diff --git a/blastmud_game/src/services/urges.rs b/blastmud_game/src/services/urges.rs
index a3e027c..c56df98 100644
--- a/blastmud_game/src/services/urges.rs
+++ b/blastmud_game/src/services/urges.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use crate::{
         task::{Task, TaskDetails, TaskMeta, TaskRecurrence},
     },
     regular_tasks::{TaskHandler, TaskRunContext},
-    static_content::{species::SpeciesType, StaticTask},
+    static_content::{npc::npc_by_code, species::SpeciesType, StaticTask},
     DResult,
 };
 use async_trait::async_trait;
@@ -274,9 +274,27 @@ pub fn urge_tasks() -> Box<dyn Iterator<Item = StaticTask>> {
     )
 }
 
-pub async fn set_has_urges_if_needed(trans: &DBTrans, player_item: &mut Item) -> DResult<()> {
-    let mut has_urges = player_item.death_data.is_none()
-        && match player_item.urges {
+pub fn ever_has_urges(item: &mut Item) -> bool {
+    match item.item_type.as_str() {
+        "player" => true,
+        "npc"
+            if npc_by_code()
+                .get(item.item_code.as_str())
+                .map(|npc| npc.has_urges)
+                .unwrap_or(false) =>
+        {
+            true
+        }
+        _ => false,
+    }
+}
+
+pub async fn set_has_urges_if_needed(trans: &DBTrans, item: &mut Item) -> DResult<()> {
+    if !ever_has_urges(item) {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    let mut has_urges = item.death_data.is_none()
+        && match item.urges {
             None => false,
             Some(Urges {
                 hunger: Urge { growth: hunger, .. },
@@ -286,7 +304,7 @@ pub async fn set_has_urges_if_needed(trans: &DBTrans, player_item: &mut Item) ->
             }) => hunger != 0 || stress != 0 || thirst != 0,
         };
     if has_urges {
-        match player_item.location.split_once("/") {
+        match item.location.split_once("/") {
             None => {}
             Some((loc_type, loc_code)) => {
                 has_urges |= trans
@@ -298,9 +316,9 @@ pub async fn set_has_urges_if_needed(trans: &DBTrans, player_item: &mut Item) ->
         }
     }
     if has_urges {
-        player_item.flags.push(ItemFlag::HasUrges);
+        item.flags.push(ItemFlag::HasUrges);
     } else {
-        player_item.flags = player_item
+        item.flags = item
             .flags
             .clone()
             .into_iter()
@@ -334,7 +352,7 @@ pub async fn change_stress_considering_cool(
     stress_changed(trans, who).await
 }
 
-pub async fn recalculate_urge_growth(_trans: &DBTrans, item: &mut Item) -> DResult<()> {
+pub async fn recalculate_urge_growth(trans: &DBTrans, item: &mut Item) -> DResult<()> {
     let cool = item.total_stats.get(&StatType::Cool).unwrap_or(&8.0);
     let relax_action_factor = match item.action_type {
         LocationActionType::Sitting(_) => 100.0,
@@ -358,5 +376,6 @@ pub async fn recalculate_urge_growth(_trans: &DBTrans, item: &mut Item) -> DResu
             ..old_urges.stress
         },
     });
+    set_has_urges_if_needed(trans, item).await?;
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/blastmud_game/src/static_content/npc.rs b/blastmud_game/src/static_content/npc.rs
index 82c892d..0dea6d4 100644
--- a/blastmud_game/src/static_content/npc.rs
+++ b/blastmud_game/src/static_content/npc.rs
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ pub struct NPC {
     pub player_consents: Vec<ConsentType>,
     pub hire_data: Option<HireData>,
     pub extra_flags: Vec<ItemFlag>,
+    pub has_urges: bool,
 }
 
 impl Default for NPC {
@@ -150,6 +151,7 @@ impl Default for NPC {
             player_consents: vec![],
             hire_data: None,
             extra_flags: vec![],
+            has_urges: false,
         }
     }
 }