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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
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Increased Appetite Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Cavachon
Dobby
21 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Panting
Eating More Than Usual
Feels Warmer Than Usual When Licking
Stomach Looks Pinker Than Usual
Dobby is 21 months old and experienced a significant increase in appetite over the past couple days, eating about two to three times more than usual (usually she eats the "good" food quickly at meal times and may have a bite or two of her everyday boring kibble now and again). We had to eliminate the extra kibble because she will just scarf it all down if it's left out. She has also been panting during otherwise calm times. Of note, she is very anxious but always has been--no change there. Her output appears normal and she seems loving and happy. Cause for concern?
Sept. 30, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are various causes for an increase in appetite which may be part of a larger condition; causes including colitis, infections, parasites, hormonal conditions and malabsorption are all possible culprits (not a comprehensive list). Make sure that Dobby is wormed properly and that her bowel movements are normal, a faecal test for parasites may be valuable. The panting is also unusual and is worth investigating too, this may tie in the malabsorption or another condition. A visit to your Veterinarian would be best since there is a sudden change in appetite. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 30, 2017
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Dachshund
Jack
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Hunger
Vacant Moments
Grumpy
Slower Than Normal
I have a 10.5yrs old dachshund who always seem to be crazy hungry. The behaviour started a few weeks ago, to the length that he growled at me once to get to the shopping bag I had in the front seat of the car beside me whilst he was sitting in the back... He's on good quality dog food, getting fed 2x a day. Sweet potato, carrots or good quality treats would be his snacks during the day.. He's started drooling as well, which is probably in connection with the constant excessive feeling of hunger.
Also noticed that he seems to be staring into nothing quite often nowadays.. would be just sitting or standing somewhere, anywhere in the house, or outside and just stare into space like he's not really "there"... :(
Blood test came back negative, and the vet seem to be very careful with diagnosing him with anything... fair enough however I believe his condition is getting worse every day :( Any advice please...
Sept. 22, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are many causes for an increased appetite which may be caused by hormonal conditions, malabsorption disorders, side effects of medication, parasites among other causes; I would be more tempted to go towards hormonal conditions, but it isn’t possible to say without an examination and some other tests. It may be worth visiting another Veterinarian for a second opinion given the changes you have seen; his behaviour also is strange and doesn’t really tie in with the increased appetite. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 23, 2017
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German Shepherd
Diezel
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tires Easily
Hungry All The Time
Breathing Difficulties
Hi I have a German shepherd he's 6 years old for some reason past few weeks he seems hungry all the time and can no longer go on walks he just gets very tired and stops walking please help with any advice. Thank you
Sept. 5, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are various conditions which may cause an increase in appetite and lethargy which may include parasites, gastrointestinal tract infection, hormonal conditions, malabsorption among other causes; if you haven’t wormed Diezel recently I would recommend doing so and having your Veterinarian take a look over him would help rule out other possible causes too. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 6, 2017
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APBT
Deuce
12 yrs
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Constant Hunger, Tumor, Occasional Diarrhea, Trem
My dog is 12 yrs old & was diagnosed with a tumor. He lost a tremendous amount of weight but eats like crazy. He is always hungry. What should I feed him. I stopped giving him dry food because he would vomit constantly. Now I am giving him white rice mixed with canned food & making it like a soup, twice a day. Other than weight loss & constant hunger he doesn't act like he is in pain. What to do? Parasites were ruled out by a vet.
Sept. 4, 2017
0 Recommendations
It is not unusual for a dog to lose weight when they have a tumour, the type of tumour and its location would have a bearing on this. It is important to make sure that Deuce is well fed, but it may be a case that you may need to supplement his diet with a bulking agent, weight gain supplement or both to balance out the weight loss and hunger. Some tumours of the gastrointestinal tract may lead to malabsorption syndromes which would reduce the body's uptake of nutrients and some tumours are nutrient hungry. Speaking with a Nutritionist or Oncologist may be helpful. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 4, 2017
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German Shepherd mixed with Belgian Malinois
Kota
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Vomiting
Increased Appetite
Excessive Licking
Lump Near Spine
Extreme Weight Loss
Black Gums
Possible Parasite
Weird Stool At Times
My dog had what looked like a wart on her leg and on her head last year. Both went away so I never thought anymore of it. This year, her appetite began increasing, she began stealing food when I wasn't looking (more than what's normal for her), and constantly seems hungry. Over the past month to 6 weeks, her weight has decreased to the point I can feel her bones - her hips are thin, her spine is starting to protrude, and I can feel her ribs. She has so much fur it's hard to look at her and tell she's thin. That being said, her appetite is still high, her play drive is still going strong, no behavioral changes at all, but some wheezing/whistling sounds when she has ran too hard for the day.
Today I found a lump just by her spinal bones.
We have a vet appt scheduled for Wednesday, for labs and fecal samples, etc. but I just want to know, should I be prepared for this to be cancer? Or more likely to be parasites and/or diabetes? When she poops, sometimes it looks like hair is in the stool, sometimes it's normal. She has vomited more than what's normal for her lately but not overly excessive, I chocked it up to food change until recently.
Today I also noticed her left neck lymphnode is enlarged, and I can feel her collar bone... what should I be thinking? She's 5, will be 6 in December. Has hip dysplasia. Has been overall healthy until this year. If this is cancer, what is it sounding like? I'm hoping it's something treatable and I'm anxious to get to the vet. I got the earliest appt available. Please, any guidance or preparation is highly appreciated
Aug. 30, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are numerous conditions which may fit with the symptoms that you are describing which may include infections, parasites, nutritional deficiencies, malabsorption syndromes, cancer, colitis, hormonal conditions and the list can go on. First step would be a physical examination accompanied by blood tests and faecal tests to rule out certain conditions before progressing into more complex diagnostic procedures for less common conditions. Enlarged lymph nodes may be attributable to cancer, allergies, infection or may be a different gland or mass; dogs do not have a clavicle (collar bone - chickens have them, they are part of the fused wishbone) so you you probably feeling the first rib. Without examining Kota I do not wish to comment on the actual underlying cause as I do not wish to give you false hope or to make you more nervous. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 30, 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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