free feeding

[alisonJ]

I have always free-fed Edie (i.e. her bowl always has food in it). I know some of you have your little ones on a feeding schedule. What are the pros and cons of free feeding?? Is there any reason Edie should be on a schedule? Am interested to get your input.

by the way, Edie is 5 years old and she is at a healthy weight, according to the vet. You can feel her ribs, but she is not underweight.

[puppylove123]

well if he is five years and has always been free fed and he is healthy and is goes to the bathroom good, i think free feeding is alright. i think its good for picky eaters that only eat little bits of kibble or whatever at a time. its easy to have a schedule so you know they are eating enough or not too much. plus its easier to also make a bathroom schedule cause you know when they have to go. hope this helps!

[yorky4ME]

my babies are ofcourse always on a schedule but my adults have all been free fed for years. All are healthy and a good weight..... however my maltese could afford to miss a meal or two! LOL But it works for me and it doesn't for other people. My girlfriend has 4 pugs and she cannot free feed. Even if there is a sealed bad of dog food left... they will tear it up and eat it till they puke. They will all over eat. I don't know if it's a 'pug' thing. I say if it works... why change it?

[SnowWa]

I guess I do both.

I feed my dogs some wet food in the morning (not a lot) and then healthy people food in the evenings.

BUT - they do have dry dog food in their bowls all the time (this is my free-feeding). I'll have to admit though that they eat very little of the dry dog food that is available 24/7. They just don't like it. I leave it out because I work - I just want it there in case they get hungry or I'm late getting home, etc.

I don't see a thing in the world wrong with free feeding - as long as your dog isn't overweight.


Carol Jean