Understanding Your Dog’s Constant Hunger And Greediness

By Author: Jacob Kay
Total Articles: 3
Comment this article

Causes of Hunger in Dogs

Hunger is the natural drive to eat when the body needs energy and nutrients. However, some dogs may experience excessive hunger, also known as polyphagia, which means they eat more than their normal ration or show more food-seeking behaviors. Many dog owners are curious to know about such behaviors like: Why is my dog always hungry? Why is my dog so greedy?. There are many possible causes of excessive hunger in dogs, such as:

Psychological issues: Some dogs may eat more out of boredom, anxiety, stress, or habit. They may also associate food with love and attention from their owners, and seek food as a way to cope with emotional needs.

Learned behavior: Some dogs may learn to eat more because they have been rewarded with food in the past, either by their owners or by finding food scraps in the trash or on the street. They may also learn to eat quickly or compete for food if they have been fed with other dogs or animals.

Aging: ...
... As dogs get older, they may experience changes in their metabolism, hormone levels, taste buds, and dental health. These changes may affect their appetite and food preferences. Some senior dogs may eat more because they have a lower sense of satiety or because they enjoy the taste and texture of food more.

Others may eat less because they have a reduced sense of smell or taste, or because they have dental problems that make chewing difficult or painful.

Underlying diseases: Some medical conditions can cause excessive hunger in dogs by affecting their digestion, absorption, metabolism, or hormone regulation. Some of the most common diseases that can cause excessive hunger in dogs are:

1.Diabetes mellitus: This is a condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin or use it properly to regulate blood sugar levels.

Dogs with diabetes may eat more because they have high blood sugar levels that make them feel hungry and thirsty.

According to Krista Williams, DVM, from VCA Hospitals, "Dogs with diabetes mellitus require daily insulin injections and dietary change."

They may also lose weight despite eating more because they cannot use the glucose in their blood as energy.

2.Cushing’s disease: This is a condition where the body produces too much cortisol, a hormone that regulates stress response, inflammation, and metabolism. Dogs with Cushing’s disease may eat more because they have increased appetite and thirst due to high cortisol levels. They may also gain weight because cortisol causes fat accumulation and muscle loss.

3.Hyperthyroidism: This is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, which regulates metabolism and energy expenditure. Dogs with hyperthyroidism may eat more because they have increased metabolic rate and energy needs. They may also lose weight because they burn more calories than they consume.

4.Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI): This is a condition where the pancreas cannot produce enough digestive enzymes to break down food properly.

Dogs with EPI may eat more because they have malabsorption and malnutrition due to poor digestion. They may also lose weight and have diarrhea because they cannot absorb the nutrients from their food.

5.Primary gastrointestinal disease: This is a term that covers various disorders that affect the stomach and intestines, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal parasites, bacterial infections, food allergies, or tumors.

Dogs with primary gastrointestinal disease may eat more because they have inflammation, irritation, or damage to their digestive tract that affects their appetite regulation. They may also lose weight and have vomiting or diarrhea because they cannot digest or absorb their food properly.

These are some of the most common causes of excessive hunger in dogs, but there may be other factors that can affect your dog’s appetite as well. If you notice any changes in your dog’s eating habits or behavior, you should consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of Greediness in Dogs
Greediness is different from hunger in that it is not driven by physiological needs but by psychological factors. Greediness is the tendency to want more food than necessary or to hoard food for later use. Greediness can be influenced by genetics, environment, personality, and learning. Some of the possible causes of greediness in dogs are:

1.Genetics: Some breeds of dogs may be more prone to greediness than others due to their ancestral history or selective breeding. For example, Labrador Retrievers are known to be one of the most food-obsessive breeds because they have been bred for hunting and retrieving game for humans. They may have a genetic mutation that affects their sense of satiety and makes them always hungry.

2.Hunger: As mentioned above, some dogs may eat more because they are hungry due to various reasons. However, hunger can also lead to greediness if the dog does not have regular access to food or if the food is scarce or unpredictable. This can cause the dog to develop a scarcity mindset, where they feel the need to eat as much as they can whenever they can, or to guard their food from others.

3.Excitement: Some dogs may eat more because they are excited by the presence of food or by the anticipation of getting food. They may associate food with positive emotions, such as happiness, pleasure, or reward. They may also eat more because they are stimulated by the smell, taste, or texture of food, or by the challenge of getting food from a toy or a puzzle.

4.Breed characteristics: Some breeds of dogs may have physical or behavioral traits that make them more likely to eat more or faster than others. For example, brachycephalic breeds, such as Pugs or Bulldogs, have short noses and flat faces that make breathing difficult.

They may eat faster because they have to gulp down their food before they run out of breath. They may also eat more because they have difficulty sensing when they are full due to their compressed stomachs.

5.Jealousy of another pet: Some dogs may eat more because they are jealous of another pet in the household that gets more food or attention than them. They may feel insecure or threatened by the presence of another animal and try to compete for resources or dominance. They may also eat more because they fear that the other pet will steal their food or that there will not be enough food for them.

6.Rewarded behavior: Some dogs may eat more because they have been rewarded with food in the past for doing something desirable or for being cute. They may learn to associate food with praise, affection, or attention from their owners, and seek food as a way to get more of these things. They may also learn to manipulate their owners by begging, whining, or performing tricks to get more food.

These are some of the possible causes of greediness in dogs, but there may be other factors that can affect your dog’s eating behavior as well. If you notice any signs of greediness in your dog, such as eating too fast, gulping down food without chewing, stealing food from others, guarding food aggressively, or begging for food constantly, you should consult your veterinarian for advice on how to manage this issue.

Tips to Prevent Overfeeding and Obesity in Dogs

Overfeeding and obesity are serious health problems that can affect your dog’s quality and length of life. Overweight and obese dogs are at higher risk of developing various diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, respiratory problems, and cancer. They may also suffer from reduced mobility, joint pain, skin infections, and lower self-esteem. Therefore, it is important to prevent overfeeding and obesity in dogs by following these tips:

-Ask your veterinarian to help you choose the most appropriate food for your dog. Your veterinarian can recommend the best type and brand of dog food for your dog’s age, breed, size, activity level, and health condition.

Your veterinarian can also advise you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their weight and body condition score (BCS). BCS is a scale that assesses the amount of fat and muscle on your dog’s body by feeling their ribs, waist, and abdomen.

A healthy BCS is between 4 and 5 out of 9, where you can feel the ribs easily but not see them, and there is a visible waist and abdominal tuck when viewed from above and from the side.

-Portion control is critical. Use a measuring cup or a kitchen scale to measure the exact amount of food that your veterinarian recommends for your dog. Do not eyeball the amount or use random containers such as cans or mugs, as these can lead to overestimating or underestimating the amount of food.

Also avoid free feeding your dog by leaving food available at all times, as this can encourage overeating and weight gain.

-Choose specific meal times, and then be consistent. Feed your dog at regular intervals throughout the day, preferably two to three times a day for adult dogs and three to four times a day for puppies.

This can help regulate your dog’s metabolism and appetite and prevent them from getting too hungry or too full. Stick to a consistent feeding schedule and avoid changing it unless advised by your veterinarian.

-Consider using interactive feeding toys. Interactive feeding toys are devices that dispense food gradually as your dog plays with them. They can help slow down your dog’s eating speed, prevent gulping and choking, and stimulate their mental and physical activity.

They can also make feeding time more fun and rewarding for your dog. Some examples of interactive feeding toys are Kong toys, puzzle feeders, and treat balls.

You can fill them with your dog’s regular food or with some healthy treats such as fruits, vegetables, or low-calorie snacks.

Make sure to adjust the amount of food in the toy according to your dog’s daily ration and avoid overfeeding them.

-Increase your dog’s exercise. Exercise is essential for maintaining your dog’s health and weight. Exercise can help burn calories, build muscle, improve metabolism, strengthen bones and joints, enhance cardiovascular function, and reduce stress and boredom.

Exercise can also provide mental stimulation, socialization, and bonding opportunities for your dog. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day for adult dogs and 15 minutes per day for puppies.

You can vary the type and intensity of exercise according to your dog’s age, breed, size, and fitness level. Some examples of exercise activities are walking, jogging, hiking, swimming, playing fetch, tug-of-war, agility, or obedience training.

-Your veterinary healthcare team can assess your dog’s body and muscle condition score at each visit. Your veterinarian can monitor your dog’s weight and body condition score (BCS) at every check-up and advise you on any changes that need to be made to their diet or exercise regimen.

Your veterinarian can also help you set realistic and achievable weight loss goals for your dog if they are overweight or obese. A healthy weight loss rate is about 1% to 2% of body weight per week.

Your veterinarian can also prescribe medications or supplements that can help with weight loss or treat any underlying diseases that may be causing or contributing to your dog’s weight problem.

-Accountability keeps us honest. Keep track of your dog’s food intake and exercise output by using a journal, a calendar, or an app. This can help you stay on track with your dog’s feeding and exercise plan and measure their progress over time.

You can also share your dog’s data with your veterinarian or a nutritionist for feedback and guidance. You can also join a support group or a community of other dog owners who are facing similar challenges and share your experiences, tips, and encouragement.

Conclusion

Hunger and greediness in dogs are not uncommon behaviors that can have various causes and consequences. Some dogs may be hungry or greedy due to their instinct, hunger, excitement, jealousy, or rewarded behavior.

Others may have underlying diseases that affect their appetite or metabolism, such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, hyperthyroidism, EPI, or gastrointestinal disease. Some dogs may also be on steroid medications that increase their appetite.

Overfeeding and obesity are serious health problems that can affect your dog’s quality and length of life. Overweight and obese dogs are at higher risk of developing various diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, respiratory problems, and cancer.