Hello everyone,

I am trying to find out when you switch to one feeding a day. I have a 5 1/2 old GSD pup. My vet says anytime after 16 weeks, one can switch to feeding a large breed dog to once a day. I looked on the website, but did not see anything regarding this. I don't want to switch too early for the obvious reasons -- growth, nutrition, etc.

I feed my pup twice a day now, once in the morning and once mid-afternoon, with lots of training treats in between. She is eating Thrive from Honest Kitchen.

Advice appreciated.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Irwin

1 year old is when I switch to once a day.

Is there a particular reason for wanting to switch to once a day so young?

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Is there a particular reason for wanting to switch to once a day so young?

Do you suggest not feeding once a day?

I feed my four GSDs twice a day. First at about 7:30 am, with yogurt and minerals, etc. Second at about 5:30 pm. Bigger portions in the am. No water for an hour after eating - for non-scientific, personal reasons.

I have the time, and feeding twice a day is no inconvenience. The dogs seem happy, healthy and appear to be at ideal weights. Been my experience for almost 40 years - my how time flys.

Once a day or twice a day... An age old discussion. Perhaps more important is what you feed, and how much you feed, and how attentive you are to weight and health indicators.

Put another way, I am of the opinion it makes no never mind whether once or twice a day, given attention to the nutrition and actual eating habits of the dogs.

And it is critical for my feeding approach to consider the treat/training bits intake when considering daily food allocations.

Just two unsolicited cents.

My dogs are fed as much as they want till 2 months, 4 times a day until 3 months, 3 times a day until 6 months, then twice a day for the rest of their lives. If you want to switch to once a day, do it at 12 months.

Feeding a 16-week old, large breed puppy once a day will not allow them to eat enough to get enough nutrients for their growth needs. (their stomachs are small and calorie requirements are big).

As you are going to discover, a vet is probably the last place to get nutrition advice.

I feed mine twice a day, just to spread out their calorie intake throughout the day and also reduce the risk of bloat. That, and they look forward to meal times. JMO

 Quote: Sandra Vernlund

I feed mine twice a day, just to spread out their calorie intake throughout the day and also reduce the risk of bloat. That, and they look forward to meal times. JMO

I'm with you Sandra. Occasionally we'll do a fasting day, but 2 meals a day is the norm around here - for pretty much the exact same reasons.

~Natalya

Me three:-) My dog's grand sire was the last of the "one meal per day" generation here, and the last to need emergency surgery for bloat. I've noticed a difference in sustained energy levels too, and we have far fewer troubles with gas or digestive upset in general.

Unless there is a compelling argument FOR feeding once a day, I advise against it.

Bloat is more of a concern when a dog eats once a day.
Yes, wolves in nature gorge themselves.
They also have the correct chest and abdominal anatomy to accomodate that gorging.
Our domesticated, typified breeding pets, do not.

I feed my 14 month old GSD once a day.
I have a reason to do so, however. I would PREFER feed her two, or even three times a day. Were there not feeding issues with this particular dog, she would NOT be getting once a day feedings.

It is a significantly less than ideal way to feed an animal, and unless there is no alternative, I would not do so.

I suspect that your vet recommends once a day feedings, because he considers that the alternative with most pet owners is free-feeding.
If I was a vet, and the options were once a day meals vs free-feeding, I would probably suggest once a day feedings as well.

However, there ARE more choices, and I suggest you continue to feed at least twice a day.

(Either that, or your Vet is just a moron. I'll err on the side of caution, and stick with my first guess.)