Change to Dogs' Feeding Schedule

mdupon70997

We've recently decided to try a new type of food and to change our dogs' feeding schedule. Normally we leave food down for them l day. They don't really over eat, but they eat whenever they like...even at 11 PM if they want. We decided that from now on they will eat when we eat supper. They will have 30 minutes to eat and then their food bowls will get picked up. We've been doing this for about three days now, and our larger dog is doing well. He eats most of his food within the half hour. Our little dog, on the other hand, is hardly eating at all. I don't know if its because of the new food or because of the new food bowl (they used to eat out of the same bowl at the same time...they're BFF's.) Or maybe it's  because of their new time limit. I don't know. Any suggestions. I'm worried about my baby. 

LuckyAngel07

First of all, a huge plus to you for changing to set feedings. Free feedings are ill advised for so many reasons, the top ones in my opinion being the likelihood to overeat, you never really knowing exactly how much your dog eats, and you not controlling the dogs resources (biggest of all really).

First, if they're used to free feeding, at least starting out providing 2 meals per day would be better than just one. Your smaller dog has a smaller stomach (is he/she a puppy, or just a small breed?). Not all dogs can eat their entire daily amount of food in one sitting, so it's not really fair to expect this to happen. Instead, provide half the daily amount at breakfast and the other half at dinner. You can leave the food down for the same 30 minutes if you like, or pick the bowls up sooner if they're not eating or have finished.

Don't worry. Dogs will not starve themselves. They might try holding out for some time, but your little dog will eventually eat, it's just going to take learning the new schedule. It's only been a few days; give it time.

If you find one or both dogs doesn't end up needing 2 separate meals each day, then you can switch later, but not all dogs can do just 1 meal a day. Many need their food split into 2 meals, so do that instead and see how your dogs respond. 

everlongmoyer

I agree with the above poster that set feedings are so much better.  Even my larger dog gets fed twice a day because she is so active that her metabolism is higher than a lazier dog.  You could try giving the smaller dog a little bit of wet food or put some treats mixed in with her kibble.  You wouldn't want to do this long term but it would at least get her eating and get her used to a schedule.  If dogs don't eat for a few meals their metabolism will slow down making them not as hungry.  They still won't starve themselves so don't feel alarmed if she goes two or three days without touching anything, they are built for that kind of thing.  My smaller dog will fast himself a few meals a week especially now that it is summer.  

mdupon70997

Thanks for the tips about the two different feeding a. We'll try that.  My small dog is not a puppy, he's an 8 pound Pom. I was worried about her blood sugar dropping since she's not eaten very much in the last three days. 

tintinn85

You sound like my husband - he worries about every little thing about our cat and dog and how well they are eating (or not, in his mind)

Animals won't starve themselves - survival kicks in eventually and they will eat.  I'd say it could be a combination of the multiple changes occuring at the same time tht has just thrown the little one off his 'normal' schedule. 

I'd try combining some of the old and new food (if you still have any) to help entice his nose to the bowl and I'd try the suggestion before of putting food down at intervals during the day and then weaning him back to once or twice a day. I have a 15lb Yorkie who gets fed 2x p/day because his little tummy couldn't handle one large feeding. 

Good luck with the switch and give the little guy a chance to figure it out!

LuckyAngel07

tintinn85:

Animals won't starve themselves - survival kicks in eventually and they will eat.  

Cats are actually an exception to this rule. If something is bothering them enough, they will refuse food no matter what, and it only takes 24-48 hours for serious health consequences to result. When cats don't eat anything, within that short timeframe they can develop hepatic lipidosis, which is very hard to treat and many cats die from it. 

Tough love for dogs is okay. With cats, you've got to do whatever you can to entice them to eat if they stop eating on their own. 

mdupon70997

Well I didn't get home from work until 7 PM so I couldn't try the two different feedings today, but I will tomorrow. She still didn't eat but maybe three or four pieces of kibble tonight either. I don't want her blood glucose to bottom out in the middle of the night or while we're at work because she's not eating anything. So I drizzled about a two teaspoons of olive oil over her food to get her to eat a little. It worked. But maybe now I've created a monster because she ate about half of her food. 

aggiebug

If she is an adult dog she should be able to regulate her blood glucose just fine even is she isn't eating normally.  If there is a major underlying condition then any dog may not regulate their blood sugar well, but a normal healthy adult dog can.

 

Your meals should be equally spaced throughout the day so ideally 12hrs apart.  Many dogs, especially small breeds, tend to be stubborn so stick with it you are making the right decision to provide specific meal times.