It also causes fast eating, air swallowing, gastritis, gastric dilatation volvulus syndrome (GDVD) and many other gastrointestinal complications. Constipation is rarely seen in dogs that constantly walk while searching for food. Today, dogs' easy access to food leads to many medical diseases and also creates a basis for behavioral problems. Boredom and lack of exercise lead to many behavioral problems such as aggression, obsessive-compulsive disorders and pica.

The incidence of behavioral problems related to eating is not known exactly. It has been reported that the incidence of obesity is approximately 50% and various eating problems other than obesity are seen at a rate of approximately 5.3-38%.

Polyphagia

It can be defined as excessive food consumption, this condition may have a medical or behavioral basis. In some gastrointestinal system diseases (inflammatory bowel diseases, intestinal cancers), problems with the absorption of food and weight loss can cause polyphagia in animals. In addition, causes such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, hyperadrenocorticism, diabetes mellitus and tumors that cause insulin production (insulinoma) should also be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis. Overeating can also be seen as a side effect of corticosteroids or some antiepileptics.

Obesity

Today, it is thought to be the biggest problem related to nutrition in dogs. Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease characterized by increased body fat and behavioral, endocrine and metabolic changes. It is caused by energy input, i.e. food intake, being greater than energy output. It has been reported that the incidence of obesity in domestic dogs is 20-44% worldwide, 24-44% in Europe, 17-25% in America and 25% in Australia, and no statistical study has been found on this subject in our country.

There are many factors affecting obesity. Females are at higher risk than males, and neutered females are at higher risk than other animals. Middle-aged dogs are twice as likely to be obese as young dogs. It has been reported that the incidence of obesity in dogs and cats is higher during the course and treatment of certain diseases, when leftovers or home-cooked meals are fed. In one study, it was reported that the risk of obesity is doubled if the dog's relative is over 40 years old. In some animal models, obesity is reported as a defective gene expression and can be transmitted to offspring as a genetic predisposition. The level of adipocyte, secreted by adipsin, in the blood can be given as an example. Grading of obesity:

1- Very thin (those who are 20% less than ideal body weight)

2- Thin (those who are 10% less than ideal body weight)

3- Ideal (hourglass appearance)

4- Overweight (those who are 10% more than ideal body weight)

5- Obese (those who are 20% more than ideal body weight)

Prevention of obesity can be achieved by disciplining eating habits, dividing them into certain times, solving underlying endocrine problems, changing eating strategies and providing environmental enrichment.

Anorexia

It is the inability to eat and loss of appetite due to physiological and psychogenic reasons.

Psychogenic factors that cause anorexia;

> Change of food: Changing the food that the dog/cat is accustomed to can cause anorexia. In order to avoid such a situation, the old and new food should be mixed while changing the food and then the ratio of the new food should be increased slowly.

> Environmental changes: Moving to a new house, getting a new pet, adding a new family member, changing owners, etc. environmental changes stress dogs/cats.

> Environmental factors: Very cold or very hot environments, noisy, etc. environmental factors can reduce appetite.

> Desire to mate: During periods of estrus, loss of appetite may occur due to hormonal changes.

> Aversion to the food bowl or the person giving the food

> Attention-grabbing

Diseases that cause anorexia;

> Digestive system diseases: Diseases that occur in organs such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas

> Systemic diseases: Diseases in organs such as the kidneys, heart, etc.

> Oral and dental diseases: Gum diseases, tooth decay, chronic gingivostomatitis, calicivirus infections cause difficulty eating. Over time, eating becomes a painful process and anorexia develops.

> Problems related to the nose: If a problem in the nose (infection, foreign object, injury, etc.) prevents the dog from smelling, it causes anorexia. In dogs and cats, appetite is primarily related to liking the smell of food. A dog/cat that cannot smell the food loses its appetite for food.

> Toxicities: Drugs, poisons, uremia due to organ failure, endotoxins, pyogenes

> Pain: Abdominal, spinal, urogenital, skeletal muscle system pain

> Viral and bacterial diseases

> Parasitic infection

Garbage eating

Hungry cats and dogs may be forced to feed from garbage. This situation may become a habit in some cats and dogs, and the strong nasal perception of dogs originating from hunting dogs may cause this problem to be seen more in some breeds. Food-related gastrointestinal problems or foreign object eating problems may be more common in dogs accustomed to eating from the ground.

Grass eating

Although some dogs never show this behavior, it can be seen frequently in some dogs and even cats. It has been interpreted that the reason for this behavior is that a habit that emerged when wild dogs ate the ruminants they hunted in nature and also ate their rumen is still seen instinctively in domestic dogs today. Another reason may be a type of survival behavior by performing a type of gastric lavage to remove a risky food they ate. In addition, the lack of sufficient fiber in the food is also shown as a reason.