Increased appetite after Prednisone in dogs

32 reports to the FDA describe increased appetite in dogs given Prednisone. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

32Reports

47%Marked serious

16%Recovered

16%Died or euthanised

33 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 8.0%

1–2 days

2 8.0%

3–7 days

3 12%

1–4 weeks

5 20%

Over a month

13 52%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 16%

Still unwell when reported

6 19%

Died

1 3.1%

Euthanised

4 13%

Not known

16 50%

Problems reported at the same time

12 38%

11 34%

8 25%

8 25%

7 22%

7 22%

6 19%

5 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Prednisone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Prednisone cause increased appetite in dogs?: 32 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 33 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

All reported side effects of Prednisone in dogs · Medicines most reported with increased appetite