Suddenly chewing, "starving", food change?

[Keira25]

We've had our 21 month old girl since May. She was on Purina Pro Plan Sport when we got her. Did have occasional loose poops, and after I was using cooked chicken as treats, had diarrhea. I figured she had a sensitivity to chicken. Since the Pro Plan was chicken based, I gradually switched food to Precise Holistic Complete Lamb (grain free). Our other Newf did great on this and I figured what the heck. Since the total switch, she's acting like she's starving, which I attributed to maybe just liking the food. She has also been "feisty". Tonight she climbed over the seat in my husband's car while he ran in to get his mother and chewed on a screwdriver that was on the floor (ate part of the handle), yesterday it was a piece of paper towel. It also looks like she chewed on the rug. Up until now, she hasn't been a chewer. Without getting too graphic, her poop volume has increased. She gets 4 cups a day. (95 pounds, she is a little newf).
If it means anything, she was spayed and had a pexy the beginning of July.
I'm not married to this food, or grain free. I have to say since the switch to grain free her eyes are less "goopy".
She gets plenty of exercise and she is rarely left alone.
Could the spay have anything to do with this? Just a phase?
I've read every thread on food here (not really, it just feels like that), so I know there are 20 different good choices and it is very dependent on the individual dog. Maybe back to a different formula of Pro Plan? The heck with grain free? Or just ride this out instead of making a big deal out of this??!!!
Any suggestions are welcome, sorry for the rambling.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

I don't know exactly what the difference in the proteins is, but mine always seemed hungrier on lamb based kibble. Since switching to beef based grain free, they are less voracious. Don't know if it matters, or is just coincidental but that's been my experience.

 

[dreamchaser456]

As long as she is at a healthy weight and eating normally I doubt that it's just the grain free making her hungry. I've never had a spay or pexy make one seem starved. If her activity level hasn't changed and weight is staying near the same it could be a phase. I have a 4 year old spayed girl that's tiny (75 pounds ideal weight) and she always acts starved so I added green beans to meals so she feels fuller. I also have a rescued male that's 2.5 years and needs a job or he gets into trouble like a teenager. If you sense there may be something physical causing things then I would at least talk to your vet for input. All mine have gone through "hungry" phases and teen trouble times. Keep training to minimize unwanted behavior especially with teens.

 

[Keira25]

Thank you both. I just started adding green beans to her food, maybe that will help. Hopefully it's just a phase!

 

[MC Sullivan]

Keep an eye on her weight. If she starts to lose weight I'd switch her food and if she still continues to exhibit the same behavior/weight loss I'd to take her for some tests. An increase in poop volume can be indicative of a decrease in food absorbtion (or there is something in that particular food formula that she doesn't digest well) that is why you should monitor her weight.

I hesitated even bringing this up because I didn't want alarm you but my parent's dog exhibited similar sudden onset behavior (including the poop) and was diagnosed with diabetes.

Hopefully it will just turn out to be a teenager going through a growth spurt. I also add green beans to my dogs' food to help them feel fuller. I feed a venison/sweet potato or a bison/lamb/pea grain free kibble.

 

[Keira25]

Thank you! I will definitely keep an eye on her. I had been putting a tablespoon or 2 of Sojos beef formula as a topping. Stopped that yesterday and added green beans. Will see how things shake out in the next couple of days.

 

[Jeannie]

Is she on any meds? I know Prednisone can make them hungry.

 

[Keira25]

Nope, not on any meds. Seems to be very healthy, skin is fantastic. We wrestled with so many skin issues with our first girl. Seems less intense so far today, poop seems more normal. Can't believe it could be from just stopping the Sojos topping and adding green beans, but who knows? BTW, I've never been so poop conscious in my life!!!