we've always subscribed to the theory that an animal knows when it is full, and while there are times when you might need to restrict their food (to keep them from eating out of boredom for example) for the most part, a dog or cat will only eat what it needs.
but, i know of more and more people who won't feed their dogs or cats one piece more than the "recommended" amount in fear of the animal getting fat.
We have to bribe my dog to eat--(Rod will give him a treat when all of his breakfast or supper is gone)--which often breakfast is eten as supper----
however my daughters dog will eat whatever & when ever there is food available so I am thinking animals are like people--you need to treat each one as an individual and feed them accordingly.
Now my cat---will leave a few scraps in his bowl but be crying out to be fed---( my daughte4rs cat does the same thing)--we assume the cats are saving the last bit of their food in case it has to last for a long time---
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
I leave dry dog food for my dog all day/night to eat at will. He also gets table scraps.(loves people food) No over-eating problems here. But I do know dogs with eating disorders who will eat until they're sick. Usually those dogs have gone hungry in the past and also tend to get over weight. I agree. It is as individual as feeding kids. (or adults!)
~Tina
Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
When we had one dog we left dry food always available for her and she ate only what she needed and left the rest. This lasted from puppyhood until she was 11 when unrelated medical problems necessitated us putting her to sleep. When we got the first of the two we have now, we did the same thing with no problems. When we got the second 18 months later, that stopped. They seemed to feel they were in competition and whoever ate all the food won. Now they get 1 scoop in the AM and 2 in the PM, which is a little less than the recomendation on the bag. The vet has always said they are at a good weight. We have always left dry constantly available for the cats, and they always keep themselves at a good weight no matter how many cats (we've had 1-3 at a time) or what their ages. Unfortunately, Mischa is supplimenting with a chipmunk right now.
well, i was feeling rockwell's sides last night and i think he is about at his best weight. not as thin as he was, but he is definitely of better temperment, so i'm thinking he was perpetually hungry. i think, if he gets about half a scoop more than he did at each meal, he'll be just about right!
Jiffy sounds like you found the right formula for Rockwell. Like I said, I think animals are individuals just like people & you got to find out what works for you & your animal.
but FYI: we just got Dante` shaved for the summer. Up til then we were thinking he was getting a bit heavy. (not so much ground to run around in any more since the move) Well you could have knocked me over with a feather when we brought him home---he is not overweight--not under either, but definately not over weight. it truely surprised me.
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Right now I leave dry food and water all day until Emmy gets 8 months then I'll gradually get her on an eating schedule mid morning and early evening per our schedule here. When I leave for work @ 6am I give her a treat as she gets put in her crate, then Dwights gets up @ 8 and feeds her , plays with her and give her another treat on his way out the door to work at 9:30.. I then get home between 3:30 - 4;30 and it playtime and eat big meal time. So she is already on a work schedule but she has food and water in her crate all day for now.
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
We have 3 inside dogs.. a 125 lb. Choc. Lab, a 5 lb. Chihuahua and a 8 lb. Havanese. The Lab gets a huge bowl of dry food in the morning and it is usually gone by nighttime, though the little dogs pick at it all day long too. The smaller dogs are on a different food and I give them about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of their dry food in the morning.. and the Havanese also gets a pouch of Pedigree chunks at bedtime. Our cats get free choice all the time. None of our animals are over weight.. I think the best thing is to feed them what you think is the right amount, and watch their weight.. if it goes up, cut down on the food.. if they lose a little weight, add a little extra for them.
Gardening in March
Gardening in April
Gardening in May
Shop at Amazon and Support AGF
Are you shopping online? Click this link first and A Gardeners Forum will receive a commission for your
referral at Amazon.com (shopping through this link to Amazon will not have any impact on your prices at Amazon).