Free Or Scheduled Feeding For Your Dog?


 How often and how much should you be feeding your dog? There are two schools of thought when it comes to mealtimes: Free feeding or scheduled feeding. Both have pros & cons and it really depends upon  your lifestyle as well as your dog's personality & health. Which ever way you feed your dog, it is important that you are feeding them a high quality dog food that is recommended for your dog's specific breed. It is also recommended that you only feed the recommended daily amount to avoid obesity. 

Free Feeding

Free feeding is easier on the owner, for sure. You don't have to worry about getting home at a specific time to feed your dog. Believe me, animals are creatures of schedule. They know when dinner time is right down to the second. Free feeding is also good for active pets and puppies that need the extra calories. 

The downside of free feeding is that there is an increased risk for obesity if you do not monitor how much food your dog is getting in a day. It also diminishes the structure hierarchy of the household-- Your dog may not realize that you are the one providing the food. In addition, it will be harder to notice appetite shifts. An appetite shift can often be the first clue of a health problem with your dog.  Finally, if your dog is a gobbler, you may want to steer away from free feeding. Gobbling up a bunch of food at once can lead to gastric dilation volvulus which is a life threatening condition.

A few rules of thumb for free feeding to help combat the cons listed above:

  • Designate a specific area for feeding. 
  • Only feed the recommended amount a day.
  • If you have a gobbler, try dividing the recommended amount and disperse throughout the day. 
  • Caution: Canned and raw food cannot be left out for long periods of time. This leads to harmful bacteria growth. If you want to add canned or raw food to your dog's diet, give it to them at a time when you can take it away soon afterward. 

Scheduled Feeding:

Scheduled feeding is definitely best for multiple dog households. You will know who is eating what-- Sometimes, there will be one dog in the pack that is a "food bully" whereas another dog will not be getting enough nutrients. Or, in another scenario, different dogs will require different food. In addition, you are more likely notice when there is an appetite shift. This will allow you to closely monitor for a health problem. Finally, it establishes a schedule & a hierarchy. It's easier to establish who's at the top of the pack--you! You bring the food! Dogs thrive on a consistent schedule.

The downside, it is a little more stressful for a dog owner, because you bring the food at specific times. It's more time consuming. Dogs are creatures of habit & will definitely let you know when it is mealtime. Be prepared for longing looks and whines if you are delaying the food! The other downside is that your dog may not be getting enough calories. As always, you will need to monitor how much your dog is eating.

A few rules of thumb for scheduled feeding:

  • Adult dogs should be feed twice a day. If you have a gobbler, you could split it into smaller portions three times a day.
  • Puppies should be fed 3-4 times a day.
  • Feed the recommended amount. 
  • Designate a specific area of feeding.
Choosing whether you free feed or establish a schedule is up to you and the type of dog you have. There is no right or wrong answer. The bottom line is to always feed your dog a high quality food that is meant for their breed and the correct amount. Last, whichever feeding style you adopt, be on the lookout for behavior changes and aggression around food. This will allow you to know when a health problem is arising.

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