Most dogs love food and are very interested in treats, but some dogs are more food-obsessed than others.
For example, Matilda has a one-track mindset. She’ll do anything for crumbs, and between meals, she’ll hunt down every inch of the kitchen floor for the tiniest bit of food.
She sits under the table during dinner and I allow this behavior as long as she doesn’t ask to bark during dinner and she starts pestering me 30 minutes before her own scheduled meal time.
Lately I’ve been wondering if this is part of her character. If I don’t have a cow, I think it’s normal, the cow loves the food but not obsessed with it.
When our cats settled down, I really noticed their differences when Matilda stayed at my mom’s for a few weeks. During that time, I was more than an hour late for the cow dinner at least five times because I was so used to Matilda’s reminders. Sorry cow!
At some point, excessive hunger is a symptom of a health problem. Our bodies send us signals when we need nutrients and food, and when those signals get out of hand, it can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance, low blood sugar, or a mental health problem.
But when will it become a problem? This is something I’ve been thinking about lately.
Training, Hospitality, and an Obsession with Food
I started positive reinforcement training with Matilda the day I got Matilda, who was about three months old. She loves learning new skills, and part of the reason she loves learning is because it’s an opportunity to make money.
When she was very young, I encouraged her to signal when she needed to eat because I was worried that I would forget to feed her. I encourage her to tap her bowl before meals. It didn’t take long for her to know that if she smashed the bowl, she would get my attention. If it’s meal time, or even close to meal time, I’ll feed her.
Matilda’s love of food makes her easy to train. When you give your dog a treat, it’s not only tasty, but it also gives them dopamine. It produces a positive emotional response. That’s why we can not only use food to train dogs to play pranks, but also change their responses to triggers like scary strangers and loud noises.
It’s also why you don’t have to rely on snacks all the time. Dogs learn to associate doing the right thing with happy dopamine feelings—though we never completely eliminate treats because they keep that connection strong, and of course, their hard work should be rewarded.
dog bred for hunger
Research has shown that Labrador retrievers are genetically gifted with a strong appetite. Their natural love for food makes them easy to train. We might raise them in this way because food-loving dogs are well behaved and have dependable temperaments, so they tend to be selected for breeding.
As far as I know, Matilda is not a miniature labrador. But her preoccupation with food makes it easier to get and stay focused. On the other hand, cows are driven by their food but still lose focus easily.
puppy, small stomach
Another reason I think Matilda is always hungry is because she is so young. I have never seen her complete. Given the chance, she’ll eat until she’s dizzy, even vomiting, and asks for a treat a few minutes later. I naturally avoid making her sick to eat herself, but this has happened a few times in her eight years of life.
In my opinion, two meals a day are the norm for dogs, although some larger dogs only eat once a day. Some people believe that dogs are fasted, fed every 24 hours, or even skipped one day a week.
A small dog’s stomach may not hold enough food at a time to provide enough calories in one or two meals. This may leave them hungry between meals.
Additionally, small dogs are prone to hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia. Dogs with hypoglycemia may faint, collapse, and even have seizures.
While Matilda didn’t have any obvious signs of hypoglycemia between meals, I knew how super hungry, weak and irritable it was. But she couldn’t tell me when she felt that way.
How many meals does my dog ​​need?
Matilda awaits a breakfast of raw goat milk and Bone Broth Bites
For Matilda, I decided to add a small lunch to her schedule and she was ecstatic about it.
Plus, if I go to the gym early in the morning, I might also give her a snack to cuddle her. I know that when I wake up early, I get hungry before breakfast.
Sometimes I also have a small snack before bed.
This adds up to as many as five times on some days, in addition to her usual two meals. Actually it’s more like 3-4.
What’s right for your dog depends on their breed, size, physical condition, and symptoms.
I did notice that Matilda was more relaxed while snacking. She’s still obsessed with food, but she seems happier and less crumb-focused.
Is more food always the answer?
At the moment, it makes sense for us to give Matilda more food. I would consider her snacks and reduce her meal sizes as needed, and she is at a healthy weight.
If your dog is overweight or at risk of gaining too much weight, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t eat treats. Consider low-fat, high-fiber options such as fruits and vegetables, as well as high-protein options. We love freeze dried chicken hearts and small fish.
But keep in mind that being overly hungry probably doesn’t mean your dog just needs more food. Endocrine problems like Cushing’s can give your dog an appetite due to excess cortisol production. Dogs with diabetes cannot use the sugar in their food for energy, so they will feel hungry despite eating enough.
If it’s been a while, take your dog for blood tests to rule out any serious conditions. If they are overweight, discuss with your veterinarian how much to feed, what to feed, and what changes you can make.
For those of us with always hungry dogs, I know you wouldn’t want it any other way. By staying on top of any potential underlying issues, we can keep them happy, hungry, and healthy for as long as possible.
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As a dog mom to Matilda and Cow, she spends most of her time walking long distances and practicing new tricks, trying to make the most of a small portion of her bed most nights.
You’ll also find her baking bread and homemade pizza, laughing, painting and shopping.
