Hi,

I was just wondering what are the thoughts are on feeding dogs once or twice a day?  I currently feed my girl twice a day, once first thing and then again at about 5, however, have spoken to lots of people who only feed once.

Dawn R

I feed twice a day - morning and evening - don't have set times in particular but two meals.  I don't like the idea of them going 24 hours between meals and it works for me and my dogs.  I know people who also feed once a day and I guess that works for them and their dogs - if you are happy with two and your dog is then I don't see a reason to change?

I have a very small toy breed and actually feed three times a day - two main meals morning and evening and one small meal midday.  She will occasionally bring up bile if she goes too long without eating, so I find a midday meal prevents this.

Hi Dawn

I've always fed twice a day with adults (sometimes going onto third meals for periods they're particularly energetic).  I personally think it's better for their digestion to split the quantity required into two lots rather than one huge meal and apart from that it seems to me kinder for them too :)

I think the one meal a day idea is quite an old fashioned notion but as many have grown up with family dogs fed that way then some will continue in that vein.  For some deep chested breeds, any prone to bloat for eg, it would be dangerous to offer only one large meal.

regards Teri

Im in the minority who leave my dogs food down all day and night.
This is easier as i feed biscuits but it means he never scoffs his food and can access it whenever he wants. Like us, i find sometimes he is hungrier than others and will eat a bit more or less according to what he wants

I feed my gundog breed twice a day - it's much better for his digestion.  If I know we might be busy at his 5pm evening meal time eg in the show ring or out walking I will sometimes give him a small portion at lunchtime to help tide him over as he has quite an accurate tummy clock otherwise!!

Twice. I don't like the idea of leaving a full 24 hours between meals and many dogs start to vomit bile if you do.

Im in the minority who leave my dogs food down all day and night.

He must be very picky LOL. All my dogs finish their food in ten seconds flat and I once had a dog that overate so much he had to be taken to the vet for his stomach to be pumped; he nearly died. (It was the day after my wedding and I gave him some left overs and didn't notice the kids kept giving him left over cake and all sorts as well.) They just don't know when to stop. None of mine would ever dream of leaving anything, ever.

I feed twice a day. The morning feed provides them with the energy they need for the daytime, and the evening feed means they aren't going to bed on an empty tummy. Also, if your dogs are kennelled, it helps to break up the day for them. I always give my dogs a raw carrot after their feed as I find it excellent for cleaning their teeth.

I feed all of mine twice a day.  If my Akita misses a meal she often goes out to the garden to sick up bile.

All mine gobble their food down sooo quickly but I have to say I leave the Akita with her breakfast all morning.  She eats abit of chicken carcass first thing then leaves the rest until I come home at lunchtime - the minute I go in to see her and give her a fuss she carries on eating however she always eats her evening meal straight away lol!!

I have both small and larger breeds, and still feed twice a day.  Except my very old toy poodle,she gets 3 mini meals a day.

I feed both breeds - Boxers and French Bulldogs twice daily, about 9.30 - 10 am and again at 6 - 6.30.

I feed three times a day in fairly small quantities, I don't like the idea of them not eating for 24 hrs if fed once. it's better for my dogs digestion and also they are deep chested so therefore prone to bloat, of which I am terrified.

Twice a day, 8am and 5pm.  I worry about feeding once a day, because my breed is prone to bloat (from what I have been told, havent experienced it yet thank goodness).  Dont want them eating too much, to quick. 

I have always feed mine small meals, 3 times a day. :-)

I also have a breed prone to bloat and having lost a rescued doberman years ago to this I am always worried about it.

I feed Floyd twice a day, one meal between 6 and 7am and the next meal at 4pm, I also give him a handful of biscuits at about 10pm to stop any tummy grumbles
Jane

Just once a day here, if I fed twice there would hardly be anything in the bowl to eat,a nd I think I would be in danger or putting too much in.

I had a biley one and tried to change to feeding in the mornings, and twice a day and it made no difference, but feeding  food with herbs in it did.

Thanks guys, nice to get so many replies!

Looks like I'll be sticking with my twice a day.  My girl loves carrots too!

Dawn R

Freds mom,
I used to leave biscuits and dry food down all day, when I only had one dog and one bitch, never had a problem. But! I now have one bitch that eats everything in sight, she goes round all the bowls. I could not understand why she was putting on weight. I feed my older dogs two meals a day. My 6month old pup is on three, even though he never eats all his lunch.
I think twice a day helps stop greed and bloat.


Denese

twice a day and my staffy also loves carrots.  The pup sees her eating them and always gets one too but I don't think he is that into them and only has a wee knaw to keep up with missy.  Missy often won't eat 2 meals a day and if it is hot she will only munch one in the evening, it seems to depend what mood she is in.

Once a day for my tt's. I have put meals down early morning and lunch times but they are not interested. I do now give them a weetabix first thing which they enjoy. I give them this with water in the same bowl so that they are also getting a good drink first thing, whether they like it or not!!!! Carrots are definitely a hit with their evening meal and help, with the weetabix, sort out any anal gland problems.

All of ours are feed twice a day,once early morning then about 5pm.

Hi Dawn,

I always feed my 3 dogs twice a day - their breakfast is at about 6.45am and their dinner is at 7pm, always around the same times. They do also get some biscuits throughout the day as well.

They will always remind me if their evening meal is so much as slightly delayed!!

My Samoyed loves carrots too and recently decided she liked tangerines as well!!

I feed twice a day for an adult dog. they also have some bananas/apples during the day .

always fed my dogs twice a day and even more important now as we compete in agility so are training alot so I want to make sure they have something to be running on.

My girl loves banana too now  But the first time I gave it to her she pulled such a face - think it was the texture. Funny.

Definately sticking with the twice a day feeding. Thanks to all for the comments. 

Dawn R

always twice a day for my Newfs as they do tend to surrer with blout and i feel this cuts the risk.

Twice a day for me too. RMBs fed at a different time of day than everything else they eat. I always feed after Home and Away on TV. The dogs sit and watch the programme too, they know not to move in the first interval but to wait for the closing music.

I actually feed mine 4 times a day but that is because Milo brings up bile if his stomach gets empty.
Under normal circumstances with other dogs I have always fed twice as I believe its better not to overload the stomach in one go.

Feeding twice a day has many advantages.

It minimises the risk of bloat/GDV
It maintains blood sugar levels at a steady rate
It breaks up the day

I do not feed my dogs at fixed times ( I prefer to keep them on the edge and not to tell ME when it is time to eat) and I will often feed them as part of their training regime.

There is no need for meals to be fed in a bowl gratis and for nothing ;)

I feed twice a day too or else I get bile upchuck, breccy is their favourite, weetabix or malted wheats with goats milk, just like kids with their cereal. When I do my shopping my list always has dog cereal, dog milk and dog fish on it