Elderly dog always seeming hungry?

[Snowfilly]

Our old lab bitch, 13.5 years, seems hungry all the time lately. Her exercise has decreased by about a third the last few weeks with bad weather, her food has stayed exactly the same and so have her meds - a painkiller and Yu-move, both for her arthritis, last change in dosage was approx 6 months ago and this started about a month ago.

Weight is steady, everything else seems normal, coat good and glossy, but she’s suddenly stealing food, begging nonstop and bolting her meals to the extent we’ve got a slow feeding bowl for her safety. Gut seems normal, her mess is the same as ever and it looks like shes digesting what she eats. Never done any of this before and we’ve had her since a tiny pup.

Any thoughts?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Not really, most of our Labs have just been greedy all their lives. But if you are worried about a recent change, I would talk to the vet after the Bank Holiday. Has she been wormed recently?

 

[Clodagh]

Ours, same age, is completely food obsessed. I think it’s a bit of senility mixed with pre existing greed.

 

[twiggy2]

All the dogs I have ever known if generally healthy become almost obsessed with food as they get old.

 

[danda]

Same with my Golden who will be 15 soon. He was not a greedy dog when young but I think his hunger is made worse by the meds he has to have on a daily basis.

 

[Auslander]

My old setter has been a fussy feeder all his life, until about 2 months ago, when he decided he needs feeding twice a day! I'm delighted, after years of trying to persuade him to eat enough to stay alive!

 

[Bellasophia]

..could it be dementia arriving…? I had my father with me for his last eight years..he would eat and ten minutes later ask what we were having for lunch( always said lunch lol)..maybe food is such a comfort it’s the first thing they search for.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

..could it be dementia arriving…? I had my father with me for his last eight years..he would eat and ten minutes later ask what we were having for lunch( always said lunch lol)..maybe food is such a comfort it’s the first thing they search for.

I had forgotten but we have had both a cat and a dog (Lab bitch) who looked for a 2nd breakfast, as they got into their teenage years.

 

[Sandstone1]

There are conditions that may make them more hungry too so I would get a vet check to be on safe side.