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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

13 year old dog hungry and stealing food

16 replies

FreakinFrankNFurter · 18/04/2022 23:18

Our DDog has over the last three weeks become ravenous - we are giving him extra of his kibble as he only ever eats this on its own if he is definitely hungry. He is getting through twice the amount he normally does.
He is tipping his bowl over all the time and eating off the floor, when he only used to do this occasionally.

He is obsessively stealing food. If we open cupboards he is shoving to get in so he can try and grab something. He is shoving and jumping at food shopping bags when we come in to get at the food. He is stealing food off the counter. All things he didn't do before.

He has been wormed, no sign of worms. Bowel habits all fine.

He doesn't appear to have put weight on. He had cruciate ligament repair at start of year so lost muscle mass and we were careful with his food consumption whilst he was on restricted exercise. Since then he has also gone deaf so can't hear when we say no or tell him what to do.

Has anyone experienced similar or has any thoughts?

We've thought about taking him to vets but he is happy and perky. No sign of being ill, just this weird food behavior

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 18/04/2022 23:26

I’d take him to the vets, I’d be worried in case it’s a thyroid issue tbh.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 18/04/2022 23:33

He absolutely needs to see a vet ASAP.

nearlyspringyay · 18/04/2022 23:34

Ddog was like this before being diagnosed with diabetes. Is he drinking and or seeing more?

han01uk · 18/04/2022 23:37

Get checked for cushings. Common in older dogs, insatiable appetite, thirst, skin issues etc are all signs.

StrawberryPot · 18/04/2022 23:56

Of course you should take him to the vet. Why on earth wouldn't you? Sudden and severe increase in appetite could well indicate Cushings or other ailments that need medical management.

FreakinFrankNFurter · 19/04/2022 00:07

Thanks all, I'll phons the vet in the morning.

I think because it has been a bit more gradual in terms of a bbit hungrier and shoving at shopping bags and nosing into cupboards etc that we were putting it down to cheekiness because he can't hear us due to recent deafness. The desfness has obviously been affecting our control of him a bit.
But this weekend has been ridiculous in terms of stealing food. Has made me realise something isn't right.

OP posts:
StrawberryPot · 22/04/2022 19:40

@FreakinFrankNFurter - did you get to the vet?

OatmilkandCookies · 23/04/2022 10:11

Definitely get him to the vet for checks for thyroid, diabetes etc.
If that's all clear, maybe change his food and give him something higher in protein or add something extra into his diet to satiate him a bit more.
If you spoke to the vet I hope it all went well!

MalbecandToast · 23/04/2022 10:13

How did you get on at the vets OP?

FreakinFrankNFurter · 27/04/2022 09:59

Sorry for slow update. Yes I got him to the vet the day after posting. I was lucky as there was a cancellation.

The vet weighed him and checked him over. Said he seems fit and healthy for his age. She wasn't particularly concerned. He hasn't lost weight. Wondered if it was behavioural, as it has coincided with him going deaf recently. She recommended a supplement for brain health as he is getting older - 13 today

She said to keep an eye and if continues or still worried she would do some general blood tests but not looking for anything in particular. She also said to monitor on a couple of days how much water he is drinking

He is still hungry but not quite as much as he was. The scavenving for food isn't as bad, although still there a bit. Having to be very careful to make sure he can't get at things.

OP posts:
Beamur · 27/04/2022 10:03

My elderly dog is a bit like this too. Has had urine and bloods done. All fine. Personally I think it's more dementia related as I don't think she particularly remembers eating and maybe the brain isn't registering she's full so well.
I've upped her food a bit too but can't leave anything around for the cats as ddog just hoovers it up.
She seems happy enough though..

StrawberryPot · 27/04/2022 10:23

She recommended a supplement for brain health as he is getting older - 13 today

Can I ask what this is op? I have a 12.5 year old who looks at me like he's not sure who I am some days.

Glad your boy has nothing sinister going on. Happy Birthday to him!!

FreakinFrankNFurter · 27/04/2022 12:15

@StrawberryPot the supplement is Aktivait

OP posts:
StrawberryPot · 27/04/2022 12:34

Thanks op - I'll take a look.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 27/04/2022 17:33

Has he been wormed?

movemyshed · 28/04/2022 16:02

I think it could be senility. One of my dogs got frantic for food and needed fed every hour or so in the afternoon and evening as he would forget he'd eaten. It was some years ago now but I remember that Aktivait helped a bit, for a while anyway.

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