Free feeding - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Alvindy · 12-01-2011, 05:25 AM

I am wondering how long we should continue 'free feeding' our 10 month old. Ideally we would like to feed 2-3 times a day as opposed to leaving the food down all of the time...

tahk · 12-01-2011, 05:55 AM

I free feed my two year old, and he does fine. He gets up around 5:30 am and eats a small amount and eats a little more around 1 or 2 pm, then he eats a little more around 7 or 8. He doesn't "overeat", and he does better eating a later meal, due to problems of vomiting bile first thing in the am. Since I have been making sure he has a later meal, he's been doing wonderfully.
But, all pups are different. I have heard some say that if they left food out all day, they would continously eat all day. You just have to figure out what works best for you and your pup.

maxmom · 12-01-2011, 06:24 AM

Max is 7 y/o and Sophie 2y/o, we always have dry food available for them.

sganow · 12-01-2011, 10:27 AM

We also free feed. We keep food and water available in our LeBistro feeders all the time. We had the same problem with vomiting bile near morning with Ginger and since keeping the food down all the time we don't have that problem anymore. She actually goes to the kitchen and eats a little in the middle of the night now. Our dogs are used to this and seem to eat when they need to.

Alvindy · 12-02-2011, 05:37 AM

I see that free feeding seems popular. The reason we'd like to stop is b/c our older dog is Diabetic and must be fed on a set schedule with his insulin injections. If we leave the puppy's food down all of the time the older dog will eat it if we aren't super vigilant. This messes up his blood sugar levels...

KazzyK810 · 12-02-2011, 05:51 AM

I've never free fed ZoE. I prefer scheduled feedings with a young puppy as it aids in potty training. I also like to stick with scheduled feedings, as I take my pup most places with me, and a dependable poop schedule makes that alot easier.

tahk · 12-02-2011, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvindy

I see that free feeding seems popular. The reason we'd like to stop is b/c our older dog is Diabetic and must be fed on a set schedule with his insulin injections. If we leave the puppy's food down all of the time the older dog will eat it if we aren't super vigilant. This messes up his blood sugar levels...

This is the reason that free feeding works for some and doesn't for others. We only have one pet inside, so it's not a problem for us.....You have to do what is right for you and your fuzzy family.

hugz4all4 · 12-02-2011, 08:12 AM

Ive just started scheduled feedings for my pups after years of free feeding. Tucker has been eating more than normal lately has noticebly but on a pound or 2 and I dont want it to get to out of control, he has little legs and an lp so I dont want to stress that anymore.

12-01-2011, 05:25 AM	#1
Alvindy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Oakville Posts: 216	Free feeding I am wondering how long we should continue 'free feeding' our 10 month old. Ideally we would like to feed 2-3 times a day as opposed to leaving the food down all of the time...

12-01-2011, 06:24 AM	#3
maxmom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,307 Blog Entries: 1	Max is 7 y/o and Sophie 2y/o, we always have dry food available for them. __________________ maxmom My belongs to Max and Sophie Mei

12-01-2011, 10:27 AM	#4
sganow YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Van Alstyne, TX Posts: 854	We also free feed. We keep food and water available in our LeBistro feeders all the time. We had the same problem with vomiting bile near morning with Ginger and since keeping the food down all the time we don't have that problem anymore. She actually goes to the kitchen and eats a little in the middle of the night now. Our dogs are used to this and seem to eat when they need to. __________________ Maggie (RIP), Ginger (RIP), Lilly (RIP), Bella (RIP), Saleen, Bailey, Bridget, Lucy

12-02-2011, 05:51 AM	#6
KazzyK810 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Michigan USA & Sheffield UK Posts: 4,119	I've never free fed ZoE. I prefer scheduled feedings with a young puppy as it aids in potty training. I also like to stick with scheduled feedings, as I take my pup most places with me, and a dependable poop schedule makes that alot easier. __________________ Karan & ZoE (Chelsea )

12-02-2011, 08:12 AM	#8
hugz4all4 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: upstate NY Posts: 2,114 Blog Entries: 1	Ive just started scheduled feedings for my pups after years of free feeding. Tucker has been eating more than normal lately has noticebly but on a pound or 2 and I dont want it to get to out of control, he has little legs and an lp so I dont want to stress that anymore. __________________ Love all 9 of my furrbutts!

12-01-2011, 05:55 AM	#2
tahk Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SC Posts: 44	I free feed my two year old, and he does fine. He gets up around 5:30 am and eats a small amount and eats a little more around 1 or 2 pm, then he eats a little more around 7 or 8. He doesn't "overeat", and he does better eating a later meal, due to problems of vomiting bile first thing in the am. Since I have been making sure he has a later meal, he's been doing wonderfully. But, all pups are different. I have heard some say that if they left food out all day, they would continously eat all day. You just have to figure out what works best for you and your pup.

12-02-2011, 05:37 AM	#5
Alvindy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Oakville Posts: 216	I see that free feeding seems popular. The reason we'd like to stop is b/c our older dog is Diabetic and must be fed on a set schedule with his insulin injections. If we leave the puppy's food down all of the time the older dog will eat it if we aren't super vigilant. This messes up his blood sugar levels...