I free feed too,I always have although we DID think about a shcedule for Jess when we got her.She was at 2lbs at 8 weeks old so we thought that maybe she didnt need to have food out all the time,but in the end we starting free feeding her too because it works best for mine.Right now Lady is 18months old and weighs 2lbs and Jess is 1 year old and weighs 7lbs,they arent over weight so I dont feel the need to take their food away