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.
- 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)
- Changes to glucose, proteins and enzymes may be discovered
- Increase in alkaline phosphatase can mean Cushing’s Disease, recent corticosteroid administration or diabetes mellitus
- We will check for blood, protein and glucose
- Poorly concentrated urine can occur in e.g. diabetes and Cushings Disease
- 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.
Types
Polyphagia can be classified as follows.
- Caused by destruction of the satiety center, for example, trauma. This is rare.
- There will likely be additional neurological signs of a CNS disease
- More common than primary polyphagia
- Diseases, parasites and the improper diet can result in secondary polyphagia
- Corticosteroids and anti seizure medicine, for example, can increase food intake
What to Do if My Senior Dog has an Increased Appetite?
Several home remedies and management techniques are effective to manage the increased appetite of senior dogs. You will also need ongoing communication with the veterinarian to ensure everything’s in order. Your dog may also need return visits to the clinic so that the reason for polyphagia can be determined. Working with a veterinary professional is always the better option for your dog’s comfort and well-being.
Cutting less on food for a hungry dog may seem illogical. However, if your dog has grown accustomed to receiving regular goodies, she must train them again. If you’re using treats as a reward, consider replacing play, snuggles, or other forms of positive attention for your dog.
Alternatively, you can use fresh whole foods as treats because they are low in fat and calories. After all, calories do matter in a dog’s diet, just as they do in yours.
Why Dogs Act Hungry All The Time (5 KEY Reasons And What To Do)
Your dog scarfs down dinner and then begs for treats. You put as much food in the bowl as is recommended, but it isn’t enough. What’s going on?
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?
Not necessarily. While we all take pleasure in watching our pets enjoy food and treats, overfeeding can literally be like loving them to death. Too many treats or too much food at meal time can lead to obesity and a host of other health problems. Feeding your dog the right amount of quality food along with health treats and snacks helps your dog keep weight down and stay healthy.
While many dogs are simply food motivated, an increased appetite can also be a sign of several health issues. Some of the health issues that may lead to insatiable appetite, or polyphagia, include:
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:
Cutting back on treats for a hungry dog sounds counterintuitive, but if your dog has learned to expect frequent treats, she needs to unlearn that behavior. If you use treats as rewards, try substituting play, snuggles, or other positive attention lavished on your dog as you decrease the treats offered.
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.