We adopted our rescue dog about a year ago. She was a stray when we adopted her, and the veterinarian estimated her age to be around ten months. She has experienced the same symptoms ever since we brought her home: a lack of proper food digestion. She is ravenously hungry all the time. She will consume an unlimited amount of anything, including bread, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables. Her stools are also abnormal; she has about four bowel movements daily, and they become softer as the day goes on.
She has had blood tests (for pancreatic enzymes, vitamin absorption, etc.) and multiple dewormings. ), stool tests, an endoscopy, a biopsy (which revealed only a thickened abnormal intestine lining), different antibiotics, steroids, pepcid, and a variety of food trials. Nothing seems to make a difference. She has seen two vets, one an internal medicine specialist.
The good news is that she is a gorgeous dog who never seems uncomfortable, has a healthy coat, and is playful.
We addressed this inquiry to Carolyn Blakey, DVM, of Richmond, Indiana’s Westside Animal Clinic. Dr. Blakey has been a veterinarian for 32 years, the last four of which have been spent in an exclusively holistic setting. She particularly likes working with clients across the nation as a holistic veterinary consultant.
The dog is starving, which is why she is so hungry. She is not starving due to a lack of food, of course, but rather due to a lack of nutrients.
This dog appears to have pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, a condition marked by an insatiable appetite, loose stools, and a failure to gain weight. Typically, this can be determined by measuring the pancreatic enzymes in the blood, which are caused by a loss of function of the part of the pancreas that produces the digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes are essential for proper digestion and assist the dog in moving food to the molecular level. I would speculate that the dog isn’t getting the pancreatic enzymes she needs to properly digest and benefit from her food, even though you mentioned that the veterinarians checked the dog’s pancreatic enzymes and presumably found that they were in the “normal” range.
In my experience, the issue will go away if you simply give these “hungry” dogs a digestive enzyme supplement. There are numerous digestive enzyme supplements on the market (for a list of recommended products, see “Resources,” page 24). Additionally, I might advise giving the dog a really effective vitamin and mineral supplement. C-Biotic, a Wysong product, contains digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, and it appears to make a significant difference. I would give this supplement to a dog who is constantly ravenous, has loose stools all the time, or otherwise exhibits signs of malnutrition. Supplementing with additional enzymes can lessen the load that a stressed pancreas must bear, even if blood tests indicate that the pancreas is allegedly producing “enough” enzymes.
Some veterinarians have hypothesized that some of these ravenous dogs lack sufficient stomach acidity to properly digest their food. Giving the dog one of Standard Process’ supplements for this has also worked wonders; their “Betaine Hydrochloride” product aids in acidifying the entire gastrointestinal tract; giving the stomach a little more acid makes it more effective at what it does. To test whether improving the dog’s digestion and reducing her appetite involves adding raw apple cider vinegar to her food (one tablespoon for medium to large dogs and a teaspoon for small to medium dogs).
Of course, you must also consider providing this animal with a natural diet of real foods. Finding food that the dog must chew up is especially important because dog saliva contains digestive enzymes that are much more important for their digestion than ours are. Dogs typically snarf their kibble and canned food, which eliminates a crucial digestive aid because there is so little chewing involved. Therefore, the dog will have a better chance at digestion if you can figure out a way to get that saliva moving and combining with the food before it goes down the dog’s throat. Feeding the dog raw bones with pieces of meat on them is the best way to achieve this. The dog that must chew, pull, and struggle to remove his food from the bone experiences the greatest amount of digestive enzyme activity.
It would be beneficial to increase the dog’s food quality, but a straightforward diet change might also be beneficial. Certain brands of food don’t agree with some dogs, I’ve discovered. Frequently, there is something about the formulation rather than just one or two ingredients that is problematic. Sometimes feeding a dog a different brand of food made with the same ingredients results in the dog getting better. You mentioned trying a few different foods; if you can’t feed a “real food” diet, at least take another food manufacturer or two into consideration. Good luck!.
I think my dog is beginning to react to fireworks; do you have any suggestions on how to help him? Fireworks night can be upsetting for your dog; a CEVA survey conducted in 2008 revealed that up to 60% of pets experienced discomfort during this time.
There are many reasons why your dog might stop eating, ranging from illness and overfeeding to behavioral issues or a new routine. Most of the time,.
What can I do to stop my dog from running away all the time? Dogs can run away for a variety of reasons, frequently to hunt or find a mate, but occasionally just out of habit or because they feel like it.
There can be some medical causes for hunger so make sure your dog is in good health and if he has any other concerning symptoms it may be worth discussing with your vet.
Dogs who are constantly hungry can be challenging to control because some dogs crave food even when they don’t need it. Some breeds, including Pugs, Labradors, Beagles, and Dachshunds, are well known for having voracious appetites and, given the chance, would chow down nonstop. Here are some suggestions to help your dog who is experiencing hunger:
It is extremely uncommon for pet parents to underfeed their animals, and if you follow the instructions on the package, you won’t be far off the mark. Most of the time, a dog that is underfed will be noticeably too lean. A healthy dog should consume all of their food and even be tempted to seek out a bit more. You are giving your dog too much food if some is still in the bowl after they have finished eating. Remember, they don’t self-regulate and will have eaten too much.
We always recommend fibre for super hungry dogs. primarily because feeding your dog a high-fiber diet will help keep them feeling fuller longer Oats and other high-fibre ingredients in these diets, like those in the Burns Weight Control line, will help your dog feel full and release energy more gradually. Similar diets can be fed to adult maintenance dogs who are particularly hungry as well as to overweight dogs.
There are additional foods you could provide to a hound that is particularly ravenous if you don’t want to alter your dog’s diet. For dogs who are starving, vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and leafy greens are fantastic because they bulk up their food and make them feel full. A dog that is extremely hungry can even receive porridge oats cooked in water. Here are some other bulking ingredients:
Looking at the feeding recommendations, which are typically found on the back of a bag of pet food, is a great place to start. Since each dog is unique and these are only general guidelines, it would still be necessary to cater to each dog’s specific needs. If your dog is hungry, keep in mind that this amount is frequently insufficient!
As nutritional consultants for Burns Pet Nutrition, we receive inquiries like this quite frequently. Unfortunately, many of our dogs (and cats) lack an “off” switch when it comes to food, so they frequently continue to eat even after they are satisfied. Instead, it’s our responsibility as responsible pet parents to limit how much food they eat. Not needing any more food is not proven by their desire for more food. We’ve all had pets that are just plain greedy, right?
Deflect Your Dog’s Attention From Food
Because they enjoy eating and find food to be delicious, most dogs overeat for the same reasons that most people do. By directing your dog’s attention to more engaging activities, you can prevent them from begging for food. Additionally, doing this can make you feel less regrettable about rejecting their adorable demands. Try taking your dog for a long walk outside, playing with them on the ground, or spending some time brushing their fur instead of giving them more food. Approximately 15 minutes of quality time with your puppy is all it takes to completely dispel their initial desire for more food.