Do you prefer to use a big tray or the type of set up with a small bowl for each puppy?

I had in mind to use a big tray type bowl, but wondered if there was particular reasoning for using individual bowls?

I use big trays -normally 2 for large litters so 4-5 pups per tray, but if I had any pup smaller than the rest, then individual bowls would make more sense as the small one could so easily get pushed out of the way if they have to share.

I go for individual bowls, held by a person (you can hold four small bowls in one hand) every time. It not only means you can monitor how much each pup is eating and make sure that no-one is pushed aside, they don't learn they have to compete for food and they never resent people's hands near their bowls - they're not taught to food-guard.

> wondered if there was particular reasoning for using individual bowls?

Ideally I think individual bowls are better for getting the pups used to eating by themselves. That way, when they go to their new homes they are more likely to eat their food in their new setting. Having said that, if the litter is large, it's more difficult to use a bowl each than putting down 3 or 4 platters or even the weanafeedas.

I tend to start off using one bowl and as they get closer to going to their new homes, go to individual bowls - as previously said a) to monitor what each puppy eats - although you can tell by the size of their bellies really and b) to get them used to eating alone.

I find using a larger feeding station initally cuts down on the amount of waste and less washing up if you have a reasonable sized litter!

I start off using the plastic tray that you get from the gardening centre for putting large plant pots on. That way if the pups decide to chew them they have only cost me pennies ;-) Once they are old enough to eat seperately I put down more until they finally all have individual ones.

I've always used the large flat 12 inch across pans. 

I always overfeed so there have never been any food guarding issues or anyone not getting enough.

Anything left over Mum clears up when she comes in to top up.

I would imagine having individual bowls from the start might actually encourage food guarding as they haven't been used to sharing, since coming off the milk bar, and realising it doesn't mean they won't get enough.

Mine all happily share bones and treats, even when crated together at shows without issue.

>I would imagine having individual bowls from the start might actually encourage food guarding as they haven't been used to sharing

Quite the opposite - they know from the outset that human hands holding their bowl means the giving of food - they don't have to gobble down as much as they can as quickly as they can before some else eats it or the bowl gets taken away. Dogs don't 'do' sharing, after all!

> Dogs don't 'do' sharing, after all!

Well they do if they are in the wild at a kill.  There would only be issues if food was short.

But getting back to rearing puppies, as the food doesn't run out (I always give more than they can eat, and don't take it away until they have all lost interest, they have no need to gobble up the food or feel threatened by anyone else getting theri share in my expereicne.

To be fair thought the largest litter I have had was 9 puppies, perhaps not enough for any food bullying to occur.

I tried using two of the large round whelping bowls (look like the Ladies Wimbledon Trophy but with a domed centre lol) but found three large flat baking trays worked better for my litter of 8 collies. I could spread the food into all the corners so no one lost out and used Barbara's idea of giving more food than they could eat anyway.

Similarly to marisa I use the 'Wimbledon Trophy' type feeders.Any leftovers go to the bitch with no wastage at all.This style of bowl 'disuades' the pups from ploughing through the food......well thats the theory anyway.

can you link to where I could buy one of these from? I've had a look but cant seem to find them online?

PM'd you.

I think I have seen them on Ebay, they come in 2 sizes. I liked the look of the set up of 4 or 6 metal bowls which sit in moulded plastic so each puppy has its own feeding station but they are so expensive for what they are.

I use plastic disposable plates, I had one little Madam who would get on the plate and eat her way around the edge, ignoring her litter mates who would stand back till she had passed, she only ever did one round of the plate,Mum would clean her up, she stopped trying it when they went on to more solid food, by 8 weeks they had separate dishes.

I start off with a flatish plate, and then use cheap litter trays, they only cost about a £1 each so if chewed they are easy to replace, as the litter grows they go to the next size ones which are only a little bit more exspensive. We only use seperate dishes when most of the pups have gone to their new homes, and we are left with the ones we are keeping.

The only thing that would worry me about using a communal feeding bowl/tray is how do you monitor how much each one is eating?  If you saw your pups round a tray some would take a few mouthfuls slowly, then walk away or go round the edge and take little nibbles.  Some would just sit there and stuff their faces.  I think I would prefer individual bowls just so I could put the same amount in each one to begin with and see who was consistently clearing their plate or who was just picking then go from there.

Just my opinion and perhaps I worry to much, but I would much rather do that than do the 'free for all way'.

If you put down more food than the pups can eat it's not a problem as the greedy/fast ones will usually be full quicker than the slower ones so they all get there in the end.

> If you put down more food than the pups can eat it's not a problem as the greedy/fast ones will usually be full quicker than the slower ones so they all get there in the end.

and as you will be supervising and also weighing pups weekly at least, any that have lost their appetite will be noticed.

I've used the weana feeda (moulded tray with individual bowls) for two litters and I love them.  I think they're great for getting pups used to eating out of their own bowls and it means you have a good idea if how much each pup is eating.

I was a bit skeptical when I bought them for my last litter but after the first feeding I was totally sold.  Also customer service is excellent from their main site.  I would absolutely recommend them but would say order direct from them rather than through eBay or the like.

I was going to get a wenna feeder(and use all my Royal Canin points)But in the end I bought a large metal round dish with a dome in the centre.(from ebay)This was ver successful and I still use the same bowl with my 2, now 15 week old pups that I kept.

I use a whole variety of bowls and trays from the start. I do like to feed from one bowl as I need to know if there are pushier pups/bullies in the litter and this can become very apparent at feeding time. But they go on to feed in individual bowls too. I feed from pottery plates, tin trays, melamine trays (sandwich trays are good), on the floor :-D and the stainless steel withches hat type puppy feeders (which you can get from www.doghealth.co.uk ). I want the pups to experience all types of surfaces for eating.

I have a Weenafeeda which is super, but if I'm absolutely honest, it gets a bit of a pain washing that plastic holder ... puppies can be very messy, so I tend to use the little bowls on their own, when we're going individual!

Variety is the spice of life - so we mix it up :-)

Thanks for the responses. Ive ordered a metal type one with raised middle. I thought I would use that to start then use smaller bowls as they get older, especially as it looks like the whole litter (only 4 luckily!) will be here until 10 weeks at least.

I think you'll like it :) Just as a tip, if you find it too big for the pups to start with (I did) just upturn a cereal bowl in the middle of a plate ... stops them paddling through the middle of the food quite well! Sure you'll have lots of fun with them :)

I am one of the variety is the spice of life feeders too. I have various sized bowls and dishes, and usually give one large communal dish and a variety of small ones at the same meal. Regular weigh ins and watching weedles out any slow eaters and they then get a bit of TLC to make sure they are not bullied. They also get interesting things thrown on the floor as well, chunks of meat fresh sprats etc.. it's fun to watch a couple of pups one each end of a sprat! I always make sure there are lots to go round though so everyone gets a chance. Never yet in over 30 years have I had a food guarder or any fighting. I also add extra special tit bits as pups are eating so they see hands as a source of nice things.
Aileen