Vets have finally settled the debate of how many meals you should be feeding your dog each day. Experts say that recognising a few key concepts and attributes of dogs have helped them to create reasonable feeding plans, which can vary depending on the breed.
However, the most common recommendation from vets at VCA Animal Hospitals is to feed your dog at least two meals per day. They recommend: “Feeding your dog does not have to be mysterious. By recognising a few key concepts and attributes of dogs we can create a very reasonable feeding plan for them. The most common recommendation is to feed your dog at least two meals per day and there are a few reasons for this.”
Dogs are creatures of habit, which is advantageous for creating a feeding schedule for your pet. A regular meal time can also help to house train puppies, as well as rescue dogs who may not have been taught household manners. For those training puppies, linking ‘potty stops’ with a meal allows for the dog to associate their need to go with being in the appropriate location.
For adult dogs, eating at a regular time also provides the security of a routine. This will especially help dogs to adapt to and cope with other changes in the household. For example, if you go away on holiday or someone moves out.
Food changes also come easier with eating at a regular, allotted time. Using hunger as a motivator can encourage the dog to eat new food, making transitions easier.
Dogs’ stomachs are very similar to that of humans, as when their stomachs are full, it will empty within a few hours. Stomachs will later send signals to the brain, stimulating a hunger response.
Therefore, vets have recommended at least two meals a day.
However, some dogs may be less motivated by food, and only need one meal per day, depending on size. Others may need more frequent meals, such as dogs that only eat small volumes of food at a time.
Experts recommend adding a lunch or evening snack as a third meal, if your dog requires more food.
Vets at the vca hospitals also recommend avoiding allowing puppies to eat at any time of the day, as this can lead to binge eating, which can result in orthopedic problems and diabetes.