senior dog eating more

Why Dogs Act Hungry All The Time

As much as we may love our dogs, we might also wonder about some of their stranger habits and mannerisms.

Among the most commonly questioned of these behaviors is that of acting hungry, which tends to happen even after our pooches have been fed particularly big meals.

Almost everyone with a dog has experienced this situation: youve just fed Bowser and turn around to find him panting and staring at you while you fix your own dinner.He looks like he could eat you out of house and home and he probably would if given the opportunity!

Why does this happen? Why do dogsact hungry all the time?

Heres we listed 5 of the biggest reasons below:

1. Normal Behavior

While there may be some underlying eating disorder as to why your dog acts hungry all the time, theres also the possibility that this is normal behavior. Some veterinarians and pet experts believe that pups were first deca durabolin side effects domesticated because of their almost supernatural ability to mooch food from human beings.

Those big brown eyes and that beautiful face may all add up to an extra scrap or two from the table from time to time, so this theory does seem to hold some water.

Sure, some dogs act hungry all the time because they know it works. Given that food can seem like a limited resource to our four-legged friends, they may be simply doing what comes naturally to grab that extra morsel.

2. Nutritional Deficiency & The Wrong Diet!

• First, make sure your feeding your dog enough. Dont simply throw a scoop or two of kibble in his bowl without knowing how much he or she should be eating daily. A gargantuan appetite may also be the result of nutritional issues and diseases.
• If your dog isnt getting enough vitamins and minerals, he may look to compensate by getting as much food as possible. Ialso recommend including a good vitamin/mineral supplement for your dog, no matter how good the food is that youre feeding. Certain breeds are more susceptible to specific health issues such as auto immune problems. Like people, every dog is different. Their genetic DNA is individual to the dog. Despite that the breed and the resemblance on the exterior, no dogs DNA is the same. So, think of a good multivitamin as an added buffer. This buffer will help your dog by providing the right vitamins and minerals necessary when he or shes not a 100% or as the dog gets up in years. Minerals are vital not only for bone health, but for the heart, muscles and nervous system.
• Nutrition for dogs is a loaded topic and I assure you that if youre feeding your dog the same food day in and day out (especially kibble); yes, he or shes hungry. Your dog needs the right food to thrive. Not a food thats convenient for you the owner, the right food for him to flourish. A diet whether homemade or raw, that consists of mostly meat, some veggies and other protein sources such as fish and egg, will most likely satisfy your dogs excessive hunger (providing theres no underlying health issues such as the ones mentioned below).

3. Diabetes

Another potential issue behind why dogs act hungry all the time is diabetes. The real problem here is that dogs with healthy, balanced diets can even suffer from diabetes.

This condition means that the dog cant use carbohydrates properly, either because the pancreas isnt producing enough insulin or because the cells arent processing the insulin appropriately. Either way, the sugars that would normally feed the bodys cells are unable to get where they need to go. This leaves them in the bloodstream and the body, as a result, starves.

Because the body is starving from not using nutrients properly, some dogs may overeat considerably. Theyll likely even lose weight while overeating because the food isnt being used correctly as energy.

Hunger, as a result, is never satisfied and dogs will obviously be hungry all the time.

4. Parasites

Intestinal parasites are among the most common reasons dogs go to the vet. There are over a dozen different parasites that can cause some serious problems for your pooch, from heart-worm to roundworm to even hookworm.

Roundworm in particular is found in the digestive tract. The infection is spread by small rodents, but it can also come from polluted food or water.

Changes in your four-legged friends appetite are common with cases of roundworm, while diarrhea and stomach pains generally also appear. Dogs with roundworm can generally be treated with medication, but detection is vital.

Hookworm is another problem. These parasites clasp on to the intestines and feed on the dogs blood, leading to anemia. Once again, a dogs appetite comes into play and symptoms are normally the same as with other parasites.

A tapeworm feeds on the blood and on vital nutrients from the dogs body. This can lead to blockages and serious digestive issues, which results in increased appetite and bloating. Typically spread by fleas, the tapeworm has both sexual organs and can subsequently reproduce in the dogs body.

5. Hypothyroidism

Yet another problem that can lead to an increased appetite in dogs is hypothyroidism.This is a disorder where the thyroid glands are underactive and consequently dont discharge enough hormones.

This slows the dogs metabolism because the thyroid gland regulates it. My doberman Jenna was diagnosed as hypothyroid. The unfortunate thing about this illness is that most traditional veterinarians will not recognize that the dog is hypothyroid and the dog will go through life undiagnosed and untreated and the owner is left in a constant state of confusion as to whats wrong with the dog.

I urge you to not solely rely on a traditional veterinarian when checking for thyroid issues. Be very proactive! Find a good holistic vet and explain your concerns. Unfortunately traditional vets are not properly educated on reading the blood work panels for thyroid problems. They say the dogs range is normal when in actuality, its not. A good holistic vet can correctly read the panel and diagnose the dog when the problem exists.

There are a couple of ways for a pooch to end up with hypothyroidism, with genetic predisposition, pollution and allergies all making the list. Medications like steroids can bring on the condition, as can a lack of exercise. In the case of the latter, the thyroid hormone thyroxine isnt produced enough and things like oxygen consumption, infection resistance and growth suffer as a result.

Symptoms include depression, energy deficiency, low tolerance for cold weather, chronic infections, and even weight gain. This disorder is more common in medium to large dogs, with some breeds like Irish setters, Dobermans and Greyhounds genetically predisposed to it.

Better Safe Than Sorry

As you can see, there are a number of reasons your old dog suddenly food obsessed all the time. In most cases, theres nothing to worry about. But if youre seeing other symptoms associated with a feverish appetite, get your pooch checked out by a veterinarian.

The panting and the loving gaze while youre in the kitchen may be innocent enough, but it could also be a sign of something more dangerous.

Help! My Senior Dog has an Increased Appetite

Proper diet and nutrition are crucial for their health and fitness when dogs grow old. Most pet owners have a decent understanding of their pets dietary habits by the time they reach senior citizen status. Some canines start eating more food in their old age, which can be detrimental to their health. Read on to know why your senior dog has an increased appetite and what you can do about it.

Why is My Senior Dog Hungry All the Time?

If your canine partner is constantly hungry, the situation might be concerning. It can frequently lead to negative behavior on your dogs side (such as begging). You should take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible to get him back to his usual level of health. There are several reasons for a senior dogs increased appetite and some of them are as follows.

Too Much Exercise

This is one of the leading reasons why your senior dog is hungry all the time. Although exercise is good for mental and physical health, the energy levels of your pup must be considered. Older canines dont have the same zeal and their exercise routine needs to be updated. Otherwise, your dog will need more food than usual.

Several gastrointestinal problems can also cause increased appetite in senior dogs. They increase the metabolism of your pooch and he/she will feel hungry all the time. For example, an increased rate of gastric emptying can lead to increased appetite.

Unbalanced Diet

Lack of nutrients can keep your older pup hungry even after eating their food. The dietary needs of senior dogs are different from young pups and you must have balanced meal plan for them. A senior dog lacks essential nutrients and therefore demands a nutritious diet. Consult your vet and discuss the specific dietary requirements to come up with a suitable diet for your old friend.

Diabetes

Diabetes is very common in senior dogs and can be responsible for their increased diet. It affects the bodys capacity to generate or respond to insulin. This increases the level of sugars in the blood and will result in frequent urination. The extra glucose in the body cant be absorbed and is excreted out. Hence, your dog will experience increased appetite because the needs of the body are not fulfilled.

Cushings Disease

The overproduction of the hormone cortisol causes Cushings Disease in dogs. It is one of the most prevalent endocrine abnormalities in dogs and is also known as hyperadrenocorticism. Cushings disease can cause an increase in hunger due to an excess of glucocorticoid, a hormone that helps canines cope with stress.

Symptoms of Increased Appetite in Older Dogs

Its easier to figure out whats causing your dogs increased hunger if you act quickly. The degree of polyphagia consequences varies. The symptoms listed below may signal that your dog needs to see a veterinarian right away. Increased appetite is itself a symptom of an underlying disease but some other signs can also indicate the problem.

• Unexpected weight gain or loss
• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Bloating in the stomach
• Depression
• Pacing
• Lethargy
• Panting
• Trembling

What to Do if My Senior Dog has an Increased Appetite?

Several home remedies and management techniques are effective to manage the increased appetite of senior dogs. You will also need ongoing communication with the veterinarian to ensure everythings in order. Your dog may also need return visits to the clinic so that the reason for polyphagia can be determined. Working with a veterinary professional is always the better option for your dogs comfort and well-being.

Reduce the Treats

Cutting less on food for a hungry dog may seem illogical. However, if your dog has grown accustomed to receiving regular goodies, she must train them again. If youre using treats as a reward, consider replacing play, snuggles, or other forms of positive attention for your dog.

Alternatively, you can use fresh whole foods as treats because they are low in fat and calories. After all, calories do matter in a dogs diet, just as they do in yours.

Provide the Appropriate Amount of Food

It doesnt imply your dog should eat just because he can. Consult your veterinarian about your dogs needs, and go at the nutrition information on your dog food to figure out how much food your dog requires based on his size and age. Always feed quantities based on your dogs optimum weight rather than his actual weight (if overweight) or what he wants to be.

Meet the Needs of Senior Dogs

It is a common fallacy that elderly dogs require the same quantity of food as younger dogs, only in a lite or reduced-calorie form. In actuality, dogs metabolism slows as they become older. Their systems become less efficient at digesting particular meals at the same time.

Many senior formulas include fillers to thicken up food. These fillers are difficult to digest and will pass through the dogs system undigested. This will urge your pooch to consume more while requiring their systems to work harder. When dog food is easily digested, senior dogs can acquire the nutrition they demand by eating a little less and absorbing more nutrients.

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