How do you know what's best for your dog when you are getting so many messages from various sources about what is the best feeding schedule to follow? First of all, relax. Your dog will survive on any of the basic feeding schedules that are in general use. The best way to know what works better for you and your particular dog is through trial and error.
As a dog owner your goal is to insure the health and vitality of your pet. He depends on you for his well-being. Not only do you need to learn about the various food choices and insure that your pet eats nutritiously, but you also need to provide the food at intervals that work with his/her system. Things to look for include a healthy looking coat, energy, and formed stools.
Your choice of food is much more important than the schedule that you choose - but, you do need to know that your dog will do better if you develop a routine, a regular schedule of some sort that he can count on. Some dogs depend on schedules so much they know down to the minute when their owner should be home from work and when their food should be in their bowls.
One of the easier ways of feeding a dog is using the self-feeding method. This is just what it
sounds like. Food is available all the time and the pet is allowed to eat whenever he chooses. The pros of this method are that it is easy for the owner; all he/she has to do is insure that food is kept in the bowl. The drawbacks are that if the bowl is ever empty the dog will be upset and this method can encourage overeating, which of course, can lead to obesity.
While some dog owners feed their pets once a day, this is actually the least desirable schedule. The total amount of food should be divided between two or three feedings if it is not provided continuously. By offering the food in two or more meals the dog has less opportunity to feel hungry; he actually keeps food in his system. This means that he will be less likely to overeat during mealtime.
Overeating can lead to digestive distress and other problems, including diarrhea. The resulting problems can escalate and the problem can snowball. But a dog that is fed two or three times a day will eat small amounts at each serving and will therefore have an easier time of digesting his food.
Whether you choose multiple feedings or the self-feeding schedule, your pet will adjust and do fine. But remember that your dog will expect the routine to continue once it is started.
Author Resource:-
Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about pet dogs and dog supplies.
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