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 fueled 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 traveling 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.