How Often Do I Feed My Dog? How Much Water Does My Dog Need to Drink?

If you were to ask twenty how often they feed their dogs, half will say twice a day and the other half will say only once. It's a personal choice, perhaps a dog owner's schedule may end up being the deciding factor in this. Maybe it's too much to add to your schedule to feed your dog in the morning when considering all the things you must currently do to get out the door and not be late for work.

Although it might be easier and more convenient for you, you may wish to consider feeding Jake twice a day as it could save you both time and money in the future, as well as be healthier for Jake in the long run.

In the same manner that you that you are more pleasant to be around after you have eaten three squares a day, or several small meals throughout the day, the same is true for Jake. Food, as we know, provides energy and allows your organs to function properly. One organ in particular that is really happy when it is fed frequently is your pancreas, which produces insulin. The reason you are happier after you have eaten is that your blood sugar and insulin levels are balanced.

Feeding Jake twice daily can avoid his developing diabetes in the future.

If you are concerned with feeding Jake too much, just watch his energy level after eating. If you notice that he wants to nap afterwards, feed him less in the morning and then at night feed him more.

Water

If you are uncertain, as are most people, how much water to offer Buffy, it's actually more simple than you might imagine. Unlike a horse in captivity, Buffy will only drink when she is thirsty. You'll see literature on the Internet that recommends 6 teaspoons for every pound, which meant 390 teaspoons and then not every person is math minded, so dividing or is that multiplying this into cups can cause the brain to hurt. Another piece of literature said 2.5 times the amount of food you feed Buffy and so for a 60 pound dog, this comes to approximately 10 cups of water. So do you measure out 10 cups a day and place it in Buffy's bowl?

If you are exercising Buffy regularly, as you should be doing, she will need to drink more then 10 cups a day. To ensure she is getting ample water, leave a bucket both inside the house and outside.  Most dogs are actually brighter than your average math whiz and will drink exactly what she or he needs, regardless what equation you chose. Imagine rationing based on some Internet recommendation and your head has exploded and Buffy is drinking either too much or too little each day.

KISS - Keep it Simple, Sweetie!
Buffy certainly is!

Photo Credits: John Steven Fernandez

This post involves:

diabetes, dog owner, dogs, insulin levels, nap, organs, pancreas

... and focuses on:

dog food, Health and Medical, Tips for Dog Owners

Posted by Dog Training Pet on August 14, 2011 in dog food, Health and Medical, Tips for Dog Owners. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.