Some dogs will eat just about anything you put in front of them. Other dogs will eat until they’re full and then call it quits.
If your dog can’t stop eating, you might be asking yourself why your dog is always hungry. If this is you, read below to find out the answer to that question and what you might be able to do to help a constantly hungry dog.
Why is my Dog Always Hungry?
Why a dog is always hungry is honestly one of life’s great mysteries. Some dog parents can leave a full bowl of food on the floor, and their dog will only nibble from it when they feel they have to. Other dogs will eat anything and everything in sight, even if they shouldn’t.
There’s no real rhyme or reason for why a dog will gorge itself, but there are some ideas for why this happens. Many people believe this behavior developed after wolves domesticated themselves. Because dogs rely on a hierarchy, the thought goes like this: A dog gets to eat after the alpha dog allows them to do so. The dog also must eat as much as they can before other dogs try to take it from them. This may now lead to some dogs believing that they have to eat pretty much everything that is offered to them.
The friction comes from what your dog believes is offered and what you are actually offering. You probably believe that the food you put in a bowl for them is good enough. While preparing for dinner, you might put some food next to the stove and walk back over to the fridge for more ingredients. You just put that food down and walked away. Of course, your dog is going to see it as fair game! As far as they know, the alpha of their pack just tossed away some food, so it is your dog’s job to scarf it down.
In the end, your dog might always be hungry. They may always be on the lookout for something to eat. It will be your job to train them that they can’t just take anything.
How to Deal with a Hungry Dog
A dog who steals food off the counter or dinner table is a dog in need of training. It may be their instinct to take any food that is “offered” to them, but you can work with your dog to try and break them of this habit.
The first thing you must do is figure out exactly how much food your dog actually needs. If you’re not entirely sure, you can consult with your vet as they’ll be able to help you figure out the exact amount your dog needs daily. After pinning down exactly how much food your dog needs, you have to stick to it. You can’t give your dog scraps from the table anymore. You can’t leave food around for your dog to steal. You have to do everything you can to prevent your dog from taking food without an invitation.
Once you figure out how much food your dog needs and remove any temptation of them stealing food, you should make sure you get your dog on a strict schedule. Decide how you can fit your dog’s schedule into your day and stick to it. You might choose to feed them two or three times each day but make certain that you stay on time so your dog knows when they can expect to eat. If your dog also gobbles their food down very quickly, you might consider getting them a special dog bowl. These bowls have small pillars that food gets caught in and slow your dog down while they eat.
Whether your dog finishes everything in their bowl or not, take their bowl away when mealtime is done. This will also help reinforce that mealtime is the only time they should be eating.
What Do Changes in Appetite Mean?
Has your dog suddenly had a change in appetite? Any time big changes like this happen, you might want to look to other causes. Sudden changes in appetite can come from:
- Moving to a new place
- New people or pets moving in or moving out
- Aging
- Cushing disease
- Diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- Changes in medication
Some of these causes are environmental and others are medical. It’s important to take action if you notice sudden changes in your dog. Their vet can be a great resource if you have other questions.