who "free feeds" their yorkies? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

y0rkiesR0ck · 07-09-2008, 06:55 AM

hey there!

i just wanted to get an idea of how many people on YT "free feed" their yorkies. i read a lot of threads on YT where people mention feeding their yorkies at specific times... i'm assuming there is a particular reason for doing this. maybe because some yorkies over eat/don't know when to stop?

i work all day so i like to leave a bowl of kibble for Kash to eat while i'm gone. and he never over eats because there is always food still in the bowl when i get home. while i'm at home, i leave the bowl of food out in the kitchen and he goes back and forth to eat when he wants to. he never just sits there eating until it's gone.

does this sound okay? he's not overweight, and he doesn't throw up his food. i guess i am just curious to know why some people feed a portions food a few times a day as opposed to just letting them eat when they want. is over eating the ONLY worry?

thanks!!

chattiesmom · 07-09-2008, 07:01 AM

My crew of 7 adults and 9 babies (plus Boo the Boxer) have fresh kibble and water available to them 24/7. What I have found is that when one starts eating they all want to eat. So I use this to get them to eat a larger meal in the AM and another larger meal in the PM. They nibble in between.

If you are concerned about how much Kash is eating, then become a Kibble Counter. Count out a portion of kibble so that you know exactly how many pieces are in his bowl. Then recount the kibble at the end of the day. You might be surprised.

If he is "fleshy" not thin and not fat, has ample energy, is peeing and pooping, then he is probably eating enough.

Judy in Waco · 07-09-2008, 07:05 AM

Here's a weird thing I learned from another YTer. When Gizmo was a puppy we free fed, but he really never ate much at all. I really worried about him.

Finally, a YTer told me to try feeding at specific times, and then take it up after a set amount of time. This shows him that food shouldn't be taken for granted and to eat when it's available.

I know it's strange, but it really worked! Of course, someone is always home with Gizmo (or 98% of the time, someone is here).

Hopefully, some of our working parents will have some suggestions for you.

Judy in Waco · 07-09-2008, 07:08 AM

Well, that's one difference. Gizmo is an only child. When other yorkies visit, they all tended to eat together. lol!

grandmatoall · 07-09-2008, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

My crew of 7 adults and 9 babies (plus Boo the Boxer) have fresh kibble and water available to them 24/7. What I have found is that when one starts eating they all want to eat. So I use this to get them to eat a larger meal in the AM and another larger meal in the PM. They nibble in between.

If you are concerned about how much Kash is eating, then become a Kibble Counter. Count out a portion of kibble so that you know exactly how many pieces are in his bowl. Then recount the kibble at the end of the day. You might be surprised.

If he is "fleshy" not thin and not fat, has ample energy, is peeing and pooping, then he is probably eating enough.

We always have kibble and water down for them. They get meat in the morning and in the early evening.

They usually get some kind of snack/treat also.. if they have eaten their meat like they should. If they don't eat the meat.. no treats later.

It works fine for me. None of them are food aggressive.

chattiesmom · 07-09-2008, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judy in Waco

Here's a weird thing I learned from another YTer. When Gizmo was a puppy we free fed, but he really never ate much at all. I really worried about him.

Finally, a YTer told me to try feeding at specific times, and then take it up after a set amount of time. This shows him that food shouldn't be taken for granted and to eat when it's available.

I know it's strange, but it really worked! Of course, someone is always home with Gizmo (or 98% of the time, someone is here).

Hopefully, some of our working parents will have some suggestions for you.

Judy has an excellent point -- you might try feeding this way if the free feeding doesn't work for you. Be open minded to trying new techniques to get the desired result - which is getting Kash to consume an appropriate amount of high quality calories daily.

Judy in Waco · 07-09-2008, 07:26 AM

Oh, John just corrected me. We serve the big meals at specific times, but a little bit of kibble is available 24/7. But it's a different food than the big meals. We also have clean, cold water available all the time and wash his bowls every day.

Lynn WDW · 07-09-2008, 07:36 AM

Baxter is alone during the day and I have kibble out at all times. I measure out a portion according to the bag. In the morning I put it in "his" room. At night I put it in the kitchen bowl. He never eats all of it and he does get his treats. He is by no means fat. His ribs don't show but he is skinny. I think it is because he gets lots of exercise when I get home.

Timmy · 07-09-2008, 07:46 AM

I have mine on a schedule but also leave a few kibbles out for them to pick on. Since they are on a schedule they really do not pick on the kibbles so I end up throwing some away every night. I use to free feed but Mimi started to gain weight...The vet said it had to do with the allergy medicine but she needs to lose about 2 lbs because she also has LP so that extra weight isn't good for her. I do like having them on a schedule, plus Gabby has to be hand fed. She refuses to eat her dinner from the bowl...I think she scared of it or something. The funny thing is that she'll eat kibbles from the bowl.

cvasquez · 07-09-2008, 08:02 AM

We feed on a schedule. Before we got Paisley we had just gotten a lab puppy and my main concern with getting a dog was potty training. I did a lot of reading and found that schedule feedings help predict bowel movements. So this is what I did. It works for us to feed on a schedule. I am a stay at home mom so I am able to feed Paisley (and my lab) three meals a day.

I never had a concern of over eating, just a goal of successful potty training.

JesStang · 07-09-2008, 09:30 AM

We free-feed all 3 of our dogs (Yorkie, Poodle & Chihuahua). Food and water are available whenever they want it. They eat whenever they feel like it (which is usually when we're eating dinner

) and stop when they're full.

I don't see Yorkies as being those kind of dogs that eat just to eat. I think yours would be just fine w/ it.

nancyfancypants · 07-09-2008, 09:42 AM

I leave Gus's food and water out all day. He's not one to overeat or undereat, but he doesn't like to eat alone. If I'm not sitting with him because I'm getting ready for work, he won't eat a single bite, and I don't want him to go all day without eating. If I happen to have some time to sit in the kitchen, maybe putting on makeup or working on my laptop, he'll eat, but he'll stop if I leave the room. But he just seems to be more of a grazer anyway, preferring to eat a bit here and there spread out over the day.

mscat · 07-09-2008, 09:45 AM

I leave fresh Kibble out all the time, along with fresh water.

Yorkie's have tiny stomachs, and only eat so much at a time, then can be hungry again a few hours later .I did put Suzi's food bowl up one time, to try and start scheduling her feedings. SHe actually cried

SO Suzi is not one to enjoy scheduled feedings.

Ladylavender · 07-09-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvasquez

We feed on a schedule. Before we got Paisley we had just gotten a lab puppy and my main concern with getting a dog was potty training. I did a lot of reading and found that schedule feedings help predict bowel movements. So this is what I did. It works for us to feed on a schedule. I am a stay at home mom so I am able to feed Paisley (and my lab) three meals a day.

I never had a concern of over eating, just a goal of successful potty training.

I believe this may be the one of the main reasons others feed on a schedule. puppies who free feed tend to poop more and their BM's are hard to predict. By keeping them on a food schedule you can predict or control (to a degree) when they poop. If you are still trying to housebreak your puppy, scheduled feeding is one of the "keys" to success.

Another reason to feed on a schedule is so that the owner of the dog has "control" of the food. Dogs with "alpha" or aggressive issues must have a strong leader in order to mainstream them back into a beta role. Dogs establish their position in the pack by the amount of control they have over possessions (food, toys, doorways, furniture, etc). Dogs that demonstrate aggressive issues in other areas within the family should never be allowed to be free fed.

I think you will find that these are the 2 main reasons along with the weight gain issue.

nikkinack · 07-09-2008, 09:48 AM

I free feed Lily and Kingston but my big dog only gets feed 2times a day. If I left food out for my big dog he would eat till he got sick.

07-09-2008, 06:55 AM	#1
y0rkiesR0ck YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fairborn, OH Posts: 340	who "free feeds" their yorkies? hey there! i just wanted to get an idea of how many people on YT "free feed" their yorkies. i read a lot of threads on YT where people mention feeding their yorkies at specific times... i'm assuming there is a particular reason for doing this. maybe because some yorkies over eat/don't know when to stop? i work all day so i like to leave a bowl of kibble for Kash to eat while i'm gone. and he never over eats because there is always food still in the bowl when i get home. while i'm at home, i leave the bowl of food out in the kitchen and he goes back and forth to eat when he wants to. he never just sits there eating until it's gone. does this sound okay? he's not overweight, and he doesn't throw up his food. i guess i am just curious to know why some people feed a portions food a few times a day as opposed to just letting them eat when they want. is over eating the ONLY worry? thanks!! __________________ Mae, Kash & Milan

07-09-2008, 07:01 AM	#2
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,951	My crew of 7 adults and 9 babies (plus Boo the Boxer) have fresh kibble and water available to them 24/7. What I have found is that when one starts eating they all want to eat. So I use this to get them to eat a larger meal in the AM and another larger meal in the PM. They nibble in between. If you are concerned about how much Kash is eating, then become a Kibble Counter. Count out a portion of kibble so that you know exactly how many pieces are in his bowl. Then recount the kibble at the end of the day. You might be surprised. If he is "fleshy" not thin and not fat, has ample energy, is peeing and pooping, then he is probably eating enough. __________________ *Yorkie Yummies Silk Step-In Harnesses * NapSaks I'll see you in Alexandria, Virginia July 17 - 19, 2009!**

07-09-2008, 07:05 AM	#3
Judy in Waco Gizzy & Kandi spoil me Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 7,079	Here's a weird thing I learned from another YTer. When Gizmo was a puppy we free fed, but he really never ate much at all. I really worried about him. Finally, a YTer told me to try feeding at specific times, and then take it up after a set amount of time. This shows him that food shouldn't be taken for granted and to eat when it's available. I know it's strange, but it really worked! Of course, someone is always home with Gizmo (or 98% of the time, someone is here). Hopefully, some of our working parents will have some suggestions for you. __________________ Gizmo and Kandi's Judy Gizmo's dogster page http://www.dogster.com/dogs/566216 Kandi's dogster page http://www.dogster.com/dogs/921582

07-09-2008, 07:08 AM	#4
Judy in Waco Gizzy & Kandi spoil me Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 7,079	Well, that's one difference. Gizmo is an only child. When other yorkies visit, they all tended to eat together. lol! __________________ Gizmo and Kandi's Judy Gizmo's dogster page http://www.dogster.com/dogs/566216 Kandi's dogster page http://www.dogster.com/dogs/921582

07-09-2008, 07:26 AM	#7
Judy in Waco Gizzy & Kandi spoil me Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 7,079	Oh, John just corrected me. We serve the big meals at specific times, but a little bit of kibble is available 24/7. But it's a different food than the big meals. We also have clean, cold water available all the time and wash his bowls every day. __________________ Gizmo and Kandi's Judy Gizmo's dogster page http://www.dogster.com/dogs/566216 Kandi's dogster page http://www.dogster.com/dogs/921582

07-09-2008, 07:36 AM	#8
Lynn WDW Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 209	Baxter is alone during the day and I have kibble out at all times. I measure out a portion according to the bag. In the morning I put it in "his" room. At night I put it in the kitchen bowl. He never eats all of it and he does get his treats. He is by no means fat. His ribs don't show but he is skinny. I think it is because he gets lots of exercise when I get home.

07-09-2008, 07:46 AM	#9
Timmy Mimi & Gabby too! Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 3,208	I have mine on a schedule but also leave a few kibbles out for them to pick on. Since they are on a schedule they really do not pick on the kibbles so I end up throwing some away every night. I use to free feed but Mimi started to gain weight...The vet said it had to do with the allergy medicine but she needs to lose about 2 lbs because she also has LP so that extra weight isn't good for her. I do like having them on a schedule, plus Gabby has to be hand fed. She refuses to eat her dinner from the bowl...I think she scared of it or something. The funny thing is that she'll eat kibbles from the bowl. __________________ Timmy Mimi Gabby R.I.P Lilly 11/10/06-7/25/07 I miss you baby girl! www.dogster.com/?328270 Think Rescue www.yorkierescueme.com

07-09-2008, 08:02 AM	#10
cvasquez Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: justin tx Posts: 112	Help with potty training We feed on a schedule. Before we got Paisley we had just gotten a lab puppy and my main concern with getting a dog was potty training. I did a lot of reading and found that schedule feedings help predict bowel movements. So this is what I did. It works for us to feed on a schedule. I am a stay at home mom so I am able to feed Paisley (and my lab) three meals a day. I never had a concern of over eating, just a goal of successful potty training. __________________ Christina

07-09-2008, 09:30 AM	#11
JesStang Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, Oklahoma Posts: 96	We free-feed all 3 of our dogs (Yorkie, Poodle & Chihuahua). Food and water are available whenever they want it. They eat whenever they feel like it (which is usually when we're eating dinner ) and stop when they're full. I don't see Yorkies as being those kind of dogs that eat just to eat. I think yours would be just fine w/ it.

07-09-2008, 09:42 AM	#12
nancyfancypants YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Greater Pittsburgh area Posts: 284	I leave Gus's food and water out all day. He's not one to overeat or undereat, but he doesn't like to eat alone. If I'm not sitting with him because I'm getting ready for work, he won't eat a single bite, and I don't want him to go all day without eating. If I happen to have some time to sit in the kitchen, maybe putting on makeup or working on my laptop, he'll eat, but he'll stop if I leave the room. But he just seems to be more of a grazer anyway, preferring to eat a bit here and there spread out over the day.

07-09-2008, 09:45 AM	#13
mscat Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Avenal, California Posts: 1,839	I leave fresh Kibble out all the time, along with fresh water. Yorkie's have tiny stomachs, and only eat so much at a time, then can be hungry again a few hours later .I did put Suzi's food bowl up one time, to try and start scheduling her feedings. SHe actually cried SO Suzi is not one to enjoy scheduled feedings. __________________ "No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."

07-09-2008, 09:48 AM	#15
nikkinack YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 1,459	I free feed Lily and Kingston but my big dog only gets feed 2times a day. If I left food out for my big dog he would eat till he got sick. __________________ Member of Petite Pups United and Spoiled Rotten Club Proud member of the CrAzYcLuB