is it better to leave food out for my dog all day, or should i pick it up when he's finished and only give it

Question

to him 2 to 3 times a day?

Answer 1

while SOME dogs do OK being free fed... most do not. I prefer to feed my dogs once a day with numerous "snacks/treats" through out the day to reward good behavior. this accomplishes many things... 1. the dogs know that their food comes from you...(not the bowl in the kitchen) 2. It also offers me the opportunity to NEVER miss a training opportunity! even something as simple as "sit for food" goes a long way! 3. you can monitor how much they are eating more effectively (esp if you have more than one pet) 4. Many free fed dogs become over weight because they never experience that "full" feeling to know when it is time to stop eating. The only advantage to free free feeding that I can see is that if the food is always there, it is not considered a valued resource and possibly head off food aggression...however that can back fire if you are training with food!

Answer 2

The answer depends. It's better, training-wise, to not indiscriminantly leave the food out all day long, because of what that says to the dog. If you've got a pretty submissive and obedient dog, then putting it out whenever will be fine, because that dog will naturally look to you to lead. But if you have a stronger-willed more dominant dog, I would feed it a set amount at set time(s), making a point that it is being fed. This will establish that you are in charge, not the dog. What I do is either feed my dog after a family meal or put some sort of cracker in with the food and have the dog watch me eat it and then feed him. Both send the signal that the human ate first and is the boss.

I have heard that leaving food out all the time will lead to overeating, but we have never had that problem. The key with this is knowing how much you're going to give the dog and then no more. But a healthy, sufficiently exercised dog will only eat what it needs to. If may only eat an 1/8th of a cup at a time, but it won't scarf the food uncontrollably.

Answer 3

It is NOT good to leave dog food out all day, When you feed your dog feed it once a day and follow the feeding instructions on food container. If the dog doesn't finish what you have given him then pick it and put it away. Never feed your dog off the dinner table, this will set up bad habits. I don't know where you live but if you live food out your inviting Roach's and other bugs into the house.. Another reason for feeding once a day is, the more the the dog consumes the more landmines (turds) you have to clean up. If your dog likes to chew on things then get him/her some beef bones to chew on. The bones are great for the teeth and their gums. The reason I suggest beet bones because those products that is suppose to get the plack really doesn't and bones will keep them happy.

Answer 4

I only feed my dog once a day. Ive heard its better to feed him and then pick up the food when he is finished. I think its a dominance issue, you have to be in control of feeding. Its not good for him to think he can just eat whenever he wants to. Also if you feed him and then pick up the food right after it will cut down on ants.

Answer 5

I leave food out at all times as both my dogs like to "pick" now and then just don't put so much food in the bowl that he'll be tempted to overeat and add a little more when you see the bowls empty.

Answer 6

Well, I haven't had any problems with my dogs. I usually live food in their plates all day, and they just eat whenever they are hungry. They don't have any problems with overweight. It depends on you, how you prefer because each dog is different and if he is going to overeat, probably it will be best to give him 2 to 3 times a day.

Answer 7

It depends totally on your dog. I have mostly had sight hounds (afghans, Irish Wolfhound, greyhounds), and these dogs only eat when they're hungry, so my dogs have always been on self-feed. It's a more natural way for them to eat. They never gorge themselves or gobble their food because they know it's always available. This also cuts down on their chances of getting bloat.

But if you have a dog that won't stop eating as long as there's food, it would be better to feed him twice a day.

Answer 8

you should not keep food or water for your pet open more than

4 hours & it is better you give him 2-3 times and change it according to time as puppy eat at about 2-3 the after getting old eat abou1-2 times only

Answer 9

Do you want a fat unhealthy dog or a healthy slim dog? It is not advisable to leave down food all day for a dog, unless you plan on only letting him have what is in his bowl and not be tempted to refill it when it's empty. A healthy dog only needs one serving a day.

Answer 10

Each way works better for different dogs.. my breed does best with free feeding..left out all day..Actually, I put it out in small amounts, but refill frequently...But most dogs do just fine with feeding twice a day for adults, and 3 times per day for pups...A between meal snack of a good quality chew treat ( milk bone type) will keep them from feeling hungry.