Dogs That Eat Too Much or Eat Little: Causes and Solutions

Some dogs never satiate their appetite. They are always hungry and anxious to get more food. They are by the table, when the rest of the family eats, waiting for someone to offer them a piece of any food. But there are also those who eat too little, due to causes such as illness or psychological depression.

The habits and customs of the owners of a dog influence the animal more than it may seem. For example, a dog that does not walk or play enough will have less and less interest in doing so and will take refuge in food, as a source of satisfaction.

If your dog eats too much, it should not be allowed to eat between some hours, even if it is very insistent. When the veterinarian marks a specific amount of daily feed, the dog does not need more food and, if he wants more, it is on a whim.

If he is allowed to eat in between hours, he will develop bad habits or unwanted behaviours, such as going to the trash can to steal leftovers, as his appetite will never be satisfied, or as the case may be, the dog will eat anything he finds on the street.

One solution to correct this inappropriate and unhealthy behaviour is to consign the dog with a muzzle until this inappropriate behaviour has been corrected. Another is to visit a dog trainer in your city for a check-up and advice (readers in Boston, Massachusetts, Albany, and New York City have an impressive selection of certified dog trainers to choose from).

It is important to know the daily amount that the dog should eat, according to his weight and age. The veterinarian will recommend the appropriate amount and frequency of serving of the ration. Do not forget these guidelines to so; you don’t let your dog become a gluttonous dog.

There are cases of gluttonous dogs, which destroy furniture when left alone at home. If there is no food available, it generates a state of stress and anxiety, which results in this type of maladaptive behaviours. This situation can be alleviated: with a long walk when the dog is alone at home. You can also leave toys for him to bite and play with, as well as his feed ration. On the other hand, it is advisable to discard that myth that the insatiable appetite of the dog is due to a disease called diabetes mellitus or hormonal alterations.

Decreased appetite in the dog may be due to several causes: a disease, the ingestion of medications, or a psychological problem.

With high temperatures, more fluid is ingested, and some dogs eat less because of this.

Possible causes why the dog does not eat:

•    If your dog eats “goodies” between hours, his appetite decreases, and this is not recommended for his health. It can take more pounds than necessary, and obesity is a disease.

•    It may be that the dog searches for food scraps in the trash, It improves his appetite improperly and makes him rejects your food. If so, you have to put your garbage or trash can out of reach. Also, this habit can be dangerous for you and your dog because, in an outbreak of infections, your dog can get infected through such practice and infect you too.

•    With high temperatures, more fluid is ingested, and some dogs eat less food than usual.

•    The appetite of dogs also varies according to age. A young animal eats more food. Older dogs lose their olfactory ability and decrease their activity level, so they eat less.

•    There are animals that lose their appetite because they are sad or stressed. The death of a family member or a move can trigger changes in behaviour and decreased appetite.

Tips to restore your dog’s appetite: (always under veterinary supervision)

•    Find a feed with a taste that you like especially. In the market, there is much variety: chicken, veal, pork, lamb, vegetables.

•    Lightly moisten the dry feed with hot water.

•    If you usually eat dry food, change a season to the tin food, which is tastier.

•    Most dog feeds are high calorie feeds. Regardless of how much the dog eats, it will have enough caloric intakes, so do not overfeed it.