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NBR: Dog question-feeding schedules

kwitt22kwitt22 member
in 3rd Trimester
I know we have alot of dog lovers here so that is why I am asking here. Our dog usually gets fed at 2pm everyday. DH works nights and it is just a good time for us and her. DH just got a new job where he will be working days, I also work days. What is the best way to change our dog's feeding schedule? Or is this even a big deal at all. I know dogs thrive on routine so I don't want to throw it off. Also we have really struggled with potty training for the entire time we have had her and we have finally gotten things somewhat under control, so I want to avoid disrupting that if we can too. Thanks!
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Re: NBR: Dog question-feeding schedules

  • MolluskwranglerMolluskwrangler member
    It's possible that because your dog is set on a 2pm eating schedule that she may only eat then.  Our dog only eats a little at a time and he gets 1/2 his portion for the day in the AM (like 730) and the other half if he finishes it when we eat dinner (6pm).  There really isn't a way to change it slowly that I can think of, unless you just start moving up the time an hour or so for a few days or a week.
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  • Annierose1Annierose1

    Well, first I suggest you start feeding your dog twice a day. This may also help with the potty training and making her more regular. As far as changing her schedule, there is no slow way of doing it. Just pick your new times and give it a try.

    We feed ours at 6am and again at 5:30pm. They go outside within 15-30 minutes of eating and take care of their business everytime. She may be a bit stubborn at first. We adopted a dog in August with a different feeding schedule than ours. He refused to eat when we fed him, we would give him 15 minutes to eat his food. If he didn't eat in that time frame we took the food away and he would have to wait until the next feeding time. He's pretty stubborn and didn't eat anything for almost 2 days. After that he couldn't take it anymore, he was so hungry. He ate the next morning at 6am and again at 5:30pm with no hesitation. After a week he had adapted the schedule and now he expects it. Dogs are certainly creatures of habit, but when it comes to eating habits like schedules, they're easy to change. They might fight it at first but you just have to stand your ground, they'll eventually cave.

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  • ABizzityABizzity
    I also suggest feeding twice a day.  Its easier on their belly's and keeps them more regular (potty training!).  We feed our dog at 6am and 6pm. 
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  • Pamela05Pamela05
    We free feed our 3. It works out better for us, have never had over eating issues, and we aren't subject to our dogs schedule.
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  • perplexed59perplexed59
    We feed morning and night. It was suggested to us that during the transition that we put the food out for one hour and then put it away. My dog didn't eat his morning portion but sure did love his evening portion the first day. We did this because our dog had been experiencing really nasty gas. Having that hour window of eating really has helped out. He only took a couple days and he is really good at reminding us that its food time.
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  • ErinNRErinNR
    imageAnnieRose321:

    Well, first I suggest you start feeding your dog twice a day. This may also help with the potty training and making her more regular. As far as changing her schedule, there is no slow way of doing it. Just pick your new times and give it a try.

    We feed ours at 6am and again at 5:30pm. They go outside within 15-30 minutes of eating and take care of their business everytime. She may be a bit stubborn at first. We adopted a dog in August with a different feeding schedule than ours. He refused to eat when we fed him, we would give him 15 minutes to eat his food. If he didn't eat in that time frame we took the food away and he would have to wait until the next feeding time. He's pretty stubborn and didn't eat anything for almost 2 days. After that he couldn't take it anymore, he was so hungry. He ate the next morning at 6am and again at 5:30pm with no hesitation. After a week he had adapted the schedule and now he expects it. Dogs are certainly creatures of habit, but when it comes to eating habits like schedules, they're easy to change. They might fight it at first but you just have to stand your ground, they'll eventually cave.

    GL!

     

    This.  I've been a tech for 9 years, and feeding twice daily is best for lots of reasons.  It helps prevent stomach and intestine twisting in large breeds and hypoglycemia in small breeds.  It also triggers the need to defecate within an hour of eating, which will help a lot with house training.

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  • kwitt22kwitt22 member
    Thanks for the advice ladies,  I think we may try switching to twice a day feedings. We have most of potty training issues over night which is another VERY long story, that however has mostly worked itself out through training. I think we may try before we leave for work at 8:30am and when we get home at 9ish. we both mostly work 11-8.
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