Bailey's Diet

[T.C.E]

He's changed it again!
For the last week he is only eating one meal a day, he has decided that he will eat somewhere between 4 & 6 in the afternoon and he will ask to be fed.
Because of this we have increased the quantity over the past week or so until we are sure he's getting his fill.
He is eating 2 tins plus 3 mugs of mera, he's leaving on average a mouthful of his grub.
The question is,
Should Bailey only be on one meal a day at 12 1/2 months?
He's healthy enough and its his decision.

[zetstaff]

He's old enough to be on one meal a day + obviously isn't a greedy dog, so I would say fine.

It's like when they're puppies + start on 4 meals, then gradually lose interest until they're on 1 or 2.

My 2 have been on 1 meal for ages now, through their choice. Some mornings they are looking for food so I give them a bit of kibble, otherwise they get fed in the evening

[lauraburns]

Ozzie has been on 2 meals a day for ages now, the terriers only have one meal which is in the evening, but when Ozzie is having his breakfast they get a couple of bone shaped biscuits!

[charlie]

I would say 2 meals a day tbh Ray u could try a good exercise at 11ish then give him grub then then evening walk then grub see how that goes
Some dogs r fussy and prefer one meal so if that dont work dont worry

[T.C.E]

Thanks Ladies.
Bailey will not eat until somewhere around 2 minimum but will normally ask for food about 4/5, I get home around 12/1 and take him straight out for an hours run/training followed by 1/2 walk equally he gets a 1/2 hr to an hour walk morning/evening. He decides when he wants to eat, he's not fussy about what he eats, just when he eats it.
While I know its wrong to let him dictate, but surely its just wasteful to put food down knowing he wont eat it and trust me the food thats been thrown away just we make sure we arn't making a mistake is criminal. Two meals a day for ten days has been thrown
Charlie, the only time Bailey cannot get walked is around 11, thats around the time he's on his own, Lynne leaves at 10.30

[jesterjenn]

Harley was put on 1 meal at around 10 months as that is what he chose, and he's fine, so if it suits him, don't worry about it

[wolfman]

I feed Layla twice a day. In the morning in a small meal I mix a 1/3 can of wet food with her kibbles..Mixed in with that I have a tbs of cod liver oil and 1/2 tbs of Omega 3. This is also a great time to mix in that tbs of pineapple, (poop eating control)

In the evening she gets her regular Royal Canin kibbles with a tin of sardines about every 4th day. Layla's 3 and 1/2 yrs old.

[Sassysmum]

It's not necessarily how many meals a day your dog has it's the quantity and type of food. I always feed at least 2 meals a day to lessen the amount eaten in one go to help reduce the risk of Gastric torsion (BLOAT)

If it's hot my lot will eat little and often from kongs, scatter feeding and have RMB's at night. Generally they have a stuffed frozen kong and remainder from the bowl in the morning then bones at night.

Little and often is far safer than a BIG food intake all at once.

Originally Posted by Sassysmum

It's not necessarily how many meals a day your dog has it's the quantity and type of food. I always feed at least 2 meals a day to lessen the amount eaten in one go to help reduce the risk of Gastric torsion (BLOAT)

If it's hot my lot will eat little and often from kongs, scatter feeding and have RMB's at night. Generally they have a stuffed frozen kong and remainder from the bowl in the morning then bones at night.

Little and often is far safer than a BIG food intake all at once.

I was going to say almost the same thing
Mine have 2 meals a day and will always have that way

[Su-C]

Hi Ray,

As Sassysmum has said, the only reason that its preferable to feed 2 meals a day is to reduce the risk of bloat, but if Bailey will only eat one, there is not much you can do. You have to go with that. Just be extra careful about not feeding too close to exercise.

Sue
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