can i reduce my pups food to twice a day she is nearly 8 months old?

I would of thought so if shes gone off her mid meal?

Hi,
Ours are normally down on to two long before 8 months so you can drop the lunch time meal out.
Have fun with your bundle of joy they grow up to fast!
Fiona

Mine are on 1 meal a day by 8 months.

Oh good that makes me feel better as I was planning to drop my puppy down to 1 meal at 9 months!

I don't know if this is just me Lucy, but I don't think one meal a day is the way to go.  My two dogs, 9 years old and 9 months old, both get "breakfast", and I think this is much better than giving food only once in a 24 hour period.  Also, for the larger breeds, one meal a day *can* contribute to bloat.

Lol I know my dog couldn't cope on just one meal, I feel it's much fairer to give 2 smaller meals rather than 1 huge 1

It helps keep the blood sugar steady too.  Also personally I wouldn't like to live on one meal a day, so my dogs don't :)

Pup should be fine going down to two meals - both mine were on 4 meals till 3 months old, 3 meals till 6 months then down to 2 meals a day.  And treats, of course :)

Hi,
I find my pups tell you when they don't wont any more food.
My pup is 13weeks now, she has breakfast so do the adults. dinner and tea,
At lunch time when she wont's feeding she will come and get me.
Also I am sure the adults send her to fetch me to get there tea's.
It happens every night.
Regards
Denese

Hi, my pup is 21 weeks old and is still on 4 meals a day. He doesnt look like he will be wanting to cut out a meal any time soon. Should i wait till he is ready, or cut one out? Not sure what is best to do. Thanks. :-)

I'd cut one out now, giving to many feeds can cause as many problems as not enough!

Which one should i cut out then? And how many meals should i aim to get him down to??

Thanks. ;-)

PS. Forgot to say he is a Mastiff.

When dropping from 4 meals to 3, I generally make lunch slightly later than before, and supper slightly later, dropping the latest meal. So instead of feeding at 8am, 12 noon, 4 pm and 8pm, I'd be feeding at 8am, 1pm and 6pm, with maybe a small biscuit last thing. At about 6 months I go down to 2 meals a day, and stick at that.

Thanks JG, i will give that a go. I have been told that it may be best to only reduce to 3 meals a day because he is a Giant breed. Is this true? Or should i eventually aim for just 2?

Hi Zoe, i know our boys arnt the same breed, but they are pretty huge :D my breeder said to go down to 2 and keep him on 2 when his ready, his currently on 3 a day, roughly around 7, 1 and 5/6ish :)

Cheers Mel!! :D

mackleback, as a co giant owner :) then several small meals much better than 1 large. Three is ideal but not everyones lifestyle can deal with this so 2 is ok.....mine are all on twice a day for life (after the initial 5,4,then 3 times a day until 12 months. Just remember to add a bit more to the other meals as its the interval you are increasing not the amount of food you are reducing! :)

So would it be better to reduce him to 3 and stick with that? I am with him all day, so feeding 3 times would not be a problem. What breeed do you have Sam?? Thanks :D

Hi mackleback,

I would increase the breakfast, dinner and tea meals.
Do you put it down and the pup just eats it or does the pup
come to you at meal times. My pup will come to me have a moan then
go out to her bowl. She's gaining wieght fine, tummy is always full.
Give the pup a hide bone or chew instead.
Regards
Denese

Hi denese,

My pup, almost always, comes to me for his meals. He has been getting raw hide bones lately to help with his teething....now that i have found one big enough to last more than 1 hour!!! :-) He is not a greedy pup, and doesnt rush his meals....he just likes his grub! ;-) I suppose it is because of his size!!!

Thanks. :D

Mine are ont two meals by 6 months of age and often on oen only before they6 are a year, though they are only a medium size breed.  43lb/20kg as adults.

Well..my pup is 33kg already @ 21weeks old! :D He is probably bigger than yours already. ;-) What breed are they??

Edited... I have just looked at your website, what lovely dogs you have!!!! :D :D :D

They think so too! :D

Ah, op did not mention that pup was huge breed. In that case, one meal a day is not a good idea.

Does vary according to breed, mine would think they hadn't been fed at all if I split their meal in two, as it is little enough as it is.

They only get 6 or 7 ounces of complete in little 6inch bowls.

I just had a peek too! What gorgeous dogs!!

They will get very big heads if I tell them, thery are smug enough as it is :D

Ahh who cares?! They deserve to be :D

Just had a wee look too....gorgeous!! I've been lucky enough to meet one in the flesh as we often meet one on our walks and she is a truly beautiful dog. I think my boy has a soft spot for her too as he always invites her to play and he is extremely choosey about who he gives his invitations to :)

If leo doesnt get 2 meals a day hes sick he doesnt like going for 24 hours between meals