Is hunger a side effect of neutering? - Answered by Dr. van Lienden

[MichelleBehne]

Good day!

I have a 3 year old lab named "Chip". 2 months ago we had him neutered. Before Chip was neutered he would nibble at his food throughout the day and at other times he might ignore his food completely. Overall, he was a healthy dog.

Now, he gobbles his food right away. He has begun to get into the trash at night looking for scraps of food. And he is begging for food, another trait that was foreign to him before. Is this new behavior a side effect of neutering or is it a side effect that he couldn't eat the night before combined with the trauma of the surgery?

Otherwise, he is the same lovable dog. My husband and I are concerned if this is going to continue or will it subside?

[Prin]

I don't know how he was before, but what you are describing is fairly common lab behavior... Ever seen a fat lab? That's why.

[jawert1]

If he hasn't been dewormed, or you think there might be a chance of that, I'd have a stool sample checked by the vet. His increased appetite might be a coincidence or as Prin said, there are plenty of overweight labs. I'd also work on his training so he's not begging, that's fairly easily corrected (see Training threads)

[rainbow]

Any lab I`ve ever known (including my own) have voracious appetites. I have to put a kong in his bowl to slow him down. What are you feeding your lab? And is it the same thing as before you got him neutered?

[MichelleBehne]

Hi all,

Thank you for your responses. But our dog's appetite patterns have changed since the neutering that was our first concern. We are also concerned because he is now shedding hair like crazy and the weather has not gotten warmer but actually cooled off.

We did think of worms but there don't seem to be any in his stools but we'll have a sample examined by a vet.

Is the excessive hair loss and increased appetite part of a hormonal shift caused by the neutering? Or...any other thoughts?

I thought that weight gain usually happened to female dogs after spaying and that males usually stop peeing and marking as much. But are there other side effects?

[jawert1]

I think bloodwork is in order to rule out thyroid conditions that could be causing both symptoms. Also have the vet test for heartworm at the same time and if he's not on preventative, it may be time to look into that too. If you can have them take a urine sample and analyze that, I would recommend as well. Good luck and keep us posted.