There’s an old cliché about dogs — they’ll eat everything you put in front of them, whether they’re hungry or not. There may be a grain of truth to it, but not all dogs are voracious eating machines. Some are perfectly content to snack from their bowl when they feel the urge and others will stop when they feel full, not going back for seconds at all. Show
But there are certainly plenty of dogs to give some truth to the cliché. No matter how well fed they are, they will never turn down more, and it’s quite easy to imagine them wolfing down food until they explode. It seems like the dog is hungry all the time. So you may ask yourself, “Why does my dog act hungry all the time?” The short answer is… we’re not absolutely sure. Some experts believe that dogs came to look to us as a food source after early wolves basically domesticated themselves — the wolves that were curious but non-aggressive and came close enough to human camps to scavenge leftover scraps wound up being rewarded with more food. This, combined with their natural instincts after a hunt — “eat it when the alpha wolves let you and before any other wolves can” — naturally led to them gobbling up anything offered by a human. Of course, to a hungry dog “offer” can also mean leaving it on a counter, dropping it on the floor, or putting it in the trash. Wolves (or dogs) hunting in a pack also learn the concept of scarcity and food being a limited resource. They may not eat every day, or even every other day, so they fall into a “get it while you can” mentality. This carries over even when the dog is getting two or three regular meals every single day. Of course, our domestic dogs have not been wild wolves for a long time, so it can be hard to reconcile such an ancient trait with modern behavior. Our dogs probably never grew up going on a hunt and being allowed to share food in pack order. Another possibility is that our dogs really aren’t that hungry. They’re just very good at manipulating us into giving them handouts. How to Handle a Hungry DogIf you do have a dog that would gobble down anything — and especially if that dog is overweight — then you have to take control as the Pack Leader. Consult your vet on your dog’s actual dietary needs per day, create a regular feeding ritual and schedule for your dog, and stick to it. Don’t let anyone in the house give him human scraps or handouts, and only give treats when your dog has earned them by doing a job and then showing calm, submissive energy. You can also slow the gobbling with special bowls that have pillars in them that the dog has to eat around or, if you want a cheaper low-tech solution, you can put a tennis ball in the dish, which she’ll have to nose around. When you start with this schedule, leave the food down until the first time your dog walks away from the bowl, whether he’s eaten everything or not, then take the bowl away. This will help reinforce the idea that this is meal time and he won’t be finding more food until the next meal time. A Sudden Change in AppetiteMaybe your dog isn’t a voracious eater and knows when to stop. A dog’s habits can change. When they do, it’s usually a sign of something. If your dog goes from finicky to gluttonous, you need to determine the cause so you can take care of the problem as quickly as possible. There are two reasons a habit as basic and instinctive as appetite might change suddenly: psychology or physiology. Psychological reasons include changes in the environment. Have you moved recently, or has there been a change in the household pack? For example, have grown kids moved out, significant others moved in, or are there any new dogs? Things like this can lead to insecurity and anxiety, which can trigger a dog’s feast or famine mentality. Part of the pack went away, or a strange new person is here and might be a threat to these resources. In the case of a new dog, that may actually be the case, and you’ll need to monitor things to make sure that the new dog isn’t trying to intimidate the old dog away from the bowl, then stealing the food when you aren’t looking — or vice versa. If a formerly docile dog starts to show food aggression, then the cause is definitely psychological, so you’ll need to deal with that problem in addition to working on the dog’s anxiety over household changes. If you have a new human member of the household, let him or her take over the dog’s feeding duties for a while. If someone has left the household, place something with their scent on it near the dog’s bowl. If you have a new dog in the house, make them both earn their food by sitting and showing calm, submissive energy, feed them with separate bowls placed at a distance, then monitor them and don’t let either of them approach the other’s bowl, even if it’s to sniff around for scraps once they’ve finished eating. If It’s Not All in Your Dog’s Head…If there have been no obvious changes in the household recently, then the most likely cause of your dog’s increased hunger is a physical problem — and this is also the case if there have been changes but the methods above show no results after a week or two. A sudden increase of appetite in a dog can be a symptom of a number of conditions:
In many of the above cases, the underlying mechanism leading to increased hunger is the same: your dog’s body is unable to absorb the nutrients in the food or digest it properly, so their appetite goes into overdrive. They are actually starving no matter how much food they eat, so they compensate by eating everything. The Pack Leader’s jobAs a Pack Leader, your job is to provide protection and direction. If your dog suddenly starts overeating, then you need to determine the cause, then take the behavioral or medical steps necessary to solve the problem. If your dog is just naturally inclined to overeat, then you need to take charge and control what she eats, how much, and when. We naturally love our dogs and it can be hard to resist those big eyes and cute faces, especially when they act like they’re starving. But if there’s no medical cause, we’re doing our dogs more of a favor by not indulging their appetites. An overweight dog is not a happy dog no matter how excited he may get about food. He may have no idea when he’s had enough, but we do — and, unlike dogs, we know how to work a can opener.
Does your dog seem to have a bottomless stomach? Some of them will gobble down their entire meal and still follow you around the house begging for scraps and snacks, but are they actually hungry? If you are wondering why are dogs always hungry – the top reasons might surprise you. If your dog is getting regular, well-portioned meals of high-quality dog food, and they still act like they are starving, there are a few different factors to consider. Let’s look at why they seem hungry all of the time and how to determine the correct portion size for your furry friend. Related: What to Do About Food Aggression Why Is My Dog Always Hungry?There are many reasons that can explain why your dog might act like they are always hungry, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t getting enough food. If you’re feeding your dog correct portions of high-quality dog food each day and they still want more, it could be because of your routine with them, their biology, or an underlying health issue. Force of HabitAccording to experts, the domestication of dogs began when wolves developed the exceptional ability to manipulate us into giving them scraps of food. While our pets today have been domesticated for a long time now, they’ve learned some tricks of their own to get food and treats from us. It’s not easy to deny your companion a snack when they give you “the look,” but when you give in, you’re reinforcing their behavior and teaching them that the hungrier they act, the better their chances are to get a taste of the good stuff. In a sense, our dogs have trained us to feed them when they ask for food. This doesn’t mean that your dog is necessarily hungry; they may just want a bite of those tasty human snacks. This study on portions and meal consumption in dogs found that some cases of overeating and obesity in domesticated dogs are related to the feeding practices of their owner. Many dogs have an “eat when food is available” mentality, which possibly stems from their wild ancestry, and they may be eating food simply because it’s offered and not because they are actually hungry. The grey wolf is a domesticated dog’s closest wild relative and has a feast-or-famine type of diet. They eat large amounts when food is available because it could be days until their next meal. One reason that your dog always seems hungry might be this canine instinct. Health ConcernsSome dogs love food and will always eat when you present them with a snack or meal, but if your dog really is hungry all of the time, it could be due to an underlying health issue. There are a few common conditions that can cause your dog’s appetite to increase: If your dog is suddenly acting hungrier than usual, you should talk to your vet to ensure that their appetite isn’t the result of a serious health concern. Related: Improve Your Dog’s Gut Health and Digestion
Is My Dog Always Being Hungry a Problem?Some dogs seem to approach each meal as though it’s their last as part of their personality, but most of the time, it’s a learned behavior. If your dog is a rescue, they may have been food deprived in the past, leading to them feeling the need to beg for food and quickly gobble it up before it disappears. Even well-fed, pampered pups can learn that begging for food leads to treats, which can cause them to feign hunger. If you’re overfeeding your dog, and they happily eat it all at mealtime, is there a problem? Your dog’s happy, so it must be a good thing, right? Well, not necessarily. Overfeeding your pets can lead to a host of health problems while feeding them the correct amount of high-quality food can help them stay healthy. Many dogs are simply motivated by food, but a sudden increased appetite can be a sign of health issues. So, how do you conquer your dog’s insatiable appetite? Handling a Hungry DogIf your dog is one that will happily gobble up anything you offer them and still want more (and especially if your dog is overweight), you’ll have to take control of the problem. Talk to your vet about their dietary needs, create a regular feeding routine and schedule, and stick to it. Make sure that no one in the household is giving them table scraps or handouts, and only offer them healthy treats infrequently for rewarding good behavior. You can also try implementing a slow-feeding bowl that has pillars that your dog must eat around to slow down their eating. Another easy solution is putting a tennis ball in their food bowl that they have to get around to get to their food. When you start a new feeding schedule, you should leave the food out for them until they walk away from the bowl. Then, whether they ate everything or not, take the bowl away. Doing this helps reinforce the idea that it’s mealtime, and your pup won’t be getting any more food until it’s time for the next meal. Now, let’s talk about four ways that you can handle your dog’s insatiable appetite: Cut Back on TreatsWhile trimming back the treats for hungry dogs might sound counterintuitive, if they’ve learned to expect treats frequently, it’s a behavior that your dog needs to unlearn. For example, if you use dog treats as a reward, try substituting additional playtime or other positive attention as you slowly decrease the treats you offer them. That doesn’t mean you can’t give your pup a treat now and then, but it’s important to offer them low-calorie, low-fat treats made with fresh, whole ingredients. Calories count in a dog’s diet just like they do in ours. Fix Their PortionsYour dog might happily heat several helpings of food, but that doesn’t mean that they should. It’s important to talk to your vet about what your dog needs food-wise and review their food’s nutritional information to figure out the right portions for their size, age, and activity level. Most vets recommend feeding your pup based on their ideal weight rather than their current weight. However, if your dog is very underweight or overweight, it’s crucial to change portion sizes slowly and with the help of your vet; don’t make sudden drastic increases or decreases to their meal sizes. Meet Your Dog’s NeedsMany dog owners believe in a common misconception: older dogs need to have the same amount of food, just with reduced calories. However, as dog’s age, their metabolism slows down and becomes less efficient at processing some foods. A lot of senior formulas on the market use fillers to bulk up their food, but those fillers can be challenging for your senior pup to digest. Then, those foods pass through their system undigested, enabling them to eat more while forcing their digestive systems to do more work in the process. With the right food, older dogs can get the nutrition they need while eating slightly less but still absorbing all of the nutrients they need. Pack in the NutritionSenior dogs aren’t the only ones that need good nutrition. Every dog needs various quality nutrients for its health, growth, and energy. Highly processed dog foods use high heat that can damage nutrients and synthetic ingredients that are more challenging for your pet to digest. Lightly cooked food with fresh ingredients offer better nutrition and is easier for your pup to digest. How Much Should My Dog Eat?
 Feeding your dog the correct portion of food is crucial to their health and wellbeing; too little food can cause nutritional deficiencies, and too much can lead to obesity and the health issues that stem from it. Some important factors in determining your dog’s correct meal size are:
To find the appropriate amount that your dog should be eating, look at: The Dog Food You Are UsingAll dog foods are different and not created equal; the type of dog food you are feeding your furry friend plays a huge role in how much you should feed them. Different foods come with various caloric counts, protein and fat contents, etc. It’s a good idea to refer to the feeding instructions that come with the food to get a starting place for how much they should eat daily. Typically, you should provide your dog with a meal two times per day and space them out by about 12 hours. Your Dog’s LifestyleYour dog’s activity level also plays an important role in deciding how much food they need each day. Two dogs of the same breed and weight will have different feeding requirements based on how much exercise they get each day; more active dogs will generally require a larger diet than ones who like to lounge around most of the time. You can use a calorie calculator for dogs to get a decent idea of their needs, but don’t expect to get an exact answer from this alone. Dogs are as unique as people, and a calculator can’t determine the precise amount of calories that your dog needs. Your Dog’s Body ConditionEvaluating your dog’s body condition is an excellent way to fine-tune how much food you offer to them. Your vet can help you determine their body condition score and find the appropriate amount of calories for your dog specifically. Typical signs of dogs that have a healthy weight are:
What If My Dog Has a Sudden Change in Appetite?Maybe your dog knows when to stop eating, and there are no problems with mealtime. Well, a dog’s habits can easily change, and when they do, it’s a sign that something is going on with them. If your dog suddenly can’t get enough food, you’ll need to determine the cause quickly. There are two reasons this habit might change: psychological or physical changes. Psychological changes also include environmental changes, like recent moves or a change in people or animals in the house. These events can lead to anxiety and insecurity in your dog’s mind, which in turn can trigger a feast or famine mentality. They could be worried about a threat to their resources or trying to intimidate a new member of the pack. If a dog that was formerly docile begins to show food aggression, the cause of their appetite is definitely psychological, and you’ll need to work with them to ease their anxiety. However, if there haven’t been any obvious changes, it’s likely a physical problem. A sudden increase in your dog’s appetite can be a sign of health issues like the ones mentioned above. Typically, what happens with these conditions is that your dog becomes unable to absorb all of the nutrients in their food, causing their appetites to go into overdrive. If this is the case, you’ll want to see your vet ASAP. How Often Should I Monitor My Dog’s Weight?Monitoring your dog’s weight often is the best way to keep track of how they are doing, and see if their portion sizes need adjusting. Check their weight every 2-4 weeks and keep a record of the results to determine if your dog is gaining or losing weight in an unhealthy manner. If you see large fluctuations, their portions may need to get changed, but it’s good to discuss this with your vet to ensure there isn’t an underlying condition causing the weight or appetite changes. Related: Maintain a Healthy Weight for Your Dog
How Do I Ensure My Dog Is Satisfied?If your dog has always acted like they’re hungry all the time, and your vet has determined that they are being fed the correct amount and do not have any health concerns, it’s likely due to their canine biology or a force of habit. If it happens suddenly, and your dog begins to overeat out of the blue, it’s time to determine the cause. They could not be getting the nutrients they need, or they may be beginning to develop a health problem and should be seen by your vet. |
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