or other qualified animal expert.

2. Stop Feeding it Treats

It may be you to blame if the main course doesn’t whet your dog’s appetite because you gave it too much of its favorite snacks, including table scraps!

It also encourages picky eating and sloppy table manners.

If your dog is eating too many treats, it might be time to cut back on the extras.

Feeding your dog too many treats can cause digestive upset and make it difficult for him to eat regular meals.

3. Mix Different Foods Together

Dogs are naturally curious and love to play with their food.

Mixing different foods together will keep your dog interested in its meal, which can help prevent fussy eating habits from developing.

You can also try hiding some of his favorite treats inside kibble or mixing them in with canned dog food.

4. Let Your Dog Get Plenty of Exercise

Dogs that get plenty of exercise are generally healthier and happier.

Exercise can also help reduce your dog’s boredom, which is a common cause of fussy eating habits.

If you have an indoor dog, consider taking him outside for walks or playtime in a large yard at least twice per day.

Dogs who get regular exercise may be less likely to overeat and develop destructive eating habits.

5. Do Not Change its Food Often

Frequent changes in diet can cause digestive issues and upset your dog’s stomach.

The more you change your dog’s food, the more likely it is to develop an eating disorder.

If you want to switch brands of dog food, do so gradually by mixing small amounts of the new brand with its current food over a period of several days.

6. Don’t Force Your Pet to Eat

If your pet seems uncomfortable or unhappy about the situation, don’t force him to eat.

This can lead to a lot of problems with your pet’s digestive system and even cause him physical pain.

It is perfectly fine to leave the food out for a short while and allow your pet to eat when he feels ready (you might want to cover it if this takes more than 15 minutes; when your dog starts sniffing around it, you can reopen the food).

The best thing you can do for him at this point is to keep him hydrated with water and monitor his condition closely while waiting for the discomfort to pass.

Signs of a Dog That is a Picky Eater

Generally, if your dog does not eat its food within 20 minutes, it can be considered a picky eater.

Here are some other common scenarios that might indicate you have a finicky one. Take note though, it is not its fault every time.

• If your dog turns his head away when you present his normal food and he eats only treats
• Not willing to eat its own food but happy to accept table scraps
• It eats only at a particular spot
• Too much playtime before meals will cause it not to want food (especially in some small breeds such as Yorkies and Dachshunds who craves attention)
• Bad experience due to poor food or getting punished

How Long Can a Beagle Go Without Eating?

A beagle, and in fact most dogs, will be able to go without eating for 5 days.

However, it must have access to fresh water during this time, otherwise, it runs the very real risk of becoming dehydrated and suffering from its effects such as loss of moisture in its skin and gums, dry nose, and thick saliva.

Doggy says, consider reading this too: Can You Bury a Dog That Died of Parvo? [+3 Alternatives]

When Should I Worry About My Beagle Not Eating?

If your dog stops eating for a few days, then starts again, there may be nothing to worry about.

However, if the problem persists and you see any symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and not drinking water, it may be necessary to consult a doctor.

In Conclusion: Beagle Not Eating

Although Beagles are not really known to be picky eaters, various situations can cause them to skip their meals.

You can keep your Beagle healthy by providing the right food, lots of exercise, and socialization.

If you’re worried about something being wrong with your dog, then get him checked out by a vet who can help identify any issues he may have so that they can be addressed quickly.

Check out other care tips for your dog such as can a crate stunt a dog’s growth, how do you hydrate a dog with parvo, can my dog jump on the couch after heartworm treatment, and many more in our blog!