Feeding schedule - thoughts?
I like the idea of Howie 'working' for his food. I once a day I use the orange crater ball filled with kibble, at another time I'll put food in his "Tornado" game, some kibble goes in just a plain plastic water bottle and he shakes the food out, and other times I"ll put food in his dish. He is happy to get food anytime, anyway. Because of being almost a year old should I start to switch over to 2 regular mealtimes? Are there any negative points to feeding a bit at a time throughout the day & early evening? He has regular poops twice a day, same time each day...no problems there. What are your thoughts? peg & don't skimp on the food howie |
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| We give Mady food in her kong in the morning and afternoon, then she gets supper. She poops 3 times per day, is in perfect health (according to her annual physical a few weeks ago). We tried feeding her breakfast in her dish but she would never get around to eating it in time for us to get to work, but the smaller amounts twice a day in the kong, plus then a proper supper seems to work well. |
| The only problem I would see with not having a specific schedule, is house training. Since your dog is house trained it seems, I don't see any problem feeding the way you do. But, I personally think doigs like a schedule and like to know what time they eat, etc. But then again, I am sort of neurotic... |
| One other thing to consider. Oscar gets fed according to when he takes his medications. If Howie ever needs to take meds with food, it helps to have them on a regular feeding schedule. Laurie and Oscar |
If it's working and he has regular poops, I would have no trouble with it.  And the fact that you measure it, and dole it out throughout the day is probably why it works. I was just commenting to someone earlier today on "what is normal?" for a dog. They were overly concerned about strict routines, etc (overly in my book, anyway). My point was, whatever they grow up or live with as a routine, becomes normal to them. Our dogs have a somewhat erratic normal, as feeding times change, as well as locations (travel, shows, events, etc). My normal is the type of food (even though we rotate - see, we have erratic normals!) their dish, and the amount of food in 24 hrs. So for Howie, what you do is HIS normal, and he's fine with it. I think it's great he's earning his food  One of Min Pin friends uses all her dog's food as training treats - because they eat such small amounts, if she used extra trreats for training, she would double his intake!  Now health issues or other needs might make it not workable for some, but if it works?? - go for it! Better to keep him busy and thinking |
| If it ain't broke I wouldn't fix it. Honestly, we are so regimented around here because of Hudson's glass tummy...I think it's awesome to have that flexibility. If Howie's doing well (which he obviously is) I'd stick with it. If, down the road, he needs a change I'm sure he'll be fine with it. (On a side note, hubby was supposed to feed ours breakfast at six thirty, but didn't tell me he only took them out for a pee and decided they could wait until he had another hour or so of sleep to eat...and at six fifty five Hudson threw up on the rug by the bed because his tummy was too empty. What I wouldn't do for a little flexibility! And the opportunity to sleep in on the weekends.) |
Tracie, welcome to my world!  Oscar is the King of Routine. I get up a 5 a.m., every single day, no exceptions, to feed my boy. If I don't, Oscar's digestive system goes into a tailspin. There is no up-side to sleeping in.  You see why I haven't been on a vacation without Oscar since we brought his fuzzy butt home?Laurie and Oscar |
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