How Many Times a Day Should You Feed a Medium-Sized Dog
There are many questions about how many times a day should a dog be fed. The answer depends on your dog's size and appetite, but should it be at least twice a day?
What we should keep in mind is that every dog is different, and feeding schedules vary depending on factors including size, activity level, appetite, and any underlying health issues.
There are many opinions about the right time for feeding dogs. So, in this article, I'll present some of them, and together with your vet, you'll choose one of the options that fit your dog's needs.
How much should a medium size dog eat in a day?
Usually, medium-sized dogs weighing between 30 and 60 pounds normally require one-and-a-third to two-and-a-third cups of dog food daily. Due to their larger size, they require a little bit more wet or dry dog food than tiny breeds.
However, the amount of food you give your dog can be divided into many schedule alternatives depending on its breed, activity level, health, and metabolism.
How many times per day should I feed my dog?
You must consider the following things before selecting the best alternative to feed your dog:
Dog breed: Some breeds of dogs, such as herding breeds, may require more food to fulfill their daily calorie intake needs because they are inherently more energetic and active (Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Medium Poodle, Viszla).
Activity level: Any breed of dog can be very active, however, some like to be couch potatoes and sleep the majority of the time. Set the amount of food you give your dog to increase or decrease depending on how active or inactive he/she is.
Metabolism: Every dog has a distinct metabolic rate, so depending on how your dog appears to process food, you could need to increase or decrease the portion size.
Health problems: Every dog has a distinct metabolic rate, so depending on how your dog appears to process food, you could need to increase or decrease the portion size.
1. Dog's Free Will: Your dog eats when he needs to
Letting your dog decide to eat wherever he/she wants is the easiest of all. Free choice feeding is good as long as you control your dog. Not all dogs have a stop of eating and this thing could easily lead to overeating and obesity.
Usually, pregnant females, puppies, and healthy-weight dogs are not a worry when you leave them the food for their free choice.
This means that you leave the food out throughout the day and allow your dog to graze. This method can work for highly active dogs who burn more calories (Border Collies are a good example here).
Also, you must know that if you choose this option you better use dry food that won’t spoil.
2. You set a time for feeding 🕓
Using this method you offer your dog a time frame to eat its food. Let's say you choose to let the dog eat for 15 minutes. Then, you'll remove his bowl, even he has finished eating or not.
✅ Doing this every time, they'll learn to finish what they have in the bowl and to eat controlled.
🤔 You still have to be careful because this method can cause problems for doggos that eats one bowl a day. If your dog is a difficult eater, it may not consume sufficient nutrients within the given time. In the opposite case, some big dogs may feel pressured by time and they can eat too fast. This thing may lead to gastric dilation.
3. You control your dog's portion
Using this method your dog's feeding will be more controlled and you'll determine how much food your dog will eat per day regarding his breed, age, weight, and size.
For doing this right is better to ask your vet what is the right amount of food your dog needs per day.
Portion-controlled feeding is a good choice for overweight dogs or dogs that don't know their eating limit.
💁🏼♀️ My personal example:
With Coco, my medium-sized Poodle, I applied the number 1 method: I left the food there all the time and he ate when he was hungry.
I learned him to ask when he was thirsty. I was somehow lucky because I never had food-related issues with him.
But that was my case. That's why is better to talk with your vet. He will advise you how what it's better to do for your dog.
Also, between meals in the summer days, your dog deserves a good treat. Here you can find some ideas for delicious frozen healthy treats for your dog:
5 Minutes Frozen Treats Recipe for Dogs with Peanut Butter
Summer is here and you're thinking to surprise your dog with a special treat? You're on the right article then! Especially if you want to prepare something delicious in a maximum of 5 minutes.
Should dogs eat more in the morning or evening?
Actually is not a certain response to this. A certain thing we know for sure is that while there is no ideal timing, it is best to feed your dog as soon as you get up in the morning and again in the afternoon for the majority of dogs that eat twice a day.
But keep in mind that every dog is unique, and feeding schedules vary depending on factors including size, activity level, appetite, and any underlying health issues.
On the next article! Paws & love! 🐾
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