Mini dachshund eats and eats and eats!

[djs0660]

I have a mini dachshund that is 14 years old. She has always maintained her weight really well. Lately though it is a different story. She seems to get really hungry even though I feed her like I always have. When I get the food out she barks and barks until I get it in her dish. Then she eats every drop of it. She is starting to gain weight and I don't think it is a good idea since she has one leg which bothers her any way.
When they get her age do their eating habits change? I also wonder if they have changed the dog food or something. She eats Royal Canin which she has alway eaten.
She has always begged for table food but I hate to give it to her. I do give her little bites like I have always done. Is there any food which does not hurt them to have every day along with their dog food?
Any ideas?

djs0660

[SalemsMom]

Maybe boil up some rice and a bit of chicken pieces and mix with her food,Keysha's weight started dropping when she turned fourteen,and this helped keep her weight up.

[djs0660]

Well, I don't know for sure why but last night she went outside and started eating what little bit of cat food that was left in the dish. She has done this in years past and I knew she really liked it and at her age I couldn't make her stop. Well after she age it she has slept for hours and hours without getting up and begging for food. Now why would the cat food satisfy her more then her dog food?
I honestly think something is wrong because she is so insistant about wanting to eat something that I almost think something is going on with her. I just don't know what.

djs0660

[Cearbhaill]

Have a thyroid panel run.

[Reyven]

I agree that a thyroid panel would be a good idea. It may also be good to get a stool sample and check for worms as well

[Hudsons~Mom]

Originally Posted by djs0660

Well, I don't know for sure why but last night she went outside and started eating what little bit of cat food that was left in the dish. She has done this in years past and I knew she really liked it and at her age I couldn't make her stop. Well after she age it she has slept for hours and hours without getting up and begging for food. Now why would the cat food satisfy her more then her dog food?
I honestly think something is wrong because she is so insistant about wanting to eat something that I almost think something is going on with her. I just don't know what.

djs0660

I have a mini dachshund and all she does is sleep eat sleep pee sleep poo and sleep...she is 7. I think it might be a dachshund thing...

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

Have a thyroid panel run.

I agree here go get some blood work done on her, with her age you want to keep a close eye on any changes to her.

[rubyred]

I would get a thyroid test done. Especially since this is new behavior for her. My dachshunds are 11 and 12 years old. They have always maintained the same weight throughout adulthood, only going up and down by a few ounces to a pound. I know that Nelson would eat himself to death if given the opportunity, he has NEVER turned down 1 morsel of food, but he has always been like that.

[djs0660]

She has never been a big eater. You could leave food in her dish all day and she would just nibble on it. Not now, she would eat it.
I am going to take her to the vet. She was just there and had a check up right before she started eating so much. They did blood work and checked for worms but don't do a thyroid test unless I ask them too.
We'll do one when I take her in again. I am wanting know how much she gained.

djs0660

[carrie79]

I agree run a blood panel. Has she been wormed lately?

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

My Poodle started having some neurological problems at age 12. He would eat, then 5 minutes later be staring up at the counter for his food as if he had forgotten he had just eaten. No amount of food could satisfy him because he couldn't seem to "get" that he just ate. he cried and cried for more food.

I started with thyroid, blood tests etc. Once all those proved negative, it was determined he had a neurological problem.

We started him on glutathione injections (homeopathic vet) and within two injections the behavior stopped. He lived happily for another year but we had to keep up the injections (the pills DON'T work). Glutathione is a powerful anti-oxidant that has amazing mental sharpening abilities. I keep preaching about it on the forum because I think it's amazing for a dog who is seen as getting "'senile". It gave us a year with him we would not have had otherwise.

However, it is not a first resort. My homeopathic vet gives herself the injections. It's for people, too.