Feeding different amounts to different dogs

[juliette]

Now that we are in the last few weeks before we bring our new little girl home, Chris and I are doing as much research as possible into what to expect.

One area of concern - how do you feed two different sized dogs two different amounts of food?

Otto is 15 1/2 lbs, is now eating just under a cup of Wellness fish and sweet potato

Hijinx (our new baby to be) is 7 lbs currently eating Wysong (not sure about quantity, but it has to be less than what his royal highness eats).

The main reason we are concerned is that Otto is an unnatural dachsie as he DOESN'T scarf his entire bowl of food the minute it hits the floor. In fact, he will nibble on it off and on for the whole day. I certainly don't want her eating all of her portion, and then his (assuming she is of the vacuum cleaner eating mentality).

Any thoughts would be appreciated (although I am facintated to hear how dutchman feeds such differing amounts to differing dogs!)

Regards,
Juliette, Christopher and Otto

[dutchman]

The easiest thing that offten happens with more than one dog in the house would be if Otto learns to eat all his food at one sitting. Frank use to graze but when Tanner joined our house I was faced with the same problems you are facing. Frank soon learned if he didn't eat all his food I would pick it up and he may or may not get it back depending on what I was dooing. Tanner was my chow hound but now he loves to take his time and tease Dexter by only starting to eat after Dexter finishes and then take his time cruncing once pice at a time. I still have to keep an eye on their dishes and sometimes talk Frank into finishing his meal. Weekday mornings when I go to work are the easiest feeding times since I just put their bowles in their individual kennels where they spend their time while I'm at work. Frank and Tanner sometimes like to spill their food out trough the door across the kitchen floor as their way of protesting be left home. On several ocassions Dexter my currently biggest chow hound won't touch his meal till I get home. Dexter not touching his food is most likely to happen on a Monday or after I've take a couple of days off.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[juliette]

Well, we had a guest dog for the weekend, and we discovered exactly how Otto was going to be on the subject of another dog - he guarded his food bowl all weekend! He had no problem eating (guest dog) Duckie's food when it was on the floor, but heaven help her if she got within three feet of his dish! On one occaision when she actually did sniff at it, he responded with snapping at her and growling.

It's going to be an interesting adjustment when we bring Hijinx home!

[Heidismom]

Even when I've only had one, I never had a dachsie who didn't immediately devour dinner ( or a snack, or a treat...) Now that I have had 3 (1/ 95 to 6/01 and then 9/01 to present) all my girls eat at the same time. Siglen gets a bit more, because she is built a bit larger - 14 pounds to the other two at 9 pounds. I have had to adjust, not for pack order, but for eating speed! I feed Brekke first (17 months), Gretl second (13 1/2 years) and Siglen is third (almost 8). Otherwise, I get lots of growling because Siglen can chow down in about 20 seconds, and then she hovers over the other two. The way I feed, means everyone finishes close to the same time - much more peaceful! Julia B.
:bounce:

[Rusty's mom]

We put out 3 little bowls with the same amount of food in each. They'll each decide which bowl they want to start with and then about half-way through start bowl swapping. Never had a growl, snarl, snap - nothing. Hobbs will get a piece of kibble, throw it around and chase after it. I've never seen a dog who had more fun eating kibble than our Hobbs.

Kathy - mom to Rusty, Duffer and Hobbs

[Dan]

My trixie is the same thing. She devour everything in seconds as soon as her bowl hits the floor. The only time she does not do this is when i find out that one of the kids or both passed their table food to her because they don't like to eat which to me is a gave away that they did not eat their vegetables :lol: I told the kids i don't wnat Trixie get spoiled with table foods.