Tell me about your doxie's feeding schedule

[deannalew]

Hi! It's the novice here seeking some expert advice. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm26.gif" border=0>

Just wanted to know....when do you go from feeding 4 meals a day to 3 meals to 2 and then on to one (if you only feed once a day)?

[Tucker's Mom]

Tucker is a mini and weighs 9.5 pounds. When we first got him we fed him 3 meals a day. Breakfast at 6:00am Lunch at about 12:00 and Dinner at 6:00pm.

When he got to be about 4-5 months old he was able to sleep throughout the night without going potty. I just figured that was a good time to cut out the Lunch meal.

Now he's a year old and he eats his breakfast promptly at 6:00am and Dinner is around 5:30 or 6:30.

This has worked well for us. He usually gets a treat when I go home for lunch. Most of the time it's just a small bisquit, or some fresh carrots, broccolli, or apple slice. He loves his Innova dog food, but he really loves his carrot treats!

Good Luck
Traci

[Cheryl]

Sassys a 9 lb mini. I started by feeding her 3x a day. When she was about 4 1/2 mos she just decided to stop eating lunch. Now she gets breakfast at about 9 am and dinner at 630 pm with a small snack or two in between.

[DoxieNut]

At our house, the dog food is out all day. I fill the bowl first thing and once it is gone, it's gone. Both our Dachsie and Bully eat from the same bowl, and both eat Dog Chow. They are both in their "houses" all day during the work week, so they eat in the evenings, and on the weekends they are free in the apartment and they nibble as they please. Both are in splendid shape. I think it just depends on the animals if you can do this or not.

[jenmilo]

I just switched my litter to three meals a day last week, but I watch their weight. I told a new owner that is getting one of the pups that they should eat the three meals up from 4-6 months of age, and that would depend upon their weight. If they were getting heavy to start cutting them back, and they should as mini's not exceed the 11lbs. I find it is better to go with the puppy, if he/she is not gaining the weight keep up the three times untill they do, and vs vrs. Though I will say if at six months they are still not gaining the wieght usually min 8lbs by 8mos take them to the vet. They may have a medical problem or just need more fat and protine in their diet.

[deannalew]

Thanks for all the good replies! Patch is just about 4 months old now and due to the heat of the summer and going on vacation with us, he has slowed down on his eating.

I want him to eat his evening meal (about 5 p.m.) because otherwise he will be starving right before bedtime (and that means up all night to go outside if he eats too late!). So, I have cut way back on the lunch meal.

Right now he is getting breakfast, a mid day snack (doggie bisquit or two) and dinner.

Now that I have really cut back on his lunch, he is eating breakfast and dinner much better and he is not hungry before bed.

The only weird thing is....he will not eat much at all (just a few bites) unless I am in the kitchen with him. As long as I am there doing something and he can see me, he will eat. Otherwise he will just go lay down or sit on the rug and wait for me. Anyone else experience this? I don't mind except in the morning sometimes I need him to eat while I am dressing if we are going somewhere.

Oh well, I guess if he decides not to eat, he will just be more hungry the next meal!

Any suggestions or comments on this?

Thanks!

[Rusty's mom]

Our little Duffer wouldn't eat unless I was in the kitchen with him and hand feeding him. Talk about spoiled or what???? It's only been the last month that he's started eating by himself. I think it's because they get lonely and don't like to eat alone. They're just like people that way. Anyway he was about 6 months old before I didn't have to hand feed him anymore. Oh the things we do for our babieshttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

Kathy

Kathy