Free feeding - good or bad ? We brought our adopted terrier cross (corkie, Yorkshire terrier n chihuahua)home this Sunday. He's been funny with his eating. This is his second full day at home. I guess with all the excitement and change he's not bothering much but is eating and drinking and pooing in a morning. I've been feeding him morning and night but he's not touching much of his dry feed (I do a mix dry and wet. Would it be beneficial to leave out a small amount of dry in the day ? Your advise would be great Thx Sarah |
Nothing wrong with leaving some out and/or free feeding...many dogs do great free feeding. Just make sure kibble is very, very small so no choking. |
Thx it is Only small bite size pieces of dry food from pedigree |
Welcome to YT , Maybe he doesn't like the wet food mixed with dry. My adopted boy did not like wet food at all, he prefers dry only. See what he prefers, leave a small amount of wet in one dish and dry in another dish see which one he prefers. What brand of food was he eating where he was staying before you bought him home, did you change his food. |
I assume he is your only boy. In multiple dog households which I have, I would not consider free feeding. I am also concerned about dental issues. I brush after breakfast. I know I should at night, too, but I don't. Gew |
I think with some dogs you don't have much of a choice. Mine are pickers so I free feed. |
With only 1 dog, free feeding is definitely easier. With 2+ dogs, I don't like it. I like to know who is eating what and how much -- to identify signs of sickness or lack of appetite, to control portions, etc. I used to be a fan of free feeding and I know it works for some households but I just prefer a scheduled feeding. Although I don't follow anything strict. Sometimes they eat breakfast at 8am, sometimes at 11am, LOL... but we typically split it up into two meals. With a new dog though getting acclimated, I don't see anything wrong with leaving food out for when he is ready. |
Hiya He was on pedigree mix before so kept him on same food. He is totally not interested in dry Is it ok to just give him wet twice a day or just leave a bit of dry in middle of day to feee feeds see if he shows interest ? Thx |
It's good that you didn't change the food he was eating. If he likes wet then that's what you feed him twice a day, you can leave some dry food out also, he may nibble on it. |
I've always free-fed and luckily, never had a fat dog yet, though Tibbe is the sturdiest looking of my dogs. Still, his vets say he's WNL for his height, no need to change his feeding habits. Always hated the thought of leaving home w/out plenty of food, water down for my baby at home, just in case I shouldn't make it back before mealtime! What's funny is if I don't have food down for Tibbe in the kitchen, he will plant himself in the middle of whatever room I'm in and stand there staring at me until I put food down for him in the kitchen so it's just easier to keep his bowl mid-full of fresh food! |
Free feeding is great for dogs who are good self-regulators. My boys started out that way. When they became chow hounds, we switched to scheduled feedings of fixed amounts. Just make sure that the food stays fresh. Dogs will turn up their noses at it if left out too long, which can be mistaken as lack of interest in the food. Some foods will go stale or spoil faster than others. |
My dogs have always been free fed with no issues |
I had been free feeding our Bella and she was beginning to get a *little* chunky. Now, I keep her food bowl out all day, but I fill it three times a day with a measured amount--morning, noon, and night. I call it a hybrid between free feeding and scheduled feeding since she still grazes on the food I put out at various times during the day. She's looking better now. |
I chose to feed on a schedule for potty training purposes. Also Scottie is a very picky eater and Casie eat like a pig. I believe if I left food out all the time, Casie would become a piggy and Scottie may find the food not appealing if it's always there. |
I feed twice a day for a few reasons. Monroe is very picky. I have to mix a little boiled chicken breast to get her to eat (she won't eat just dry, even moistened or a dry/wet combo). I’ve also found if she’s a little excited about the food she’s more likely to eat it. The process of making the food and having them “sit” & “wait” gets her attention. I think it’s like a treat for them. If it’s out all the time she could care less and won’t eat. It’s also good for potty training… and honestly Rylee would be a chub if I left food out all the time. Hehe. |
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