Increase of appetite?

[Kyoko]

Last week or so, Charlie has been food crazed!! She chow down her regular amount of food ( 1 1/2 c of Wellness Super5 mix per feeding), and still looks at me like she is starving. If I give her some more, she would woof it down and ask for more!!

 

It this a growth spurt? ( She is 22 months ) Or simply becasue the weather has been cool and it induces more appetite?

Does any of your doodles experienced sudden increase in appetite?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sure it isn't a growth spurt; at 22 months, she's full-grown for sure.

[Kyoko]

I'm also wondering if she is trying to catch up from the illness she had....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That could be. Jack is very picky and not a big eater, but every so often he goes through a period where he cleans his bowl the minute he gets his food, and looks for more. No rhyme or reason to it.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Murphy is usually starving, but he's still a "growing puppy". Guinness's appetite does increase and decrease periodically. He'll go through periods where he's in the kitchen just waiting for every meal which he then devours. Other times he's less interested and nowhere near as hungry. I haven't been able to really pinpoint what causes the changes. I keep his feeding amount pretty consistent, and don't really vary the amounts based on these "phases". That keeps him at a pretty consistent weight....he's been 18 lbs forever which is the weight the Vet thinks is right for him. I wonder if others vary the amounts depending on these "hunger cycles"...I'm not sure.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's so unusual for JD to be looking for more food that I do usually give him an extra half-cup of kibble when it occurs. I don't advise that for doodles who are perpetual chowhounds. It's rare that Jack even finishes his usual amount of kibble, so on the rare occasion when when he seems to want more, I trust his judgment, lol.

[Linda Lynch]

When I changed foods to Orijen Grain Free my two started the same thing. I asked the question at the store where we buy it. I was told because it is SO dense and you feed less, they get what they need nutrition wise but sometimes don't feel full. So, they suggested adding a dollop of pumpkin on top which helps the dogs feel fuller. It seems to have worked.
What do you think, Karen?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Orijen is definitely nutrient-dense, and very low in carbs & fillers. Because carbs raise blood sugar faster than protein or fat, and fillers help create a feeling of fullness, a dog may finish the food and not have a sensation of being "full" for a little while. This is particularly true if you have a chowhound who wolfs down their food.
Adding any low cal, high-fiber carb like pumpkin can help with this. Green beans are another "add-in" that may help add a feeling of fullness.

[Kyoko]

Oh, that's a great idea.... She likes green beans, so I should just add that.... I felt bad that she acted like she was starving, but I did not want to feed her too much kibbles, you know?