My dog is only eating once daily – is this okay?

Question

My dog is only eating once daily – is this okay? He’ll eat about 2 cups of food around 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm. I try to feed him in the morning but he wont eat so I take it away, I usually leave him little treats though, they’re sometimes eaten and sometimes not. Water is always available though. – Although when human food is around he automatically becomes Hungary. My dog is a pug.

Answer 1

The reason you feed 2 meals is because when you feed large meals only once, the stomach can sometimes turn over on itself causing a dangerous, often fatal condition called Bloat.
Usually it happens in larger dogs, but because of the way a pug is shaped, it is a possibility. Deep chests that taper to narrow hips leaves enough room for the stomach to do it's fatal flips.
This is moderately common, and dogs can go years of eating only one meal a day, then suddenly develop this. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Signs to watch for is for the abdomen to suddenly, well, bloat. The condition is aptly named. It is extremely painful, and you will have no doubt that he is sick.
RUN TO THE VET!! Time is critical. Blood supply to the stomach and intestines is being clamped off and causing all sorts of bad news in there. Dogs go from fine to dead in a matter of hours.
Try reducing the evening meal by half see if he wants more in the morning.
Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Two cups is fine for a little pug - and it could be that he just waits for your human food treats! If he stops eating all together or stop drinking, or if he seems to be losing weight, dull coat luster, or such signs of sickness take him to the vet. I always feed by dogs ad libidum (food available all the time) and just keep track of how much they eat - they seem to prefer the choice of eating when they are hungry.

Answer 3

Yes - that's OK. Why not try leaving his food for him all the time and he can eat what he wants. As long as he doesn't start over-eating, it's a natural way for dogs to eat. All 3 of mine are on self-feed. (I think it's programmed into all dogs to be hungry when human food is around!)

Answer 4

Everyone I know who has a dog feeds once a day. Actually this is OK for cats too although I feed them twice a day.

Many homeopathic veterinarians say that cats and dogs should be fasted one day every week and just have fresh, filtered water for 24 hours.

I don't do that. I would have no peace in that 24 hour period.

Answer 5

It is okay for dogs to eat once only, actually my vet suggested that i should feed my dog only once so he doesn't overeat. Sometimes dogs don't like the treats we give them and that is okay. remember that pugs are small dogs so they don't have to be eating constantly.
I assure you he's find. if he stops eating for more than two days then you should take him to the vet.

One thing i know for sure, is that you have to be careful if you let him eat human food, it can afect his little stomach.

Answer 6

Animals tend to eat less when the weather is hotter, so yes, it's normal and 2 cups for a pug is more than enough.

Answer 7

I recently asked my vet the very same question (I have a pug, as well) and the vet recommends feeding once per day. We used to feed him 3 times per day and gradually, as he got bigger he was able to eat more at one time to last him all day.

Answer 8

Eating Once Daily

Answer 9

It is probably fine but if he doesn't eat you should still leave the food out because you never know if he changes your mind... My dog she would never eat her food till she got hungry then she she would eat it... So leave the food out and GOOD LUCK! 'ㅂ'

Answer 10

Feeding adult dogs once per day is fine and probably even recommended. Puppies, however, require more frequent feedin.