Many senior formulations use fillers to bulk up food, but these fillers are hard to digest — these undigested foods pass through the dog’s system enabling them to eat more, and forcing their systems to work harder in the process. When dog food is easily digestible, older dogs are better able to get the nutrition they need by eating slightly less while absorbing more of the nutrients.
If you still want to offer treats, make sure they are made with fresh whole ingredients and are very low in fat and calories. Yes, calories count in the dog’s diet just like they do in yours.
Check with your vet if you dog shows noticeable changes in appetite. You’ll want to rule out or address any health issues.
Whether your dog’s problem is learned or related to physical issues, uncontrolled eating is not the answer. Here are four tips for dealing with your dog’s insatiable appetite:
While some dogs seem almost genetically predispositioned to approach every meal ravenously hungry and as though it might be their last, most of the time this is a learned behavior. Rescues may have been food deprived before being fostered or adopted, and may feel a lifelong need to beg for food and gobble it down as quickly as possible before it disappears. The most pampered, well-fed dogs may have learned that begging will result in treats, after all who doesn’t enjoy watching their pet happily wag their tail when enjoying a treat! Or perhaps you are unintentionally overfeeding at meal times. It makes your dog happy, so it must be good, right?
I’ve heard conflicting advice about feeding my dog – once a day, twice a day, just keep the bowl filled. I’m confused! What is a good feeding schedule?
Feeding your dog does not have to be mysterious. By recognizing a few key concepts and attributes of dogs we can create a very reasonable feeding plan for them.
Dogs are creatures of habit. We can use this fact to our advantage by creating a regular feeding schedule and sticking to it. 
A regular feeding schedule helps with house training puppies, as well as adult rescue dogs who have not been taught household manners. Puppies generally need to relieve themselves within 10 to 15 minutes of eating a meal. By linking a potty stop with a meal we not only allow ourselves to predict when the pup needs a trip outside, we allow the puppy to learn to associate the urges to urinate and defecate with being in the appropriate location. This is a very important step in the house-training process.
Feeding an adult dog at regular times provides the security and predictability of a routine. Meals become a cornerstone event of the day around which other activities are added. A feeding routine helps your dog cope when there are changes in the household (e.g., a child moves away to college, a new baby arrives, or a vacation during which a house-sitter is in charge).
A feeding routine makes a necessary food change easier. When your dog is used to eating at the same times each day, his body becomes conditioned to expect food at those times. Hunger can be a great motivator! If the stage is set for increased hunger followed by meals at regular times, then transitioning to a new food will often be seamless and straightforward.
Dogs have a simple stomach anatomy, just like humans. Because dogs have a simple stomach structure, once the stomach is filled with food, it will empty within a few hours as food moves into the small intestine. After 8 to 10 hours, an empty stomach begins to send signals to the brain stimulating a hunger response. For this reason, at least two meals per day are best for your dog. Imagine if you only got to eat breakfast each day, and that was it! Regular, routine feeding times allow your dogs body to be prepared for the food it will receive. It is not recommended to keep the bowl filled and allow grazing.
A break in eating habits can be a warning sign of illness. When dogs eat on a regular schedule, that habit becomes strong. It is easy to see at a glance if all the food from a meal is consumed. If food is left, whether all or part of a meal, that is an important signal that something is wrong, and it is time to schedule a veterinary appointment.
Ways to Curb Your Dog’s Unusual Eating Habits
Regardless of what your pooch enjoys munching on, there are a few things you can do to try and curb the habit:
Your veterinarian can give your dog a nose-to-tail examination to check for signs of illness, discuss the causes of your dogs strange eating habits, then provide you with valuable advice on your pets nutritional and caloric requirements based on your dogs size and breed.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pets condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
Why Dogs Act Hungry All The Time (5 KEY Reasons And What To Do)
Whether youâve had pet dogs for years or youâve just adopted your first puppy, it can be very distressing when your dog wonât eat. There are a variety of reasons for loss of appetite in dogs. Its important to determine the cause in order to design the best treatment plan.
The first thing to keep in mind is how youâre judging your dogâs appetite. If youâre concerned because your dog isnât eating as much as the guidelines state on the food you purchase, remember that these are only averages. Many perfectly healthy dogs eat only 60% to 70% of the amount stated on the packaging.
Because loss of appetite in dogs can indicate illness, it is important to seek veterinary care if you notice changes in your dogâs eating habits. It is especially important to respond promptly to a refusal to eat in dogs that usually eat well.
Even though most dogs can go a couple of days without food with no significant bad effects, it is best to address the problem as early as possible.
Just like in people, there are a variety of reasons dogs might refuse to eat. These include: