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by 4pack on 15 December 2007 - 01:12
by crimsonribbon on 15 December 2007 - 04:12
by gsdfanatic1964 on 15 December 2007 - 13:12
by gsdk9va on 05 January 2009 - 15:01
I know this is an old thread, but I thought I would add to it to solicit some other opinions. I do know the...whatever works for you and your dog, but I'm just curious.
My dog is with me all the time working or training, and he always seems to have sufficient energy when needed. He also has a good off switch. That said, he has free feeding (dry kibble pretty much whenever he wants and never touches it). He also has a prepared feeding (hot meal) in the evening that is equal to one day's feeding. So, while the free feed is not as good as the hot meal, he doesn't touch that food at all during the day.
So, I personally like to eat more than more than 3 times per day:), but my dog is only interested in his evening meal. Sure, I could split the hot meal in two, and I'm sure he would eat it that way. I'm only bringing this up because my dog eats once a day, but could eat much more, but doesn't (free feed); he doesn't ever act hungry during the day; and, he has all the energy to work.
I get the reasoning for feeding twice a day such as bloat issues and torsion.......but to do it because the dog is starving, or we (people) like to eat more often, or the dog is being forced to fast sn't true in my dog's case. I'm considering a switch because so many here seem to have such a good result w/ 2x feeding. Then again, my situation isn't broken.
by snajper69 on 05 January 2009 - 16:01
Twice a daj RAW.
by steve1 on 05 January 2009 - 16:01
Older Dogs Twice a day
They never get loaded up, so they digest the food better, If you only eat the amount of food you normally would have during the day and evening in one go you too would be full up
JUst measure out the amount you normally feed and cut it into two feeds and thats it,
If the dog leaves any food any time cut that amount out of its daily ration and a little more, it does not need it then or any other time
all dogs like us should be able to eat a little more, but not get it
Steve
by gsdk9va on 05 January 2009 - 17:01
s69, I have spec'd food and can't do raw.
Thanks, Steve! I do have the ration down to a science. I know just how much he eats per day. I currently give it all in the evening, which makes him content until the next feeding, the next night. He has a full bowl of premium kibble that he loves and has 24hr access....doesn't touch it because he's satisfied.
His work is outstanding, but don't we all look for and edge in all the things we do? I'm considering a switch to 2x per day if it gives me a slight edge. That said, I don't want to needless upset his stomach by adding a second feeding or get him off schedule. You can set your clock to his BMs. I tried a 1/2 hot meal once some time ago and the results were awful. Shocked his system.
I'm just doing a cost/ benefit analysis here. Is the change to 2x per day worth it when things are good now?
Anybody tried multiple ways to feed and why do you lean one way or the other?
Examples:
1. Split Feeding: 1/2 meal in morning and 1/2 meal in evening
2. One Feeding: Feed one complete meal in 24hr period
3. Hybrid (my way): Feed one complete meal per day, but free feed the rest of the 24hrs
Again, my dog may as well be the #2 example because he eats his one meal at night and that satisfies him until the next night
by steve1 on 05 January 2009 - 18:01
NO Dog Or Cat Or Human can ever gain anything by having free access to food, 24 hours a day
Bet 10 to 1 the animal will put on weight and if you are into ScHh and he is food driven then that will go out of the window, When a Dog is on the ScHh field its stomach should be empty.that way the dogi will work
You will not see a marathon runner eat food on tap 24 hours a day, and it will only be a light snack some min of 5 hours before the race
I know i have run in several and tried both ways The food intake will stop you dead and so it will with the Dogs
Show us a Photo of the dog we can make up our own minds then
You ask a question then tell us the answers, not really much point
Steve
by yellowrose of Texas on 05 January 2009 - 18:01
No free feeding...get him use to eating 2 times a day...fast him a day ,,restart.
You can all say ,,my dog is fine...everyone that has lost a gsd to bloat, and had several, not just one bloodline..
You cannot predict when it will happen,,but it will be too late , then to say , I wish I had listened and fed less with water or moistened to help prevent BLOAT.....IT IS CALLED A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE..
No human that has experienced this evil happening, ever would think their very healthy bog or girl, would one day , die in their arms of stomach torsion. You can say Never in so may years....IT only takes one. and believe me the working lines are the usually most stressed and as this is an age old argument among dr.s and breeders, no need to try to prove it with any facts..
.MOST germans breeders advise you to moiston food and feed two smaller amounts a day...\No one is telling you,,,just an opinion well to heed.
Genetics or whatever, are of no importance. WHen you are aware it might happen , why buck it..just do it...Your choice. but remember it only tAKES ONE TIME...YOU MAY NOT GET THE TUBE DOWN THE THROAT OR GET TO THE VET IN TIME.
I HOPE ALL KNOW HOW TO INSERT THE TUBE INTO THE TOP OF STOMACH IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, AND YOU FIND YOUR DOG WRETCHING AND BLOATED...IF NOT ASK YOUR VET TO GIVE YOU THE TUBEING AND SHOW YOU HOW TO DO IT TO RELEASE THE GAS...
YR
by gsdk9va on 05 January 2009 - 19:01
Thanks for the response YR!
Steve, you obviously can't read and/or comprehend. If you think I am asking questions and then answering them, you either need to read more carefully or practice your reading comprehension. There are 50 ways to acheive a desired result, and your way is not the only way. If it were, we wouldn't need to share ideas and OPINIONS here. You could just write a book and save us all from ourselves.
Weight is not an issue, so I won't digress off topic with you. If you don't understand what I am asking, leave it to others to respond. Thanks.
For the third time, my dog has free access to food 24hrs, BUT DOES NOT EAT IT. He eats once a day in the evening (a hot meal, or 1 full day's ration). I can't make it simpler than that. That's my way and it has been working for me. I'm getting other opinions on how and why people feed the way they do, and their results. It's called compare, contrast, and decide. GEEZ LOUISE!
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