Feeding Schedule

HailisMommy

I have a 3 month old dog and was told to always keep food out for her since she is growing. I have also heard that they need a set schedule. What is the best way for feeding her? As of right now (and before I got her as well) there is always food for her.
Is this OK? I want to make sure she eats enough and isn't hungry.

Ginny01OT

What breed is the dog--when I got my dog at 8 weeks he pretty much was a free feeder. Then about 12 weeks I started feeding him about 3 meals a day and then 2 meals after 6 mos of age. I have measured proportions and after 20 minutes or so if the food is not finished I take it up anyway. Small breed dogs require more feeding than larger breeds because of hypoglycemia (I have a large breed dog). I believe they should have many frequent meals throughout the day until they are about 6 mos old (you can free feed) and then after that you can feed them four meals and then three and then two---I am sure people with toy or small breed dogs will be able to tell you a lot more than me.

Renoman

I think that usually a regular schedule works best as opposed to 'free feeding'. With an established schedule (usually 3 or 4 times x day at this age) you have more control over the amount of food intake, which will make a big difference as your puppy becomes an adult. You'll be better able to monitor your dog's weight so he/she doesn't become overweight. You also have more control over housetraining with a set schedule. And, I've found that most dogs do much better when they have a specific schedule and an established routine. You didn't say whether you have a large or small breed puppy but you could start by taking the total daily recommended feeding amount and dividing it by the number of times you're going to feed during the day. Give it a week or 10 days and see how the puppy is doing. You may have to adjust it up or down depending on if the puppy is not getting enough or getting too much. You'll be able to tell. Besides all of the above, if you just leave the food bowl down, there's no interaction with the puppy. If the puppy looks to you for it's food, there's a stronger bond, I think anyway.

briteday

Personally, I prefer a set schedule 3-4 x/day at this age, for housetraining reasons. It is much easier to anticipate when your pup is going to be successful going outside if you can establish a pattern based on food intake. Also some breeds tend to be orver eaters, and some don't wat enough, also varies with individual dogs. So I like knowing how much is going in and coming out!

HailisMommy

I have a "schnoodle" She is 3 months now, 6 pounds and probably going to be 20 pounds (so small/medium) I think she'll be pretty active growing up and she doesn't eat all the time, mainly at night (around 9) and I think that may be late for going out to the bathroom. Would be OK to take it away for the night or to have it all the time until at least months?

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Ginny01OT

Then, like everyone said, a schedule is best. Toy breeds like chichuahas can free feed as pups for a while as they can get hypoglycemic real quick .

poodleholic

Toy breed puppies should free feed because of the hypoglycemic issue. Even once full grown, if there's a chance you won't get home at your regular time, then leave food down.



Your schnoodle should do fine with an earlier dinner, but give her a little snack later in the evening before bed.

shyjack

You might try pushing luch time back an hour or two to offset the late dinner hunger. Unless you have a problem with the late dinner I dont think it really matters what time you feed her as long as you keep up the schedule.
Good luck!

erink

I am a firm believer in scheduled feeding, it helps teach them who is the boss.

HailisMommy

Thanks, I will try to start her slowly on a schedule and see how she does.

DogsforMe

My belief is babies have 4 meals per day, 3-6 months 3 meals per day, & 6-12 months 2 meals per day, taking out amount used for treats in training. After 1 year please yourself if you feed 1 or 2 meals per day. Raw chicken wings are good for their teeth at least 3-4 times per week. Good exercise for jaws & growing joints & muscles. Make sure to watch her until you're sure she chews them properly. Sooty used to swallow her bones whole & yelp when she was a baby, but much to my amazement to no ill effects. She now chews them properly.
As others have said free feeding can lead to obesety & the food can also spoil if not eaten & there's flies & ants.

squirt1968

I would never feed a small dog only once a day. A large breed is a different story. I let mine free feed until about 4 mos old. She is a year old and has been fed twice a day for the last 7 or 8 mos. I paid attention when she was younger and if she had started to get rolly I would have started three meals a day but she has never had any extra weight on her she is a shih tzu and many of them are chunky.

Ginny01OT

I would not feed a small dog once a day and I would not feed a large dog once a day as that could contribute to bloat.

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