Increased Appetite in Dogs

Prompt action in dealing with an increased appetite is conducive to determining the exact cause. Polyphagia complications can range in severity. The following symptoms can indicate that your dog must be seen by the veterinarian without delay.

• Weight changes can include both loss or gain
• Excessive thirst
• Frequency in urination
• Exhibiting behavior indicating constant hunger

If the polyphagia is due to an underlying disease, you may see symptoms such as listed below. Symptoms will vary depending on the cause.

• Depression
• Neurological signs can include pacing, circling, blindness
• Lethargy
• Muscle weakness
• Panting
• Soft stool or diarrhea
• Trembling
• Vomiting or regurgitation

Types

Polyphagia can be classified as follows.

• Primary
• Caused by destruction of the satiety center, for example, trauma
• There can be neurological signs of a CNS disease

• Secondary
• More common than primary polyphagia
• Diseases, parasites, and diet, are considered secondary polyphagia

• Drug Induced
• Corticosteroids, for example, can increase food intake

If your canine companion is showing signs of constant hunger, the situation can be worrisome, and can often lead to very unfavorable behavior on the part of your dog. In order to return your pet to his normal state of well-being, you will want to take him to the veterinarian without delay. Causes for the increased appetite are great in number. Some are listed below.

• A lesion in the central nervous system
• Trauma
• Hypoglycemia
• Low-calorie diet
• Overfeeding
• Learned behavior of begging for food
• Stress can cause your dog to increase eating habits
• Infection
• Continual living in a low environmental temperature
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Increased exercise
• An endocrine or hormone related disease like diabetes mellitus or hyperadrenocorticism
• Malabsorption or maldigestion of food due to illness or parasites
• Pancreatic atrophy
• Rate of gastric emptying
• Cancer
• Medications like thyroid supplements, sedatives or anticonvulsants

The veterinarian will, under most normal circumstances, begin with a physical examination while discussing your observations and concerns. Possible findings may be muscle wasting, alopecia (hair loss), ataxia (loss of control of bodily movements), and abdominal or hepatic enlargement.

Laboratory tests can be great indicators of why your dog seems to have an insatiable appetite. The tests can reveal various results.

• Complete Blood Count
• Presence of anemia will be evaluated through red blood cell count
• An increase in white blood cells could point to intestinal parasitism or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease)
• Serum Biochemical Profile
• Changes to glucose, proteins and enzymes may be discovered
• Increase in liver enzymes and alkaline phosphatase can mean Cushing’s Disease or diabetes mellitus
• Urinalysis
• Analysis of protein and glucose
• There may be crystals in the urine
• Fecal Flotation
• This procedure is done to check for parasite eggs

Additional diagnostic imaging might be needed, in the form of a radiograph, ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.

The treatment protocol for your canine family member will vary depending on the underlying cause of the polyphagia. The veterinarian has the knowledge to help you deal with any sort of at home therapy required for successful resolution of the appetite changes.

For example, a drug-induced increase in appetite may be indeed temporary, and will wane with time, even with the continued use of the prescribed medication.

In the instance of an apparent insatiable appetite caused by stress or learned behavior, you will receive direct advice and best practices on how to deal with the problem. The veterinary caregiver may suggest behavioral therapy for a habitual eater. A dog suffering from a stress-induced neverending desire to eat may benefit from the simple removal or reduction of the stressor. No doubt, the veterinarian will ask you to feed your dog only as per the caloric requirements to maintain the good health of your pet. Don’t be discouraged; behavioral issues take time to resolve. Patience and kindness are the best remedies.

If there is a serious underlying disease, of course, it must be dealt with and in turn, the appetite problem should also resolve. For example, diabetes mellitus will require insulin management and dietary adjustments. A parasitic invasion will be eradicated with medication. Diseases like cancer will involve treatment in the form of surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, and perhaps all three.