Reasons for Feeding Your Dogs Twice a Day

When it comes to deciding an optimal feeding schedule for dogs, a variety of opinions abound. Some dog owners prefer leaving food out all day, whereas others abide by the twice-a-day feeding rule or decide to feed their dogs just one big meal a day. While deciding when to feed your dog appears to be a matter of personal choice, most experts agree that feeding dogs twice a day is the most sensible option. A number of supporting facts back this up.

  1. Age Considerations

    • Feed your puppy a high quality growth-type diet.

      Feeding free-choice during the fast growth stages of puppyhood may predispose your dog to obesity and devastating skeletal and nutritional disorders. Puppies between the ages of 10 and 12 weeks should be fed twice a day, whereas younger puppies should be fed at least three times daily. When you offer your puppy food twice a day, keep the food in its dish available for at least 20 minutes; if your puppy refuses to eat, remove the bowl and offer the food again at the next scheduled mealtime, recommends veterinarian Dawn Ruben.

    Size Considerations

    • The smaller the dog, the more feedings are required.

      Small dogs may have trouble meeting their metabolic needs in a single large meal. Because of their size, small dogs have considerable difficulty in storing and mobilizing glucose, predisposing them to a condition known as hypoglycemia. In addition, toy breeds are known to need more glucose for proper brain function, explains the Animal Medical Center of Southern California. Feeding dogs smaller, more frequent meals, such as twice or even three times daily, will help keep such conditions at bay.

    Breed Considerations

    • Bloat is often caused by eating fast and swallowing air.

      When it comes to scheduling feedings, breed is an important factor to keep in mind. Large, deep-chested dogs are predisposed to bloat, a life-threatening dilatation of the stomach which could lead to gastric torsion and cardiac shock. Feeding your dog two or three meals daily, but never before or after exercise, along with discouraging rapid eating, may significantly reduce the chances for bloat in susceptible breeds, explains veterinarian Kathleen R. Hutton.

    Metabolic Considerations

    • Twice-a-day feedings alleviate hunger pains and keeps dogs happy.

      Twice-a-day feedings, rather than one single large feeding, also aids dogs in aligning their caloric intake with their energy requirements throughout the day. This means your dog will have a more consistent flow of energy and better balanced behavior throughout the day, rather than going through a long cycle of digestion and energy conversion, points out the Animal Medical Center of Southern California.

    Health Considerations

    • Veterinarians recommend twice-a-day feedings for several health ailments.

      There are several health conditions affecting dogs in which twice-a-day feedings prove beneficial. For instance, the best way to feed a diabetic pet is twice a day, as this helps prevent blood glucose levels from falling below normal. Twice-a-day feedings also benefit dogs affected by gastric disorders in which excessive stomach acids are produced as a result of being on an empty stomach for too long. Feeding these dogs less food but more frequently, twice or three times daily, may be helpful in these cases, suggests veterinarian M. Christine Zink.