- Home
- Dog Conditions
- Increased Appetite in Dogs
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).
Increased Appetite Average Cost
From 121 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,600
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
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.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
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
Redbone Coonhound
Snickerdoodle
10 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Licking
Itching
Excessive Hunger
My coonhound is one of 4 k9s in our home she just turned 10 years old. For the last year or so she has been excessively hungry. Must eat all other k9 a food if she can. Has to lick all bowls clean will eat all of my handicapped daughters food right off the table. There isn't any excessive thirst. She has for the last year tested high for her liver enzymes. My vet doesn't seem worried but I am. Also snippy when the birds fly by her.
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
There are various causes of increased appetite in dogs including malabsorption syndrome, hypoglycemia, poor quality food, hormonal conditions, infections, parasites, pancreatic disorders or behavioural problems. Further blood tests or imaging studies may need to be carried out in order to reach a diagnosis. Sometimes, some dogs just have a behavioural problem leading to excessive eating. Feeding your dogs separate and buying a special bowl which obstructs the food to slow down food consumption as well as correcting bad behaviour like stealing food from your daughter. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
cockapoo
Merry
7 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Frequent Urination
Increased Appetite
My dog had been doing a lot of licking on her paws so we asked the vet about it. Vet suggested a new food which may help reduce licking. Not sure if it is coincidental or if there is a direct correlation but lately she is always hungry, wakes in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom (something she hasn't done since she was a puppy) and is actually eating more food (1 cup to now 1.5 cups) than ever in her life. Not sure what is happening?
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
Some foods are easier to digest than others and may leave Merry hungary sooner; also depending on the ingredients, her water uptake may increase too. The important question is has she stopped licking her paws? If not, make sure that her paws are clean after going outside as interesting flavours can cause a dog to lick as well as sand or dust between the foot pads. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
I'm curious if Merry has had improvement, have you had her checked for Cushing's disease? The insatiable hunger, increased urination, and skin infections can all be symptoms.
Aug. 30, 2017
Marah L.
Was this question and answer helpful?
German Shepherd mix
Puppy
9 yeara
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Increased Appetite
My German Shepherd mix is almost 9 years old and in the last 2 months has exhibited and insane increase in appetite. She's always ravenous at meal time, she inhales her food in seconds. On top of that she's begun scavenging around the house. She'll eat the cats food, rummage through the bin, and counter surf when no one is looking. I've increased her food, but that just made her gain wait, but didn't stop the behavior. She's been eating the same food for years, which is the nature's domain brand.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Increased appetite is a very vague symptoms which may be indicative of numerous causes including parasites, hormonal conditions, metabolic disease or absorption disorders. Due to the varied nature of an increase in appetite, a visit to your Veterinarian may be required to run some tests to determine the cause. To slow down Puppy’s eating, there are some special bowls which block access to food which make dogs to eat slower which may help. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Aussie/border collie mix
Olivia
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Increased Thirst
My dog was put on a short course of remydil for a painful infection in her foot. She had no issues with the medication, and her infection cleared up rapidly.
She has been off remydil for over a week, but I have noticed that over the course of the last three to four days, her appetite and water consumption has increased. Is there a connection? She is a little lethargic, but she has always been low key.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
An increase in thirst may be something or nothing, dogs may drink more for no apparent reason or it may be connected to some physiological process. Side effects of Rimadyl include an increase in thirst but this should subside after cessation of treatment. An increase in thirst may be due to infections, hormonal disease, drug side effects, food intake, tumours, liver disease or urinary problems. Keep an eye on Olivia and if this continues visit your Veterinarian for a check. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVMhttps://www.vetary.com/dog/condition/increased-urination-and-thirst
July 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Goldendoodle
Dexter
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Itching
Weakness In Hind Quarters
Aggressive
Excessive Thirst
Excessive Hunger
My dog is suddenly very hungry. He usually grazes throughout the day, but is now scarfing down every meal. He continues to act hungry, and is now eating poop and anything else he can find on the ground, which is far from normal for him. He eats anywhere between 4 and 6 cups a day. He is a 70 lbs doodle, and has been on the same food since we got him at 10 weeks (he is now 2 years old). He's also suddenly been aggressive towards dogs, which isn't like him, as he was raised at the doggy daycare that I work for, and has never had an issue with his friends. It is normal for him to tank water and then throw it up, but he has been doing it more frequently. He is also very itchy. We've done allergy tests and nothing has come back abnormal. He eats grain-free, fish only food. His itching has gotten better since he has been bathed in a different shampoo, but not drastically. The last thing I'm worried about is the fact that he has been having issues getting into my car lately. It's not everyday, but it does happen enough for me to notice. Nothing in his life has changed.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are various reasons why Dexter is displaying these symptoms; not being able to personally examine Dexter puts me at a diagnostic disadvantage, but by the description you have given I would be suspecting Cushing’s Disease (hyperadrenocorticism). Cushing’s Disease isn’t easy to diagnose due to vague symptoms which could be caused by a variety of different conditions. A low dose dexamethasone suppression test would be able to confirm Cushing’s Disease. Other tests to carry out (in the interests of exclusion) would be blood tests with biochemistry and faecal floatation (to check for parasite eggs). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVMhttps://www.vetary.com/dog/condition/cushings-disease
July 26, 2017
I have the same symptoms with our german shepherd 8 mo. But add that he's panting like crazy, it seems like he's in pain.
July 26, 2017
Tracy T.
How is Dexter now? Any progress?
Aug. 30, 2017
Marah L.
Was this question and answer helpful?
Increased Appetite Average Cost
From 121 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,600
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
