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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
Bull Terrier
Apollo
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Increased Appetite
Soft Stool
Tail Between Legs
Growling
Ears Back
Increased Sleep
Acting Out
Guarding Food
Lip Smacking
My dog has been acting very strange. He has been laying in his crate for two days only leaving to use the bathroom or eat. He also has been begging for food when he is awake aggressively. Barking at us and sitting and sleeping by the food. When we tell him to stop barking or try to move him he growls viciously and tries to bite. We have fed him his normal amount of food at his usual time and he still begs and barks for food. He has been pooping (stool slightly soft) and peeing and drinking pretty much normally. But his tail was between his legs this morning and he was just looking at me weird. I pressed on his stomach and didn't feel anything strange. He isn't in pain it seems. Now, we have another dog that had to stay overnight at the vet. She came home with a new bag of food. Do you think this could be the issue? He was stressed about her being gone (hence laying in his crate for 2 days straight) and then when she returned with special food and he didn't get it he acts out? I feel like I'm humanizing the dog but I really can't figure out why he is acting this way. Thank you for your help!
Dec. 21, 2017
0 Recommendations
Whilst we all humanise our pets (myself more than most), it is possible that he was stressed due to his companion being away and now they have returned with a different food he may smell it thinking it smells better than his food. If this is occurring during/after your other dog was at your Veterinarian then we may suspect that it is behavioural and the stool is soft due to stress; however I would recommend making sure that Apollo has been wormed with an effective anthelmintic and keep an eye on him, if this continues get him checked out. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 21, 2017
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Chihuahua
Oliver
4
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Oliver is a 4 year old chihuahua. A few weeks ago, I started noticing he was not himself. He was not as playful and just wanted to be left alone. I took him to his vet where they conducted blood test and x-rays. They all came back normal. Dr. V prescribed him Meloxidyl just in case he was in some sort of pain. I gave him the meds for a few days and he went back to being his old playful self. This week, his appetite has increased and he gulps down food as he if was starving. is constantly begging for food. He again is not as playful but not as lathargic as he was a few weeks ago. I don't know what is wrong with my boy.
Dec. 9, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are various causes for an increased appetite which include parasites, hormonal conditions, malabsorption among other causes; you should revisit your Veterinarian for another examination since the problem is recurring for a more in depth examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 9, 2017
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German Shorthaired Pointer
Hailey
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Frequent Urination
Thirst
Hunger
Eating Stool
My dog drinks insane amounts of water, and consequently pees all the time. When she's at home during the day, this results in accidents in the house. She also acts like she is starting to death all the time; whining and howling at any food left out on the counter, hovering over the other dogs when they're eating, even barking to go outside simply to eat stool.
Dec. 6, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are various possible causes for the symptoms which you are describing, most common cause for these symptoms is Cushing’s Syndrome (or other similar hormonal condition). You should visit your Veterinarian to check Hailey over to determine an underlying cause so that treatment or management can be started. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/condition/cushings-disease
Dec. 6, 2017
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Cocker Spaniel x Poodle
Roxanne
9 Years
0 found this helpful
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My cocker spaniel almost 9 went blind about 4 months ago is now getting very aggressive toward the other dog, me, food, and nothing at all then turn around and be the most living girl you ever met. She acts like she has dementia or is hulucinating. Don't know what to do with her we have her and the other dog serrated by baby gates but it us getting old.
Oct. 22, 2017
0 Recommendations
Roxanne’s behaviour is definitely associated with her blindness (99% sure), the biggest problem she has is that she doesn’t know what is happening around her and is protective of her food because she doesn’t know if it will stay there. There is no easy fix for this and it may be a case of keeping your two dogs separate as the cause is behavioural and I cannot think of a way round this. I would recommend consulting a Behaviourist to see if there is anything they can suggest. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 22, 2017
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Hungarian Vizsla
Piper
almost 3 years old
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Weight Loss
Excessive Thirst
Always Hungry
Piper was a healthy dog until about 3 months ago. She started having lots of loose stools that have turned in to diarrhea. She also has lots of gas. She has lost 7 pounds in the past 2 months, even though she is eating the same amount of food. She always seems hungry and drinks lots of water. The vet did bloodwork and it all came back normal except her cholosterol was low (but she had eaten that day, so she hadn’t fasted). The vet recommended changing food from chicken to lamb and gave us Panacur for 5 days. Piper hasn’t improved. She looks like just skin & bones.
Oct. 15, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are a few possible causes for weight loss in dogs and may include parasites, infections, malabsorption, digestion issues (pancreatic disorders), poor quality food, increased exercise among others. Normally malabsorption disorders or enteropathies will cause low blood albumin but everything was normal except low cholesterol. I would still be leaning towards some type of enteropathy but further testing would be required; weight loss and increased appetite are usually secondary to other condition, see the link below. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/condition/weight-loss-and-chronic-disease
Oct. 15, 2017
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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.
