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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
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Increased Appetite Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Jack Russel mix
Ellie Mae
11 Months
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I adopted a Jack Russel mix one week ago today. She was spayed on the day before I adopted her. She is eleven monthsw old. She is very emaciated and had diarrhea when I got her. They told me the diarrhea was from the de-worming medicine. About an hour and a half after I got her home to my house, she vomited and there was a round thing in it. Upon investigation, I found it to be a child's sock. She would not eat prior to vomiting, but she has been ravenous ever since. She gobbles her food very quickly. I took her to my vet the next morning. She weighed 28 pounds and he said he would liek to get her up to about 35 pounds. She is looking much better but she wants to eat all the time. The diarrhea has stopped but she is having about 3 formed stools a day. She has started pulling the trash out of the bathroom and was found to be chewing on a button this evening. I am in fear that she will eat another foreign object and I don't really know how much to feed her. My vet told me to give her two cups a day. I am feeding her puppy chow right now. I was giving her three cups a day but cut back to two today because she is filling in nicely. Anyway, she acts like she is starving and I am unsure if I should feed her having been emaciated or keep her at two cups per day.
Feb. 21, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Ellie Mae may need more food, but if she is gaining weight at a healthy rate with 2 cups/day, it would be best to keep her there, as your veterinarian has seen her, evaluated her, and recommended that quantity of food. It will probably be an ongoing assessment for a little while, and would be best to keep in regular contact with your veterinarian to assess her weight and health status until she has reached the point where you want her to be.
Feb. 21, 2018
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American Pit Bull Terrier
Harley
9 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Frequent Urination
Always Hungry
Stealing Food
Our family dog, Harley is 9 years old and we rescued him when he was 11 weeks old. He has always been a very good boy, well trained and disciplined. He has always done all he can to follow directions and been in superb health with the exception of really bad teeth. About 6 months ago he started getting into the garbage and would steal food off our counters and even off our kids plates which is completely abnormal for him. I took him to his vet and they told me to increase his diet, add some dry dog food with his wet to help fill him up. And if necessary, give him 1 1/2 to 2 cans of wet instead of just the 1 morning and night. We have done all those things and it hasn't gotten any better. He's still stealing food but seems to be losing weight. His bowel movements are normal and normal consistency and no sign of worms. He does have to urinate more often now and has had a couple accidents which he hates. He has become VERY clingy to me and won't leave my side which is a little odd. Even at night he use to sleep with our oldest daughter and now won't unless I make him. He is showing some very small signs of age such as lack of patience and grumpy which he then comes to me and tries to be a lap dog again, but off seem normal to me for a aging dog. Nothing extreme, but still noticeable. Is this typically normal for an aging dog or should it be looked at further by his Vet. Oh and not sure if it matters, but he was the runt of his litter. I appreciate any advice. Thank you.
Feb. 14, 2018
0 Recommendations
There are a few possible issues which may be affecting Harley which may include malabsorption, hormonal conditions, parasites among other causes; if his appetite has increased to the point where he is losing weight and stealing food from the worktop then I would suggest further investigation by your Veterinarian. Without examining Harley I cannot say specifically what the cause is but malabsorption, hormonal conditions and parasites are common causes. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 14, 2018
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Yorkie
Buddy
11 Years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Obsessed With Food
I rescued a Yorkie male ..11yrs old and he does have a massive liver cancer and Chushing's disease.....and major kidney disease.....he was doing really well on the diet my Vet said to give him......well now he is just obsessed with finding food.....he never stops......he has the runs now and very irritable.........he even bit me.........he is a sweet boy and we want him comfortable .......is this coming to the end ??? Please help ...
Feb. 12, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without knowing more about Buddy, I'm not sure whether he is doing okay or not. If his appetite is more than normal, that might be a good sign, given all of the things that he has going on! He may need more food, and your veterinarian can guide you on what to feed him, as they are able to examine him and know more about his particular conditions. I hope that he does well.
Feb. 12, 2018
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Bearded Collie
Cc
9 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Increased Thirst
My dog Cc who as always been a fussy eater is now always looking for food and constantly drinking.
We took her to be checked by the vet and bloods where taken but all came back clear.
I'm worried something may of been missed
Feb. 5, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without examining Cc or seeing her blood work results, I'm not sure what might be going on with her, but if you feel that there is something amiss, it would be a good idea to contact your veterinarian and let them know that you are concerned, and her behavior has not changed. There may be something that they hadn't thought of that may be worth pursuing. Alternatively, you can seek a second opinion, as different veterinarians have different skill sets, and it never hurts to have more than one set of eyes with some cases. I hope that she is okay.
Feb. 5, 2018
my yorkie that we rescued has a mass on his liver and is cancer and it takes up the whole thing......he now is so obsessed with food it is just stupid.......I have gotten up 8 x per night cause he was looking for something to put in his mouth and can't keep water filled and has the runs severe...........is he getting near the end ???
Feb. 12, 2018
Valerie M.
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Cocker Spaniel
Zoie
13 Years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Always Hung
My dog is always hungry, it started about a month ago we have taken her to the vet and they checked her for cancer which she doesn’t have and she doesn’t have cushing but she will fight our other dog for his food while he is eating the vet said she may have allergy’s any ideas would help thank you
Feb. 4, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without examining Zoie, I cannot determine why she might have an increased appetite. If you have recently seen your veterinarian, they should be able to give you an idea as to what might be happening, and what you might be able to try for it. he may need a diet change, as she is a senior, or she may need to eat more - I'm not sure what her body condition is like. Until you are able to figure out what is going on with her, it would be a good idea to feed your dogs separately. I hope that everything goes well!
Feb. 4, 2018
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Increased Appetite Average Cost
From 121 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,600
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