Separate bowls for 2 Yorkies - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Mehitable · 02-15-2010, 01:29 PM

Any ideas on how to get our 2 Yorkie sisters to eat from their own bowl? Been advised that free feeding is not the best way to go - can monitor their intake better if each have their own bowl. That way we can tell if one of them isn't feeling well.

jackson25 · 02-15-2010, 01:31 PM

I free feed myself, still able to monitor their intake. Have you tried feeding at different times? Such as keeping one in another room and feeding the other.

LilMissy · 02-15-2010, 05:27 PM

Can I ask whom has told you that it's not a good idea to free feed Yorkies? I've always free fed all of my dogs.

MPlayman · 02-15-2010, 05:40 PM

I also free feed. Both my GSD and my Yorkie.

My GSD was told "No" and so he does not eat her food. He gets his in another room and its elevated so she can not get his.

Works for us.

TwoforFun · 02-15-2010, 05:44 PM

If free fed is having food available at all times then my vet actually recommended me to do that. Mine are still under a year old I don't know if that makes a diference.

Critter · 02-15-2010, 07:28 PM

I free feed with dry food and give them a little bit of wet food (two spoonfulls) twice a day. they each have their own food and water bowls. Even though I don't closely monitor their intake I can always tell when one isn't feeling well. I also have one that throws up if he doesn't eat for a long period of time (its the reason we do some wet food) and i hand feed him when he isn't eating well.

Sio99 · 02-15-2010, 07:29 PM

I free fed and wound up with a 12 pound yorkie that should have been 8 pounds! and yes - free feeding is leaving food out at all times. If I free fed my Sophie - she would be 20 pounds! It all depends on the dog but feeding at mealtime is best because you can monitor what they eat, you know the food is fresh and don't attract insects or worse and I actually found those that they are less picky because they know this is it (although I can't help sharing a taste of almost everything I eat and other treats through the day) until night time. There is nothing more unnerving to me then a pooch that wont eat!

I have also read it is best to not be so strict on timing because if you always feed them at 6pm and one night you have to work late and get home at 7pm they get very worried. That is a good thing for me because I never do anything on schedule. I feed raw so free feeding isnt an option for me any longer but when I fed kibble back then it was not great.

loveshay · 02-15-2010, 08:19 PM

I free feed Shay, and breeder said to do that with Bella too....

Now the 2 bowls? should I use 2 bowls?

MaddiesMommie · 02-15-2010, 08:23 PM

I cannot free feed my two.

I simply feed my yougest in her crate. This way my oldest gets to eat.

ellaYORKIE · 02-15-2010, 08:55 PM

I free feed dry food, but not wet food obviously. She nibbles during the day and get's fed wet food twice a day. Ella's a little over a year now and only 6.5lbs. and she's been free fed since we got her. So i think it just depends on the dog weather or not they become over weight. Then again i only have Ella so i don't have to worry about one eating more or less.

TwoforFun · 02-15-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loveshay

I free feed Shay, and breeder said to do that with Bella too....

Now the 2 bowls? should I use 2 bowls?

In my opinion yes, and train them not to get near the other's bowl. Seperate room or corner will do.

Sio99 · 02-15-2010, 11:57 PM

I dont use two water bowls - 2 food - of course since Sophie is a pot belly pig with a yorkie costume on but they share a big water bowl and neither seem to mind...but Lexi is the Alpha and she would share anything.

Im surprised so many free feed. Keep an eye on the weight - it is a nightmare getting it off. It didnt seem to be a problem until Roxy turned 4 or 5 so I guess like us - it catches up to them too as they get older.

02-15-2010, 01:29 PM	#1
Mehitable Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Oshkosh. Wi USA Posts: 11	Separate bowls for 2 Yorkies Any ideas on how to get our 2 Yorkie sisters to eat from their own bowl? Been advised that free feeding is not the best way to go - can monitor their intake better if each have their own bowl. That way we can tell if one of them isn't feeling well.

02-15-2010, 01:31 PM	#2
jackson25 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Quincy, IL Posts: 3,668	I free feed myself, still able to monitor their intake. Have you tried feeding at different times? Such as keeping one in another room and feeding the other. __________________ Mary JacksonGracieTuckerRosey BentleyAbigayle

02-15-2010, 05:27 PM	#3
LilMissy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 3,421	Can I ask whom has told you that it's not a good idea to free feed Yorkies? I've always free fed all of my dogs. __________________ Shaunna with Missy (my princess) & Dora (my tomboy)

02-15-2010, 05:44 PM	#5
TwoforFun YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TX Posts: 646	If free fed is having food available at all times then my vet actually recommended me to do that. Mine are still under a year old I don't know if that makes a diference. __________________ XOXO JiJi , JiJa Lil' Man and Mommy

02-15-2010, 07:28 PM	#6
Critter YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: phoenix Posts: 445	I free feed with dry food and give them a little bit of wet food (two spoonfulls) twice a day. they each have their own food and water bowls. Even though I don't closely monitor their intake I can always tell when one isn't feeling well. I also have one that throws up if he doesn't eat for a long period of time (its the reason we do some wet food) and i hand feed him when he isn't eating well. __________________ Cris --Mom to Samson and Harley and Josie the pitbull

02-15-2010, 05:40 PM	#4
MPlayman Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Yakima, Washington USA Posts: 82	I also free feed. Both my GSD and my Yorkie. My GSD was told "No" and so he does not eat her food. He gets his in another room and its elevated so she can not get his. Works for us.

02-15-2010, 07:29 PM	#7
Sio99 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 35	I free fed and wound up with a 12 pound yorkie that should have been 8 pounds! and yes - free feeding is leaving food out at all times. If I free fed my Sophie - she would be 20 pounds! It all depends on the dog but feeding at mealtime is best because you can monitor what they eat, you know the food is fresh and don't attract insects or worse and I actually found those that they are less picky because they know this is it (although I can't help sharing a taste of almost everything I eat and other treats through the day) until night time. There is nothing more unnerving to me then a pooch that wont eat! I have also read it is best to not be so strict on timing because if you always feed them at 6pm and one night you have to work late and get home at 7pm they get very worried. That is a good thing for me because I never do anything on schedule. I feed raw so free feeding isnt an option for me any longer but when I fed kibble back then it was not great.

02-15-2010, 08:19 PM	#8
loveshay YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: TN Posts: 556	I free feed Shay, and breeder said to do that with Bella too.... Now the 2 bowls? should I use 2 bowls?

02-15-2010, 08:23 PM	#9
MaddiesMommie LoveMy2 Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 4,060	I cannot free feed my two. I simply feed my yougest in her crate. This way my oldest gets to eat.

02-15-2010, 08:55 PM	#10
ellaYORKIE YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 438	I free feed dry food, but not wet food obviously. She nibbles during the day and get's fed wet food twice a day. Ella's a little over a year now and only 6.5lbs. and she's been free fed since we got her. So i think it just depends on the dog weather or not they become over weight. Then again i only have Ella so i don't have to worry about one eating more or less. __________________ Dolly&Zach Proud parents of baby Ella

02-15-2010, 11:57 PM	#12
Sio99 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 35	I dont use two water bowls - 2 food - of course since Sophie is a pot belly pig with a yorkie costume on but they share a big water bowl and neither seem to mind...but Lexi is the Alpha and she would share anything. Im surprised so many free feed. Keep an eye on the weight - it is a nightmare getting it off. It didnt seem to be a problem until Roxy turned 4 or 5 so I guess like us - it catches up to them too as they get older.