Do you leave food available all the time? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Elyse · 07-16-2011, 06:38 AM

I feed my pup 3 times a day. If I left food out for him he would eat allllll day! I feel like it's a good training method (has to earn his food), as well as helpful for potty training, and it lets him know that I am his pack leader and he doesn't get to control his life.

My husband and I are lucky though- we work at home except for just a few hours in the afternoon... so we're usually around to feed him. When we're gone he goes in his crate and usually just sleeps. Not free feeding is what works for us and our vet discouraged free feeding also.

-elyse

EIgnelzi · 07-19-2011, 11:09 PM

Leaving food for them all day long, works best for my babies. I changed from commerical dog food to natural food (live longer, no health issues, skin & coat shinnier, even attitude changed ...now they think their human babies)....& I have NO REGRET!!! Fresh veggies & fruit, liver, chicken, beef...new receipes all the time so they dont get bored and eat healthly...excercise them at a nearby park once or twice daily or - let them run around, chase birds, squirrels & chipmunks....I let them be dogs! They live life to the fullest!

susan lynn · 07-20-2011, 03:11 AM

I have 4 so I have always fed them by hand to make sure they get their share. The one time I put food down for them, my baby Sassy almost choked to death on a piece of kibble. I had to do the Heimlich maneuver on her to save her life. Another YT member posted last week that she was free feeding her yorkie and came home and he had choked on his food and died. I just don't want that to happen to anyone. I did change my dogs food to much smaller pieces, they are 6-16 lbs, all Yorkies.

TxVicki · 07-20-2011, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan lynn

I have 4 so I have always fed them by hand to make sure they get their share. The one time I put food down for them, my baby Sassy almost choked to death on a piece of kibble. I had to do the Heimlich maneuver on her to save her life. Another YT member posted last week that she was free feeding her yorkie and came home and he had choked on his food and died. I just don't want that to happen to anyone. I did change my dogs food to much smaller pieces, they are 6-16 lbs, all Yorkies.

I had posted that my friend's Chi had choked on his food and passed away. My friend is still very upset about this.

I know for me I don't free feed and I don't leave treats or chewies out either when I am gone. Too many things can happen.

susan lynn · 07-20-2011, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxVicki

I had posted that my friend's Chi had choked on his food and passed away. My friend is still very upset about this.

I know for me I don't free feed and I don't leave treats or chewies out either when I am gone. Too many things can happen.

Sorry if this was your post and I got it wrong.

Ellie May · 07-20-2011, 08:59 AM

For Ellie her kibble is in her playpen and she goes in there throughout the day to chill and eat. So she eats when she feels like it. Usually I don't give her any when I leave. Depends on how long I will be gone.

My other (non Yorkie) puppy eats 2x daily.

Nancy1999 · 07-20-2011, 09:14 AM

Joey's breeder said to free feed till they are 6-7 months in order to prevent hypoglycemia. I don't think you really need to worry about weight the first 6 months, they go through growth spurts and some days will eat twice as much as other days, and you want that food available until they have at least reached 4 pounds. After that, twice a day is fine for most dogs, but some dogs are free fed their entire lives and never get fat.

Courtney1607 · 08-25-2011, 11:34 PM

No. She is 12 weeks and gets fed 3 times a day. Homegirl LOVES to eat and if I free fed her she would eat all.day.long.

LDMomma · 08-26-2011, 05:38 AM

I free feed pups until they are 6 months old or 5 pounds....whichever comes first.

My first two, I free fed until they were 2 years old. Then we got a Westie puppy and she is the type that will eat until there is no food left. So, we started scheduled feedings when she hit 5 pounds. None of my 4 have weight issues.

Valenie · 08-26-2011, 05:41 AM

My Tibbs did this and still acted like he was starving. SO now I feed him and Bella on a schedule 3 times a day. Once at 8am when I get up again about noon and then between 4-6. Hope this helps.

angieNchloe · 08-26-2011, 06:22 AM

Because I stay at home right now, I feed 5 to 6 tiny meals. Yorkies are not like my Jack Russell, he eats every morning and every night. My yorkie eats tiny portions. If I had to work, I too would have to leave out her kibble so she could nibble from time to time during the day, but the amount I feed for a whole day would still be the same, this kibble I left out wouldn't be in addition to her meals.

LuvTaycieGirl · 08-26-2011, 07:05 AM

I have always scheduled fed Taycie. For me, and Taycie it works the best. When she was a puppy I was trying to free feed her but she would linger at her food dish and sometimes I got worried she wasn't eating enough. Scheduled feedings helped her learn to eat when food was available. That is what worked for us, but ...every dog is different.

I feed first thing after her morning potty then when I get home from work anywhere between 5 and 6. Right before bed I usually give her a small handful of kibble as a treat.

katirob · 08-26-2011, 07:54 AM

I tried to follow the schedule her breeder gave me, but Gracie was so inconsistent she started losing a little weight. I hand fed, played games with food, did just about everything but stand on my head to get her to eat consistently. She was eating, but not her full 3 meals per day and if I took the food away after 10 or 20 minutes, she wouldn't have eaten at all. Don't want to free feed for all the reasons listed though.

So yesterday, I got a small can of Science Diet wet food and mixed a TEENY bit with her kibble and she practically inhaled her meal. Same thing this morning. I'm using so little that the small can should last 3 or 4 days. What a difference. I want to keep her on kibble for her teeth, and didn't want to change her kibble so soon, but wanted her to eat regularly. Problem solved. I'm home all day, but if I weren't I'd probably mix the wet and dry for breakfast and dinner then leave a signle meal-portion amount of kibble out during the day. For Gracie, I'd know at least that the was eating a good breakfast before I left for work.

MI Yorkielover · 08-26-2011, 08:10 AM

We free feed our Sophie. She eats until she's full and then walks away from her bowl not to return until she is hungry again. Works great for all of us

babyhailey · 08-26-2011, 08:53 AM

If you don't mind spending some money, let me suggest getting an automatic feeder which can help portion your meal and your pup can be on a schedule! Search on eBay for some cheap ones. I dont think you should leave too much food for him. First, they might eat too quickly or too much (making them get fat!) and second (just my thought) its in the laundry room so there may be a lot of dust and bacteria that might get into his food while its in the plate!

07-20-2011, 03:11 AM	#18
susan lynn Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,262	I have 4 so I have always fed them by hand to make sure they get their share. The one time I put food down for them, my baby Sassy almost choked to death on a piece of kibble. I had to do the Heimlich maneuver on her to save her life. Another YT member posted last week that she was free feeding her yorkie and came home and he had choked on his food and died. I just don't want that to happen to anyone. I did change my dogs food to much smaller pieces, they are 6-16 lbs, all Yorkies. __________________ SUSAN : TESSIE : HOBBES :CALVIN :SASSY There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face! ~ Ben Williams

07-20-2011, 08:59 AM	#21
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	For Ellie her kibble is in her playpen and she goes in there throughout the day to chill and eat. So she eats when she feels like it. Usually I don't give her any when I leave. Depends on how long I will be gone. My other (non Yorkie) puppy eats 2x daily. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

07-20-2011, 09:14 AM	#22
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	Joey's breeder said to free feed till they are 6-7 months in order to prevent hypoglycemia. I don't think you really need to worry about weight the first 6 months, they go through growth spurts and some days will eat twice as much as other days, and you want that food available until they have at least reached 4 pounds. After that, twice a day is fine for most dogs, but some dogs are free fed their entire lives and never get fat. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

08-26-2011, 05:41 AM	#25
Valenie Owned by Bella & Tibbs Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Loyall KY USA Posts: 2,252 Blog Entries: 15	My Tibbs did this and still acted like he was starving. SO now I feed him and Bella on a schedule 3 times a day. Once at 8am when I get up again about noon and then between 4-6. Hope this helps. __________________ XOXO Valenie LOVING Mommy to Tibbers Bella and my son Adam!

08-26-2011, 07:05 AM	#27
LuvTaycieGirl Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Salt Lake City UT,USA Posts: 2,726 Blog Entries: 1	I have always scheduled fed Taycie. For me, and Taycie it works the best. When she was a puppy I was trying to free feed her but she would linger at her food dish and sometimes I got worried she wasn't eating enough. Scheduled feedings helped her learn to eat when food was available. That is what worked for us, but ...every dog is different. I feed first thing after her morning potty then when I get home from work anywhere between 5 and 6. Right before bed I usually give her a small handful of kibble as a treat. __________________ Emily and Taycie Love you little girl

07-16-2011, 06:38 AM	#16
Elyse YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Springfield, Illinois, USA Posts: 6	I feed my pup 3 times a day. If I left food out for him he would eat allllll day! I feel like it's a good training method (has to earn his food), as well as helpful for potty training, and it lets him know that I am his pack leader and he doesn't get to control his life. My husband and I are lucky though- we work at home except for just a few hours in the afternoon... so we're usually around to feed him. When we're gone he goes in his crate and usually just sleeps. Not free feeding is what works for us and our vet discouraged free feeding also. -elyse

07-19-2011, 11:09 PM	#17
EIgnelzi YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wheaton, IL USA Posts: 3	Leaving food for them all day long, works best for my babies. I changed from commerical dog food to natural food (live longer, no health issues, skin & coat shinnier, even attitude changed ...now they think their human babies)....& I have NO REGRET!!! Fresh veggies & fruit, liver, chicken, beef...new receipes all the time so they dont get bored and eat healthly...excercise them at a nearby park once or twice daily or - let them run around, chase birds, squirrels & chipmunks....I let them be dogs! They live life to the fullest!

08-25-2011, 11:34 PM	#23
Courtney1607 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 52	No. She is 12 weeks and gets fed 3 times a day. Homegirl LOVES to eat and if I free fed her she would eat all.day.long.

08-26-2011, 05:38 AM	#24
LDMomma YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FL Posts: 410	I free feed pups until they are 6 months old or 5 pounds....whichever comes first. My first two, I free fed until they were 2 years old. Then we got a Westie puppy and she is the type that will eat until there is no food left. So, we started scheduled feedings when she hit 5 pounds. None of my 4 have weight issues.

08-26-2011, 06:22 AM	#26
angieNchloe Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East Tn Posts: 402	Because I stay at home right now, I feed 5 to 6 tiny meals. Yorkies are not like my Jack Russell, he eats every morning and every night. My yorkie eats tiny portions. If I had to work, I too would have to leave out her kibble so she could nibble from time to time during the day, but the amount I feed for a whole day would still be the same, this kibble I left out wouldn't be in addition to her meals.

08-26-2011, 07:54 AM	#28
katirob Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Snoqualmie, WA, USA Posts: 124	I tried to follow the schedule her breeder gave me, but Gracie was so inconsistent she started losing a little weight. I hand fed, played games with food, did just about everything but stand on my head to get her to eat consistently. She was eating, but not her full 3 meals per day and if I took the food away after 10 or 20 minutes, she wouldn't have eaten at all. Don't want to free feed for all the reasons listed though. So yesterday, I got a small can of Science Diet wet food and mixed a TEENY bit with her kibble and she practically inhaled her meal. Same thing this morning. I'm using so little that the small can should last 3 or 4 days. What a difference. I want to keep her on kibble for her teeth, and didn't want to change her kibble so soon, but wanted her to eat regularly. Problem solved. I'm home all day, but if I weren't I'd probably mix the wet and dry for breakfast and dinner then leave a signle meal-portion amount of kibble out during the day. For Gracie, I'd know at least that the was eating a good breakfast before I left for work.

08-26-2011, 08:10 AM	#29
MI Yorkielover Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 3,317	We free feed our Sophie. She eats until she's full and then walks away from her bowl not to return until she is hungry again. Works great for all of us __________________ Jackie Loves Sophie R.I.P ."Baby"* our little girl 1993-2009*

08-26-2011, 08:53 AM	#30
babyhailey Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 22	If you don't mind spending some money, let me suggest getting an automatic feeder which can help portion your meal and your pup can be on a schedule! Search on eBay for some cheap ones. I dont think you should leave too much food for him. First, they might eat too quickly or too much (making them get fat!) and second (just my thought) its in the laundry room so there may be a lot of dust and bacteria that might get into his food while its in the plate! __________________ Baby Hailey <3 01/11/11