The vast majority of dog guardians can venture to say that their pet is perpetually hungry. This is mainly due to a lack of ability to set and respect limits, which can lead to the dog devouring everything in its reach. Why does this happen and how to deal with it to improve your pet’s quality of life at any age? You will find out in the following post.
Why is my dog constantly hungry?
If you notice that your dog is frequently hungry, you should consider what is causing this. After all, the constant hunger syndrome in a dog does not come from anywhere – it is often the result of overly strong, often negative emotions. These can be either signal which make the dog feel anxious, such as excessive noise, an unpleasant place or situation, or even the company of a person or other animal with whom the dog feels threatened. Excessive absorption of everything in sight may be a reaction to a stimulus – an attempt to improve the situation by turning it into something pleasant, i.e. food.
Another reason for a dog’s excessive appetite may be a lack of satisfaction of its primary needs. Many breeds, especially hunting breeds, feel a considerable need to move, track, or prey. If these needs are not adequately met, the dog may be looking for a way to unwind. A movement-satisfied pet will not look for alternatives to relieve tension and its needs.
If a constantly hungry dog is provided with everything he needs in terms of needs and exercise, the problem may be due to inadequate food. Perhaps you are not providing him with the right amount of nutrients or his diet is poor in vitamins and minerals. In order to ensure that a hungry dog is always full, it is important to ensure that the food he eats is varied and has the right amount of protein, fatty acids or minerals for his development, health or, for example, his eyesight and coat appearance.
Increased appetite in a dog – how to deal with it?
If you notice an excessive appetite in your pet, it could mean that his diet is not properly adapted to him. How can you deal with an uncontrollable appetite in your dog? Firstly, it is crucial to introduce regularity and fixed feeding times – adapted to the weight, sex or breed. On the one hand, it is essential to choose good quality food and, on the other hand, to feed enough to satisfy the dog’s appetite so as to minimise the risk of hunger pangs. It is also important to develop appropriate eating habits, as well as to provide your pet with emotional stability – by eliminating triggers for increased appetite, you reduce the risk of your dog constantly demanding food because his attention will be diverted (e.g. by walking, playing or learning new commands).
Your dog’s feeding should also be influenced to some extent by his age. Is your puppy constantly hungry? This is understandable, as he is not only growing and developing intensively, but also exploring his surroundings intensively. Young dogs are very active and as their activity increases, so does their calorific requirements, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing a balanced food that takes these needs into account.
How do you feed your dog? The basics of a good diet for your pet
In order for a perpetually hungry dog to stop experiencing excessive cravings, it is necessary to provide him with quality food. The ideal idea for the extremely active is a functional dog food that has been developed by specialists to minimise the chance of diseases and various ailments developing or worsening. It is enriched with ingredients that support metabolic processes, desirable fatty acids or, for example, prebiotics that have a positive effect on the intestines.
A superfood for dogs is also an excellent alternative, with a high nutrient content and rich in minerals and vitamins. A mono-protein dog food can also be one part of a good quality diet, which is an excellent solution for food intolerances. You can choose from both dry and wet products.
However, in addition to proper meals, it is also worth including dog treats in your pet’s diet, which not only act as a form of reward during training, but can also serve to help fight tartar and maintain hygiene in the mouth. It is worth using treats and a variety of dog sweets such as dog treat – veal strips also because they help to defuse emotions and keep the pet occupied so that it does not have to focus on its appetite, which the treats also satisfy.
A dog’s uncontrollable appetite – is there anything to worry about?
Morbid appetite in a dog should be responded to, as it can lead to a number of disorders, including obesity. If your dog has not had a sudden, excessive appetite before, this could be a signal that something worrying is going on in his body. Unless the craving is due to a change in living conditions, a stressful situation, or a modification of the previous diet, it may be that your pet is struggling with an abnormal metabolism, parasites or inflammation. What if the dog is losing weight despite eating? This may indicate the development of disease factors, especially if you observe a sudden increase in appetite in an older dog – this immediately requires consultation with your vet.
What for constant hunger in your dog? Ways to reduce appetite in your dog
In addition to the aforementioned methods of reducing appetite, such as providing your dog with good-quality food, the right amount of exercise or reducing stress, a great way is to use special slowers, which can take the form of toys and balls that dispense food. Bowls and mats with special tabs, such as Dolina Noteci LOLLIPOP, are also a great idea, as they require the dog to exert some effort when extracting the food, making the whole process much longer. Thanks to the slower retrievers, the dog is not able to absorb the contents without thinking, which has a positive effect on subsequent digestion and more.
