xena just turned 1, how many times shoud I feed her

[saadoun81]

Hello, My baby dog just turned 1 on monday, since 6 months I ve been feeding her twice, once at noon, and another time at around 9pm, should I cut her lunch meal and add quantity to dinner, I m not really sure how this should work, so any input would be very much appriciated

thank you

[SWEETBREW]

I would stick with the 2 meals of equal portions.
I feed mine at 6 am and 6 pm. last out is usually around 10pm.

[kayozzy]

Hello! I think twice a day is great for adults. What time do you let her out before bed? I feed mine around 11:30 and after our walk around 6:30 or 7:00. I let them out for the last time around 11:00pm, so they have several hours to "process" the meal and be comfortable all night.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Two meals a day is what the majority of dog owners feed. That's what we do with Julius & it works well for him & us. There is no need to switch to just one meal a day....

[observer]

Missy gets two a day, morning and evening, exact time varies a bit.

[Lola B Marie]

The two meals a day I believe is to prevent bloat. Rotties are prone to this. It happens when there stomach flips over inside. This can be from too much food at one sitting. I have always fed 2x a day. Shepards are also very prone to bloat. My friend is a police officer, has a shepard and passed all this info to me.

[Anne]

My dogs eat twice a day, morning and evening. I think 24 hours is a long time between feeds and dogs will sometimes vomit up bile from having an empty stomach.

[targonrotts]

i have some that eat once a day, late at night and a snack in the morning.
others eat twice a day. early am and later pm.
it depends on how much training and treats they have consumed.

[Rodeovixxen]

I free feed. Is that not a good idea? My bitch is two and has never been a glutton when it comes to eating. Her weight is good also.

[Canadianrotti]

My understand is that breaking down the meals into 2 or 3 portions will help reduce the risk of bloat. less food = less gas and such, so less risk. Not sure, but I think I remember that from a bloat discussion here a while back.

[Copper's Mom]

I feed Copper 3 times per day. The main reason I do it is because I want to eat at least 3 times a day, so I am sure she does.

[kayozzy]

Originally Posted by Rodeovixxen

I free feed. Is that not a good idea? My bitch is two and has never been a glutton when it comes to eating. Her weight is good also.

I used to free feed also, but my newest one started to be a piggy, so I had to start scheduling it. I don't think there is anything wrong with free feeding if you have a dog that just eat what she needs and leaves the rest.

[2rotts]

I think that changes in food consumption tends to indicate other issues and that by not free freeding you will be more aware when your dog is having health issues.

[Zhanna]

I also feed twice a day, 6:30 am & pm. Another good way to help reduce the bloat is to place the food and water bowls on something elevated. Rocky's bowls are on top of an ice chest. It is the just right hight, he can walk straight to the bowl and not have to bend over and swallow up-side-down. Rocky turned 1 on Feb. 9. Such excitement!!

[ringo's mom]

I feed Ringo twice a day: once around 7 am then at night around 6 pm. He also gets a pig ear & a dogbiscuit when I come home from work around 4 pm (to tide him over until dinnertime !!) His last bathroom break is around 7:30 or 8 because we get up at 5 am (I have to drag him out of bed, but's that our little game and another story entirely!!!)

On the weekends, we get up later, so I feed him later.....he doesn't seem to mind because we just kick back and chill when mommy's not working!!