Best Feeding Schedule for Your Dog

How Often Should a Dog Eat?

There is so much information on the internet concerning the types of food one should feed their dogs, but not so much about the importance of a feeding schedule. So, thought I would do a little research and share my findings concerning a proper feeding schedule and how it can impact establishing a routine for your four-legged friend. By the way, we know we ALL do it – we fall prey to those puppy eyes and smiling face when we enjoy our family meals.  Therefore, we thought we would also slip in this great clip from the American Kennel Club anout what human foods are OKAY for our canine companions.

Best Feeding Schedule Summarized (for an adult dog)

Food: Most adult dogs should eat twice a day. This keeps their metabolism stable and aids in digestion. You’ll find they quickly catch on to when feeding time is. A sample dog feeding schedule would be:

• 7:00 a.m. – Breakfast
• 6:00 p.m. – Dinner

Water: In general, it is best to leave a fresh bowl of water out for your dog every morning and every evening. Dogs should always have clean water after any activity. If you’re working on housetraining or have a dog who overdrinks, you can schedule the amount and times you provide it. But watch your dog carefully and, if he seems to be thirsty, increase the amount. A sample schedule for monitoring water would be:

• 7:00 a.m. – Clean and fill bowl half-way.
• Noon – Rinse out and refill half-way.
• 6:00 p.m. – Rinse and fill half-way.
• Bedtime – Clean and fill bowl about 1/4 of the way.

How MUCH Should a Dog Eat?

The American Kennel Club recommends the following portions based on breed size and exercise habits.

Impact of a Proper Feeding Schedule

Owners should make an effort to really understand their dog and his/her habits. My Rottweiler is like CLOCKWORK. Within 5-10 minutes of eating, he is ready to relieve himself. Fortunately, he is quite vocal about it, so he makes it nearly impossible to forget to let him out as I race around getting the household ready for the days’ adventures. Meanwhile, my Boxer likes to work at his own pace. One that is everything BUT routine. Knowing that I have two dogs who lie on varying ends of the predictability spectrum, I have learned that I need to feed both at least a half hour before racing out of the house. This allows for the Rottweiler to accommodate his need – while the Boxer enjoys a few extra minutes to settle down enough to realize – it is his turn as well.

By understanding your own dogs eating and relieving practices, you can establish a daily routine that satisfies all parties, both human and canine.

Dog Feeding Schedule for Active Breeds

There are a few modifications for active breeds such as the Border Collie, the Vizsla and any Terrier. Sleep for these dogs is often less than an average breed and you will find they are usually running around even when dozing. It can help to feed these breeds three times a day because their metabolism is higher.

Dog Feeding Schedule for Sedentary Breeds

Breeds that are very large such as the Mastiff and the Great Dane tend to sleep more than an average sized dog. Some of the large breeds, such as the Greyhound and many of the hounds, do as well. The feeding schedule is also often different with these dogs being fed only once a day since they are not burning off as many calories.