switch to feeding twice a day at 6 months?
Normal for her is to FINALLY eat around 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. and then again at 4:00/4:30 p.m. Hmmmm, so that's naturally about 7 hours. On a normal basis I could do 8:00 and again around 4:00 so that's like 8 hours. What do you think? Think she's not eating three times a day because she's ready to switch to two times a day? Or, is she just the pickest eater and trying to insist on her way??? Puppies. I feel so confused most of the time  |
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| If she's an only dog, she may not feel the need to eat right off the bat as she has no competition. I have a girl in a show home who picks at her food at home (no other dogs). She came here & it took 1 meal for her to figure out she better eat when the others did or she was out of luck! Especially after she saw 4 others staring longingly at her food dish after they were done! One thing I have always done whether I had 1 dog or several was to put their food down for 20 minutes. No matter how much or how little they eat (even if none) it gets picked up & saved for the next meal. They soon learn that meal time is meant to eat. At 6 months 2 feedings a day is just fine. Breakfast & dinner. I always measure with a measuring cup......each dog & each meal. Getting into this habit will make it much easier if she should get sick & the vet asks you how much she is eating or how much has she slacked off.
At my house, food bowls are usually finished off in less than 2 minutes! If it's any longer I start looking for signs of illness! |
ok, so question. I put 2 cups down at breakfast at 7:45 she didn't take a bite. So I pick it up in 20 minutes and wait until 5 today. Then at 5:00 do I give her like 4 cups of food? I know her belly won't handle that much. And she's still on an antibiotic. So I gave her the antibiotic first thing. Is it bad for her belly to be empty like that all day 
I'm being too sentimental and easy on her, aren't I? Do I just need to toughen up? |
| If she doesn't eat in the morning, you only give her the 2 cups in the evening. NOT 4!. The idea is for her to figure out if she doesn't eat when it is offered, she's going to be HUNGRY & miss out on that portion. You can always give her the antibiotic with a treat like a biscuit or a Snausage or something. Actually, I put my dogs' food down & they have 1 hour to eat & rest. They usually scarf it up quicker than a vacuum could suck it up!. Any new dog here that is hem-hawing around has that hour to eat & rest & then the food is taken up. Remember they are in their kennels when they eat.......not free to roam around the house. So they get the picture really quick that they are in there to eat & rest. An antibiotic can upset their tummy & make them not want to eat. Doesn't mean you have to coax them & beg them to eat. Just means to be aware that this may be 1 reason they aren't eating as much. If she continues this way while on the antibiotic, ask your vet if he can use an injectible antibiotic a couple of times. It isn't as hard on their tummy.
And yes, we all tend to be a bit sentimental & easy on our dogs when they aren't feeling in tip-top shape. You're not alone!  |
| If your dog is not eating her midday meal then I would stop serving it. I would divide the amount of food she will eat between the two meals. I have three dogs, 1 OES, and 2 Aussies. I used to "free" feed my two older dogs...then I switched to twice a day of a fashion. All of my dogs are adults.(Asia just turning 2). I put out one cup of food per dog per feeding (2). Violet and Asia usually eat their food right away. Violet has poor manners and will sometimes eat so fast she will choke...anyway...China, my Aussie, nibbles a little here and there so I leave her food out all day. Violet nor Asia ever approach China's food, however, I wish I could say the same about the cat, Pearl.
I'm sure you will figure out which will work for both of you. |
| Definitely... I have one who was a picky eater, and feeding more often just made it worse. At 6 months she can definitely handle being fed twice a day.
I have three 15 week old puppies left here who I am just now transitioning to 2 meals a day, normally I wouldn't so young, but I find they are eating well in the morning but mid day just dumping it and playing with it so it all goes to waste anyway. Now they have bigger meals in the morning and supper time and it seems to be working well. |
Willowsprite wrote: Definitely... I have one who was a picky eater, and feeding more often just made it worse. At 6 months she can definitely handle being fed twice a day.
I have three 15 week old puppies left here who I am just now transitioning to 2 meals a day, normally I wouldn't so young, but I find they are eating well in the morning but mid day just dumping it and playing with it so it all goes to waste anyway. Now they have bigger meals in the morning and supper time and it seems to be working well. Langley isn't very interested in his food, I have to plop him in front of it and pretty much get him started. Cookies... another story. I just have to say the word and he comes a run'n.  |
| Maybe it is the New Jersey air, but, Bailee (8 mths and about 65 lbs) eats one cup of Innova Large Breed Puppy food 3 times a day. If the entire meal time last more than 1 minute, we figure he is feeling sluggish. I am not exaggerating here. This furry guy devoures his food. He eats all the treats he can get and we are feeding him based on our Vets suggestion. Hw wants Bailee on 3 meals a day until at least he is one year old. Got to go, it's Baillee's dinner time. |
| Willy eats 2 and a half cups twice a day now |
| We are feeding eukanuba large breed puppy formula. It says to feed a six month old that is 50 pounds...five cups of food a day!!!!
She seems to be comfy eating a cup and half at a setting. So that's three. She's still gaining weight so I guess I shouldn't be worried?? You all will kill me. I've been hand feeding her breakfast because I don't want her to starve until dinner    What can I say for myself? But, tomorrow it stops. I'm going to give her a cup and half and she will have half an hour. Then she will wait until four oclock for dinner.
Ohhh, this transition has been harder on me. I'm sure she is fine. Why can't I stand to think that my puppy is starving. |
| Also, maybe your dog just doesn't want to eat that much. My pup never did. In fact, for that same amount ...mine will only eat a little over 3C a day. He is at the perfect weight where you can feel his ribs too, so I don't force more. I just take up what he hasn't eaten. |
| Well I moved Langley's food off the ground higher and he seems to like that better. He at 2.5 lbs of food yesterday |
| well. We have gotten in a better routine. It took a couple days for her to figure it out. She is now eating her breakfast and dinner within a half hour. She is hungry when food time comes instead of just picking at it all day. She's eating about a cup to a cup and half at each meal. I figure when she scarfs it and looks at me for more I'll start adding more in to her meals.
thanks so much for helping me figure that out.  Ok, so how many of you are feeding only once a day after a year old? |
| I never feed once a day. Too much bulk at one time. |
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