Free Feeding...Your Opinions?

Omega_Brindle_Pit_Bull · 02-06-2008, 03:40 AM

I was wondering your opinion on free feeding. Ever since I was a kid we have always free fed our animals. I have had my 2 cats for about 2 yrs and have free fed them since I got them and they seem fine.
I just got a puppy about a month and a half ago and have been doing the same with her. When I was a kid, we lived in the country where the dogs have tons of space to run around. I haven't had a dog for about 6 yrs and now I live in the city so she has a yard that is about 10'x25' then goes around a corner and is about 6'x20. We never walked our dogs because we lived on an acre of land and had 40,000 acres of cattle land behind our house for them to play, but not any longer. My dog doesn't seem fat by any means. Does that mean she is not over eating and has figured out that she can munch all day and doesn't have to eat herself sick all at once? Thanks for your replies.

Dogstar · 02-06-2008, 04:09 AM

In general, I'm not a fan of free feeding. Even if your dog doesn't overeat, there are still a LOT of good reasons NOT to free feed.

Firstly, when you free-feed- particularly if you use a gravity feeder and just refill when it's empty (regardless of quantity it holds), it's hard to tell how much your dog is actually eating- and if you have more than one, it's essentially impossible. A change in eating habits is often an early sign of illness- sometimes the ONLY sign- and it's important to know.

Secondly, food is a great opportunity to bond with your dog. Even if you don't have time to make your dog work for his whole meal, working for part of it is a great training tool. Especially with dogs who are confined away from the family- which it sounds like your dog might be- interactive food-dispensing toys (homemade or storebought- things like Kongs, food hidden in an empty, uncapped soda bottle, buster cubes, etc) are a great way to let the dog occupy her time.

Thirdly, food that sits out attracts pests. This isn't AS big a deal indoors, but it's a major one outdoors. Beyond ants, dog food loses nutritional value more quickly in a hot, open environment than in a cool, dark, rolled-down bag.

Lynn168 · 02-06-2008, 07:36 AM

I'm with dogstar..

I'd never free feed.. I wouldn't know how much my dog was eating exactly, and when he had to go outside.. Chase gets fed twice a day now at the same time, so I know when he has to go outside to do his business. I suppose this is different with kibble, but I feed raw chicken mince and I definitely wouldn't want that standing around all day. Also, I like him knowing that I'm the one feeding him, and that I'm eating before him and thus am the pack leader :P So before he gets his food, I pretend to eat from it (is that weird?), and he has to sit and do a trick = he has to earn his food.

BriMac35 · 02-06-2008, 08:12 AM

I don't free feed either . For one , my male Rat terrier would founder himself . He would eat till he'd drop over or bust . But the main reason is to make sure they get the right amount and keep the excess weight off them .

Shalva · 02-06-2008, 10:09 AM

I used to free feed but don't anymore primarilly because I feed a raw diet and with seven dogs I can't imagine leaving food down..... Emmett would eat everything.....

I htink that dogstar has some very valid points about why not to free feed.
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Rowdy · 02-06-2008, 11:03 AM

The cats free feed. We just keep their bowls full and they eat what they want.

When we just had Toby we did a modified free feed. In the morning we'd put down his food and he'd graze over the day.

When we got Cameron we had to change that. Cameron is a shark with fur. We were afraid that he'd try to steal Toby's food and blood would be shed. Now both dogs are fed twice a day.

LaTuFu · 02-06-2008, 11:05 AM

I'm in agreement with all of the above comments. Its important to know how much your dog is eating and when.

And if you own a bully breed (based on your screen name thats my assumption) the additional benefit of controlled feeding is that your dog will always be looking to you for direction. Make her work for her meal, and let her know you are the one that controls when she eats. It will strengthen your bond with her and make her feel more secure knowing you are definitely in charge.

Free feeding would deprive you of a great opportunity to do that.

Love's_Sophie · 02-06-2008, 11:53 AM

I have a dog who would guard the bowl if it was left down 24\7...from our other dog, the cats, and the humans!

Even before I had a food guarder I fed 2 times a day, because it is much easier to moniter the dog; how he's eating, if he seems to be 'off'...as Dogstar stated, if a dog isn't eating, that is often the only sign that something is wrong; I have found this to be very true!

Feeding separately and not free choice, can prevent food guarding, or other aggression issues related to food, because you as the leader are controlling the administration of it; the dog doesn't 'own' his food dish, or the food, he earns the food, and gets to use 'your' dishes...

Feeding by 'hand' can greatly enhance your relationship with your dog.

SpudFan · 02-06-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaTuFu

And if you own a bully breed (based on your screen name thats my assumption) the additional benefit of controlled feeding is that your dog will always be looking to you for direction.

I free feed multiple Bull Terriers. One of the main reasons is to control aggression. The two main causes for scuffles are attention and resources. By providing unlimited access to food and water the dogs know that it is always there and there is no competition over it. We do the same thing with toys. They are always available (and in huge numbers).
I also do not agree with the other posts of not being able to keep track of the dog’s movements or how much they eat. It is very easy to spot when one of the dogs is not eating or when their routine changes. My
Our mechanism for feeding is quite simple. We have multiple bowls that are always filled up. If we go on vacation then we use a combination of the bowls along with automatic feeders and a neighbor checking in on them each day.
By free-feeding we have much calmer happier dogs. We have removed any of the frantic behavior I see around mealtimes that many other people have. We are also not slaves to a specific time table.

Ella'sMom · 02-06-2008, 12:57 PM

Ella is a grazer. She doesn't like to eat early in the morning but may have a few bites. I am not certain what I do is a good idea by leaving her food out all the time but I do. She isn't overweight and isn't really a huge eater. She eats when she is hungry. This works because I am home most of the day. I think whatever works for your dog and your lifestyle is what's best. I do know how much Ella eats all day because I do monitor it. I don't keep filling it.

wvasko · 02-06-2008, 01:39 PM

Dogstar, did not miss anything. Free feeding is a recipe for disaster. There are just too many things that can happen. Operating a kennel 1st sign of dogs getting ill are of paramount importance to me. I also only give dogs 15 minutes to finish food. This is my personal preference.

Omega_Brindle_Pit_Bull · 02-06-2008, 02:32 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I only have one dog, so I know how much she is eating even if I do free feed. She doesn't "guard" her food, when she is inside, she actually shares a water bowl with the cats and picks up the little bits that get dropped on the ground. Also, I let her pretty much finish her bowl of food before I feed her again. Usually it takes her about a day to a day and a half to finish what I put out for her, so its not out all that long.

SpudFan · 02-06-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogstar

In general, I'm not a fan of free feeding. Even if your dog doesn't overeat, there are still a LOT of good reasons NOT to free feed.

Firstly, when you free-feed- particularly if you use a gravity feeder and just refill when it's empty (regardless of quantity it holds), it's hard to tell how much your dog is actually eating- and if you have more than one, it's essentially impossible. A change in eating habits is often an early sign of illness- sometimes the ONLY sign- and it's important to know.

Secondly, food is a great opportunity to bond with your dog. Even if you don't have time to make your dog work for his whole meal, working for part of it is a great training tool. Especially with dogs who are confined away from the family- which it sounds like your dog might be- interactive food-dispensing toys (homemade or storebought- things like Kongs, food hidden in an empty, uncapped soda bottle, buster cubes, etc) are a great way to let the dog occupy her time.

Thirdly, food that sits out attracts pests. This isn't AS big a deal indoors, but it's a major one outdoors. Beyond ants, dog food loses nutritional value more quickly in a hot, open environment than in a cool, dark, rolled-down bag.

I would argue that your concerns 1 and 3 are easily mitigated and in practice not much of an issue. Naturally if one is feeding raw then I don't think any of this debate applies as one would not be in a position to free feed.

Your second point is however a good one. I would however submit that it is not really related to food as one can easily find time to spend with the dog anyway. However if the person is only able to spend time with the dog during feeding then yes it is a good idea. Of course this raises the question of why one is getting an animal if one can not devote the time and energy

Omega_Brindle_Pit_Bull · 02-06-2008, 04:28 PM

I am a bachelor that lives by myself, and the only time she is "confined" from her family is when I am at work and she is outside. She sleeps in my bed with me, whenever I'm sitting on the couch she is laying on my feet, etc. Her food bowl is outside, so I guess its not even really free feeding because she is not out there all day. I have been getting her used to riding in the car with me and she follows me around the house where ever I go. I don't think there is an issue of bonding with the puppy. She goes outside at about 11am when I get up and gets let back in around 12pm or so, then I put her back outside before I go to work, which is usually from about 3:30-10. Then she comes back in and only goes out to go to the bathroom. We go to bed around 2-3am and then it all starts over again at about 10-11am when I wake up. My dog loves me and I love her. I would not have gotten a dog if I was going to "confine" her away from me all the time.
My main concern was about free feeding being healthy. But after thinking about it, as I mentioned before she is only outside with her food for so long, so she can't really eat all day long even if she wanted to.

Debbie P · 02-06-2008, 04:43 PM

I have several little Maltese. I feed them wet food each morning before going to work, and again when I get home.

I leave kibble out 24/7 for them to nibble on. They are kept in the house, so no bugs. I empty, and fill, the small bowl every other day, with fresh kibble.

This has worked well for us. Mine do not overeat, and by feeding the wet twice a day, gives me the opportunity to make sure they have healthy appetites.

PhotoMom · 02-06-2008, 06:03 PM

I used to free feed my husky for the simple fact that she was a finicky eater. She did great like that for a while, when I was walking her 10 miles a day. But we are paying for it now. I had to stop walking about 2 yrs ago when I was pregnant with my second daughter due to back issues and, well, she got fat.

Now I get lectured by my vets

I was told at the last appointment that she HAS to loose 10 pounds by her next appointment or else (lol)

I found that once I stopped free feeding her, she stopped being finicky! Some days she wont want to eat one meal. I give her 15 minutes to eat her food and then I take it away (if she doesn't eat it)

Shes done really well with this. Now to just get that weight off her. I dont free feed my cats because they would eat all day long and the same with my dane although there would be other issues with that (being a dane.)

I'll never free feed another animal again now that I have more knowledge about it.

Amber