Feeding 3 times a day...

[Jbartu]

Luca is now just over 6 months, and I am still feeding him 3 times a day. He eats every meal as if it was his last meal, and is in excellent shape. My question is, do I have to switch him to 2 meals a day at any set time? Has there been any research to prove this is better, or is it just more convenient? I know for humans, the more meals we eat per day (smaller portions) is better for our metabolism and helps keep us leaner. Does this not hold true for dogs?

[Judy Chrusch]

I don't know about the whole metabolism thing but feeding at least twice a day is a good idea so they're not getting all the food at once. I've always fed twice a day and now 3 times a day bc Czar has stomach issues. I'd say twice a day is sufficient and if it's convenient for you to do 3, then that's fine too :) .

[Rott-Wiley]

I have never seen it to fail, when he's ready to switch to twice a day feeding, he'll tell you by leaving some food uneaten. Unless he starts getting too heavy, I'd keep him on 3 meals a day.

[spidey]

There's no reason to switch at all unless it would be more convenient for you. One meal a day is too much all in one go for most dogs, but anything more than one meal a day is fine, and with some dogs more is definitely better. Keep feeding three meals a day for as long as it suits you and your dog.

[spidey]

Unless he starts getting too heavy, I'd keep him on 3 meals a day.

Surely no matter how many meals you feed, you feed the same overall amount every day (just divided up). I don't see how changing the number of meals will help get weight off any better than just reducing the overall amount of food. :)

[Rott-Wiley]

Originally Posted by spidey

Surely no matter how many meals you feed, you feed the same overall amount every day (just divided up). I don't see how changing the number of meals will help get weight off any better than just reducing the overall amount of food. :)

Maybe it's just me but I find it a lot easier to control a dogs weight when I'm feeding twice a day as apposed to 3 meals. I don't get crazy about premeasuring so maybe that's why. Anyway, that's what works for me.

[samanthac]

Originally Posted by Jbartu

I know for humans, the more meals we eat per day (smaller portions) is better for our metabolism and helps keep us leaner. Does this not hold true for dogs?

Yes. Optimally three times per day, but since that is not convenient for most of us, two is just fine. You will have people tell you that feeding once per day is fine, and yes a dog can survive on once per day feedings, but studies have shown that the same amount broken up into 2 or more smaller meals is indeed healthier overall for your dogs energy levels, metabolism AND digestive system.

Also, please note that dogs do not need to free feed like cats do. Cats need to free feed at intervals throughout the day to keep their blood sugar from spiking....something to do also with their vitamin B production which is essential to a cat's health. Although there are some people out there that insist that they free feed their dogs with no issues, they are the rare exception to the rule as most of our little darlings would simply literally eat themselves to death. (ewww)