Why is My Dog Always Hungry? How Do I Deal With It?
So, your pooch gives the impression he’s constantly hungry. He’s always asking you for more food. Maybe they’re always pestering you for another treat, even minutes after a meal. No doubt, this is frustrating and now you’re worried there might be something wrong.
There are several reasons a dog may be constantly hungry. The broad categories include:
- Anxiety
- Medical Issues
- Side effects of prescription drugs
- Genetic factors
Let’s talk about all the potential reasons for your dog’s continual hunger. Once you know why your dog is always hungry, you’ll know how to address the problem. So let’s answer your question, “why is my dog always hungry?”
Why is My Dog Constantly Asking for More Food?
The truth is that there are several potential reasons your dog always seems hungry. Let’s explore them below.
Anxiety
Many dogs tend to beg their owners for more food when they feel anxious. Like their human companions, canines can engage in emotional eating. Is there any reason your dog might be feeling anxious? Is he showing any other symptoms of this condition?
Other common signs of anxiety include:
- Behaving compulsively or repetitively
- Seeming restless
- Constant barking
- Lethargy
- Destroying objects
- Excessive panting
- Defecating or urinating indoors
- Aggressive behavior
There are things you can do to help a dog with anxiety. Ask your veterinarian for guidance, and take steps to make your dog feel more reassured and safe in his everyday life.
Boredom
Dogs are often just like us: they eat when they’re bored! Like you might hover by the fridge when you can’t think of anything else to do, canines tend to think about food when there aren’t any other activities to keep them occupied.
Loneliness is part of this, too. A dog that is alone too much and doesn’t get enough mental stimulation is more likely to ask for extra food.
Medical Issues Can Cause Your Dog To Keep Eating
The fact medical issues may lead to increased hunger is why older dogs often show more hunger. After all, an elderly dog is more likely to have medical conditions than a young adult dog.
However, don’t assume because your dog is young that they can't be sick. If you have any suspicion of illness in your pet, bring them to the vet as soon as you can. It may be the answer to the question, “why is my dog always hungry?”
Hyperthyroidism
If a dog has hyperthyroidism, that means their body makes too much of the hormone thyroxine. When there is too much of this, the metabolism becomes too fast and makes your dog constantly hungry.
While hyperthyroidism is rare in canines, it’s still best to get your dog checked out.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
A dog with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often has a ravenous appetite. And you may notice that even with that, your pet is still losing weight. Watch out for other symptoms of IBD in your dog, such as:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent diarrhea
- Frequent vomiting
Like all the other medical conditions listed here, inflammatory bowel disease requires veterinary attention.
Diabetes
Diabetes often causes increased appetite in canines and is a common answer to the question, “. You will also notice your dog is always thirsty with this condition. If you suspect diabetes, get veterinary attention for a diagnosis.
Why does diabetes make dogs hungry? Well, it’s because their brain isn’t getting enough glucose, so it sends signals that it needs more. The result? Your dog is always eating. But, no matter how much your pup eats, the problem isn't solved.
Prescription Side Effects
Some prescription medications can increase your dog’s appetite. If your furry companion is currently on any medication, maybe this effect is the reason for the problem. Take a look at your medications and find out their side effects.
Remember, don’t stop giving your dog a prescription without a veterinarian’s approval. Doing otherwise could be dangerous.
Genetic Factors
Certain genetic factors may affect your dog’s appetite, too. An example is a genetic mutation commonly seen in Labrador retrievers. It’s called a POMC mutation. This genetic feature is found in retrievers with flat coats, like the Labrador. Is that your dog’s breed? This may be the answer to your question about why he’s always bothering you for snacks!
Why Is It Bad for Your Dog to Eat Too Much?
Well, it’s bad for the same reason it’s bad for us. Namely, it leads to becoming overweight or obese. And as we all know, being overweight or obese puts us (and dogs) at higher risk of a plethora of health conditions.
Some of the problems an overweight or obese dog may end up with include:
- Joint strain
- Osteoarthritis
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Urinary bladder stones
- Diabetes
- Cancer
What Can I Do to Prevent My Dog From Being Hungry Constantly?
First of all, if you suspect any medical condition, bring your dog to a veterinarian to be examined. If there is a medical condition that is causing the constant hunger, your vet will treat it.
If you continue having a problem with your dog always asking for more food, there are additional things you can do. Let’s discover tips for reducing your pup’s appetite.
Provide Them With More Nutritionally Dense Dog Food
Many commercial dog foods will provide your dog with the bare minimum when it comes to high-quality nutrition as it keeps their costs low. This is why many dog foods will use filler ingredients and meat by-product in their kibble. As you can guess, these types of ingredients don't provide your dog with a nutritionally dense meal which can cause them to remain hungry.
If you are looking to improve your dog's nutrition we recommend you take a look at our cruelty-free dog food that is packed full of whole foods, fruits, vegetables, as well as high protein content. We utilize ingredients you know and love such as sweet potato, spinach, pumpkin, and blueberries, along with the necessary protein and amino acids to give your dog all of the nutrients they need.
Try Wild Earth Dog Food!Add Fiber To Your Dog's Food
Fiber is also important in keeping your dog feeling full. As with humans, it has many health benefits for dogs. That includes helping with digestion, bowel movements, and boosting blood sugar levels.
Final Thoughts
So, now you have answers to the question, “why is my dog always hungry?” As we’ve learned here, there are several potential reasons your dog is always hungry. Now you know them, you will have an idea of what is going on with your dog and the steps you may need to take.
