Eating gives as much pleasure to most dogs as it does to their owners. But what should you do when your dog eats excessively? Is Fido just a glutton, or does he have a more serious medical problem?
Causes
Most dogs pack on the pounds for perfectly healthy reasons—such as pregnancy, growth, or braving the cold weather. Behavioral factors also can cause dogs to chow down. When a new family member or pet joins the household, for example, some competitive dogs feel the urge to devour all the available food before someone else does—a behavior reminiscent of their wild ancestors. Other dogs will eat more food while taking certain medications, such as steroids and Valium.
But if your dog overeats and doesn’t gain weight, he may have a more serious underlying medical problem, such as diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, or gastrointestinal parasites.
What you can do at home
In general, dogs who overeat because they can’t resist those midnight cravings will gain weight. Other than their potential for obesity, these dogs usually are healthy and won’t exhibit other signs. If your portly pet is healthy otherwise, try to reduce the amount of food you offer to stop or reverse the weight gain or offer a calorie-restricted, high-fiber diet. Cut out snacks and offer more exercise. Your veterinarian can answer questions and help you develop a strategy for slimming down your flabby friend.
Try feeding competitive eaters separately from other dogs, and lavish them with attention to help them adjust to the new family member.
When to call the veterinarian
If your ravenous dog maintains his weight, loses weight, or exhibits any other signs, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or increased thirst and urination, he needs to see a doctor soon. Uncovering medical causes of overeating can be difficult and time consuming, so a prompt evaluation is crucial.
What the veterinarian will do
Your veterinarian will weigh your pet to check for weight loss or gain. The doctor also will ask about your pet’s diet, environmental factors, and symptoms and perform a thorough physical examination to localize the problem. If the doctor can’t find an obvious cause, your pet may need a fecal exam, blood tests, and X-rays. Your veterinarian can discuss treatment options once he or she makes a final diagnosis.
Many conditions can cause your dog’s voracious appetite, but most are treatable. Soon your pet will return to his normal self—and you might even see a drop in your grocery bill.
