IMPORTANCE OF A FEEDING SCHEDULE IN YOUR
DOG'S DIET
What your dog's diet consists
of is very important. Your dog's overall health and well being is fuelled by
excellent food and resources. Did you know that your dog's diet should be
following a feeding schedule?
Just as important as what your dog eats, is when you feed your dog. Similar to
humans, your dog needs to eat regularly. Nutritious meals and snacks should be
monitored as part of your dog's diet. Spacing out mealtimes and snacks or treats
on a feeding schedule is a good idea.
Depending on your dog's age and health, you will want to devise a feeding
schedule that supports your dog's diet and nutritional needs. Adult dogs may
only need to eat at one time during the day, but two mealtimes are preferred.
Senior dogs rarely need to vary from the typical adult dog feeding schedule,
although the dog's dietary needs change over time.
Puppies require more mealtimes throughout the course of the day. Nursing pups
should be permitted to nurse on demand. As you alter your puppy dog's diet from
milk to dog food, you will need to offer food four or five times per day. Once
the puppy has become weaned and used to the new diet, you may reduce the feeding
times to three occasions during the day.
Your dog's diet should be presented to your pet at regular times during the day.
The specific time to present your dog's diet is solely up to you, but be certain
to establish a schedule. Avoid dramatically varying your pet's feeding times.
For example, if you feed your adult dog before work at about 6:00 AM and then
again at 6:00 PM, try to stick with this schedule throughout the week.
Do not be surprised if your dog starts getting antsy at 5:45 in the morning in
anticipation of breakfast. Your dog's diet is important to him and he is
anxiously awaiting its arrival.
Even the treats you hand out
as part of your dog's diet will become part of your dog's daily routine. If your
dog knows that every morning just before your lunch, you offer a chew bone, he
or she will await the daily ritual.
Establishing a feeding schedule helps to keep your dog's diet on track. It is
easy to get in the habit of feeding your dog regularly. Plus, scheduled feeding
times will help to predict your dog's elimination schedule. When you are potty
training a puppy or housebreaking an adult, it can be helpful to have an idea of
when your dog needs to go out. Maintaining a healthy diet and feeding schedule
will make your job much easier. This is also very useful when travelling with
your pet. If you know to expect your dog's elimination schedule, you will be
able to plan appropriate potty stops. In addition, you will know if your dog is
feeling stress by changes to his schedule. Try to maintain normalcy and routine
as much as possible.
Probably when you think of your dog's diet, you consider what food he consumes,
but remember when you present your dog's diet is just as important. A dog will
come to expect his daily feeding schedule and routine.
