How Many Meals Should a Dog Eat Daily? Ideal Feeding Sc
Should You Feed Your Dog on a Schedule?
When it comes to this question, the answer is quite clear.
Firstly, feeding your dog on a schedule is beneficial for them. This is because dogs can develop good bowel habits by eating at regular intervals.
Why is that?
Because just like humans, dogs have simple digestive systems. After the stomach receives food from the small intestine, the dog feels the urge to defecate. Approximately 8 to 10 hours after eating, the stomach sends an alert to the brain: "I'm hungry!"
Therefore, a dog should be fed at least twice a day to meet its basic needs.
Moreover, dogs that are fed on a schedule are more likely to accept various types of food and are less likely to be picky eaters.
Of course, the key to feeding on a schedule is that if your dog does not finish its food within a certain time frame (10 to 20 minutes), you must take the food away and not give it to them again until the next mealtime.
How many times should a dog be fed in a day?
As mentioned earlier, each dog needs at least two meals per day. This is not only because they feel hungry after 8 to 10 hours, but also because if it's been more than 12 hours since their last meal, the stomach acid in the dog's stomach can accumulate too much, leading to vomiting and the potential for them to eat things they shouldn't.
If you're a busy professional, you might consider purchasing a timed dog bowl and dividing the daily food intake into three smaller meals.
What should you do if your dog always has accidents in the house?
This is because you haven't taught them the habit of immediately going to the bathroom after eating. Don't underestimate this habit; it's crucial.
For puppies, it usually takes no more than three months to adapt to this routine. Not only will they eat well, but they will also not have accidents in the house.
Of course, it's best for puppies to be fed three or more times a day, as they are in a growth phase and require more nutrition than adult dogs.
