Many dog books that I own state "DO NOT KEEP FOOD IN YOUR DOGS BOWL FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES. THROW AWAY THE DOG FOOD AFTER 15 MINUTES OR THE FOOD WILL GET STALE AND GET YOUR DOG SICK" I always have dry food out for my Chihuauha and I keep it until she finishes eating it. Is this wrong?? Is my little girl gonna get sick?!! Please help!!!!!
2007-02-11 10:00:39 · 19 answers · asked by inactive 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I think they are trying to say like longer than 1 day. it isnt that it will get stale, it makes no sense that it will get stale just for being out in a bowl instead than somewhere else in a huge bag. It is more hygenic if you change its food daily, I do put new food in my dogs bowl once a day, because she sometimes drools over it and it makes it go bad from all the enzymes breaking down the food. But its only dry food i feed my dog. If you feed your dog wet food/can food you should remove the food after its being in the bowl for a while (2 hrs or so) dont worry to much about it thought, i havent seen a dog get sick from eating food that wasnt trhown out after 15 mins of being on the bowl
2007-02-11 10:03:19 · answer #1 · answered by Kitty 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Those "experts" are probably referring to canned food or fresh meat, not dry dog food. Most dogs, if they eat something rotten, will vomit it up, might feel a little out of sorts for a day but nothing seriously bad. And by nature dogs usually "wolf" their food down until they can't eat anymore, which is maybe another reason they recommend not to leave food always available (a lot of domesticated dogs don't get enough exercise so are prone to becoming overweight if their caloric intake is not limited by the caregiver). Dry animal food has preservatives in it to prevent the protein from going bad so it's ok to leave out for your dog to eat at will--just make sure she doesn't start gaining too much weight.
2007-02-11 18:14:01 · answer #2 · answered by Inundated in SF 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The reason you do not leave dog food out all day is you never know when your dog is full and has to empty her bowels. If the food is down for 15 minutes and she eats it, she will have to go potty about 20 minutes later. When food is left down all day your dog becomes what we call a "grazer", eating whenever she wants. It is much harder to house train your dog when this is allowed. This is up to you whether to leave food down all day or not. If the food is dry she will not get sick but if it is mixed with canned and left out it could sour.
2007-02-11 18:12:45 · answer #3 · answered by simbasega 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i have a chihuahua too and ever since i brought her home, i've kept dry food out for her the whole day everyday and she has never gotten sick because of it. probably they book meant if u left wet food out longer than 15 mins. that would probably make a dog sick. but hey, take it from someone who has never had a problem with her chi~ ur dog wont get sick :)
2007-02-11 18:11:05 · answer #4 · answered by Kat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this i've never heard of. many owners "free feed" their pets like this, putting the food in the bowl and letting the animal eat when it wants. i've never experienced any pet sickness in doing this, your chihuauha should be fine.
2007-02-11 18:04:40 · answer #5 · answered by Dirk 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Chihuahuas and other small breed dogs are prone to hypoglycemia and it is good to leave food out for them all day. It will not make the dog sick.
2007-02-11 19:58:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would seem to me that whatever book you read that in, is probably referring to canned food. I also free feed my dog. because she doesn't overeat so she she always has dry food in her bowl, and nothing has happened to her yet. She will be 2 on Valentine's Day.
2007-02-11 18:11:00 · answer #7 · answered by HDB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What on earth books are you reading? No, it's completely untrue. I wouldn't leave canned food out for more than six hours, and dry is easily good for a day or two.
2007-02-11 18:04:32 · answer #8 · answered by Shane 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
relax hun. It all depends on which brand you have, because many store brands and animal tested(inject the food ingredients in the skin and drops in eyes) brands such as IAMS, are prone to getting hard and stale, which bothers there teeth, like us eating hard candy all day everyday. it eventually gows into a headache and that is how she will get "sick" because she will learn where she got the headache and jus not eat. Its a domino affect. Its best if you put her on a food scedule or leave out small amounts, thats way your at ease and not hafta worry about your baby getting sick.
I hope this helps
good luck to you
2007-02-11 18:09:25 · answer #9 · answered by Mrs.Durossndamaken 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I have never heard that! I have a Basset Hound, so her food has never been there long enough. I would think if it was really hot out or something, maybe, but I doubt it.
2007-02-11 18:04:13 · answer #10 · answered by stellabella 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋