Negative Effects of Free Feeding

[GreyhoundGirl]

I post this because most of the time when people have issues about feeding, either "my dog isn't eating his food/dog doesn't like his food/possesive over food/potty training troubles/my dog is really fat.". Anyways, often the reason the dog isn't eating well is because he's free fed. Free feeding is food available at all times for the dog. The dog can eat as much as he wants whenever he wants it.

Negative Effects of free feeding

Pets that are free-fed tend to be sluggish, lethargic, and passionless about their food.*



Free feeding is not ideal for the digestive system. Dogs and cats in the wild have long breaks between meals. These breaks give their digestive system a chance to rest and prepare for the next meal.

* This makes training much more difficult, because they don't care about getting a treat, because they can eat when ever they like.

http://www.lucythewonderdog.com/free-feeding.htm

Free-feeding dogs often become overweight or underweight after awhile.

Some boarding situations will require that your dog be able to eat on schedule rather than free-feeding. This would be especially true if a friend or relative with a dog needed to keep your dog for you.

Free-feeding a puppy makes housetraining more difficult. When a dog eats on a regular schedule, bowel movements occur on a regular schedule. That helps you figure out when your dog will need a potty outing.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1549 (Very good site on all dog feeding information; picky eaters, multiple dogs, free feeding, changing from free feeding to schedualed meals, begging at the table, dinner and a movie, make the calories count... All very good write-ups. !!!)




When you free feed your dog, food can spoil very easily, (because it is left out in the open for such a long period of time.) It is dangerous, because often people lose track of how much their dog has consumed (leading to obesity. ) You need to know how much your dog is eating, this is something EVERY dog owner should be able to tell a vet IMMEDIATELY upon any Emergency or regular visit.



Regulation of the diet and making sure that the dog has a proper and solid appitite when food is offered can be essencial, especially in a time of illness for the dog. Some breeds are prone to bloat or gastric torsion and as such they need to have their food intake controlled. Also, free fed dogs tend to be pickier eaters then scheduled dogs are.



One of the more important aspects of this is: The dog need to know the food comes from you, it does not appear in his bowl. The food does not come from the bowl, it comes from YOU! This established pack leadership and dominance.

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Changing from Free Feeding to Scheduled Meals

To teach a dog to eat at meals and not expect free-feeding, you have to take away the free food and feed only at mealtimes. You have to be completely consistent about it, so that the dog doesn't think it's "just for today."


It's always okay to feed more than twice a day, provided the dog eats promptly and well each time. This doesn't mean adding extra food, but rather dividing the proper amount of food into smaller, more frequent portions. One advantage to this can be with the overweight dog whose food needs to be reduced. On four feedings instead of two, the dog gets less ravenous between meals. Many people actually feed several times a day without realizing it, when they routinely use food treats for training.



Remember this: A dog WILL NOT starve himself. He WILL eat his meal quickly once he realizes that it will be taken away. Bear this in mind and don’t put his food back out and think to yourself “If I don’t he will starve”. He will be fine skipping a meal, and then he will get hungry and eat his next meal promptly.


In some cases, small dogs should be free fed because they can get hypoglycemic and seizure. I haven't really looked into detail on this part, so might be best if you talk to your vet before switching small breeds to schedualed meals. And toy puppies should be free fed until they're a year old. These are the only exceptions I can see.


Hope I didn’t repeat anything too many times… Thanks for reading! Please tell me your opinions on this.

[GreyhoundGirl]

Anyone? lol

[k9hullio_sam]

I free feed Mandi. She gives herself 'meal times' and has perfect weight, is anything but dominant and knows that if she doesn't eat what I put down, she just wont eat.

I do agree that most "bigger" dogs can't be free fed, simply because of weight issues. I have never met a big dog that didn't eat everything and anything you put in front of him. LOL

I realize not all 'big' dogs are like that --that is just what I have seen.

Great post it was very informative!

[Punkygirl0101]

I free feed my dogs without a problem.

This makes training much more difficult, because they don't care about getting a treat, because they can eat when ever they like

NONE of my dogs EVER turn down a treat! They are very food motivated.

My dogs are not sluggish, lazy,lethargic dogs..they are very active.\

I know when my dogs eat, and how much they eat because I can hear and see which dog is eating at one time. (Basic observation on my part).

free fed dogs tend to be pickier eaters then scheduled dogs are

My dog Lucy is the only dog of mine on a scheduled diet..and she is the PICKIEST dog on the face of the earth! My free fed dogs will eat anything, literally.

The dog need to know the food comes from you, it does not appear in his bowl. The food does not come from the bowl, it comes from YOU! This established pack leadership and dominance.

My dogs know who fills up the bowl, and they see me doing it everyday. Not to mention, their treats come from me.

[Cassiepeia]

Originally Jesse was free fed but I changed that (because of his health and medication). But when he was free fed he'd never turn down a snack either.
Dogs are opportunists and will take advantage of any food that is given to them if they like it and especially if it's something really high value to them. Whether they're free fed or not.
There are always exceptions of course.

Cass.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

I went from free feeding Missie for 7 years to thinking it was completely wrong to realizing that it really depends on the dog and owner. Aysa could probably be free fed and would do totally fine (he gets his alotted kibble per day and eats it as he wishes), but I wouldn't trust any of the little ones. Missie maybe, but she'd probably gain a few lbs. transitioning back. lol Aysa's foster mom free feeds and 2 out of three of her dogs are probably considered obese. Her Greyhound is just barely overweight. She's one of those people with some of those dogs that should NOT free feed/be free fed. I never had a problem with it with Missie and would probably still be doing it except for adding more dogs to the family.

[calgal]

I have never heard of problems with free feeding and see nothing wrong with it. I home cook and get fed twice daily. Dogs who have their food down at all time do enjoy a nice yummy treat and training is never hendered. If that was the case, about 50 % of all dogs would not get trained. Not so.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Looks as though I may be the complete opposite here from everyone else

I used to free feed my dogs. After switching to split meals (twice a day, or once a day), I have noticed a huge improvement and problems have stopped that we had been having.

Sheiba has the most respect from the dogs in the house. A problem we were having, were fights amongst her and Ike. Having the food down all day, just kept things tense amongst the two of them. Either one of them would guard a particular bowl of food, even if they weren't hungry. We would have numerous stare downs with lowered heads and baring teeth, but only a few times did it escalate into a fight. But, the fights were starting increase in the amount of times it would happen. The time of the staredowns were decreasing, and I think it was only a matter of time before they ended up fighting seriously just for that bowl of food.

It took a few days for the dogs to adjust. Denali was starting to have weight problems, and would often times eat the food in 2-3 bowls (each containing atleast 3-4 cups each) throughout the day. We weren't vigilant enough to watch if any of the others ate, but we knew if 2 bowls went empty in a matter of minutes, Denali had gobbled them down.

They are on set feedings. Nobody fights over food anymore. The dogs are MUCH more appreciative and excited to be fed. They finish all of their food. I've just seen a huge difference and have to say I completely agree with what you posted Greyhoundgirl. I think set feedings are great for dogs -- but it does completely depend on the individual dog.

I think puppies should always be on a feeding schedule. Until they're old enough and completely potty trained. Dogs that enjoy their food... ALOT.. lol, should not be free fed. Dogs with health problems that would increase the dogs weight from being free fed should not be done. But dogs with health problems that call for being free fed is different.

I think it just completely boils down to the individual dog/s.

[trainingrixie]

yeah, i'm a fan of feeding schedules too, but like some of you said, its a personal preference. I like it because I can keep track of intake better and notice changes in eating behavior more easily. If she doesn't finish a few meals in a row, I know to begin to get a little concerned. it also is easier IMO when there is more than one dog in the house that way you know each is getting the proper amount of food and that one pupper isn't being a greedy little piglet and stealing someone else's food As far as treats go....i don't think that would make a difference to the trixster.....she'd eat as many treats as possible until she's morbidly obese and needs me to pull her around in a wagon to move around! hehehehehe

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Icey and TT, thanks for sharing your experiences. I was hoping we'd get some input "from the other side" so the thread would be balanced. I'm with you Icey, it just depends on the dog(s). And now that I have multiple dogs I would never free feed for the reasons you mentioned.

[Camz]

Here is my opinion:

If you have a dog that has frequent "accidents" in the house and you've ruled out medical issues, then having specific meal times is a good thing.

We used to do that for Orchid when she was a pup so that we could more easily house train her.

I think another instance when scheduling important is if you have multiple dogs, have a dog with a weight problem or just general like to have schedules for feeding (for example, Fluffy gets a carrot on Monday mornings and an apple slice on Monday evenings or whatever).

In regards to my dog specifically, the only way I schedule her food now is if she's getting a special meal that will spoil if left out, which happens twice per week.

I would definately agree that it depends on the dog/owner. I know that my dog is at a good weight for her and she's definately very passionate about treats. Hot dogs especially.

[CdnRottieMom]

I'm the opposite, I don't free feed. It really does depend on the dog but for me it's just easier to help me maintain Neyla's weight by determining how much she has eaten in the day with meals and training treats.

[Rottielvr18]

Both my dogs are free fed 24/7 and are in perfect shape. My cat on the other hand is given certain times to eat. She is over weight from free feeding. I agree that it all depends on the type of life style and excersise your pet gets in order have that option.

I wish I could free feed and look good!!

[IceyBlueSibes]

Originally Posted by CdnRottieMom

I'm the opposite, I don't free feed. It really does depend on the dog but for me it's just easier to help me maintain Neyla's weight by determining how much she has eaten in the day with meals and training treats.

And from my experience with having a rottie -- they'd eat until they'll explode