Is your once ravenous pup suddenly turning up their nose to their kibble? Has your cat packed on some extra pounds without explanation? Sudden changes in your pet’s eating and drinking habits can be concerning and can be caused by a variety of factors. Our Milford Animal Hospital team shares four common questions pet owners ask about changes in their furry pals’ appetite and thirst and what they may mean. 

#1: Why is my pet eating less?

If your pet is eating less than usual, the reason may be benign, or they may have an underlying medical condition. A sudden decrease in your four-legged friend’s appetite can be attributed to numerous factors, including: 

  • Dietary changes and nutritional intake — If your pet is eating less and losing weight, these changes could be related to their diet. If you’ve recently changed their food, they might not find it as appetizing and therefore, eat less. 
  • Dental problems — An oral tumor, gum disease, or mouth injury can cause pain and discomfort, discouraging your pet from eating.
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) issues — GI conditions, such as gastroenteritis or pancreatitis, can dampen your four-legged friend’s appetite.
  • Infections — Localized and systemic infections can lead to a decreased appetite.
  • Stress or environmental changes — Pets can be sensitive to changes in their environment or routine such as moving to a new home or meeting a new pet or family member. Any environmental change can stress out your furry pal and reduce their appetite. 
  • Health conditions – Serious conditions, such as kidney or heart disease, or cancer, can lead to inappetence.

#2: Why is my pet eating more?

On the flip side, if your furry pal’s appetite has increased, the cause can be as concerning as inappetence, signaling a medical condition. Potential reasons for a pet’s increased appetite include:

  • Malabsorption — If your pet’s body isn’t properly absorbing their food’s nutrients, they might feel hungry more often. If you’ve recently introduced your four-legged friend to a new brand or type of food that is less nutritionally dense, they may be eating more to compensate.
  • Diabetes — This condition interferes with the body’s ability to convert food into usable energy, which can lead to increased hunger.
  • Hyperthyroidism — Overactive thyroid glands produce an overabundance of the thyroid hormone, increasing an affected pet’s metabolism and appetite.
  • Cushing’s disease — Cushing’s disease causes an overproduction of the hormone cortisol, which can increase your four-legged friend’s appetite.
  • Parasitic infection — Worms or other parasites can rob your pet of the nutrients they need, leading to increased hunger.
  • Boredom and stress — Your pet may be overeating because they are bored, anxious, or stressed. 

#3: Why is my pet drinking less water?

Water is essential to your furry pal’s health, aiding in every bodily function from digestion to body temperature regulation, which will be negatively affected if your four-legged friend isn’t drinking enough to stay hydrated. Your pet may be drinking less water for a variety of reasons, including: 

  • Diet change — If you’ve switched your furry pal’s diet from dry food to wet or canned food, they are likely receiving more water from their food, thus reducing the amount they drink.
  • Environmental changes — Your pet’s indoor and outdoor environments can also affect their water intake. During colder months, pets often naturally decrease their water consumption. Alternatively, if you’ve moved or made significant changes to your pet’s living environment, the unfamiliarity could affect their drinking habits.
  • Health conditions — Significant changes in water intake can point to underlying health issues. Dental disease, which can make drinking uncomfortable, can lead to reduced water consumption. In addition, certain metabolic disorders can cause your four-legged friend’s thirst to decrease. 
  • Water quality or location — Pets can be incredibly picky about their water, and moving their water bowl to a new or less convenient spot could cause your furry pal to drink less. Your pet will also be less likely to use a water bowl that does not meet their cleanliness standards, so wash their bowls daily, or at least a few times a week, with warm, soapy water to remove limescale and bacteria. Refresh your pet’s water at least daily. 

#4: Why is my pet drinking more water?

While hydration is crucial for your pet’s health, if they start drinking more water than usual, they could have an underlying health issue. Your four-legged friend may be drinking more water than usual for the following reasons:

  • Medication — Certain medications, such as diuretics, antiseizure drugs, and corticosteroids, can cause increased thirst and urination. 
  • Diet — Pets who primarily eat dry food may need to drink more water to help process their food in comparison with pets whose diet includes canned or wet food.
  • Increased activity — If your pet has recently become more active, perhaps attributable to a new exercise regimen, their water consumption has likely increased. To keep their body hydrated and functioning correctly, your four-legged friend will drink more water to compensate for their increased activity level.
  • Health issues — Diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and Cushing’s disease are all conditions that can cause pets’ excessive thirst. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can also cause your furry pal to drink more water and urinate more frequently. 

Understanding your pet’s habits and recognizing when they change can help you stay on top of your four-legged friend’s health. Early disease detection can significantly improve your pet’s prognosis. So, if your pet’s eating or drinking habits or their weight has recently decreased or increased, schedule an appointment with our Milford Animal Hospital team.