Feeding once a day?

[Sher]

Does anyone feed there over 6 month puppies only once a day? My dog is 7 1/2 months old and she really doesn't seem all that hungry two times a day, but I hesitate to go to only once a day because she is a small dog, only weighing 10 lbs. I practically have to beg her to eat. If I put her food down in the morning and she doesn't eat it in about 45 min, I throw it away, then by supper time she will be very hungry and eat well. I am tired of wasting food, as it is good quality and very expensive (a mix of dry Innova and wet Wellness and Fromm's gravy... see? I try to make it appealing.... ).... Sometimes she will eat twice a day, but I never know which days that will be. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks for any replies....

 

[lubspaniel]

I am glad your posting this I am having similar problems with my pup he is a week shy of being 5 months old and I feed him a cup in the morning and it usually last all day and in the evening like right now; he will finally have it finished. the food is (dry canidae) so he only eats maybe cup and half a day maybe 2! and just grazes all day if I let him.

 

[smkie]

I don't even feed my adult dogs once a day, the get breakfast and supper. It is hard to get Victor to eat, he takes all day to eat a bowl as well. I have found that adding a spoonful of yogurt usually jump starts his appitite and is good for him too. Also a good run or swim increases his appitite drastically.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Puppy and adult get two opportunities a day to eat. Cider turns it down, she has 10 minutes to change her mind and it goes away. Happens enough and she gobbles both meals a day. Rather have a schedule *shrug*

 

[Lilavati]

Puppy and adult get two opportunities a day to eat. Cider turns it down, she has 10 minutes to change her mind and it goes away. Happens enough and she gobbles both meals a day. Rather have a schedule *shrug*

I do the same with Sarama, who's about 8-months old. I like the schedule and the underlying message, which is 'you eat when I feed you . . . I am the source of good things.' It also lets me keep very precise measure of how much she eats and when, which considering she was malnourished when I got her, is something I want to know while I'm feeding her up.

 

[jess2416]

I don't even feed my adult dogs once a day, the get breakfast and supper. It is hard to get Victor to eat, he takes all day to eat a bowl as well. I have found that adding a spoonful of yogurt usually jump starts his appitite and is good for him too. Also a good run or swim increases his appitite drastically.

Ditto.. I feed Chloe 2x a day as well...

 

[Sher]

So, in other words.... put the food down twice a day and if she doesn't eat, take it away? And if that means she is eating only once a day that is fine until she gets hungry enough to eat twice a day (if she ever does)?

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Pretty much.. If we have a more active day, she'll eat both.. if not, I know what she ate, and if super late she's freaking out I may cave and hand over a small portion knowing she ate less in the day. Usually only happens after copious activity though. Kinda the snoopy dinner dance

 

[~Jessie~]

I feed my chis twice a day. I wouldn't ever feed a small dog any less than that.

 

[Ilyena]

I do offer my pup food twice a day but he never actually eats anything in the morning so in reality he is only eating once a day and seems happy with it. He's been growing like mad so at least he isn't getting too little.

 

[Punkygirl0101]

I feed my chihuahua once a day, because thats all she eats. She was 1 pound when I rescued her as an adult from a neglectful home..She wouldn't eat ANYTHING the first couple of days, she is SO picky. She ONLY eats wet food too, she won't touch dry food. As an added supplement because she won't eat much, I give her nutra-cal. Shes a healthy 2.8-3 pounder now. (She fluctuates between the two)

 

[LB2007]

Does anyone feed there over 6 month puppies only once a day? My dog is 7 1/2 months old and she really doesn't seem all that hungry two times a day, but I hesitate to go to only once a day because she is a small dog, only weighing 10 lbs. I practically have to beg her to eat. If I put her food down in the morning and she doesn't eat it in about 45 min, I throw it away, then by supper time she will be very hungry and eat well. I am tired of wasting food, as it is good quality and very expensive (a mix of dry Innova and wet Wellness and Fromm's gravy... see? I try to make it appealing.... ).... Sometimes she will eat twice a day, but I never know which days that will be. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks for any replies....

2 times a day, once is not enough. I have a 4mth old who is a picky eater as well. Dont give treats and make her hungry by feeding at 6pm and then at 8am or so. If not syringe feed her the bfast.

 

[LB2007]

I feed my chihuahua once a day, because thats all she eats. She was 1 pound when I rescued her as an adult from a neglectful home..She wouldn't eat ANYTHING the first couple of days, she is SO picky. She ONLY eats wet food too, she won't touch dry food. As an added supplement because she won't eat much, I give her nutra-cal. Shes a healthy 2.8-3 pounder now. (She fluctuates between the two)

She is eating two times a day or more, nutri cal is a full meal, and if she is getting that yummy, why would hse want food, that is must more appealing

 

[Lilavati]

So, in other words.... put the food down twice a day and if she doesn't eat, take it away? And if that means she is eating only once a day that is fine until she gets hungry enough to eat twice a day (if she ever does)?

Exactly.

 

[girlbuffalo1]

So why is the food getting wasted? I would simply give her 15 minutes to decide to eat it and if she did not I would cover the bowl and put it in the fridge and try again at supper--I've never thrown away good food.

Also perhaps you are feeding too much? I would think that a 10 lb dog eating those foods would get around 1/3 cup total in morning and 1/3 cup in the evening (as honey is on eagle pack and is 6lbs and gets 1/4 in morning 1/4 in evening)

 

[puppylover2007]

I feed my chihuahua once a day, because thats all she eats. She was 1 pound when I rescued her as an adult from a neglectful home..She wouldn't eat ANYTHING the first couple of days, she is SO picky. She ONLY eats wet food too, she won't touch dry food. As an added supplement because she won't eat much, I give her nutra-cal. Shes a healthy 2.8-3 pounder now. (She fluctuates between the two)

see i have that same problem with my puppy, the orignal owner we got him from would only feed him 1 time in the morning. Then, once we got him, i did it too, but, i noticed that he was hungry and not at all playful, then i changed to 2 times a day ( once at morning and once at night) and he seemed to be more energetic and playful, now, i am up to 3 times a day ( based on a website and a vet) and he seems to do alot better, i also read on the bag that is says by weight and age and breed, but, who really ever goes by that anyways??? he seems to be doing well.

I also leave the dry food out all morning let him finish it, then give him lunch and that lastas about 2-3 hours, then around dinner he has some more. He gets 1/2 cup each feeding, so all day he gets 2 1/2 cups of food. so far it is working, i think if you base it on the activity level and such that seems to work, but, every dog is different.

 

[daaqa]

if a dog's not hungry, i don't see the point in forcing the issue unless their weight is a danger. i've never seen a working dog not want it's food - but maybe dog's with less activity don't need to eat as much.

 

[bubbatd]

I've only ever fed my grown Goldens once a day . They always had morning treats for doing their " chores " I brought my guilt up to my vet one day and he said that his friend in vet school only fed his Husky every 2 to 3 days !!! Said that's what dogs in the wild were used to !! So I've continuted the once a day . Besides , I think Ollie loves his supper time of 2 cups and would hate only a cup each meal !