Giving your dog the right amount of food is important for keeping them happy and healthy. As an owner, you're probably familiar with them pleading for extra sometimes – and it can be tough to resist their requests. But if you've noticed your dog's appetite has suddenly increased, it could point to a health issue that needs investigating.
The cause can be tricky to pinpoint. While it's often nothing to worry about in the long term, a sudden change in appetite isn’t something you should ignore. You may need to see a vet to uncover what's
feeding their excessive hunger. Read about finding their ideal amount of food, why your dog could be eating a lot more than usual, and what you can do next.
Unfortunately, there's no straightforward answer. Lots of factors influence how much to feed your dog, including:
You could work with your vet to understand your dog's ideal condition and amount of food. You can also use dog food packaging for a rough daily guide, but keep in mind these are standard recommendations that don't factor in things like your dog's condition and activity levels.
You'll also need to divide these recommendations, usually provided as a daily grammage, by how many times your dog eats per day. Twice is suitable for most dogs – morning and evening – while puppies can need extra mealtimes while they're developing.
If your dog is eating a lot more than their ideal amount, you may want to speak to your vet to find out why and what to do. Obesity in dogs poses serious risks, including reduced quality of life and shortened lifespan. But if your dog's appetite has suddenly increased, they may have an underlying health problem driving it.
Like us humans, dogs can experience changes in appetite due to a range of illnesses and situations. Speaking to your vet is likely to be the best way to understand why your dog is eating more, especially if they have other new symptoms too. Here are some possible causes for your canine's cravings.
Do you tend to graze more when you're stuck at home without anything to do? Dogs can do the same, putting their energy into eating when they lack mental or physical stimulation elsewhere.
Playing with your dog more, planning longer walks and teaching them obedience games could help distract them from overeating.
All dogs can experience changes in appetite or weight fluctuations. However, research by the Royal Veterinary College has found that some breeds are more prone to being overweight than others, including:
Keep in mind this doesn't mean that all dogs in these breeds are more susceptible, however.
Your dog's activity levels impact their appetite and required calories too. Your pup will need more food when they're exercising a lot and vice versa.
Knowing how much exercise your dog should get is another question, with the answer based on their breed, age, weight and temperament. If you've recently started being more active together – going on long hikes or runs, for example – it's logical for your dog's appetite to increase
How and what you feed your dog can also strongly influence their hunger and behaviours.
We've already talked about finding the right amount of food for your dog, but your choice of food matters too. High-quality food that's rich in protein and fibre should fill your dog up for longer while helping to keep their weight down.
If their hunger persists and is accompanied by excessive begging, this can be a sign to contact your vet. That's unless there's a clear reason for it, such as having a new pet in your home who's competing for their food!
Unfortunately, your dog suddenly eating a lot more than usual could be due to an underlying health problem. A range of conditions can cause changes in appetite, including:
This list isn't exhaustive, so it's always worth seeing a vet to get to the root of the problem.
Cushing's syndrome is another common trigger of increased appetite in dogs. In a recent survey, 16% of dog owners told us they'd put excessive begging down to old age – but it could be a key trigger to contact your vet about Cushing's.
This condition is caused by the overproduction of cortisol and often comes with other symptoms such as:
Thankfully, Cushing's can be successfully treated when it's diagnosed correctly. James Walker, Technical Services Manager at Dechra advises:
"Cushing's syndrome occurs mostly in middle-aged and senior dogs, but its symptoms shouldn't be dismissed as part and parcel of getting older. Catching and treating Cushing's can significantly improve their quality of life."
Find out more about the diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's.
There are lots of things you can do to manage your dog's appetite, such as:
It's best to contact your vet if you notice that your dog's appetite has increased or they're eating more than usual with no clear explanation. This is especially true if you spot other symptoms or changes to their regular behaviour. Your vet will ask about your dog's medical history, complete a physical examination and possibly run various tests to find the problem and understand how to treat it if needed.
