Just wondering?

Question

Is it bad to free-feed your dog. I have a chihuahua and I free-feed her, is it bad??

Answer 1

If your dog doesn't over eat it shouldn't be a problem. However, when a dog is sick the first thing you will usually notice is their appetite decreases. If you are free feeding you may not notice this as quickly as you would if you weren't free feeding. If you are free feeding now and want to switch to feeding your dog once in the morning and once at night it may take a day or two for your dog to realize that they need to eat when you put the food down for them. When I switched over to regular feedings my dogs didn't eat the first or the second time but the third time they realized they needed to eat when I was feeding them. Now I know exactly how much they are eating and they are eating the right amount and not over eating. Remember with small dogs they need to eat more frequently because of their blood sugar levels. I have a 3 pound chi and I feed them two times a day and I have had no problems. Good luck.

Answer 2

No it isn't bad to free feed your dog. My four are fed ad-lib and I don't have any problems with them what so ever. In fact I would suggest that a small breed like a Chihuahua should be free fed because of their metabolic rate. My dogs are fit and healthy and not over weight. If it suits you and your dog then go for it.

Answer 3

I've been raising and owning dogs for well over 3 decades and every single one of my dogs has been self-fed. The breeds I've had don't over-eat and are never overweight and the system has worked extremely well. The only dogs I wouldn't use self-feed with are those who never stop eating when there's food available. So if your dog isn't gaining too much weight, there's nothing wrong with it.

Answer 4

personally, i think all this acting like a member of the dog's "pack" business is a bunch of crap. dogs know we aren't dogs! ever notice that dogs don't greet humans by sniffing their crotches? (yes, some dogs might sniff a crotch now and then, but not in the same with they do with other dogs) free feeding is ok if your dog does'nt over eat. some breeds, if given an unlimited supply of food, will eat until they are sick, and eventually obese. if your dog eats normal amounts and doesn't gain weight, free feeding is fine in my opinion.

Answer 5

Yes. Even though your dog is small it is still a dog with dog manners and pack order.

For you to free-feed it, you have put yourself into the role of inferior pack member. If you continue, I can imagine a bunch of problems...Your dog will start feeling that he can force his will on you, by barking, nipping and acting skittish.

Make a point of feeding your dog from a bowl, on the floor. Let your dog watch you put together his food. Make him sit and stay before he is allowed to eat. Say "Okay" when he is allowed to approach the food.

This may sound cruel. But in dog language, you are telling your pup that you are boss, providing him food and to be respected.

Answer 6

If it is a young chi puppy or even a small adult, it is better to free feed your chi, because if they do not eat often they get hypoglycemia(low blood sugar). Chihuahua breeder whose chihuahuas are always free fed.

Answer 7

It's not the best way to feed. Free feeding encourages picky eaters and makes it hard to keep pets on potty schedules.

Answer 8

yes it is bad, stop it now before its too late! It can lead to her getting fat. Dogs, like their ansestors the wolves, hunted for food. (yes even chihuahuas were wolves once) And when they make a kill the often ate really fast and\or fought over it with other family members and the boss which they usaully won and the other shad to back off while they ate... even the little pups had to wait. They had no idea when they were going to get their next meal. As a natural instinct dogs will eat until the get full and as such eat when they are bored, lonely or scared, just as some humans will. Controlling her portions is like them getting food at certian time frames(I feed mine twice a day splitting the recommended amount in half and even cutting it back some), and you serving it is like you gaining control, and you get to be the top pack leader ujist like they had in the wild. Here is why also...
Puppies need to be fed small portions at frequent intervals, since they are growing and their activity level is high. You must ensure that your pup gains weight steadily. At 3 months of age, puppies need to be fed four times a day. When shopping for dog food for your puppy, always choose a brand that caters for the large breed. No point in giving food value that is more suited for a small breed e.g. Yorkshire Terrier. Your Saint Bernard pup may be small now, but will grow, grow and grow some more, and eventually you will have a BIG dog. When using puppy dry food, soak them for up to half an hour before feeding. Doing this makes it easier for digesting, and prevents their teeth from chipping. As the pup reach the age of six months, increase its portions and you can now feed twice daily. At one year old, one meal per day is sufficient. At this time you can supplement with a few dry biscuits in the morning and evening.... (snacks). Remember to always supply fresh drinking water with all meals, including snacks. Try and get your pup into regular feeding habits, when finished, take the dish away. Never leave the dish as the pup will get into bad habits, or better known as ’free feeding’. This is not an ideal way of feeding any growing puppy. You must have set times per day for feeding and stick to it. When selecting a feeding dish for your pup, remember that pup's grow at an incredible rate. Purchase one that will be a bit big for him now, later you will be getting an even bigger one. The dish must be big enough to hold each meal. Hard plastic or Stainless steel is ideal. Discard the leftover food immediately and thoroughly wash and dry the feeding dish, as a dirty dish is a breeding ground for harmful germs. Feed your pup at the same regular intervals each day. Never over feed, use the feeding guidelines on the pack of dog food to guide you, or ask your vet. Saint Bernard's need to have their dish off the ground (Raised) when they get older. At about 4 to 6 months old, raise the dish. This is to help with digestion. For example, get a tall bucket, place a piece of wood over it with the size of the feeding dish cut out in the centre. Or a tall bucket with the top opening the same size as the feeding dish to sit in it comfortably. But not for the dish to fall into the bucket when its full. If you decide to offer your pup a bone, wait until it is at least three months old. Never give cooked bones, as these will splinter and can be very harmful to your dog. Only give uncooked bones. A little raw meat attached will not turn your dog into a vicious dog.

Answer 9

It fine, my dog eats that way too. Hes healthy.