You love your dog, and you want to feed them well, but you are baffled by the conflicting advice on how often and how much to feed them. Some say once a day, some say twice a day, some say whenever they want.
How do you choose what is best for your furry pal? Don’t panic, feeding your dog is not rocket science. You just need to learn some basic facts and factors about dogs and their food needs. Then you can make a sensible and healthy feeding plan for them
Did you know Dogs are creatures of habit. They like to do the same things at the same time every day. This can be very useful for us humans, because we can trick them into doing what we want by giving them food at regular intervals.
A regular feeding schedule is a great way to train puppies, and also older dogs who never learned how to behave in a house. Puppies usually need to go to the bathroom within 10 to 15 minutes of eating a meal.
By taking them outside right after they eat, we can make them think that peeing and pooping outside is the best thing ever. This is a very important step in the house-training process, because nobody likes to step on a wet spot or a pile of poop inside the house.
Feeding an adult dog at regular times gives them the security and predictability of a routine. Meals become the highlight of the day around which other activities are planned.
A feeding routine makes a necessary food change easier. When your dog is used to eating at the same times each day, his body becomes ready to expect food at those times. Hunger can be a powerful incentive! If you make your dog hungry enough and then feed them at regular times, then switching to a new food will often be smooth and simple.
A feeding routine helps your dog deal when there are changes in the household (e.g., a kid leaves for college, a new baby comes, or a vacation during which a stranger is in charge).
How many meals should my dog eat each day? The number of meals a dog eats per day depends entirely on the family schedule. Dogs should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule is an equally awesome option. If more than 12 hours passes between meals, the stomach can become super acidic causing nausea.
I was told that puppies should eat all they want; 3 or 4 times per day. Is that true? Feeding a puppy all it can eat at one time is called ‘ad libitum’ or ‘free choice’ feeding. This is not recommended as it can create chubby puppies, greedy eaters, as well as set the stage for some bone problems and diabetes. Over-eating at any one meal can also cause stomach ache and bloating causing slower digestion. Dogs are known to have a genetically determined “set point” for their adult size. Slower, controlled growth in puppies makes them look better in adulthood.
Dogs have a simple stomach anatomy, just like humans. Because dogs have a simple stomach structure, once the stomach is filled with food, it will empty within a few hours as food moves into the small intestine. After 8 to 10 hours, an empty stomach begins to send signals to the brain making them hungry.
For this reason, at least two meals per day are best for your dog. Imagine if you only got to eat breakfast each day, and that was it! Regular, routine feeding times allow your dog’s body to be ready for the food it will get. It is not recommended to keep the bowl filled and let them snack.
A change in eating habits can be a warning sign of illness. When dogs eat on a regular schedule, that habit becomes strong. It is easy to see at a glance if all the food from a meal is eaten. If food is left, whether all or part of a meal, that is an important signal that something is wrong, and it is time to call the vet.
What should I do? If my dog doesn’t finish her meal all at once. I think she prefers to nibble.
This will help make it easier if another pet joins your family at some point in the future. For nibblers, simply measure out the whole day's portion of food in the morning and show them the bowl several times throughout the day.
Pick regular times to create the routine we know is useful. The important thing is to use a measured portion, either with a measuring cup or a kitchen scale, for the day.
The important thing is to use a measured portion for the day. And don't let them fool you into giving them more. They are not starving, they are just sneaky.
How Much?
Use this as a Guide starting point based on typical dry dog food packaging:
Adult Dog Size (lbs) Dry Food Feeding Amount (Cups)
3 to 12 1/3 to 1
13 to 20 1 to 1/3
21 to 35 1-1/3 to 2
26 to 50 2 to 2-2/3
51 to 75 2-2/3 to 3-1/3
76 to 100 3-1/3 to 4-1/4
100+ 4-1/4 plus 1/4 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs
Note: Dog feeding amounts vary from product to product based on calorie content and formula. Consult the feeding chart on the back of your dog’s food packaging. Individual needs can vary and Dog lifestyle.