When to stop free feeding?

[mommacarrie02]

My Tucker is 15 weeks old. I am wondering at what age do I stop free feeding, and go to a 2-3 times daily schedule?

Thanks!!

[Micah my love]

I never stop they have food & water available 24/7

[horsnaround]

me either mine have food and water 24/7

[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.

[DamSweet]

Carrie - I feed my girls a good breakfast, and then a good dinner. They do have water down all day, and they do have a little "treat dispenser" that they have to work at to get a treat out while I'm at work. I don't free feed because the girls share a room, and if I left food down all the time, Bridget would for sure eat most of it....hungry or not, and Greta would be left with little. At that point I wouldn't know who had what. Before Greta came to me - I free fed Bridget (well not totally FREE-fed because she'd eat until she'd burst - but I would leave some kibble down all day) - and gradually got her on a schedule of sorts. If they seemed overly hungry at either meal - I would definitely make different arrangements, but this seems to be working.....at least for now. My girls are both 15 months old and 5 and 7lbs - I think that is a factor as well.

[Nancy1999]

Joey's breeder recommended free feeding the first 7 months; you are likely to prevent any episodes of hypoglycemia if you do this. Puppies can only eat small amounts at a time, and even a simple small period of play can wear them out, and produce hypoglycemia. If it goes on too long they lose their appetite and when you put out food they won't be interested, so having food available 24 hours helps prevent this. Many people free feed the dogs entire life, but I wanted to do some special training with Joey, and food has to be more carefully regulated. When he was free fed, he wasn't that food oriented, but now that meals are only twice a day, he's much more food driven. That has pros and cons, like most things.

[Maximo]

Feeding schedules are an individual decision. Some pups do better free feedings, others do best on a schedule.

When I brought Max home at 13 weeks old, his breeder already had him on a schedule of 3 meals and 2 snacks. I continued that until he was 8 months old when I tried unsuccessfully to drop him down to 2 meals a day. He still requires 3 meals, as does his brother Teddy. They do best having their daily allotment spread out instead of divided into 2 very large meals.

Some dogs are great self regulators and won't overeat, but others will eat as much food as they can get their paws on. Whichever plan you choose, free feeding or scheduled meals, monitor your pup's intake and don't allow him to exceed the recommended daily serving. Also monitor his body and weight.

[mommacarrie02]

Thanks y'all!! This seems to be a subject that could lead to a debate. I have never fed on schede with my other pets. However, as I have researched, the subject seems to come up time and time again; each with their own opinion! I think I'll keep free feeding for now. He seems to be happy and healthy. In the end, that is really what I want ;-). I guess I can always make a change latter If need be.

Thanks for all the advise!!!

[mommacarrie02]

Sorry, "Advice"

[DamSweet]

Originally Posted by mommacarrie02

Thanks y'all!! This seems to be a subject that could lead to a debate. I have never fed on schede with my other pets. However, as I have researched, the subject seems to come up time and time again; each with their own opinion! I think I'll keep free feeding for now. He seems to be happy and healthy. In the end, that is really what I want ;-). I guess I can always make a change latter If need be.

Thanks for all the advise!!!

I think that's a good idea Carrie - Tucker's still pretty young. I never shedule fed any of my other pets either....not even my cats. But Bridget has the attitude that everything IS HERS, and she must have it ALL....food, toys, beds...etc - other pets just ate when they were hungry. Bridget also has grade 2/3 LP in her knees so her weight is an issue. Although Greta is a great weight she also has a slight LP so I'd like to continue keeping her weight down.

[LDMomma]

With my first two, we stopped free feeding when the girls reached one. Mostly because Daisy is small (5 pounds).

With Roxy, we stopped at about 3 months. She had already reached 5 pounds (westie) and I can't stand the way the girls smell after eating kibble. So we switched to 2 times a day feeding with a small "lunch."

So basically my answer is that I stop when they reach about 5 pounds or 1 year, whichever is first.

[citygirl123]

I still keep a small amount of kibble and water down during the day. I usually give Copper a couple of tablespoons of wet food mixed with kibble for dinner. I notice he eats kibble in the morning, but not so much during the day. As it gets close to dinner time, he might nibble a bit. So far the free feeding has not been a problem. I don't have an overweight dog, in fact he could put on a lb. and it would be good. He is 1 year old.

[Breny]

Its always best to keep fresh water down along with a quality kibble 24/7. Alot of time they will only take a couple kibbles throughout the day.

[MsCheryle478]

I have yet to ever have an overweight pet so I have always free fed.

[bellababy08]

I free feed both of mine. I tried the breakfast and dinner time schedule and Bella would never eat her breakfast just some of her dinner so I went back to free feeding...and Harley is just a lil man, he is 17 weeks and I keep food down for him 24/7. I more than likely will keep free feeding him as well, as long as he doesn't turn into a piggy LOL but I don't think he will.