Owners of multiples..How do you feed them??

[jmdt]

Ok I have a question. I free feed my 4 guys. Wally is just 5mo and he needs to eat. On the other hand my Coco, who is 3, is getting heavy.
Pebbles as well is getting a bit chunky.
Ok, How do I feed them all and know how much they are eating? Wally and Pebbles like to eat in the morning. Coco eats mostly at night. I am getting confused as to what is the proper way. I guess I could put the food down for say 1/2 hour then pick it up then put it down for 1/2 hr at night then pick it up. But still how do I know if they are all getting enough if they are eating out of the same bowl. They are so used to it being there that they will pick here and there. Should I put it in four seperate bowls and then seperate them???

[WinstonMom]

I have 6 yorkies. They get fed in their crates or we would have a battle. Some get more, some get less, some take supplements, so I know everyone is getting what they should. Mine are all pigs, though, so they all inhale their food and the feeding ritual is over almost before it started. They go outside first thing in the morning, come in and each goes into their respective crate, much like cows going to their stall.

[jmdt]

Mine are not in crates though. They have full run of the house. They really don't seem hungry in the morning, except for Wally, the baby. He waits by the bowl. The others just seem to pick here and there. They don't have a set time they are hungry.

[my2boyz]

I feed the boys in the laundry room behind the puppy gate or the girls would take their food...the girls eat at the gate on the other side. The boys are small so they get a little less...Maddie and Megan are bigger so they get a bit more. I free feed during the day but I feed them each their own bowl of dry food with something mixed in for breakfast and supper each day...just so I know they are all getting the amount they need.

[AprilLove]

Mine are on scheduled feedings, twice a day, they each (4 dogs) have their own bowls and always eat at eating time. One of mine gains weight when she looks at a kibble, lol. I have to know exactly how much she is eating
They never try to steal each others food, they all have been trained to use their own bowls, but, after they are all four done, AprilLove goes to every bowl and licks them until they shine (stainless)

[jadabug]

Originally Posted by AprilLove

Mine are on scheduled feedings, twice a day, they each (4 dogs) have their own bowls and always eat at eating time. One of mine gains weight when she looks at a kibble, lol. I have to know exactly how much she is eating
They never try to steal each others food, they all have been trained to use their own bowls, but, after they are all four done, AprilLove goes to every bowl and licks them until they shine (stainless)

I just have 2 and we feed exactly this way. I also stay in the room with them when they eat. Jada is miss piggy and she will try to get at Bogies bowl if I am not in the room. And Bogie is a mamma's boy and he wanders off follwing me if I leave...I know they are spoiled but it works for us. Jada is the bowl licker at our house

[linda44]

Dakota goes in the spare room behind a gate, because he has prescription food only. The other six each have their own plates, I sit in the middle and place them around me. They dont get in each others dishes either, but Suki, she also gains looking at a kibble, thinks if it falls off a plate its fair game. lol

[miabellaamoure]

It's easier for me as a multi-Yorkie owner to have a regiment so, it's scheduled feeding for us.

I'll have to take a pic of what it looks like around here at feeding time at the zoo...

My girls all eat twice a day...8 am & 5 pm plus, a couple minuscule treats here and there during the day.

While I prepare all the girls bowls with their food, my feet are literally engulfed in fur while they magnetize themselves to me.

Then, I lay the bowls down while each dog is in a sit-stay position and sometimes if I have the time...they each give me a shake and I'll give the "go" command to eat.

Each eats out of their own respective bowls...inhaling their food like it was cocaine!

Also...Bella who's my TPottie...is also on a special diet and if I didn't stand watch during meal times...believe me, she'd be doing some shenanigans and somebody would be going without all their meal...she's a beast!

[ArmaniMan]

I put a 1/4 cup in each dish and watch them until they finish (less then 5 minutes)... I do this twice a day... this way I know exactly what each is eating plus they eat a different food... so I need to make sure they eat their respective foods.

[107barney]

We too have to separate the pack or there is bloodshed. Barney thinks he is entitled to everyone else's food - including the parrot. So, we feed twice a day. Daisy goes in the bathroom, Teddy goes behind a gated area of the kitchen and his highness eats in the kitchen. A few times he's tried to mentally intimidate the others, even through barriers.

Snacks are more orderly. The boys get theirs first. Teddy is a sloppy eater so Daisy runs in his crate after him and waits for him to drop his food and then she vacuums it up. Barney stands there and barks at them both. Oh and the Parrot yells a bunch of hellos during all this.

My dog trainer would be very unhappy with the scene here LOL

[Patti]

I feed my 3 three times a day and they all get fed n the kitchen lined up next to each other. They never go for the other's food until they are all doe and then they will check out each other's plate.

[jmdt]

Sometimes all 4 of mine are in the same bowl. They kind of look like they are waiting in line 'til it's their turn to go. I know I have to something but I just don't know what. I don't have time to stand there and wait until they are all finished. I might just give them each a bowl and in 15 min or so take it away until the evening. Then I wil do the same thng then. They will eventually get the idea that if theyare hungry or not they better eat because I am taking it away. I have to do something because my little Coco is way overweight and with his short legs he is having trouble. He is only 2. I have to be strong and train them this way. I guess

[MaddiesMommie]

I only have two girls but it can get crazy.
I feed 2X a day and the youngest gets fed in her crate. She eats, excuse me, inhales, her food in literally seconds!! The oldest is a more casual eater and it takes her a few minutes. I have to seperate them or my oldest would never get to finish without being aggrivated to death defending her food.

[Yorkiedaze]

I home cook and usually cook up a large batch every few weeks and freeze. I keep enough in the ref. to last five days. They get 1/4 cup in the morning and evening. For lunch they get either fruit and yogurt, or cheese and home made bones, or apples chopped into cottage cheese, dried fruits in a little oatmeal,..........just about anything really. No picky eaters here at all. They are chow hounds.

[DvlshAngel985]

WOW! Lots of good ideas here!
I just have one pup, but we use to live in a multi-dog home. (3) Danger and Gypsy (not my dogs) each have special foods. Danger gets senior diet because he has a bad back and needs more glucosamine which is in his food. Gypsy is a bit chubby and is suppose to be eating food to help control her weight. Kaji, my little angel, will eat anything but his own food. I was scheduling his food in the morning and night, but since the other dogs were being free fed, he helped himself to whatever he wanted.
I had to put him in his ex-pen, upstairs in my room, whenever I wasn't there to make sure he was eating his food, and not stealing others. Now that he's the only pup around he's free fed as their is no competition he feels no need to eat all at one sitting.