How Many Times a Day Should a Dog Eat? Vet Approved Reasons a Schedule Works
As a pet parent, you worry about everything from getting your dog’s vaccines on time to how much you should be feeding him to keep him healthy and happy. Regarding feeding, there’s truly no clear-cut answer as to how much your pet needs to be fed.
The requirements, schedule, and cost depend on the size, age, activity level, health status, and breed of your dog. For example, you wouldn’t feed your miniature Poodle the same amount on the same schedule as you would your Great Dane. When determining a feeding schedule, you also need to factor in your own schedule and the individual dog’s lifestyle, medical needs, and preferences.
How Often Should My Dog Be Fed?
It’s commonly recommended that dogs be fed twice a day, splitting the recommended portions for the breed and size of your dog into two portions. However, this can change due to your dog’s feeding habits, life stage, health status, and your own schedule as well.
Some pet owners free-feed their pets; they put down one bowl of food once a day for their dog to eat. This lets the dog eat whenever they are hungry, and some pet parents prefer it when they can’t spend as much time at home. There are drawbacks to a free-feeding schedule, however.
You can’t monitor how much your dog eats when free feeding. It also makes it impossible to get your dog on a feeding schedule, which means your dog may have less predictable bathroom breaks. Food that is allowed to sit out all day can attract insects and other creatures to your home as well, something no pet owner wants to have to deal with.
On the plus side, free feeding works well for dog breeds that will control their eating and only eat when they are hungry. Some dogs do not self-regulate well and may overeat, which can increase the risk of weight gain or gastrointestinal upset. There are advantages to a free feeding schedule, but there are plenty of benefits to establishing a strict feeding schedule.
The 6 Reasons Why It’s Important to Put a Dog on a Feeding Schedule
Some veterinary experts and pet owners feel that it’s beneficial to put their canine pals on a consistent feeding schedule.
1. Helps to Prevent Obesity
A feeding routine is especially important if you have a breed that is prone to obesity. Feeding the dog on a schedule helps you keep up with the number of calories it consumes each day. If the dog is allowed to free-feed instead, it’s possible that they are overeating, which can lead to weight gain, obesity, and associated health issues for your furry friend.
2. Helps with Bathroom Times
It stands to reason that if you don’t know when your dog has eaten, you can’t take them out for bathroom breaks at certain times. A feeding time is incredibly helpful when it comes to training a puppy. Most dogs will be ready to use the bathroom shortly after eating.
3. Allows More Variety in the Dog’s Diet
When it comes to free feeding your pet, you can only give the dog dry food since wet food can become spoiled if left out for too long. Wet food also attracts insects, such as roaches and ants, more than dry food does. Putting your dog on a feeding schedule allows you to feed them a wider variety of foods, regardless of whether it’s wet or dry.
4. Helps You Keep a Cleaner House
Leaving food out can lead to pests invading your home, and the insects are not the only invaders you need to worry about. Mice and other rodents love eating dog food, and if you leave it outside all day on the porch or deck, they’ll eventually enter your home.
Putting your dog on a feeding schedule makes it easier to keep your home clean and safe for you, your family, and the pet you love.
5. Helps Your Dog Emotionally
If your dog deals with anxiety, having a set feeding schedule provides predictability and routine, which can reduce stress for some dogs. Set mealtimes not only helps the dog trust that you’ll feed them on time but also provides structure to their daily routine, which may support emotional stability for your beloved pet.
6. Your Dog is a Creature of Habit
Dogs often benefit from consistent daily routines, including feeding times. Domestic dogs retain a tendency to adapt well to predictable schedules. However, unlike free-ranging or feral dogs, your dog cannot go out and find food on their own; they're completely dependent on you to feed them.
Conclusion
It’s recommended that you feed your dog twice a day at the same times every day; serving a meal as soon as it wakes up and one around dinnertime is often appropriate for adult dogs.
Some pet parents prefer free feeding their pets, and there’s generally nothing wrong with that if your dog has control of his eating habits, isn’t prone to obesity, does not have medical conditions that require scheduled meals, and the food is in a secure area away from insects and rodents. If you’re unsure of the best way to feed your canine pal, consult your vet for feeding tips. See Also:
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Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock
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Patricia is an experienced pet writer and lifelong animal lover. When she isn’t writing, Patricia enjoys spending time with her pets, cats Binx and Link and dog Mystery. Mystery and Link have been with her since birth. Binx was found under her house as a kitten and promptly welcomed into the family. Patricia enjoys volunteering at her local rescue shelter and sharing her extensive knowledge of pets.
