Why is my dog always hungry: habit, food or illness?

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Some dogs look at the food bowl as if it were their last meal in the world. Others need to be introduced to the same food for a long time before they even decide to try it. I have seen both options with my dogs and clients. But if a dog suddenly starts demanding more food than usual, it is not worth immediately concluding that he is simply manipulating the person. Karen Shaw Becker, an integrative veterinarian, has recommended looking at the health and the entire menu behind a large appetite. I agree with this starting point. However, it is necessary to distinguish between two completely different situations: a dog who is always highly motivated for food, and a dog whose appetite has recently changed significantly.

When is hunger a reason to immediately check your health?

For me, the most important warning sign would be an increased appetite with weight loss. If a dog is eating more but losing weight, drinking more than usual, urinating more frequently, or has persistent diarrhea, my first choice would not be to simply change the food bag. Such changes deserve a veterinary examination and, if necessary, blood, urine, and stool tests. Medications can also change appetite. For example, glucocorticoids can significantly increase a dog’s interest in food. If the change begins after starting treatment, it should be noted in time and discussed with the doctor, rather than stopping the medication on your own.

What diseases can cause constant appetite?

In exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or EPI, the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes. The dog may eat with a great appetite, but lose weight because the food is not digested and nutrients are not absorbed sufficiently. Light, abundant, soft, and strong-smelling stools are often present. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes a serum TLI test for diagnosis and treatment as replacement of digestive enzymes and, if necessary, correction of B12 or cobalamin. No “super good” protein source is a substitute for this treatment.

With EPI, the amount of stool may increase noticeably, its colour may become pale or yellowish, and the dog may experience gas, loud digestive noises or diarrhea. Not every symptom has to appear at the same time. German Shepherds are predisposed to this condition, although it can affect other breeds as well. A dog that eats eagerly but continues to lose weight, particularly when its stools also change, should raise the possibility of impaired digestion and nutrient absorption.

Diabetes can cause a similar combination: the dog eats but loses weight, drinks a lot, and urinates frequently. The claim that canine diabetes is usually a lifestyle disease similar to type 2 diabetes in humans is misleading. In dogs, insulin deficiency is often the central problem, and treatment usually requires insulin. Nutrition and appropriate body weight are important, but they cannot be considered the only cause or cure.

Cushing’s syndrome, or hyperadrenocorticism, is a condition in which the body produces too much cortisol, often due to a disease of the pituitary or adrenal glands. In addition to increased appetite, thirst, increased urination, an enlarged abdomen, and changes in coat color may also occur. Other signs worth watching for in dogs with Cushing’s syndrome include excessive panting, muscle weakness, thinning skin and recurrent skin infections. The coat may become thinner on both sides of the body, and the abdomen may appear more rounded even when the dog is not simply overweight. None of these signs alone confirms Cushing’s syndrome. However, when they occur alongside increased appetite, thirst and urination, they are good reasons to discuss further testing with a veterinarian. This is not the same as saying “stress causes Cushing’s syndrome in dogs.” Hyperthyroidism can also cause an increased appetite, but this is rare in dogs and requires a different investigation.

Are some dogs naturally focused on food?

I have been fortunate with my own dogs in this respect. In my experience, German Shepherds have not been particularly food-motivated. Quite the opposite, there have been times when I have practically had to remind a dog that it is time to eat. Of course, this does not mean that every German Shepherd is the same or that the breed cannot have weight problems. But it has shown me how differently dogs can relate to food. For one dog, mealtime is the highlight of the day. For another, it is simply another ordinary activity.

Labradors’ food preferences are not just a joke. In 2016, a variant of the POMC gene was described in some Labradors and smooth-coated retrievers, which was associated with stronger food motivation and weight. A 2025 study also found a link between a variant of the DENND1B gene and the amount of fat tissue in Labradors. This does not mean that every Labrador has the corresponding variant or that the gene determines the fate of a dog, but it helps to understand why some have a much harder time leaving the food bowl than others. A history of hunger can also influence an animal’s behavior. Uncertain meal times, previous competition for food, and learning to get attention by begging can reinforce the behavior. This is not a reason to blame the dog. Rather, it is a hint that it is worth looking at his sense of security and routine in addition to the menu.

Can a dog be constantly hungry because of food?

If your dog eats their daily food allowance but is still looking for food, it’s worth looking not only at how much they’re eating, but also at what they’re actually getting from that food. Of course, it’s worth checking how many kilocalories your dog is actually getting per day. A large amount of food in grams doesn’t necessarily mean a large amount of energy: wet food contains a lot of water, dry food is more energy-dense, and the proportion of fiber and fat in different recipes varies. Appetite can also be affected by digestibility, portion size, feeding times, and the dog’s activity level. However, integrative veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker has pointed out that some highly processed foods can be a problem with the balance of nutrients. If, for example, starch or fiber take up too much of the recipe and the necessary, easily digestible protein is lacking, the food may fill the stomach but not provide the dog with the nutrient mix that best suits their needs. Becker describes this as possible malnutrition at the cellular level. This is an integrative veterinary perspective that is worth taking seriously and investigating further. However, begging alone cannot diagnose a deficiency in amino acids or any other nutrient. The dog’s feeling of satiety is influenced, among other things, by the energy content of the food, the amount of protein and fat, the type of fiber, digestibility and individual metabolism. The experience of FendaF customers supports that the choice of food can significantly change the eating behavior of a dog. Over the years, I have repeatedly heard of dogs that used to gobble, beg and seem to be endlessly hungry with their previous food. After switching to Winner Plus, some owners have described a much calmer eating. Even owners of golden retrievers, whose dogs are known for their very good appetites, have said this. Some dogs have stopped gobbled and sometimes even refused to eat the food offered. These are customer observations, not a controlled comparative study of Winner Plus. But they are interesting enough not to automatically explain the behavior of every constantly hungry dog ​​solely with habit, greed or breed. If a dog seems constantly hungry, I would take a critical look at their current food after ruling out any potential health problems. Just because a food label says “complete food” doesn’t mean it’s the best food. Complete food should meet a dog’s nutritional needs, but this label alone doesn’t prove that the quality of the ingredients used, the digestibility of nutrients, and the balance of the ingredients are the best possible choice.

Why do I recommend giving a new food 30 days?

I have repeatedly told clients that it is worth giving at least 30 days to assess the suitability of a new food, if possible. The point of this recommendation is not to say that nothing will change before the thirtieth day. On the contrary. Sometimes the stool improves in just a few days. Some dogs start begging less or eating more calmly quite quickly. In the case of other dogs, the change develops more slowly and the owner may not notice anything at first. Integrative nutrition also pays attention to the fact that digestive adaptation and changes related to nutrition may not happen overnight. Therefore, a longer observation period is entirely reasonable. 30 days is a practical evaluation period, not a promise that all problems will disappear within that time. The aim is to avoid a situation where the owner decides on the third or fifth day that the new food is not working and starts looking for another one. Changes take time, and Dr. Judy Morgan has also used the idea here that improvement can take up to twice as long as the problem has lasted. This is not a definitive formula for recovery time, but a reminder that long-standing problems cannot always be assessed in a few days. During this time, it is worth monitoring your dog’s eating rate, begging, stool volume and consistency, gas, weight, and general well-being. It is also important to provide an appropriate daily food intake and consider treats. Of course, this does not mean that you should wait until the 30 days are up if you have repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea, weight loss, or other worrisome symptoms. Also, in the case of allergies or chronic disease, the necessary food trials may take much longer.

For me, the most important thing is to give the dog and its digestion a reasonable amount of time and evaluate the result as a whole, rather than judging the suitability of a new food based on a few individual meals.

How to help a dog with strong food motivation?

If diseases are ruled out and the dog’s weight tendency is known, I would divide the daily food intake between several smaller activities. Some of the kibble can go into sniffing games, a puzzle mat, or simple training exercises. This way, the daily calorie intake will not increase, but the dog will get more from food-related activities. I would also offer walks, games, and calm interaction that does not always depend on treats. When it comes to begging, you have to be consistent: if something falls off the table from time to time, the dog will learn very quickly that it is worth waiting. But I would not interpret this as stubbornness. The strategy that has worked so far simply works for the dog.

> Practical check-up of FendaF. Compare appetite with usual; weigh the dog regularly; record the amount of drinking, urination, stool and medication; calculate the daily calorie intake with treats; use some of the regular food in activities. If appetite increases with weight loss, excessive thirst or diarrhea, consult a veterinarian.

In conclusion

One hungry dog ​​may need a more thorough health check, another a more appropriate daily allowance, and a third simply needs an activity that doesn’t end with another bite every time. I would start by asking: has the dog always been like this or has something changed? This answer will guide the next step much better than simply assessing “he’s greedy.”

Sources

• Merck Veterinary Manual. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Dogs and Cats. Read source
• Merck Veterinary Manual. Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats. Read source
• Merck Veterinary Manual. Endocrine Diseases in Animals. Read source
• Raffan et al. (2016). POMC and the appetite of Labradors. Cell Metabolism. Read source
• Wallis et al. (2025). DENND1B and obesity in Labradors. Science. Read source
• Karen Shaw Becker (2018; updated online 2023). Got an Overly Hungry Dog? Please Do This First. Read source
• Royal Canin. A guide to changing your dog’s food. Read source