Why Is My Dog Always Hungry? - PetMD

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Symptoms & What They Mean

PetMD Editorial

. Reviewed by Katie Grzyb, DVMUpdated Jun. 17, 2022 hungry dog looking up sitting next to empty food bowl

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What to Check For if Your Dog Is Always Hungry

If your dog doesn’t have any other symptoms and appears to be fine other than wanting to eat all the time, schedule a vet visit within 1-2 weeks or at the earliest time available.

Dogs that are suddenly hungrier than usual often have other symptoms. As a rule of thumb, any change in eating or bathroom habits should prompt a visit to the veterinarian.

Call your vet if you see any of the following:

Increased thirst and urination
Vomiting or diarrhea
Changes in weight (gain or loss)
Changes in body shape, such as a growing potbelly and shrinkage of muscle
Eating non-food items

Causes of Increased Appetite in Dogs

There’s no clear-cut cause for why a dog might be obsessed with eating. It could stem from a psychological issue, such as stress or learned behavior, or a medical issue, such as not getting the right nutrients or an underlying health condition.

That’s why you’ll need your vet’s help in getting the root of the problem. They can perform tests and ask questions to rule out certain causes. Here are some of the most common causes of increased appetite in dogs:

Psychological issues, such as anxiety or stress
Learned behavior, due to poor nutrition (either fed too much or too little)
Aging process (as dogs age, some will begin to crave food more)
Medication, such as prednisone
Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia
Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
Gastrointestinal disorders that interfere with nutrient absorption, which can include:
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome
- Cancer
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Parasites/infections that interfere with nutrient absorption

How Vets Find the Cause for Increased Appetite in Dogs

Your veterinarian may want to run a range of tests to determine the underlying cause for the sudden increase in appetite. They will usually start with the least invasive tests to try to rule things out. Here are some diagnostics your vet may want to do:

Complete medical history and physical examination
Blood panels, such as a complete blood count
Urinalysis
Tests for parasites, such as fecal flotation and Giardia tests
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test or low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDS) to check for Cushing’s disease
Imaging tests such as ultrasound
Serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity test (TLI) to check for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Endoscopy examination (may be considered after additional testing is completed)

Treatment of Increased Appetite in Dogs

Don’t delay in getting your dog examined by a veterinarian if they appear to be suffering from constant hunger. Treatment will include giving your dog supportive care for the symptom of polyphagia as well as dealing with any underlying conditions:

Behavioral-related causes may be addressed by feeding smaller portions more frequently and carefully supervising your dog’s food consumption.
A metabolic issue, such as diabetes mellitus, may be treated with daily insulin injections and dietary changes.
If Cushing’s disease is diagnosed, medication may be prescribed.
Infection or parasites will be treated with medication and/or deworming.
For exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, your vet will recommend dietary changes and medications.
Treatment for cancer can include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation treatments.

Increased Appetite in Dogs FAQs

Do dogs eat more as they get older?

Yes. Sometimes this is due to underlying health conditions, such as diabetes mellitus or Cushing’s disease, or a medication they’re taking, like prednisone.

Why does my dog eat like he’s starving?

Many conditions can trigger increased appetite in dogs. A dog may have learned the behavior because they were not properly fed or became anxious about food. Or, they may have developed a metabolic condition or infection or have parasites. Your vet will need to do an exam, ask questions, and do some tests to rule out certain causes.