If your dog is a chow hound and always begging for food, the odds are good that he is a Beagle or Lab or a mix thereof. While any individual dog can be a serious food hound, these breeds tend to stand out as food-crazy canines.
In general, dogs may seem to be perpetually hungry for many reasons. For one thing, they like to eat, just like we do. This is why monitoring your dog’s weight is important, especially if you’re not sure if he truly needs more food or not. When you’re at your veterinarian’s office, ask for an honest assessment of his weight. You could discuss a low-calorie dog food with your veterinarian, if they say he’s too heavy, or adjust his current food.
If he’s begging for food, but not thin, lethargic, or showing other signs of an illness, chances are he is simply asking for food because he likes to eat. This can especially be a problem if you share your food with him as that’s a surefire way to develop chronic begging, especially in those Labs and Beagles we mentioned earlier.
If your dog’s too thin, he’s probably legitimately hungry, especially if he’s a very active dog. You may simply need to feed him more, but a veterinary visit is probably in order first to rule out any problems.
Dog Is Begging, Hungry, and Losing Weight
If your dog has a good appetite but is begging and losing weight, the question is why.
Fast-growing adolescent dogs, particularly large- to giant-breed males, may seem to be perpetually hungry. It is important to be sure these puppies are getting an appropriately balanced diet for their age and size AAFCO label says, including growth of large-size dogs (70 pounds or more as an adult). You don’t want a chubby puppy, despite the cute photos. Discuss the right amount and type of food with your veterinarian and/or your breeder.
Look at any changes in your dog’s lifestyle. Have you added an extra walk so he might be burning off more calories? Has the weather changed and he is outdoors in the cold or snow more? Or, if it’s summer, is he swimming every day? Is your dog on a corticosteroid for seasonal allergies? These things can increase both appetite and drinking and are legitimate reasons for a healthy dog being hungry.
Health Issues Causing Hunger in Dogs
An obvious reason for an insatiable appetite is intestinal parasites. Any dog who constantly begs for food but is quite thin despite extra calories should have a fecal done, which means flotation, fresh smear, centrifugation, and, if deemed necessary, antigen testing for thoroughness. If parasites are found, this can be a relatively simple cure with medication, although some environmental cleanup may be required.
A decreasing appetite may be a sign of cardiac cachexia (muscle wasting in dogs with heart failure), nausea and loss of appetite with pancreatitis, and loss of appetite with liver or kidney problems. Some illnesses will increase appetite, however.
If your dog is constantly hungry but thin, you need to consider gastrointestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The desire for food may be accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting but this might be the first sign. Diagnosis can be complicated, but specific bloodwork is helpful. Treatment may involve medications and/or diet changes.
While hyperthyroidism is more common in cats than dogs, some dogs can develop hyperthyroidism. A complete thyroid panel (bloodwork) is necessary for diagnosis. Along with increased activity, these dogs are hungry and eat more but burn off the extra calories. Treatment can be medical or surgical depending on the cause.
Of course, diabetes mellitus must also be on the list of concerns. Families tend to notice both increased drinking and increased appetite. Bloodwork is important along with a urinalysis to diagnose diabetes. Treatment requires replacing the insulin that your dog isn’t producing or isn’t utilizing. Getting the correct insulin dosage is generally a trial-and-error procedure with multiple blood samples taken along the way.
Genetic Mutation in Retrievers
In Labrador Retrievers, there is the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) genetic mutation. This variant of the gene was associated with obesity and difficulty controlling weight in pet Labradors. These dogs are not only hungry all the time, but they are extremely efficient, so they don’t burn the calories they take in at a normal rate. The weight CAN be controlled, but it takes a dedicated owner who is very aware of their dog’s food intake and his exercise. About 25% of Labrador Retrievers and 66% of Flat Coat Retrievers have this genetic defect.
