When My Dog Eats Too Much
Overfeeding your dog can lead to obesity and other health issues. About half of all dogs are overweight or obese.
Dogs that carry a few extra pounds may get the same health problems as overweight people, like heart disease or diabetes. All that extra weight can strain your dogâs joints, too. That can cause pain and may lead to arthritis. All of the above may mean a shorter life for your dog.
If your dog begs for table scraps, here are a few things you can try to change the behavior:
Feed your dog before you feed yourself. That way you can be sure they are not hungry, and theyâll feel more satisfied as you dig into your meal.
Ignore it. Donât give in when your dog begs. Ever. Make sure everyone who lives with the dog does the same. Donât let guests give into begging, either.
Restrict access. You can keep your dog out of the kitchen or dining room while youâre cooking or eating. Try putting a baby gate in the doorway. If theyre crate-trained, put them in their crate.
Use training commands. Tell your dog to lie down or go to bed if they beg at the table. This trains your dog to wait quietly nearby. Your friend gets to be around you, but they dont get to pester you.
Reward them for not begging. If they make it through your meal without pawing at you or your plate, give them a treat.
The key with any strategy is to be consistent. It may take time, but your pup will eventually stop begging when they understand it wonât get them what they want.
Do puppies and dogs get hangry?
“Hangry” might not be exactly the right term for what’s happening to your dog. That said, your dog’s hunger can certainly affect his emotional state.
When dogs and puppies get too hungry, they experience what’s called “hunger tension.” They might start acting out because of this and doing things they know they shouldn’t.
Have you become concerned about the way your puppy is acting when he’s hungry? You might be worried that your puppy is showing signs of aggression.
An aggressive puppy should be dealt with right away to prevent the problem from getting worse. For more info on aggression, take a look at these articles:
Feeding multiple small meals throughout the day, rather than one or two big meals, may help your dog feel more satisfied, says Morgan.
Make sure you speak with your veterinarian and figure out exactly how much dog food your dog should be eating each day. Don’t exceed that total. Divide the recommended daily serving into small portions and try feeding in the morning, late afternoon, and right before bedtime to help curb your dog’s appetite throughout the day. Use the Desire for Food as a Training Opportunity
“Dont allow these ‘starving’ dogs to con you into giving them more than they need,” she says. “Overfeeding can lead to obesity, which causes a decrease in the production of leptin, a hormone that controls appetite.”
“A dog that’s eating a lot and not gaining weight could have a serious medical problem,” he says. Dont Give in to Begging
See if you can take your dog’s mind off the hunger. Rather than giving a treat, go for a ride in the car or take him on a walk. This is also a great time to work on training exercises.
Puppy Always Hungry: (Why and What to do)
No matter how much you feed them, some dogs act like they’re always hungry. They go crazy at dinnertime, beg for dog treats throughout the day, and follow you around the kitchen, hoping you’ll accidentally drop something delicious on the floor. No matter how many treats you accidentally drop, it seems like they can never get enough.
No pet parent wants to feel like they’re starving their pup, but keeping portion sizes and feeding schedules under control is important for keeping your dog healthy. Here are 6 ways you can help a hungry dog. Schedule a Vet Visit
Some medical conditions cause a dog to feel extra hungry, says Dr. Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian and author of several books about natural pet-care.
Bring your dog to the vet to rule out conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, and Cushings disease, all of which can cause excess hunger in dogs. Hyperthyroidism, due to a tumor in the thyroid gland, could also affect their appetites, says Morgan, but this condition is quite rare in dogs.
Cancer and intestinal parasites can also make dogs extra hungry, says Dr. Anthony Ishak, a veterinarian at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa, Florida.
“A dog that’s eating a lot and not gaining weight could have a serious medical problem,” he says. Dont Give in to Begging
Once you rule out any medical issues, don’t give in to the temptation to overfeed, says Morgan. Overfeeding can actually make dogs hungrier.
“Dont allow these ‘starving’ dogs to con you into giving them more than they need,” she says. “Overfeeding can lead to obesity, which causes a decrease in the production of leptin, a hormone that controls appetite.”
Obesity can also lead to other medical complications. Obese dogs are more likely to develop arthritis. The excess weight puts extra demand on the dog’s joints, which can lead to decreased mobility and muscle strength. Obesity also makes the heart work harder and can impact a dog’s ability to fully inflate his lungs, Morgan says.
Understand that giving hungry dogs too many treats or human food snacks will make the problem worse, says Ishak. Introduce More Fiber Into Your Dog’s Diet
To satisfy dogs’ cravings without packing on the pounds, the doctors recommended introducing more vegetables into their diets.
Vegetables like carrots and green beans can be added to dogs’ meals to bulk up the food’s fiber content and make the pups feel more full without adding a lot of calories, says Morgan. Grind the vegetables and cook them lightly before serving to your dog.
Just be careful about introducing too much fiber too fast. This can lead to flatulence, constipation, or diarrhea, she says.
Boosting your pup’s vegetable content may also help curb her hunger in other ways. Chromium, a mineral found in ingredients like broccoli and sweet potatoes, has been shown to help reduce hunger in humans and may also help dogs, Morgan says. Feed Your Dog More Often
Feeding multiple small meals throughout the day, rather than one or two big meals, may help your dog feel more satisfied, says Morgan.
Make sure you speak with your veterinarian and figure out exactly how much dog food your dog should be eating each day. Don’t exceed that total. Divide the recommended daily serving into small portions and try feeding in the morning, late afternoon, and right before bedtime to help curb your dog’s appetite throughout the day. Use the Desire for Food as a Training Opportunity
No matter how many veggies and small meals you offer them, some dogs will still do anything for a treat. Use it to your advantage, says Morgan. These food-motivated pups can be easier to train because you know exactly what they want as a reward.
Also realize that sometimes the hunger may be more of an emotional than physical experience. A dog may associate treats with positive experiences with his owner. See if a non-food reward will satisfy his craving for attention. Distract Your Dog
See if you can take your dog’s mind off the hunger. Rather than giving a treat, go for a ride in the car or take him on a walk. This is also a great time to work on training exercises.
If you can distract your pup with exercise and interaction, you may be able to reduce his cravings and spend more quality time together. Plus, getting some extra exercise is an added bonus for a pup that likes to eat, says Morgan.