[Cha Cha]

I have never been a fan of free feeding, and this is why...

1. My dogs are different ages and at different stages of their lives. So they require different kinds of food. I feed based on individual needs of each animal, based on age, amount of daily exercise, and overall condition, not on a generalized needs combined. What works well for one, may not be so great for another.

2. I feed four little meals a day. 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. My dogs know when it is time to eat, and they let me know if I am late, and I have never had an issue with picky eaters, even when changing foods. I read a alot on here about how some dogs will not eat their food. My dogs will eat whatever I put down for them to eat. They know this is all they are going to get until the next feeding, so they better eat.

3. Feeding this way also lets me know exactly how much each one of my dogs is eating, and I know exactly when (if ever, it is very very rare) that they go off their food which is an instant alarm to illness. This is difficult (although not impossible if you are very observant) with free feeding. If my dog does not eat in the morning, I know exactly when she started to not feel good. With free feeding a whole day could go by before you realize your dog has not been to the food dish which could be valuable time.

I am not advocating against free feeding if it works for you or anyone else. I am just telling you why I do not use this method.