When to stop free feeding? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lil Sis · 01-20-2011, 10:48 AM

I am a free feeder. I do have a shih tuz who on the verge of overweight. He loves to eat-- but likes treats and human food best.

Saying that.... I don't think dogs should eat human food. My husband will not listen to me and feeds them. I finally got him to understand the dangers (fat, spices, bones and the foods that are toxic --like rasin bread!)

My question is: There is always water and a high quality kibble.. but Remy seams so intense when I am cooking or we are eatting. Is that because she is spoiled (husband not me... well mostly husband) and just likes human food, or the kibble is not enough? She is a year old and small 3.5 lbs. I do give her boiled chicken, rice, maybe a bit of egg added to her kibble time to time.
oh.. the vet said free fee is not good with yorkies because they become disinterested with the food that is down and will not eat. Remy eats.

Thanks in advance for your advice

Beamers Mom · 01-20-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommacarrie02

Sorry, "Advice"

Carrie - just a tip. I notice this post correcting advise to advice was only one minute since the post you wanted to correct.
When you post a message within the first few minutes you can hit the "edit" button and correct anything you want to correct, or add something if you want

On free feeding, I have always free fed with no problems.

xoxodoglover89 · 01-20-2011, 12:03 PM

The breeder I got Sasha from had her on 3 scheduled feedings a day. When I first got Sasha, I didn't know much of anything so I never knew of hypoglycemia and how much of an issue it could be. However, I was lucky and Sasha never had an episode. As she got older, she became uninterested in her afternoon meal so I eventually cut it down to 2 meals. I tried free feeding her at 1 point when she was going through her picky stage and I kept changing foods trying to find something she liked. Eventually, I went back to 2 scheduled feedings with some treats throughout the day of course and a bigger treat at night to hold her over for the evening. She eats both her meals with gusto now.

LDMomma · 01-20-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

I am a free feeder. I do have a shih tuz who on the verge of overweight. He loves to eat-- but likes treats and human food best.

Saying that.... I don't think dogs should eat human food. My husband will not listen to me and feeds them. I finally got him to understand the dangers (fat, spices, bones and the foods that are toxic --like rasin bread!)

My question is: There is always water and a high quality kibble.. but Remy seams so intense when I am cooking or we are eatting. Is that because she is spoiled (husband not me... well mostly husband) and just likes human food, or the kibble is not enough? She is a year old and small 3.5 lbs. I do give her boiled chicken, rice, maybe a bit of egg added to her kibble time to time.
oh.. the vet said free fee is not good with yorkies because they become disinterested with the food that is down and will not eat. Remy eats.

Thanks in advance for your advice

What kind of human food are you giving? I think they look intense about human food because of the smell of it. I would stick to only giving unflavored (no spices, sauces) meats, fruits, and vegetables. If the food has been processed, it's no good for them.

We actually don't give any treats. The only "treats" they get are pieces of our dinner meat (before cooking) if it's appropriate. Maybe one little piece of shredded cheese or a piece of dried fruit (nothing added) or vegetables.

Britster · 01-20-2011, 03:23 PM

I think it depends on individual dog and what the owner is comfortable with.

I dogsit a Rottweiler who will literally eat until he is sick... so free feeding is not really an option with him.

Jackson has never really been a big eater when I would just leave food out all day, so I HAVE to have him on somewhat of a schedule or else he eats way too little. So he gets pre-made raw for breakfast in the AM and kibble mixed with wet food for his dinner in the evening, BUT I do leave food out in his bowl all day (along with water, of course) that he has access to at all times... it usually goes untouched.

andreag08 · 01-21-2011, 08:06 PM

We always leave a some kibble for Bear ( he hardly ever eats any

since we home cook for him, and water all the time.

kjcmsw · 01-21-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaxtersMommy

I free feed also. I tried it the other way but they have a short attention span. lol They didnt want to eat when I wanted them to so I just leave it out. I do pick it up when I leave the house and just leave the water down.

I always make sure I leave food each day when I go to work (just in case some ER comes home and I'm late)...but they never eat anything when I'm gone and then as soon as I come home they run over and gobble it all up like they're starved (which they probably are after not eating all day)...so what's up with that? Why won't they eat when I'm gone?
But to answer the question. I free feed though since they've gained some weight I'm thinking maybe I should not.

FlDebra · 01-21-2011, 10:32 PM

I have always free fed. I recently was going to try bringing them to a 2-3 feedings a day schedule because my Ben (4 year old who recently was neutered) gained some weight. When I saw they were not liking the feeding schedule, I stepped up my exercise with Ben & got more stingy with treats -- & he has responded well with that. He may still have a 1/2 pound more on him than before but he was always described as lean by the vet. I still want him to get back to 4 pounds as that is what the vet said is most healthy -- best for heart, joints, etc. but I think he is gradually going back to his "home weight" on his own. This is the one and only instance of overweight (and I would not really call it over weight -- he is just not quite as lean as before) in all the years I have had yorkies. I have even thought they were too lean, but the vet says no -- this is best.

Mine are grab & run eaters. They take off with a kibble or two, bringing it to the rug under my dining room table usually, and eat there. Then they are good for an hour or so when they do it all again.

candigirl · 01-22-2011, 03:46 AM

if i didnt feed Lexie on a schedule she would be eating hardly anything. She was a very picky eater since i brought her home and when i switched her over to Orijen from Royal Canin she could hardly break one kibble in half on her own. I was forced to prepare her meals by smashing up the kibble in a baggie, mixing with wet and often times hand feeding her. Now that shes a little bigger she can handle the kibble size much better but still wouldnt eat much of them if i free fed. I'd rather be able to regulate exactly how much she eats and she is doing extremely well on a schedule, plus it works out cause i have to add fish oil to her breakfast and wet for her dinner.

01-20-2011, 10:48 AM	#16
Lil Sis Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,008	I am a free feeder. I do have a shih tuz who on the verge of overweight. He loves to eat-- but likes treats and human food best. Saying that.... I don't think dogs should eat human food. My husband will not listen to me and feeds them. I finally got him to understand the dangers (fat, spices, bones and the foods that are toxic --like rasin bread!) My question is: There is always water and a high quality kibble.. but Remy seams so intense when I am cooking or we are eatting. Is that because she is spoiled (husband not me... well mostly husband) and just likes human food, or the kibble is not enough? She is a year old and small 3.5 lbs. I do give her boiled chicken, rice, maybe a bit of egg added to her kibble time to time. oh.. the vet said free fee is not good with yorkies because they become disinterested with the food that is down and will not eat. Remy eats. Thanks in advance for your advice __________________ Shinja mom to Remy lil Sis to Bailey and Sammy

01-20-2011, 03:23 PM	#20
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	I think it depends on individual dog and what the owner is comfortable with. I dogsit a Rottweiler who will literally eat until he is sick... so free feeding is not really an option with him. Jackson has never really been a big eater when I would just leave food out all day, so I HAVE to have him on somewhat of a schedule or else he eats way too little. So he gets pre-made raw for breakfast in the AM and kibble mixed with wet food for his dinner in the evening, BUT I do leave food out in his bowl all day (along with water, of course) that he has access to at all times... it usually goes untouched. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

01-21-2011, 10:32 PM	#23
FlDebra Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL Posts: 7,651	Free Feeding for Life I have always free fed. I recently was going to try bringing them to a 2-3 feedings a day schedule because my Ben (4 year old who recently was neutered) gained some weight. When I saw they were not liking the feeding schedule, I stepped up my exercise with Ben & got more stingy with treats -- & he has responded well with that. He may still have a 1/2 pound more on him than before but he was always described as lean by the vet. I still want him to get back to 4 pounds as that is what the vet said is most healthy -- best for heart, joints, etc. but I think he is gradually going back to his "home weight" on his own. This is the one and only instance of overweight (and I would not really call it over weight -- he is just not quite as lean as before) in all the years I have had yorkies. I have even thought they were too lean, but the vet says no -- this is best. Mine are grab & run eaters. They take off with a kibble or two, bringing it to the rug under my dining room table usually, and eat there. Then they are good for an hour or so when they do it all again. __________________ FlDebra and her ABCs Annie, Ben, Candy Promoting Healthy Breeding to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier Standard

01-20-2011, 12:03 PM	#18
xoxodoglover89 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 747	The breeder I got Sasha from had her on 3 scheduled feedings a day. When I first got Sasha, I didn't know much of anything so I never knew of hypoglycemia and how much of an issue it could be. However, I was lucky and Sasha never had an episode. As she got older, she became uninterested in her afternoon meal so I eventually cut it down to 2 meals. I tried free feeding her at 1 point when she was going through her picky stage and I kept changing foods trying to find something she liked. Eventually, I went back to 2 scheduled feedings with some treats throughout the day of course and a bigger treat at night to hold her over for the evening. She eats both her meals with gusto now.

01-21-2011, 08:06 PM	#21
andreag08 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 67	We always leave a some kibble for Bear ( he hardly ever eats any since we home cook for him, and water all the time.

01-22-2011, 03:46 AM	#24
candigirl YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto, Ont Posts: 333	if i didnt feed Lexie on a schedule she would be eating hardly anything. She was a very picky eater since i brought her home and when i switched her over to Orijen from Royal Canin she could hardly break one kibble in half on her own. I was forced to prepare her meals by smashing up the kibble in a baggie, mixing with wet and often times hand feeding her. Now that shes a little bigger she can handle the kibble size much better but still wouldnt eat much of them if i free fed. I'd rather be able to regulate exactly how much she eats and she is doing extremely well on a schedule, plus it works out cause i have to add fish oil to her breakfast and wet for her dinner.