Free feeding vs. scheduled feeding OK, I have tried both ways. Everyone and everything I read says to keep her on scheduled feedings. But she simply doesn't eat as much on the schedule. The bag (Royal Canin puppy 33) says to feed 1/2 cup a day. No matter which way I try, she doesn't eat that much, but when free-feeding, I can usually get her to eat about 6 tb a day. I posted the question in the Dogster forums, and there, most said they go with scheduled. I figured here in a Yorkies only place, I'd get a more appropriate response from yorkie owners. AFter all, at Dogster, I got lots of replies from owners of labs and other large breed dogs who scarf their food down in 3.1 seconds after it's placed in the bowl! LOL So...do you free feed or do you schedule feedings? What is your opinion on the matter? Thanks :) |
I free feed. Mine are picky eaters and just nibble on their food and it wouldnt be enough for a scheduled feeding |
Mine get their breakfast, i leave out dry kibble for them during they day (which they don't touch) and they get dinner in the evenings. |
I free fed for years. Then Ginger developed allergies and Kirby got overweight. So our days of freefeeding were gone.:rolleyes: So, I switched to scheduled feedings. The trick to getting them to eat is to stick to the schedule. If they are used to being free-fed they won't initially understand that the food won't always be available. Put the food out, after about 20 minutes, put it back up. And that's it until the next scheduled feeding. After a few days they figure it out. I have found it's easier to control their weight, have regular potty breaks, etc., this way. Good luck whatever you decide to do! |
I schedual feed, if i free fed, Teddy would eat to death....LOL!! he LOVES his Royal Canin 33. |
I should probably add that I free-fed my shihtzu her entire life and never had any problems...just to add to the confusion.:confuse2: |
I free feed mine dry kibble but get scheduled treats, and cottage cheese. |
See, with Chloe, there will never be any trouble with over feeding, because she barely eats what shes supposed to either way. We've been on the schedule for over a week now. She eats at 8, 1p, and 6p. I put 2 tb each time, and I leave it out for 20 minutes. I'm lucky if she eats the better part of half of it each time. Last night, she ate no dinner, and again this morning no breakfast. She did eat all her lunch portion today, and another half (since she hadn't eaten in a while, I put more in.) BTW, she's 4 months and about 4lbs. |
Now that Ralphie is on the ugly Hill's Prescription U/D diet, I can only feed him 2X a day on a schedule. Before, I used to free feed him and he still never really ate much. He doesn't understand where his food went. I feel like a witch.:( However, my daughter's 3 doggies could NEVER be free fed....2 chi's and 1 s**tzu. If you gave each of them a full dish of food, it would be gone in a flash and they'd still be looking for more! And one of her chi's weighs 1lb 12oz! I don't think they are ever full. It's a scream to watch her feed them as I have never seen 3 dogs eat like they were going to the electric chair!!:eek: |
For Toy breeds, it's usually recommended that you free feed during puppyhood to allow them to eat enough and maintain blood sugar. Especially because you know your little one doesn't overeat, I would free feed. Then once she's old enough (check with your vet, but probably a couple years old-- 2-5 years) I would go to a feeding schedule. I tend to believe that dogs get fat when they are fed improper food (such as food with alot of fillers or inadequate nutritional content) or aren't exercising enough. Food intake can also be a symptom of illness, so it's important to know how much your dog consumes each day regardless of how often the food is available. So do measure the food and adjust it to how much she eats daily. |
I schedule feed and it works out really well. You won't feed the entire amount the bag says to feed... those amounts are to sell more food... |
I should've said, free feeding may make housetraining more difficult unless you're home all day and see when she eats anyway (to anticipate when she'll need to go potty). I haven't had a puppy in years, sorry about that. :) |
My vet said that the recommendations for serving sizes on the bags of food are usually way in excess of what your dog needs. It is their way of making more money, and it is how many pets get fat. Ask your vet what amount to feed and how often. My vet swears by scheduled feedings and that is what I do. I do leave kibble out during the day for Gracie but she never eats it. |
I free feed during the day but at night the food is picked up at a certain time to prevent her from eating or drinking after her last potty run. I think it depends on the dog. we had a puddle mix for awhile before we gave it to our god daughter and I couldn't leave the food out then becuase she would just keep eating. |
I free feed dry kibble which they all munch on during the day. Then they get a little canned food in the morning and evening -- 1/2 can for 4 to split (2 yorkies, a Jack Russell, and a dachshund). This way they get a little variety but have to eat kibble to complete their days needs. The Yorkies also get a little cottage cheese most days and since we are housetraining, there are more treats than usual. But I try to make them tiny pieces. |
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