How Often Should You Feed Your Dog?

Having a feeding schedule helps you stay on track during your day. Did you know the same applies to your furry friend?

What is a dog feeding schedule?

If you have instantly pictured an elaborate calendar, don't worry - it's no where as scary as that. Simply put a dog feeding schedule is the times during the day at which you feed your furry baby its dog food. 

How often should you feed your dog?

Before creating a schedule, you need to figure out how often your dog should eat. This depends on several factors, including age, breed, activity level and general health.

Depending on whether you feed dry dog food or wet dog food, refer to the serving guide on the packet for daily recommendation. Split the daily portion into the number of appropriate meals. 

As a general recommendation, puppies under 5 months of age should be fed three to four times a day.

As your dog grows older, you can inculcate a routine of feeding your dog twice a day.

Place the bowl only for ten minutes 

If your puppy is a fussy eater, then leave the bowl out for 10 minutes and then pick it up, regardless of whether he has eaten. If your dog is a slow eater extend the time to 20 minutes. At the next scheduled feeding time, put the bowl back down, again for only 10 minutes.

This dog feed schedule will become a habit for your pup sooner rather than later. And when it does, he will come wagging and drooling for food right on time.

Importance of scheduled feeding

A consistent feeding schedule:

• Ensures control on your pet's caloric and nutritional intake and avoids over-feeding or under-feeding your pet.
• Helps keep your dog's digestive system in good health and makes potty times more predictable which can help you schedule walks accordingly for your dog to finish his business outdoors.
• A bonus, you can ensure that your dog feed schedule is in tune with your family’s mealtimes.
• Ensures that your dog gets fresh meals. Wet dog food can foster bacteria if not consumed quickly. On the other hand, moisture can result in dry dog food result in fungus and attract pests if left out in the open for too long.   

It’s best to take some time in developing their habit and having a preset dog feed schedule for a healthy and happy lifestyle.