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We have a Cocker Spaniel Mix and he's been a part of our family for 5 years now. We rescued him from the local SPCA when he was 4 years old and he was underweight when we got him. It didnt take long for him to gain 10lbs and look healthy again and his weight averages around 28-30lbs. Well, I've recently noticed that he is eating ALOT more. When we fed him in the past he would usually leave some in his bowl that we would clean out and we always made sure to give him treats, etc. He turned 9 in November and its been a few months now but he is eating like crazy! He cleans out his bowl every singe time which is just unusual for him especially every day.
Is this common for dogs who are getting older to eat more? I want to try and keep him healthy so we plan to try and excercise him so he doesnt gain too much weight.
A sudden change is eating habits can be an indicator of a medical condition. A trip to the vet for some blood work is in order. Make sure they check his thyroid.
His last vet appt was in October when he had a wellness exam and a teeth cleaning. After that he went back to the vet in November because he broke out in some weird skin sores which was a possible reaction to flea bites (even though he is protected with flea medicine and got them from the vet where he had his teeth cleaning). He's gaining weight, doesnt seem to be packing the pounds on or anything but he is gaining some weight. He also has his full winter coat so its a little bit harder to tell just how much bigger he is. I plan to get his hair cut within the next couple weeks and then see if we need to take him in. He seems overall healthy, has lots of energy to play. We did switch his can food but that doesnt to be the big deal because he gets two different kinds at time (same brand just made differently) and he's still cleaning out the bowl.
And for worms if he isn't gaining weight in spite of eating more...
.....and tapeworms usually don't show in a vet exam - you need to watch for them in the poop. Tapeworms are easy for dogs to pick up, and not so easy for us humans to spot.
He might just love his food more . If he's healthy enough, I'd switch him to low calorie food (after checking with your vet....of course ).
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Tapeworms are easy for dogs to pick up, and not so easy for us humans to spot.
. If he's healthy enough, I'd switch him to low calorie food (after checking with your vet....of course 
