feedings

[bleudolphin]

With my puppies current tummy issues, I have been researching a lot about free feeding vs specific meal times. I was free feeding. Per my vet and her prescription dog food I am feeding all my dogs 3 times a day. I am curious as to how often you feed your little ones? I have read to feed a puppy up to age 6 months 3 times a day then you can go down to 2 times per day after 6 months. This would work perfect with my work schedule, but I am wondering if 2 meals a day is enough?

[Wylie's Mom]

How big is the pup? If the pup is a tiny, you may want to stick to the 3 meals for a bit yet. Otherwise, if body condition is good and pup seems sturdy and stable - 2x per day should be okay. I think I went to 2x a day when mine were around 8mths or so...

[bleudolphin]

Piper is 16 weeks and weighs 3.4 lbs. Lucy is 16 months and weighs 6 lbs. I will see where Piper is at, at 6 months and go from there. Thanks.

[canana]

I feed by meal times, twice a day: once before I go to work and once after work. I got Scottie when he was 5 months and my breeder had already been feeding him twice a day.

I found that feeding by specific meal times instead of free feeding, I was able to house train him really fast because his poop times were regular. Also, I used food as a basis for clicker training. He learned so many things (basic commands and tricks) before he turned 1 yr old!

The only downside (which I don't really mind) is that I hand feed him now, at 1 year and 3 months, because he's used to it. It takes a bit more of my time, but I think of it as bonding time. Also, this way I make sure he doesn't eat too fast and he chews his kibble

FYI, Scottie is 4.5 to 5 lbs and he eats 1/2 cup of Acana Singles (duck or lamb) a day. He's got a very sensitive stomach and I narrowed down to these two proteins that give him really nice poop!

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by bleudolphin

With my puppies current tummy issues, I have been researching a lot about free feeding vs specific meal times. I was free feeding. Per my vet and her prescription dog food I am feeding all my dogs 3 times a day. I am curious as to how often you feed your little ones? I have read to feed a puppy up to age 6 months 3 times a day then you can go down to 2 times per day after 6 months. This would work perfect with my work schedule, but I am wondering if 2 meals a day is enough?

I am NOT a nutritionist....but this is not a schedule I would consider...I do not believe in feeding a developing puppy a restricted diet, let alone just 2 meals a day, right in the middle of their growth and development period (in my mind, that is like feeding a newborn human baby 4 times a day, then backing off to 3 set meals a day when they hit 4 months old!!).....and that growth and development lasts up to 8 months to 12 months....AFTER a year old, I MAY perhaps give a thought to backing down to set meals/day...but there is no way I would be feeding a puppy 6 months old, only twice a day....regardless of breed or size, they are developing and body building and setting bones and joints and synapses and coats, brains and eyes, etc., until at least 8 months of age. I want that all to be supported to the maximum extent!