Free Feeding with Two?? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Cirlonde · 07-23-2012, 08:25 AM

We are planning to adopt a 2nd Yorkie this fall and I was wondering about free feeding versus scheduled meals. Our current Yorkie is accustomed to free feeding and she's never had a problem with over eating or anything. I just put her daily serving in her bowl in the morning and she's usually still got a handful left by bedtime.

Is it possible to free feed with two? I love the convenience of free feeding and I feel like it has kept Chloe from eating too fast and making herself sick. But I worry about the two dogs trying to eat each others' food (especially when one is on puppy food and the other is on adult food) as well as making sure they both get the right amount of food and don't fight over it.

So does anyone with multiple Yorkies free feed or do you all do scheduled, separate feedings?

Thanks for the input!
-C

dawn27 · 07-23-2012, 08:42 AM

Well I use to free feed mine but that got way out of hand. They all ballooned up into four little fatty's. (four porky Yorkies) So with a lot of effort on my part and after 2 yrs they are now on scheduled feeding but all get feed out of the same bowl. Happy to say that they have all lost weight too.

When they were pups I would feed them at the same time but when the pup is done I took the food up until the next feeding time. You might have to do scheduled feeding until the little one is ready to be switched to adult feed. Mixing foods whether you intended to or not will cause issues with runny stool and such with your older one.

Plus you want them to be comfortable around one another so that you dont cause food issues or aggression.

Lovetodream88 · 07-23-2012, 08:59 AM

My mom free feeds three and we free fed them when they where puppies but it was so long ago I cant remember how we got the puppies just to eat the puppy food. I don't live with my mom so Callie was free feed with out the worry's of another dog.

sganow · 07-23-2012, 09:18 AM

We free feed ours and when they were puppies we used an all life stages food (Nature's Variety Prairie chicken meal and brown rice). They all got the same food and it worked out well for us. We had 4-5 dogs. We have free fed ours for years. We put food in a LeBistro feeder (probably 3-4 days worth of food) and they graze at will. They don't fight or compete for their food and they don't eat real fast either. A lot of the time they eat a little bit and go about their business, then later come and eat a little more, etc. It works for some dogs and for some it doesn't work. All you can do is try it out to see how it goes. There are a lot of all life stages foods, but be careful of the calcium and phosphorus levels. You don't want the levels to be too high. Some foods labeled as all life stages can have levels that are too high for puppies, especially for larger breeds.

Cirlonde · 07-24-2012, 06:09 AM

Thanks so much for the responses! As long as some people have managed to free feed with multiple pets without problems then I'm willing to give it a try. I was thinking of keeping the puppy's food in her x-pen since she'll be crate training for awhile as we work on getting potty training down. That should give her plenty of time to eat undisturbed and keep Chloe out of the new pup's bowl. And of course, anytime the puppy isn't in her crate, she'll be with us so there shouldn't be any chance of her getting into Chloe's food. Hopefully, by the time she gets a little more freedom, we'll have been able to teach her to differentiate between her food and Chloe's food so that she knows which she can have and which she can't.

I'm awfully nervous about adding a second dog, but in an excited way! We've been talking about it for almost 2 years and just finally decided we're in the right place. We've got a trip planned to Seattle, Washington in September and then we'll be bringing some lucky little pup home! If we hadn't already bought plane tickets, I think I'd be skipping the trip just so we could get her sooner!

ironmike86 · 07-24-2012, 01:03 PM

If you free feed how will you know how much each is eating?? You need to monitor that. One may hardly get any food while one is a hog. JME

JasmineNoelle · 07-24-2012, 04:40 PM

Each of ours have their feeding dish attached to their own crate and they are free fed. Ours eat the same diet. They are not over weight and do not fight over food. They eat a few kibble at a time when ever they fill the need.

ritapatt · 07-24-2012, 04:59 PM

We schedule feed, each in their own area. I like to know how much each is or isn't eating. I have two gobblers and one slowpoke so they really need their own space.

skittlz · 07-24-2012, 08:21 PM

I free feed my dogs

jadabug · 07-25-2012, 02:06 AM

I really wish I could free feed...but Jada would clean out a bowl of kibble in 2 seconds flat. She has no control over how much she eats and gains weight easily. Neither Jada nor Bogie are grazers they scarf down their meals in less than a minute and that is with using slow feed bowls.
I would be scared to death to leave kibble out when I am not home either. Bogie has almost choked on kibble twice and If I had not been right there in the room with him, he would have died. After those episodes about a week apart, it took me almost two months of slowly giving him his evening meal 2-3 kibble at a time, to get him conditioned to slow down and actually chew his food.
Good luck on your endeavor. I am sure it is possible to free feed two dogs...just not my two

tinalove · 07-25-2012, 06:32 PM

I free feed both Khloe and Kirby. Khole is a puppy and she eats puppy food . Kirby is 8 years old. I have both their food in their individuals. I have had a few cases when they try to eat the others food. I guess it's because they are different brands and flavors. But most times they know their food and only eat their own food.

LunasMomma · 07-27-2012, 08:47 AM

You could always feed them both an "All life stages" food. Just an idea

Good luck with your new baby

!!!

McheleM · 07-28-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadabug

I really wish I could free feed...but Jada would clean out a bowl of kibble in 2 seconds flat. She has no control over how much she eats and gains weight easily. Neither Jada nor Bogie are grazers they scarf down their meals in less than a minute and that is with using slow feed bowls.
I would be scared to death to leave kibble out when I am not home either. Bogie has almost choked on kibble twice and If I had not been right there in the room with him, he would have died. After those episodes about a week apart, it took me almost two months of slowly giving him his evening meal 2-3 kibble at a time, to get him conditioned to slow down and actually chew his food.
Good luck on your endeavor. I am sure it is possible to free feed two dogs...just not my two

This is why I'm scared to free feed.

tokipoki · 07-29-2012, 04:59 AM

I tried free-feeding Toki and it wasn't too successful for us (I think I only tried it for a little over a week though so probably not long enough). The first couple days, she'd graze and finish all of her food but after that, she wasn't eating very much which really concerned me since she is still a puppy and I like to know exactly how much food she is eating. I would like to eventually switch over to free-feeding, especially when I'll be unable to set out her evening meal due to my work schedule, but for now Toki gets 2 scheduled meals a day which works for us.

I would still try the free-feeding though...I'm sure that you will be successful free-feeding with 2 since your older dog is already used to it and doesn't hoover up everything...I also like Tracy's suggestion of getting a good all-life stages food! I think if you were free-feeding 2 different types of food, your difficulty would be getting the pup to just eat the puppy food. Good luck! You'll find something that works for you!

07-23-2012, 08:25 AM	#1
Cirlonde YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, United States Posts: 402	Free Feeding with Two?? We are planning to adopt a 2nd Yorkie this fall and I was wondering about free feeding versus scheduled meals. Our current Yorkie is accustomed to free feeding and she's never had a problem with over eating or anything. I just put her daily serving in her bowl in the morning and she's usually still got a handful left by bedtime. Is it possible to free feed with two? I love the convenience of free feeding and I feel like it has kept Chloe from eating too fast and making herself sick. But I worry about the two dogs trying to eat each others' food (especially when one is on puppy food and the other is on adult food) as well as making sure they both get the right amount of food and don't fight over it. So does anyone with multiple Yorkies free feed or do you all do scheduled, separate feedings? Thanks for the input! -C __________________ (`•.¸Proud Momma of Chloe Belle and Karli Sue¸.•´) ~.•* Jersey's Four Leaf Clovers *•.~

07-23-2012, 08:42 AM	#2
dawn27 2+2=4 X the Love ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bean Town Ohio Posts: 9,456 Blog Entries: 1	Well I use to free feed mine but that got way out of hand. They all ballooned up into four little fatty's. (four porky Yorkies) So with a lot of effort on my part and after 2 yrs they are now on scheduled feeding but all get feed out of the same bowl. Happy to say that they have all lost weight too. When they were pups I would feed them at the same time but when the pup is done I took the food up until the next feeding time. You might have to do scheduled feeding until the little one is ready to be switched to adult feed. Mixing foods whether you intended to or not will cause issues with runny stool and such with your older one. Plus you want them to be comfortable around one another so that you dont cause food issues or aggression. __________________ Mommy to: Quincy, & Ruby Bella / Miah & Brandi Gone but Never Forgotten Visit: Bella Dawns for all of your Custom Pet Wear needs.

07-23-2012, 08:59 AM	#3
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	My mom free feeds three and we free fed them when they where puppies but it was so long ago I cant remember how we got the puppies just to eat the puppy food. I don't live with my mom so Callie was free feed with out the worry's of another dog. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

07-23-2012, 09:18 AM	#4
sganow YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Van Alstyne, TX Posts: 842	We free feed ours and when they were puppies we used an all life stages food (Nature's Variety Prairie chicken meal and brown rice). They all got the same food and it worked out well for us. We had 4-5 dogs. We have free fed ours for years. We put food in a LeBistro feeder (probably 3-4 days worth of food) and they graze at will. They don't fight or compete for their food and they don't eat real fast either. A lot of the time they eat a little bit and go about their business, then later come and eat a little more, etc. It works for some dogs and for some it doesn't work. All you can do is try it out to see how it goes. There are a lot of all life stages foods, but be careful of the calcium and phosphorus levels. You don't want the levels to be too high. Some foods labeled as all life stages can have levels that are too high for puppies, especially for larger breeds. __________________ Maggie (RIP), Ginger (RIP), Lilly, Bella, Saleen, Bailey, Bridget

07-24-2012, 06:09 AM	#5
Cirlonde YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, United States Posts: 402	Thanks so much for the responses! As long as some people have managed to free feed with multiple pets without problems then I'm willing to give it a try. I was thinking of keeping the puppy's food in her x-pen since she'll be crate training for awhile as we work on getting potty training down. That should give her plenty of time to eat undisturbed and keep Chloe out of the new pup's bowl. And of course, anytime the puppy isn't in her crate, she'll be with us so there shouldn't be any chance of her getting into Chloe's food. Hopefully, by the time she gets a little more freedom, we'll have been able to teach her to differentiate between her food and Chloe's food so that she knows which she can have and which she can't. I'm awfully nervous about adding a second dog, but in an excited way! We've been talking about it for almost 2 years and just finally decided we're in the right place. We've got a trip planned to Seattle, Washington in September and then we'll be bringing some lucky little pup home! If we hadn't already bought plane tickets, I think I'd be skipping the trip just so we could get her sooner! __________________ (`•.¸Proud Momma of Chloe Belle and Karli Sue¸.•´) ~.•* Jersey's Four Leaf Clovers *•.~

07-24-2012, 01:03 PM	#6
ironmike86 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,628	If you free feed how will you know how much each is eating?? You need to monitor that. One may hardly get any food while one is a hog. JME

07-24-2012, 04:40 PM	#7
JasmineNoelle YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 2,774 Blog Entries: 1	Each of ours have their feeding dish attached to their own crate and they are free fed. Ours eat the same diet. They are not over weight and do not fight over food. They eat a few kibble at a time when ever they fill the need. __________________ Jasmine's, Prissy's and Maggie Mae's Mommy

07-24-2012, 04:59 PM	#8
ritapatt YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Merritt Island,FL Posts: 1,400	We schedule feed, each in their own area. I like to know how much each is or isn't eating. I have two gobblers and one slowpoke so they really need their own space.

07-24-2012, 08:21 PM	#9
skittlz YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: texas Posts: 671	I free feed my dogs

07-25-2012, 02:06 AM	#10
jadabug Jada + Bogie = ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mayberry AKA smalltown usa Posts: 24,078	I really wish I could free feed...but Jada would clean out a bowl of kibble in 2 seconds flat. She has no control over how much she eats and gains weight easily. Neither Jada nor Bogie are grazers they scarf down their meals in less than a minute and that is with using slow feed bowls. I would be scared to death to leave kibble out when I am not home either. Bogie has almost choked on kibble twice and If I had not been right there in the room with him, he would have died. After those episodes about a week apart, it took me almost two months of slowly giving him his evening meal 2-3 kibble at a time, to get him conditioned to slow down and actually chew his food. Good luck on your endeavor. I am sure it is possible to free feed two dogs...just not my two __________________ Michelle, Jada and Bogie

07-25-2012, 06:32 PM	#11
tinalove YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Orangeburg SC Posts: 567	I free feed both Khloe and Kirby. Khole is a puppy and she eats puppy food . Kirby is 8 years old. I have both their food in their individuals. I have had a few cases when they try to eat the others food. I guess it's because they are different brands and flavors. But most times they know their food and only eat their own food.

07-27-2012, 08:47 AM	#12
LunasMomma Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 8,799	You could always feed them both an "All life stages" food. Just an idea Good luck with your new baby!!! __________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna

07-29-2012, 04:59 AM	#14
tokipoki Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 1,485	I tried free-feeding Toki and it wasn't too successful for us (I think I only tried it for a little over a week though so probably not long enough). The first couple days, she'd graze and finish all of her food but after that, she wasn't eating very much which really concerned me since she is still a puppy and I like to know exactly how much food she is eating. I would like to eventually switch over to free-feeding, especially when I'll be unable to set out her evening meal due to my work schedule, but for now Toki gets 2 scheduled meals a day which works for us. I would still try the free-feeding though...I'm sure that you will be successful free-feeding with 2 since your older dog is already used to it and doesn't hoover up everything...I also like Tracy's suggestion of getting a good all-life stages food! I think if you were free-feeding 2 different types of food, your difficulty would be getting the pup to just eat the puppy food. Good luck! You'll find something that works for you!