Multiple Dog Question
 

I have an eating question for those with more than one dog. Rosie is on I/D because of her IBS. I have always fed her in the morning and again in the evening. In addition, I always left dry food out in her dog bowl. Very very rarely does she ever eat it. But would ever once in a while.

Now, on to the problem. Mikki came to us a few months ago. The previous owner said she too was on Science Diet. So, I have just been feeding her the same thing Rosie eats because my vet said it would be fine. The problem is that she is eating in the morning and evening PLUS going to the food bowl. It seems like she is always eating!

To make a long story short, I talked to the vet today. They told me to completely take up the food bowl and only feed her the two times a day. They also gave me samples of puppy food because it would help to make her less hungry. I am fine with that but my question is this...is this fair to Rosie to have the bowl up? She is used to it being there and it has never been a problem for her. I am really kinda torn. I need to do it for Mikki but want to be fair to Rosie as well.

Am I worrying for nothing? Has anyone else had this issue? What about the puppy food, ever heard of that? Any advice is appreciated!

I wouldn't think it'd be too great for a healthy dog to be on an RX food, but maybe that's just me?

Mikki is not a puppy, correct? I wonder why they are recommending puppy food?

Honestly, dogs get used to change. When Jackson got sick, I no longer could leave food down all day because he would eat it all up real quickly. Since then, he's on a schedule for the most part. I don't think Rosie would mind, so long as she's still getting the appropriate amount of food of course. :)

i offer mine food 3 times a day. if i left food out my little piggy Tootsie would eat it all up and get fat. i think it would be fair to Rosie to not leave food out if you offer her either more food at another time or maybe some extra treats instead.... then you could control the amount that Mikki is eating at the extra feeding, let her have some but not as much as what she would eat if you left it out

That is a good idea Elaine. I didn't think about that. That way she for sure is not hungry. And I can adjust the amount easily. Getting too much and gaining weight is my main concern for Mikki. I swear every time I turn around she is eating. That can't be good. My DH says I am over reacting! Go figure!!

i dont think your over reacting... we care about our babies and dont want them getting overweight :) .
Tootsie sounds just like Mikki, always wanting to eat. i think maybe she just doesnt know when she is full, cause i know she is having plenty to eat.

I agree with the 3 meal plan, or extra kibble treats during the course of the day.

I had a similar problem when Teddy was still grazing and Max was not. Teddy will still leave his bowl of food occasionally. Having separate bowls helps. Max will steal a couple every once in awhile, but he knows it is Teddy's bowl. We do 3 small meals per day.

Ha ha. Yep she is now anyway. She is living a different life that is for sure. I wondered if she was hording the food for a reason. Maybe it is just common in dogs. She will gather 4 or 5 pieces and put them in different places around the house then goes there to eat them. We thought it was strange. But we are used to Rosie girl just eating it out of the bowl!

I did ask the vet and he said it was fine. I am trying to get more information from another source right now. She is one year old according to the previous owner. They said puppy food might be more filling for her. That was the only reason for recommending it. I don't know! I guess we will see what happens. I know Rosie has to stay on SD because of her IBS. I have tried to change and it just can't happen. Maybe I will find out some information that could answer these questions. :confused:

I have been told in the past that it was ok to give ID and EN to healthy dogs.

As for the free feeding, I don't do that and honestly don't think it will hurt your Rosie to stop it. She will get used to it! I free fed my Sassy (years ago) for about a year and then got another pup that was getting fat so I stopped. My Sassy adjusted and did just fine with two meals/day! :)

Not sure about the puppy food thing...I would be concerned about weight gain.

I really think I may just try to feeding three times a day like Elaine suggested. But I think I am going to stick with the I/D instead of the puppy food. Maybe that will keep her from getting hungry. I am not sure she is eating because she is hungry anyway. I don't know why she eats all the time. Well, If it isn't broke don't fix it right? By sticking with the I/D and feeding them 3 times a day, I think both of the girls will be getting treated fairly. She has been doing fine on the I/D and I also don't have the problem of Rosie getting into her food by accident. Because her getting into Mikki's food would be a problem. The vet didn't see any problem with Mikki having the I/D. So I am glad that you heard that as well. Makes me feel better about it. :)

Not only is puppy food higher in fat but I would also be concerned about the balance of other nutrients like calcium and phosphorus in a puppy food for an adult dog.

Sometimes I feel like Taycie seems hungry mid day while I am at work so I bring along her kibble and give it to her as treats she likes it:)

I hope you find out what works!

Ellie was free fed until Rylee came. Now she is fed twice a day just like him. No problem with it for either dog. Some days they get a treat or two and some days they don't. Unless your pups are very small, very young, or there is an underlying health issue, feeding 3x daily should not be necessary. I mean, maybe some dogs will do better on it, but then I'd wonder what is going on. Even small dogs should be able to eat just 2x daily.

I/D is fine for a healthy dog, but haven't there been some opinions about it being not very filling? I would take the healthy pup off of it and try an adult maintenance food. Puppy food is high in fat. I wouldn't be excited to do that. My pups are fed different foods and we do fine. They each get what they do well on.

Regarding 3 meals, with Max, it is a matter of principle to him. He wouldn't give up lunch when he grew up. :) Teddy could go without it now. I make that meal the smallest of the day.

I think the 3 small meals is a way to go. The girls do have separate bowls but Rosie will try to steal what she can!!

I am thinking the same amount of food but separating the meals. I just don't want Mikki eating all the time. Maybe could even head back to the 2 meals per day. And Rosie may not even need the 3rd one as well. My concern in feeding Mikki a different food is Rosie getting in it. With her IBS it would not be good. I think the puppy food is out. I wonder now if the girl even asked the vet or is giving me her own advice on the puppy food. I think we may have to do the I/D for a while. Or until I can figure out how to feed Mikki where Rosie will not get in it.