There are different options of how to feed your dog and cat in order to properly monitor their eating habits.  This allows you (the owner) to identify if your pet has stopped eating and when that has occurred.  It also allows you to ensure how much food your pet is consuming.  No matter which method you choose to feed your furry friend we always recommend they have access to fresh water and we recommend that you monitor your pet’s weight.  If they are a smaller animal you can pick your pet up and put him/her on the scale with you and just subtract your weight from the total.  For larger dogs this may not be an option, but you can always bring your dog into the Town and Country Animal Clinic anytime to weight them on our scale. 

There are 3 different methods for feeding your pet.  Below we will list the different types and the benefits and drawbacks to each method.

Buffet Method: allowing free access to a full bowl of food at all times.

• Fast and easy

Cons:

• Unable to determine when and how much your pet is eating (which may inhibit your ability to notice any change or medical issue).
• Can easily contribute to your pet becoming overweight.

Meal Method: (This is our recommended method):  feeding your pet a measured amount twice daily.

• Allows the owner to monitor when and how much your pet is eating which will allow you to identify sooner if there is an issue occurring.
• Helps prevent your pet from becoming overweight.

 Cons:

• Requires more of the owners time.

You can also modify this option by adding a time limitation to how long the bowl is accessible to your pet.  This allows your pet to eat on your schedule and trains them to have two meals per day.  This option makes it very easy to monitor the quantity and time the food is consumed.  In order to train your pet into this option we recommend starting using a timer.  Set the timer for 20 minutes and once the timer goes off the food is removed.  This may take a couple of days for your pet to understand the change but this option works well for multiple pet households.  It allows you to monitor each of your pet’s eating habits and also allows you to feed each pet it’s individual food without worrying as to who is eating what. 

Interactive Feeding: placing a measure amount of food into a toy and allowing your pet to work to get his food out.

• Keeps your dog or cat active and entertained while eating.
• Forces pets who consume their food too fast to slow down and eat one or two kibbles at a time.
• Allows the owner to monitor when and how much your pet is eating which will allow you to identify sooner if there is an issue occurring.
• Helps prevent your pet from becoming overweight.

 Cons:

• Requires more of the owners time.