Adult feeding - 1 or 2 meals per day?

Hi, may I ask whether anyone just feeds their adult GSD once a day? It's just mine struggles to eat any breakfast; I have to really coax him to eat a small amount... he just doesn't seem interested in it.

He's 21 months and fed on raw. He troughs his evening meal fine though.

I bought some Orijen to trial as I thought it won't attract flies if it's left (I feed him in his outdoor kennel). He'll only eat Orijen if there's some raw minced meat mixed with it (butcher makes this for me), he won't eat it on its own.

Is it harmful (bloat) to feed the dog's whole intake in one meal in the evening?

[Stuart]

I feed a raw diet too,..and I have always given them two meals a day,.one about the 8.30am - ish, and the other around 4pm.

I wouldnt feed a mixture of raw and kibble though, the two digest at different rates, raw in about 4-5 hours and Kibble up to about 12 hours,.. and this can cause stomach upset in some dog,.. that and the fact that both are complete meals in themselves so there is no need,.. it may also put on far too much weight.

If he doesnt eat in the morning, then its ok, its not the end of the world, he maybe doesnt eat at that time because he hasnt built up an appitite, [or he is still digesting Kibble].. but I would pick up anything he doest eat rather than leave it down

Bloat can accure in different situations, but as a general rule, if you dont feed an hour before and an hour after hard excercise you reduce the risk a lot,.. what do you mean by `whole intake?` do you mean one complete meal,..as different to two meals,.. if you are then providing you are not over feeding it shouldnt make any difference
This is just my thoughts on it,.. I am sure others have differing ideas

[Kissy1921]

I feed twice a day, breakfast around 8.30am and supper about 7.30pm.

I feel is better to do this than feed it all in one go, but everybody is different.

Both times tho, the bowl is always licked clean

[Stuart]

Ours also never leave a thing,.. making me wonder about the mixed diet,..although I do know some who do feed this way,.. try just giving one or the other for a few days and see if you get empty bowls after about the second day

[jesterjenn]

Both of mine get fed one meal per day after we have had our dinner, so any time after 7pm.

Jess was put on one meal a day because she wouldn't eat breakfast, and it seems to suit Harley too, so I've put him on 1 meal too.

[Eve]

feed my dogs twise a day.... breakfast at 8am and dinner 5pm

[maxandskye]

I feed mine twice aday 8am & 5pm, although I do vary the times slighty as I dont like them to have routine.

[Billy Sitch]

I feed mine twice daily because I understand that it may reduce the risk of GDV (bloat) and it also stops my dogs from eating grass and bringing up bile if I feed this way.

Originally Posted by Stuart

the two digest at different rates, raw in about 4-5 hours and Kibble up to about 12 hours

Where did you get this info from Stuart (or anyone else who knows)? I have looked and looked and can't find it anywhere but it is often quoted. I would be very interested in reading about it if someone has carried out a study.

[maxandskye]

Originally Posted by Billy Sitch

I feed mine twice daily because I understand that it may reduce the risk of GDV (bloat) and it also stops my dogs from eating grass and bringing up bile if I feed this way.




Where did you get this info from Stuart (or anyone else who knows)? I have looked and looked and can't find it anywhere but it is often quoted. I would be very interested in reading about it if someone has carried out a study.

Raw should digest faster, & not be slowed down by the digestion of kibble. Raw should not be slowed down for kibble, hence the reason for not mixing the two together even at different times of the day, as this could well lead to bloat.

[wildmoor]

I feed at 8am and 11pm I find the girls who are kennelled eat more in the night and very little at morn feed, whereas Zandi will eat anything in sight