Diazepam-induced feeding in captive gray wolves (Canis lupus).

Diazepam doses of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg induced feeding in sated gray wolves in a dose-dependent manner (p less than 0.001). Neither 0.8 mg/kg of the benzodiazepine antagonist, beta-CCP (p = 0.36), nor 0.8 mg/kg of the benzodiazepine inverse agonist, beta-CCE (p = 0.85), decreased the diazepam-induced hyperphagia. Five of 6 naive wolves (p = 0.003) ate dry dog food within 15.4 +/- 1.9 min of being given 0.4 mg/kg diazepam and freely chose dog food after the single diazepam administration.