This is a question I see often from new dog owners. In fact, I see plenty of longtime dog owners either not heeding or not knowing its answer. However, most veterinarians and experts will say that for optimal health and behavior, it is best to feed your dog just once a day. And if there is any debate at all, it is between once or twice a day. Free-feeding is never encouraged.
“What is free-feeding and why is it bad?”
Free-feeding is basically keeping your dog’s food dish filled, letting your canine eat when he is hungry or bored. Not only will this cause physical health problems in your dog, including but not exclusive to doggy obesity, but the dog will also develop poor behavior problems.
Dogs do not have jobs. They do not earn paychecks and they do not look forward to spending their non-existent paychecks on the weekends. They live simply lives and have very few motivators. Squirrels, walks, treats, belly-rubs, playing, and meals are about all life boils down to for dogs, with naps in between. And food is no doubt the biggest motivator of the bunch (except maybe squirrels!), but free-feeding will all but remove this motivation from your dog’s life. Your dog will grow lazy and lethargic and will have no reason to obey your commands. He is fat and happy—why listen to you? What’s to be gained? Most dogs can handle some severer ‘bad-dogging’ when they have all the food they’ll ever need.
“Twice a day or once a day? And why?”
Most people are surprised to discover that only one feeding per day is the commonly accepted recommendation. This is because it is difficult to see past our own eating habits as humans. We eat three times a day (at least) and grow incredibly hungry if we miss a meal.
However, you have to realize that humans and dogs have completely different digestive systems and metabolic rates. Dogs are much more accustomed to longer breaks between meals. In fact, not giving enough time in between meals can disrupt the natural process of a dog’s digestive track and result in severe health problems. Feeding the dog once per day is not neglectful, it’s healthy!
The dog food you buy for your fury friend might have recommendations on the amount of food and the number of times to feed him, but this should not be followed religiously. After all, the more your dog eats, the more money you will spend (and the more money the dog food company makes). Many brands will recommend free-feeding, but this is not correct. We recommend doing once a day or possibly twice a day depending on your personal situation.
Feeding twice a day OK if your dog is especially needy and obsessive about food. As long as you keep to a consistent schedule, two smaller feedings per day should not be an issue. However, once per day is still your best bet.
Also, keep in mind that you are also probably giving your dog a few treats during the day—be it milk bones, pig ears, or rawhide bones. These are a great way to train your dog and to keep him happy and active in between meals.
“When Should I Feed My Dog?”
So now that you understand the importance of not free-feeding, and you’ve decided to feed either once (best) or twice (OK) a day, it is time to discuss WHEN to feed your dog. And the answer is, it doesn’t matter—as long as you keep to a fairly rigid schedule. Personally, I feed my dog in the evenings when I eat dinner, but as long as you stick to roughly the same time every day then it shouldn’t really matter.
Bon Appetit!•