Many dog owners find it easier to feed their dog either once a day or just to free feed them throughout the day—both of these can be dangerous to your dog’s health. Free feeding can cause a obesities as most dog’s will continually eat if given the choice. In addition, it can be hard to monitor your dog’s health if you are not sure how much or even if he is eating. For example, if you feed your dog a set 2 cups a day, but the last few days he has only eaten 1, you can bet there is something wrong. However, if you just give your dog a big bowl of food, and multiple members of the family refill it throughout the day, you have no idea how much your dog is really eating. In multiple dog households it can also encourage food guarding.
Feeding your dog once a day can be downright dangerous, especially for bigger dogs. Once a day feedings are often the cause of bloat, a killer. Bloat is when the stomach fills with gas, which then puts pressure on the diaphragm, making it hard for the dog to breathe. Then, the stomach can twist, causing rapid death. (www.petmd.com)
The primary cause of bloat? Excessive feeding or drinking. If you have a large breed dog, you are taking a terrible risk feeding it a large amount in one sitting. You could save your dog’s life by feeding at least twice a day. Marti Simons, Office Manager at a doggy daycare and shower of Bernese Mountain Dogs has lost a dog to bloat, she was only 8 years old. The doggy daycare where she works, Wags and Wiggles Part Duex, has several precautions in place to prevent daycare and boarding dogs from developing bloat while in their charge. Here are a few tips:
Tips to Prevent Bloat
1. Feed no more than 2 cups at one time and rest your dog afterward. For large breeds that get 2 cups a meal, rest for a few hours.
2. Use a slow-eater bowl
3. Do not allow rolling or twisting after eating
4. Limit water intake. Offer small amounts at regular intervals
