Has your Corgi been polishing off their kibble in record time recently? Perhaps they’re constantly begging you for more food or raiding the bin when your back is turned?
While corgis tend to love their food, an increase in appetite should always be something we pay attention to.
This article will cover the reasons why your Corgi is always hungry, whether it’s anything to be concerned about, and when to seek help from a veterinarian.
Table of Contents
5 Reasons Why Your Corgi Is Always Hungry
There is a range of “normal” reasons that could be causing your Corgi to be hungry, and a few “more serious” medical-related reasons. Both will be covered.
Normal Reasons
Normal reasons refer to those that are of a less serious nature than medical reasons. Of course, all reasons need to be considered with equal importance to get to the bottom of your Corgi’s increased hunger.
● A growth spurt in a younger dog
Did you know that young pups have up to three times the calorie requirements of adult dogs? This means that they need to eat a lot of food to keep them satisfied and it can seem like they are always starving.
● Increased demand on the body
Female Corgis who are pregnant or lactating will need much more calories than their peers and this is reflected in them acting hungrier. These dogs generally benefit from calorific puppy food that is fed throughout the day.
● A new exercise regime
If your Corgi is suddenly tagging along with you on your 10km run or you’ve hired a new dog walker to bring them on several hikes a week, it is only to be expected that they will need more food to fuel them. Remember, energy that is burned needs to come from the calories that are in food.
● Improper feeding
Perhaps you are feeding a food that is low in calories or you have miscalculated the number of calories your dog needs to sustain them. If your dog is chronically underfed, they will naturally feel hungry. If unsure, ask your vet to calculate your Corgi’s daily calorie requirement.
● A side effect of medication
An expected side effect of some medications is increased hunger. This is true of corticosteroids, a medication that is commonly given to dogs for a variety of reasons. Many anti-seizure drugs will have the same effect. Some dogs are so hungry that they will try to snaffle food from tables and bins.
Medical reasons
There are a number of medical conditions that can be behind a change in appetite. This is why it is important to take this symptom seriously and to have your Corgi evaluated by a vet. Potential medical causes would include:
● Diabetes
Those with diabetes are unable to transport the sugar from their bloodstream into their cells, meaning their body feels starved all the time. Other signs can include increased thirst and weight loss. Most diabetic dogs can be well managed with daily insulin injections and dietary management.
● Cushing’s Disease
This is a hormonal disorder that is not uncommon in Corgis. As well as an insatiable appetite, dogs can exhibit signs such as increased thirst, panting, and potbelly development. Treatment usually consists of medication and this is typically a disease that is managed but not cured.
● Malabsorption Disorders
When the body is not able to absorb and digest the food as it should, your Corgi will be in a calorie deficit. Dogs usually also have chronic vomiting and diarrhea and will be underweight with a poor-quality coat.
● Parasites
While any parasite can ‘zap’ energy from a dog, intestinal worms are the poster child for causing a dog to be hungry. As the worms are ‘eating’ the dog’s food, the dog will be eating lots but not gaining weight.
Some also develop a potbelly and may have diarrhea. Parasites can be detected in a stool analysis and should be easy to treat with some dewormer. Most dogs should be routinely de-wormed every 3 to 6 months to prevent worm infestations. If your Corgi is raw fed or at an increased risk of worms due to their lifestyle, they may need more frequent parasite prevention.
● Cancer
Various types of cancer can cause your Corgi to become more hungry than usual. This is because, as cancer grows, it uses up a dog’s energy reserves.
When To Be Concerned
It can sometimes be hard to determine if your Corgi is acting more hungry than they should be.
Certainly, some individuals are naturally ‘food driven’ and will happily hoover up everything you give them. However, there are certain red flags to be on the lookout for.
If your dog has a sudden increase in appetite and there is no apparent reason (like increasing exercise) then we need to ask why. We need to pay particular attention if a Corgi is acting hungry and has other symptoms such as:
- Weight loss
- Increased thirst and/or urination
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- A bloated abdomen
- Panting
While not every time your dog asks for a second portion or polishes off their meal in record time needs to be cause for concern, a sustained increase in appetite should be noted.
If you cannot think of a reason why this has happened, it is sensible to have your Corgi checked over. If you have noticed any other signs (perhaps loose stool or a bloated belly), we would advise an urgent vet visit.
What Will The Vet Do?
Your vet will discuss your concerns with you and ask you all about your Corgi’s diet and appetite. They will check your pooch over from nose to tail and will likely run some basic diagnostic tests such as a blood test and stool analysis.
In some cases, more extensive tests (such as an abdominal scan or biopsy) will be required to reach a diagnosis.
Your vet will discuss your treatment plan with you, depending on what is driving your Corgi’s hunger. You may be asked to keep a food diary and to keep track of your dog’s weight.
The Bottom Line
There can be a number of reasons for your Corgi to have developed an increased appetite. Consider their current exercise and diet regime. As intestinal worms can be the culprit, do make sure they are up to date with a good quality wormer.
Monitor them closely for any other symptoms, that may give us a clue as to what is going on. A vet check is a sensible step to take to check for any medical reasons for a newly developed hunger.
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