Dogs often have an appetite that exceeds their body weight by 10-15%, so it comes as no surprise that sometimes dogs get very hungry on a raw diet.
But why is this happening?
Why Is My Dog Always Hungry On A Raw Diet?
The first thing you need to know about a raw food diet for dogs is that it is not a complete meal replacement or a diet that will “fill up” your dog.
This means that if you feed your dog a raw food diet and don’t give him any other supplemental foods (such as supplements) then he may still be hungry.
This is because some dogs simply eat too much food compared to their body size.
It’s important to remember that all dogs are different, so there isn’t one answer that applies to every single pet.
If your dog seems to be eating more than they should, then you should speak to your vet about it.
If your dog is having a hard time keeping his energy levels high despite being fed well, then you might want to consider trying a raw food diet for dogs.
While there are many reasons why dogs might become overweight, one of the most common ones is that they are not getting enough of the right nutrients.
In fact, a large percentage of dogs who are overweight also suffer from nutritional deficiencies.
So what happens when your dog becomes overweight?
Well, aside from the obvious health risks such as joint pain and diabetes, it also makes it harder for them to exercise and keep fit, and that leads to further weight gain.
For instance, if your dog gains weight due to lack of nutrition, then they will probably end up with belly fat, which is known as visceral fat.
Visceral fat is the type of fat that accumulates in the abdominal area and around vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.
In humans, excess visceral fat is linked to serious health problems including heart disease and diabetes.
However, the same is true for dogs, so if you think your dog is gaining weight due to a lack of proper nutrition, then you should speak to your vet about it.
Here are two more possible causes for your dog’s hunger:
A tapeworm infection: A tapeworm infection can cause your dog to lose their appetite. Tapeworms are parasitic worms that live in the intestines of animals. They feed off of the blood supply to the stomach and intestinal tract, and the result is that your dog may start to look emaciated and tired. They may also experience vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
There are several ways to diagnose a tapeworm infection in your dog – one way is by performing a fecal test.
Is A Raw Food Diet The Best Diet For My Dog?
When it comes to feeding your dog, there are a few things you need to consider before deciding whether or not a raw food diet is appropriate for your dog.
Not only do you need to take into account how much of the raw food you’re feeding your dog, but you need to consider how much of the raw food your dog needs to maintain a healthy weight.
Most people assume that a raw food diet is suitable for all dogs, but this is not necessarily the case.
As we mentioned above, there are plenty of factors that need to be taken into consideration before deciding whether or not a raw food diet is the best option for your dog.
For instance, if your dog is already underweight, then they may find that they need to consume more food than they would normally.
That said, you should never force your dog to eat more than they want to eat – after all, they are a living creature with feelings just like you!
As we’ve discussed, a raw food diet is a great alternative to commercial dog food.
It’s especially beneficial if your dog suffers from digestive issues, allergies, skin conditions, or other health concerns.
However, there are some benefits to a commercial dog food diet as well.
Namely, most commercial dog food diets contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein, making them healthier than a raw food diet.
Of course, it’s important to note that while a raw food diet is better than a commercial dog food diet, it’s not the best choice for every single dog.
You should always consult with your vet before making any major dietary changes to your pet.
Have you ever tried a raw food diet for your pet?
How did it go?
Let us know in the comments below.
Is A Raw Diet The Best Diet For My Dog?
The first thing you need to do is understand what a raw food diet is and how it differs from other types of diets for dogs.
A raw food diet is made up of only raw meaty bones (including organs), vegetables, fruits, seeds, grains, beans, and nuts.
There are also supplements such as probiotics and enzymes included in some raw food diets.
This type of diet may sound good on paper, but it’s actually hard to know whether or not it will work for your dog because there aren’t many scientific studies done on dogs eating raw food.
In fact, there isn’t even one study that proves that raw meaty bones is better than any other kind of diet for dogs.
But there are plenty of anecdotal evidence that suggests that a raw food diet works for dogs.
Many owners report that their pets’ energy levels improve when eating raw food, with some saying their dogs become more playful after starting a raw food diet.
So, if your pet is on a raw food diet, then chances are they are doing fine.
But if your dog is constantly wanting food, it’s time to find out why.
The most likely answer is that your dog is not getting the right amount of nutrients.
If this is the case, then it makes sense that they would crave more food while on a raw food diet.
Another possibility is that your dog is suffering from a parasite known as tapeworm.
Tapeworms are a common problem in dogs, and they can cause your dog to feel hungrier than normal.
So, if your dog is on a raw food diet, then it’s possible that your dog has tapeworm.
If you suspect that your dog might have tapeworm, then here are some ways to treat it.
What Are The Benefits Of A Raw Diet?
A raw diet is one where the dog eats only uncooked meat and bones (as opposed to cooked) with some vegetables thrown in for variety.
It’s not a diet at all but rather a way of eating that incorporates a lot of fresh food into the dog’s diet.
The benefits of this type of diet include:
- Reduced risk of dietary allergies
- Increased energy levels
- Improved digestion
- Increased immunity
- Enhanced health
- Lessened risk of obesity
- More healthy hair and skin
- Healthier joints
- Improved coat quality
So what is there to lose?
If you’re interested in trying a raw diet for your dog, here are some things to keep in mind…
How Do I Transition My Dog To A Raw Diet?
First, you need to understand what a raw food diet is and how it differs from a cooked (or processed) one.
It’s important to note that there are many different kinds of diets for dogs, but most are based around feeding them a combination of meat, vegetables, fruits, grains, and other ingredients, with some being more “raw” than others.
For example, some people feed their dogs mostly uncooked or undercooked meats and bones, while others will use a mix of raw and cooked foods.
A raw food diet is exactly what its name implies – it’s raw, meaning that the ingredients are not cooked at all.
This includes both the meat and any vegetables, fruits, or grains they eat.
For example, if you were to make a homemade dog treat out of carrots, you would cook those first before adding them to your dog’s food.
Most raw diets include both dry and wet food options, so this isn’t just limited to kibble.
Dry food tends to be made up of ground raw meats like beef, chicken, fish, turkey, etc., while wet food is typically made from raw vegetables and fruits, including things like sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, carrots, and apples.
In addition to the raw food itself, you also need to take into account the amount of time it takes to complete the transition period.
Some dogs simply adapt to a raw diet much more quickly than others, so it may take longer for yours to adjust.
If you wait too long, you might end up having to introduce something new that they aren’t used to eating in order to keep them happy.
What Are The Best Raw Dog Foods?
There are two main reasons why you might want to go with a raw food diet for your dog instead of a conventional one:
- It’s better for your dog’s health.
- It’s more natural and therefore less likely to cause allergic reactions or gastrointestinal upset.
The first point is more difficult to prove scientifically but there are some anecdotal examples of people who have successfully switched over from a conventional diet to a raw diet for their dog and found that their pets’ health improved.
For example, in 2009, a study was published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism that looked at the effect of raw diets on the health of overweight dogs.
“In our study, most dogs gained weight on both diets, but those fed a raw diet showed significantly greater weight gain than those fed a commercial kibble diet.”
Another study from 2011 looked at the effects of a raw diet on dogs suffering from chronic diarrhea and found that all of the dogs recovered within four weeks and were able to return to normal activity levels.
So, if your dog is eating a high quality raw diet and isn’t gaining any weight, then there may well be another explanation for their hunger.
You should consult a vet to check out whether they have a tapeworm infection that could be causing them to feel hungrier than usual.
Troubleshooting A Raw Dog Diet
There are several possible causes for your dog’s hunger.
Here are some of the most common reasons and what you can do about each one.
- The amount of food you give your dog is too small.
- Your dog needs more protein or fat.
- It’s time to change your dog’s diet from dry kibble to raw meaty bones.
- You dog has a tapeworm.
- They need to lose weight.
- Your dog has a disease such as diabetes or hypothyroidism.
Let’s look at these possibilities in detail.
1.The Amount Of Food You Give Your Dog Is Too Small
If your dog eats a lot but still seems hungry, it may be because they are eating too little food.
This can happen if you feed your dog twice daily (morning and evening) but they only eat half of what you feed them.
It’s important to remember that your dog’s stomach will expand with their food intake, so even though they are eating less, they will actually be consuming more calories.
In order to ensure that your pet gets enough food while staying lean, you should increase the amount of food they eat by 25% every week until they reach their desired weight.
If they don’t gain any weight during this time, then you may need to make further adjustments to their diet.
2. Your Dog Needs More Protein Or Fat
If your dog is constantly hungry after eating a meal, it might be because they need more of a specific nutrient.
For example, your dog may be missing out on essential amino acids like lysine, tryptophan, or methionine.
These amino acids help build muscle, improve skin health, and maintain healthy joints.
To see if this is the case, simply add more of the missing ingredient to their diet.
You can also supplement with a fatty acid called omega 3, which helps reduce inflammation, improve joint health, and promote overall wellness.
3. It’s Time To Change Your Dog’s Diet From Dry Kibble To Raw Meaty Bones
If your dog doesn’t seem to be losing weight on their current diet, it may be because they aren’t ingesting enough of the right type of food.
Raw meaty bones are an excellent option for maintaining a healthy weight in dogs.
They contain all of the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to support your dog’s health, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chlorine.
In addition, they provide a source of natural energy for your dog without adding unnecessary carbs or sugar.
One thing to consider when switching from dry kibble to raw meaty bones is texture.
Dogs love crunchy foods and tend to prefer the chewier side of things.
Therefore, you may want to switch to a softer bone meal instead of just giving your pet whole bones.
This way, they won’t have to chew through hard bones, and they will be able to enjoy a variety of textures throughout their meals.
4. Your Dog Has A Tapeworm
Tapeworms live inside of the intestines of both humans and animals.
While tapeworms are usually harmless, they can cause many problems for your dog.
If you suspect that your dog has a tapeworm, there are a few steps you can take before treating them.
First, contact your vet immediately.
Second, keep your dog off of the floor, especially if you notice feces around the house.
Third, use a flashlight to inspect your dog’s poop for tapeworm eggs.
Finally, administer a dewormer to your dog, along with any other medications prescribed by their vet.
5. They Need To Lose Weight
Sometimes dogs are just naturally thin.
However, if you notice that your dog isn’t gaining weight despite how much they consume, it may be because they need to lose weight.
There are two ways you can do this – either by reducing the quantity of food they eat or increasing the intensity of their exercise routine.
For example, if you notice that your dog is consistently eating too much, then you should decrease the amount of food they eat by 25%.
If you notice that your dog is not exercising enough, you should increase their workout routine (e.g., speed walking).
6. Your Dog Has Diabetes Or Hypothyroidism
Diabetes or hypothyroidism can cause your dog to experience constant hunger.
If you notice that your dog is continually starving themselves, it may be because they have either of these conditions.
To treat these diseases, you will need to adjust your dog’s diet accordingly.
Some people recommend using a glucosamine supplement to help manage pain and arthritis caused by diabetes or hypothyroidism.
However, some vets believe that glucosamine supplements may actually worsen symptoms of these diseases, so talk to your vet about whether or not they would recommend this treatment.
How Much Should I Feed My Dog On A Raw Diet?
A good rule of thumb is to feed your dog about half their normal food intake in kibble form and half in raw meat form.
If you’re unsure how much to feed, make sure to consult with your vet or ask a nutritionist at your local pet store for advice.
If you feed your dog too little, then they will become underweight and suffer from a variety of health problems.
On the other hand, if you feed your dog too much, they may become overweight and develop obesity related illnesses such as diabetes mellitus.
So, feeding your dog just the right amount is important.
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