Feeding, stick to the schedule or not.....

[Sheltiemama]

I have always wondered what is the best way to feed a dog. I know my cats eat like they would if they were in the wild with small portions several times a day. How about a dog in the wild? How would they eat? I don't think that has ever been addressed. We've been told to feed three times a day for pups and twice a day for adult dogs, but what is the research regarding wolves or other wild canids as far as their feeding habits. Are the feeding schedules for our convenience? What is the opinion regarding free choice food (limited to their daily allotment) which is the better way to feed?

Magic has always had free choice food and just lately I've put her on a schedule and I think she's eating more now than she did when she had free choice.

[Moo]

Feeding for me isn't about what happens with the wolves. It's what's convenient and what fits the stomach of my dog... I can't leave food out all day, he won't eat dry kibble, and anything added won't stay for very long.

We're on 2 meals a day, it leaves life predictable and controlled.

[GermanShepherds]

The Cat has a cat feeder, comes and eats when he wants.

The 4 pups are fed 2 times a day, 3 scoops each, I think ???
The Big Dogs are fed 1 time at night.

[weezyNollie]

My dogs (and i'm a sheltie owner) get fed once a day.. and it's dinner. My dogs don't need to be eating twice a day and even smaller amounts. Plus, they aren't typically hungry in the morning. I think wolves eat when they have it.. and being that the things that prey --prey animals (rabbits, birds, etc) -- come out at dusk and dawn, this when they probably eat.

[GermanShepherds]

Yea Weezy is right about dusk and dawn, if we feed the big boys in the afternoon they wont eat because its to hott. So they get fed at night and the pups get 3 scoops twice a day

[husky lover]

My little husky is fed three times a day. Usually 8 am, 1pm and 6pm. I feed her on the RAW diet and she has never been happier. Since I live in NC I have to keep her indoors most of the day because it is soooo hot. It's quite cute actually, she runs outside, does her thing and runs back inside. No wasted movements because it's so hot.

[Sheltiemama]

So basically it all depends on the dog. Magic has been on free choice kibble til about two weeks ago I changed her to 1/3 c kibble and 2T. canned lamb and rice twice a day. I think she's eating more with those two meals put together than she did all day with just the dry kibble. I do feel the meat is important, should I just feed kibble free choice and then give her just the canned at night?

[layla]

I think its up to the individual. If you're having trouble with housebreaking, feeding at prescribed times will give you an indication of when your dog is ready to poop so you can anticipate it and take him out. It also may give nervous dogs some security as the more scheduled their life is, the more secure they feel.

If you dont fall into those categories and your dog is not a piggy, I think free feeding is ok.

[Dax]

There are advantages to feeding on a schedule and removing any uneaten food. The biggest one is pests. Uneaten dog food attracts rodents, bugs, and other nasty things that might even make your dog sick.

Plus dogs love routine. It makes them feel the world has order.

[Cali]

we feed breaky at some point in the morning or mid afternoon, and supper at is 6PM sharp every day exept sundays in which they have no morning meal and larger supper at 5PM .