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Increased Appetite in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 12/06/2015Updated: 04/21/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Increased Appetite?
Hunger and the feeling of being full after eating (satiety) are controlled by the central nervous system. Abnormalities in the CNS can cause increased appetite, as can several other factors such as stress, an underlying disease, or cancer. Because appetite changes are so common in many illnesses and situations, diagnosing the reason for it can be a complex process. Polyphagia can indicate serious disease. Any alteration in your pet’s eating behavior should be checked by the veterinarian.
Increased appetite is known as polyphagia in veterinary terms. If your dog seems to be continuously hungry and his behavior dictates that he requires food in excess of the norm, further investigation is warranted. This is especially true if the appetite has recently increased. A visit to the veterinarian is needed in order to diagnose an underlying cause, and to determine how the insatiable appetite is affecting his weight (another important marker of canine health).
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Symptoms of 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
- Frequent urination
- Exhibiting behavior indicating constant hunger
- Lethargy
- Abdominal bloating
If the polyphagia is due to an underlying disease, you may see symptoms such as those 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
- Increased thirst
Types
Polyphagia can be classified as follows.
- Primary
- Caused by destruction of the satiety center, for example, trauma. This is rare.
- There will likely be additional neurological signs of a CNS disease
- Secondary
- More common than primary polyphagia
- Diseases, parasites and the improper diet can result in secondary polyphagia
- Drug Induced
- Corticosteroids and anti seizure medicine, for example, can increase food intake
Causes of Increased Appetite in Dogs
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 (such as begging). 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
- Hypoglycemia
- Low-calorie or unbalanced 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
- Increased rate of gastric emptying
- Cancer
- Medications like thyroid supplements, corticosteroids sedatives or anticonvulsants
Diagnosis of Increased Appetite in Dogs
The veterinarian will, under most normal circumstances, begin with a physical examination while discussing your observations and concerns. Possible findings may include 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 alkaline phosphatase can mean Cushing’s Disease, recent corticosteroid administration or diabetes mellitus
- Urinalysis
- We will check for blood, protein and glucose
- Poorly concentrated urine can occur in e.g. diabetes and Cushing's Disease
- Fecal Flotation
- This procedure is done to check for parasites
Additional diagnostic imaging might be needed, in the form of a radiograph, ultrasound, endoscopy, CT scan or MRI scan.
Treatment of Increased Appetite in Dogs
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 injections and dietary adjustments. A parasitic infestation will be eradicated with medication. Diseases like cancer may involve treatment in the form of surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, and perhaps all three.
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Recovery of Increased Appetite in Dogs
The prognosis, by all means, is dependent on the cause of the polyphagia. Continual communication with the veterinary caregiver will be part of the home care and management. The veterinarian will advise on the need for repeat blood tests, imaging follow-up and dietary advice. Return visits to the clinic will depend upon the initial cause of the polyphagia. As always, working together with the veterinary specialist is best for the continued comfort and welfare of your dog.
Increased Appetite Average Cost
From 121 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,600
Top
Increased Appetite Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Shih Tzu
14 years
40 found this helpful
40 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Losing Weight
my dog was recently diagnosed with kidney disease and she seems to be hungry all the time she is losing a lot of weight. I am feeding her white rice white meat boil chicken and sweet potato she will not eat any Hills kd food at all
Oct. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
40 Recommendations
I'm very sorry to hear about this diagnosis.
Hills K/D and other renal diets are notoriously bad tasting and many dogs need a lot of encouragement to eat them. Consider adding some warm water or mixing in a topper of chicken / fish.
Ideally, we would try hard to get her losing kidney food as we know that this is proven to be the most effective way to keep kidney disease at bay; even better than any medicine. Consider an alternate flavour, e.g. the renal diet from Royal Canin.
It is unusual for a dog with kidney disease to have an increased diet and we usually find our patients struggle with poor appetite. I would want to rule out any other issues such as parasites, a malabsorptive disorder or cancer.
If she has runny stool or vomiting we should provide medicine to control this as this could be leading to the weight loss.
Oct. 27, 2020
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Cocker Spaniel
Eight Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Eating All The Time
Why does my dog want to eat all the time we lost her beother a month ago since that time she just want to eat
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Without examining her, it is difficult for me to say why she may be doing this, whether it is normal for her or if she has something going on that needs treatment. It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pet and see what might be causing this, and let you know what treatment might help.
Oct. 11, 2020
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Increased Appetite Average Cost
From 121 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,600
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
