Free Feeding or 2-3 meals per day

[darci]

Hey guys just curious what most of us do, free feeding or 2 -3 meals per day ???


My personal experience has been:

Darci we free feed as a puppy to about 8-9 months of age. That with food choice was really a mistake for us, she grew really fast and packed on the pounds. The vet also said that rapid growth in puppies especially large breeds can contribute to hip dysplasia. (Which Darci has).

At that time we just for a about 2 weeks did one feeding a day in the morning and she started vomiting small amounts of bile in the middle of the night. We latter found out that having an empty belly can cause them to vomit bile. Since then we started with 2 meals a day and shes done great along with better food selections.

When Egan was younger ( just a small pupper ) we did 3 meals a day now he does 2 meals a day.


Thay also get a small snack at lunch time when I come home for potty breaks.


What have you found that works best for you ????

[corgimom]

Cindy,

I don't free feed Cody or my cats. Couldn't leave food out because they would all be eating each others but their own plus I know they would all overeat.

I feed Cody 3X a day - usually at 6 a.m., noon, and then around 7 p.m.,
along with a couple of snacks during the day. And I use the always use the measuring cup and divide the food into the 3 meals.

[darci]

I agree Linda, I always use a measuring cup. Its impossible for me to eyeball the correct amount.

I have always free fed the cat but Miss Callie is packing on the weight so I think its time to start her on the same schedule as my puppers.

[Dillydoodle]

I used to free feed all of my cats...then when misty, my eldest became diabetic, i learned all about canned low carb high protein food for the care of diabetic kitties, and how bad dry food was for her. So what i did was i changed her to a meal fed cat rather than free feeding- she actually gets 4 smaller meals a day to help maintain her blood sugar in healthy ranges ( along with getting insulin shots twice a day as well) The other two kitties also were getting meals, but i also leave a bowl of low carb dry food ( Innova Evo) on a high table that my eldest diabetic girl cannot access so technially the younger girls still are free fed.
I got Dillon and from the begining i was told to give him two meals a day and a snack/treat mid day which is what i do, I have always measured out his food even from the time he was a small pup. If i left food out all the time for him he would eat constantly. I personally think that meal feeding is a better way to go for a dog...but harder for a cat ( they like to nibble rather than eat a full meal, infact i leave out misty's canned food for several hours so she can eat it that way- if she eats too much too fast she throws up. Dillon is good and knows the cat food is off limits...correction the whole room the cat food is in is off limits.

Emilie

[glencorgi]

It is rare that there is a corgi one can free feed (as in keeping the bowl full 24/7) and that would need to be in a single dog home. We've never free fed puppies at any age, they've always gotten 3 - 4 meals a day at weaning, plus mom.

I feed most of the dogs once a day and they get assorted treats throughout the day. Others, it depends on the needs. I have a diabetic foster girl now and she gets breakfast and then her insulin shot; she gets a supper meal too. Munchee and Berry are getting fed twice a day. I do measure and adjust up and down as needed according to what individual dogs might need.

Debbie

[jprechel]

We feed Ace twice a day now. When he was younger he was getting 3 meals. Now it's around 7:00 a.m. and about 7:00 p.m. with a mid afternoon snack. When I get home from school we split an apple! Plus he is spoiled with a few treats throughout the day from Jim (of course Ace has to work for them - no free food here!) We also use a measuring cup. It is a lot easier than eye balling it as Cindy said. Our cat has food available for him 24/7. We keep his food and litter in our office and baby gated so Ace can't get into it. Which makes a nice safe haven for Peiper!

[Cheetah]

I don't free-feed any of my pets. I used to, but so many of them became picky and overweight. I just feed my dogs 3 times per day, and they know they had better eat while it's down because it won't stay down.

[darci]

Bethany,
Darci and Egan's favorite apple is granny smith's.

[Chip's Mom]

Well - I am out of the norm. I free feed and feed twice a day. I always keep a bowl of dog food down and they nibble on that some throughout the day. Morning and evening, I give each a specified amount in their bowls, moisten it and put a dollop of canned dog food in. That is when they doing their serious eating. My husband does give out a few treats throughout the day. I am hoping that Debbie will comment on Chip's new pic because you can tell his size, etc and I don't want him to slim. He isn't a heavy eater. I think he weighs in about 23 lbs.

[jprechel]

Cindy, I've never tried a granny smith with Ace only red delicious and gala. I'll have to try the granny smith and see what he thinks of it!

Bonnie, I noticed your new avatar. I think Chip looks great and the scenery is very pretty!

[darci]

Awww the Chipster.......... great pic.

Free feeding doesnt seem to be hurting him.

[Chip's Mom]

Thanks Cindy - Anytime someone comments on apples, I have to sing the blues because there is nothing like a New York State grown Macintosh apple. They are just great. Chip likes them too. Can't find them in TN.

[darci]

Awww Bonnie I am so sorry...
Have you looked at a fresh market ? I dont remember seing any there, but I dont eat anything but granny smith's.

Maybe someone can ship you some.....

Funny long story short, hubby and I have some friends that used to ship us brochen from Germany.