“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. That’s what we say for us owners, but almost the same goes for our pets too. They have to have a rich diet in order to stay healthy. This might not look like your standard dog meal, but there is no harm in throwing in some veggies from time to time.
It’s common knowledge that some breeds like to eat more than others. If you have a corgi around you, you may notice that your food supplies come and go very fast. Have you ever wondered – why do corgis eat so much? Such small dogs, but they finish a full bowl in no time.
Keep reading this article, and we will discover what lies behind the huge appetite of your corgi, what is his favorite and least favorite food to munch on, and many more interesting facts that can help you upgrade your corgi’s diet.
Stay tuned for some toothsome information!
Why Do Corgis Eat So Much?
By now, you have probably fed your corgi a couple of meals, but he keeps wanting more. Where does all of that food go? We are talking about small-size dogs who can eat for two. Seems a bit out of proportion, but there is actually a good explanation for why your corgi seems like an animal gastronome.
Let’s start by listing the reasons one by one:
- Need for energy
- Health issues
- Improper diet
Although you might be dealing with a small-sized dog, that doesn’t mean that everything that comes with him will be in small sizes. We can single out food as an excellent example of this. A regular corgi dog might not exceed 16 inches, but he will empty a full bowl and still want more. Why is that?
Well, you are used to seeing your corgi run around all day, but he has to get his energy from somewhere. Most of your corgi’s energy comes from the vitamins in his diet, and that’s why you must keep them coming. Consider the amount of energy he uses during the day, and it is entirely normal for this breed to get a little extra food.
On the other hand, one might go overboard with feeding, and after a few months, you are looking at an overweight corgi. This is not good at all, especially taking into account their small legs. It must be hard carrying around all that weight around. No matter how cute a chubby corgi might look to you, it is not healthy to overfeed him.
Be careful. Your corgi might start overeating as a result of some health issues. There are a couple of diseases that hide behind your corgi’s sudden change in appetite. They include:
- Bacterial infections
- Cushing’s disease
- Diabetes
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
- Hyperthyroidism
| Bacterial infections | Any dog breed who likes spending a lot of time outside is susceptible to bacterial and fungus infections. These infections can be deadly if not discovered and treated in time. |
| Cushing’s disease | Cushing’s disease in dogs happens when the organism produces too much of the cortisol hormone. The symptoms are very broad, so going to the vet is a must. |
| Diabetes | One of the most common reasons for a change in a corgi’s eater pattern is diabetes. Different types require different treatment, and the diet should be altered. |
| Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency | This is a severe health condition that prevents the dog’s organism from producing enzymes responsible for digesting fat, proteins, etc. |
| Hyperthyroidism | Hyperthyroidism is when your dog struggles to produce enough of the thyroid hormones. This results in a severe metabolism change. |
Another reason for your corgi’s overeating problem might be improper diet. It is essential what kind of food you give to your corgi when he is still a puppy because it will probably stick with them later in life. So, if you don’t pay attention to their daily vitamin intake, problems can occur.
Since these are dogs that like to eat, it would be a good idea to develop a stable eating schedule. Yes – break down the recommended intake of calories and sort them out into meals.
It is really easy for your corgi to get used to the wrong nourishment plan, and this often has harmful effects on their health.
So, if you are wondering do corgis eat a lot, the answer is yes.
See Also: Why Do Corgis Get Fat Easy?
Signs That Your Corgi Is Overweight
You might have been asking yourself lately “why does my corgi eat everything?” This breed is a food-lover and he will gladly munch on anything you give him, but that doesn’t mean he should.
It should be easy for you to determine whether you have overfed your corgi. There are three main signs that suggest this, and they are:
- Body shape: The first and most evident sign that your corgi is overweight is a non-defining body shape. If your corgi is overweight, you won”t be able to see and feel his rib cage and waist clearly.
- Trouble grooming: If you have a corgi that has a few extra pounds, you might have trouble grooming him. When you are brushing through his coat, you will feel that it’s thicker. Also, the trimming could go slower than usual because of the long coat.
- Panting: Have you ever noticed that your corgi is slowing down and panting after just a few steps? An obese corgi will have trouble walking long distances without stopping to catch his breath. This is a sign that you have definitely put too much in your food bowl and that it’s time for a diet.
Learn More: How Often Do Corgis Eat? Are Corgis Always Hungry?
Upgrade His Diet
Don’t worry if your corgi has gained a few pounds. You can help him burn those calories and get improve his overall health. There are some do’s and don’ts.
| DO | DON’T |
|---|---|
| Go on regular walks (1-2h daily) | Feed him leftovers from your meals |
| Take him jogging or hiking with you | Put too much in their food bowls |
| Measure your dog’s calories | Include high-calorie treats |
| Check his overall body condition | Let your dog sit around all day |
| Feed him low-calorie treats | Ignore any weight gain |
| Consult with your vet about his diet | Buy him poor quality dog food |
Food Aggression in Corgis
Have you ever noticed that your corgi gets a bit nervous and agitated if you come too close to him while eating? This is actually not unusual at all. Food aggression is very common in many dog breeds, and corgis have a history with this problem.
Your corgi might show food aggression after you have cut down on the portion of their meals. They love to eat so they will surely know that there is a difference.
Maybe the food aggression has to do with something more than just the portion of their meals. It can be that your corgi hasn’t received appropriate training, so everything that comes near to his food bowl is considered a threat.
There are levels to this type of aggression: mild, moderate, and severe.
Before it reaches severe and your corgi tries to bite you, take a second and reconsider the possible solutions.
Here is something you can do to help your corgi’s food aggression:
- Be in the presence of your dog while he’s eating – after you have spent a few times next to him while he eats, he should get accustomed to your company; however, don’t be invasive; it can only make him angrier
- Add a treat to their meal once in a while – to show your dog that you have no intention of taking food from them, do the opposite and add a couple of dog biscuits to their meal
- Try to hand feed your corgi – if you are certain that he won’t try to bite you, put some dog food in your hand and call your dog – he should come freely and eat the food right out of your hand
- Touch the bowl, but not the food – by this, we mean cleaning the bowl and refilling it with food so that it doesn’t appear empty; this show your friendly intentions towards your corgi
Corgi Food – Recommendations
One of the things you can do to keep your corgi healthy is buy him proper dog food. In many cases, poor-quality dog food can provoke many health conditions like obesity.
Here are top 5 dog foods for your corgi:
- TruDog Rawgo Dehydrated Raw Superfood, Lamb & Cranberry – This dog food from New Zealand is rich in high-quality ingredients. It helps your dog gain his appetite back and improves bone health.
- Wellness Core Grain-Free Reduced Fat Formula – Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe – This is a grain-free formula that perfectly fits the nutrition of your corgi. Also, there is no gluten in this dog food.
- Canidae Pure – Real Chicken, Lentil & Whole Egg Recipe For Puppy – This dog food is best for corgi puppies and its main ingredient is chicken. This is a great choice to start off your corgi’s diet.
- WholeHearted Grain Free Food For Small Breed Dogs, Chicken & Pea Recipe – This grain-free dog food is a great choice if your corgi is having stomach problems. This food will be easy to chew and digest.
- Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe For Adult Dog – If you are looking for something high in calcium and phosphorus, buy this for your corgi.
See Also: What Are Corgis Not Allowed To Eat?
Eating Disorders
Eating patterns can cause many problems for your dog if you don’t plan it out on time. This means that no matter the breed you own, you should pay your vet a visit, and he will certainly guide you in the right direction.
Remember that eating disorders are not just a result of you giving your dog too much or too little food – they can be much more severe.
Here are the five eating disorders that can affect any breed:
1. Pica
Pica is an eating disorder in dogs that causes them to eat food and objects they shouldn’t. This can involve any type of food or even material. This disorder is very dangerous, and it can trigger other diseases like stomach problems, cardiovascular problems, etc. Pica calls for behavior modification since one of the primary reasons why it started in the first place is inadequate training or separation anxiety.
2. Scoffing
Scoffings is when your dog is eating all of the food you give him, but in such a quick manner that he rarely even chews it. Although it might not seem so dangerous, it can cause your dog to vomit continuously. Dogs who are prone to scoffing often bloat very quickly and end up having bad stomach issues.
3. Coprophagia
Coprophagia is a medical term for feces eating, and many dog breeds have this problem. This is most commonly the result of failed training methods and insufficient monitoring of your dog. Coprophagia can affect your dog’s digestive system. By eating feces, he is prone to much more bacterial infections. This type of disease is treated by medication.
4. Anorexia
Anorexia is a very common disease, and it is usually the sign that there is something else wrong with your dog’s health. Your dog can refuse to eat because he is already feeling some kind of a pain in his organism, so you should immediately take him to the vet. Some of the symptoms of anorexia are breath-shortness, dizziness, falling over, etc.
5. Obesity
Today, many dog owners are over-feeding their dogs, and the worst part is they don’t even realize it. Meal sizes should be consistent with your dog’s breed and size. Overeating can result in heart and liver disease. Your dog could also have severe kidney problems. This is preventable, so don’t go overboard with dog treats.
See Also: How To Feed A Corgi? How Much Food To Feed A Corgi Puppy?
Conclusion
All dog lovers know that not all dog breeds eat the same. Some like to munch on more than they’re used to. There is no harm in your dog enjoying good food, but you should know the boundaries.
As corgi owners, you should always have a full stack of dog food. This is not always a good sign. Your cogri shouldn’t get used to too much food, especially because of his body size. If you have had to increase your corgi’s meal size, there are a couple of reasons for this. Your corgi needs more food because he needs more energy, he is sick or he is just on the wrong diet.
You can prevent your corgi’s overweight by paying attention to some obvious signs like body shape, trouble with grooming and tiredness. A potentially obese corgi will look completely round, you will have trouble grooming and brushing through his coat, and he will start panting after just a few steps.
There are ways you can improve your corgi’s diet and overall health. You should take him on regular walks, feed him low-calorie food, take him to the vet frequently and limit his meal size. You should never feed your corgi poor-quality dog food and refuse to measure his weight from time to time. Of course, a corgi’s diet can be largely influenced by the food you buy – so choose wisely.
If your corgi’s hasn’t been trained properly, he can show signs of food aggression. You can try to fix this by showing that you have no interest in his food, adding some treats and keeping your distance while he eats.
Obesity isn’t the only health condition your dog is in danger of. You should also watch out for anorexia, pica, scoffing et. As soon as you notice some symptoms, take your corgi to the vet.
