Does it seem like every time you eat, your Pug want to as well? If you’ve been wondering “why is my Pug always hungry,” you’re not alone. I’ve decided to find out what causes this behavior and what it actually means.
Why Is My Pug Always Hungry?
A Dog’s bottomless stomach is usually attributed to canine biology. The grey wolf, (dog’s wild ancestor) adapted to the feast or famine diet because they had to go several days without eating.
When they did get access to food, they will usually eat large amounts at one time. This is also referred to as food caching, (similar to a dog that buries bones in the yard or garden) and scavenging the kitchen trash can for scraps.
While this was the case for wild animals. It may not be the case with a domesticated Pug.
If you’re anything like me, you fed your Pug on a schedule. Check out this article that will walk you through on how often to feed your Pug.
You may also want to check out this list of dog foods for Pugs that will provide your pet with the nutrients they need to feel satisfied. Here’s a list of the best Puppy food for Pugs.
My Pug Always Seems Hungry
Dogs in general love eating and it is possible that Fido is not actually hungry. They could be eating because the food is offered to them.
Learned Behavior
In most cases, this behavior is extremely normal. Dogs have learned that when they beg humans for food, they usually get it.
Many people give their dogs the leftovers after dinner. Some even go even further to bring the leftovers home after eating out at a restaurant.
I’m sure you’ve done it before, I know I did it a few times for Mindy my black Pug.
Well, after a few times of giving your dog some leftovers or scraps, she has learned the behavior of begging or eating when she sees you eating.
However, some experts also state that dogs that are always hungry could have a medical problem that causes them to feel hungry.
If you think that your Pug has an increased appetite, you may want to contact your veterinarian to get them to diagnose whether it’s an underlying health problem or your dog just loves eating.
Health Concerns
Other possible reasons your Pug may seem hungry even after they just ate a big breakfast, it could be more than just normal dog behavior.
If your Pug all of a sudden becomes hungry and wants to eat everything in the house, they could be dealing with an underlying medical issue such as:
Diabetes
Canine diabetes has been known to cause increased diabetes, due to a lack of insulin in the body. The cells in your pooches body respond by telling your pooch that they are still hungry.
This condition can affect both cats and dogs. Signs that your Pug may suffer from diabetes will be increased water intake, increased appetite, increased urination, and weight loss.
Cushing’s Disease
Which is also referred to as Hyperadrenocorticism. This condition is more common in dogs (and rarely cats). Cushings Disease causes your canine’s body to produce too much glucocorticoid.
This hormone is responsible for helping your four-legged friend deal with stress. Too much production of the hormone can cause illness.
Conditions Causing Malabsorption
This condition prevents the small intestine to properly digest and absorb nutrients, which can cause your dog to become extra hungry.
Malabsorption typically results in weight loss, altered appetite, and diarrhea. However, most pets (especially cats) will not experience diarrhea, because the colon cannot conserve water.
Pancreas Problems In Dogs
Your pet’s pancreas has two parts that perform different duties. The endocrine pancreas helps regulate blood and sugar. While the exocrine pancreas helps digest fats, proteins, and starches in your dog’s body.
These enzymes help break down food to help the body absorb the nutrients. EPI occurs when the pancreas fails to produce the enzymes and your four-legged friend can’t properly digest their food.
This condition usually occurs in younger dogs and is more common in Rough Coated Collies and German Shephards.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
AKA SIBO causes bacteria growth on the walls of the small intestine. The bacteria damage the walls and results in the inability to absorb nutrients and results in increased appetite.
If you notice any unusual behaviors in your pet or they just started eating more, you definitely need to consult your veterinarian. You’ll feel much better knowing what’s causing their feeding frenzy and if it’s a result from more than just learned behavior.
Why Do Pugs Eat So Much?
It’s easy to think that Pugs are the only ones that love eating and have bottomless stomachs. However, this is extremely common in dogs, regardless of the type of breed.
Most domesticated dogs have learned this behavior. They know that their owners can’t resist their big brown eyes, and they’ll get a treat if they just beg a little bit.
Since the dog always eats the food you give them, you keep giving them food. This just reinforces the behavior and your dog just keeps eating, even if they are not really hungry.
If you think about it, your dog is really training you to feed them because you feel guilty you’re eating and they are not.
My Pug Eats Everything
If you’re Pug eats everything you put in front of them, there’s a good chance they are just working from learned behavior, or the behavior learned from their wild cousins.
My Pug loved eating in fact, she ate so fast, we had to stop her from it.
This breed loves to eat and if you’re constantly giving them snacks or human food, you’ve reinforced the behavior.
Final Word On Your Pug Always Being Hungry
If you feel that it is unnormal behavior and you NEVER feed your Pug scraps or leftovers. I’d highly recommend that you contact your veterinarian.
They will be able to run diagnostic tests to ensure that there is no underlying medical problem that is causing the increased appetite in your pet.
References and Further Reading
PetMD – 5 Reasons Your Dog Is Extremely Hungry
Dr. Kim Smyth – Go Pet Plan – Ain’t Life Gland: Common Glandular Disorders In Pets
Masters AK, Berger DJ, Ware WA, Langenfield NR, Coetzee JF, Mochel JPM, Ward JL – Effects of Short-Term Anti-Inflammatory Glucocorticoid Treatment on Clinicopathologic, Echocardiographic, and Hemodynamic Variables In Systemically Healthy Dogs.
Merck Manual – Veterinary Manual – Malabsorption Syndromes In Small Animals
Dr. Kim Smyth – Digestion Dilemma: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Rutgers HC, Batt RM, Elwood CM, Lamport A. – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth In Dogs With Chronic Intestinal Disease