[peeblerelf]

I do free-feed, but they get 1 cup in the morning, and 1 cup for dinner. It just works out that they don't eat it. I would never try to persuade my dog to eat, if it became finicky! If you don't want to eat it, then sucks to be you! lol. Unless the dog was sick...When Wilson, my old dog had cancer and wouldn't eat, i would give him anything he wanted, but that's a different situation.

I know the importance of NOT free feeding, but we seem to be doing okay. It's a personal choice, based on the individual dog i guess. Either way, as long as you aren't OVER feeding, i don't see the harm. As for giving meds...I just toss the pills down their throat. It's quicker, easier and you know for sure they got what they needed.

Interesting points tho!

 

[peeblerelf]

I do free-feed, but they get 1 cup in the morning, and 1 cup for dinner. It just works out that they don't eat it. I would never try to persuade my dog to eat, if it became finicky! If you don't want to eat it, then sucks to be you! lol. Unless the dog was sick...When Wilson, my old dog had cancer and wouldn't eat, i would give him anything he wanted, but that's a different situation.

I know the importance of NOT free feeding, but we seem to be doing okay. It's a personal choice, based on the individual dog i guess. Either way, as long as you aren't OVER feeding, i don't see the harm. As for giving meds...I just toss the pills down their throat. It's quicker, easier and you know for sure they got what they needed.

Interesting points tho!

CC gets med at least 3-4 times a week, she is free feed, I always has food down weather its at home or work, I think she eats about 2-3 times a day. I think I have the only dog if you shake a pill bottle she comes running! she knows there is cheese comming. I don't think she's getting fat or anything. she does eat more than some dogs on here, but about4-5 cups a day, but she doesn't seem to be overweight or anything.

It all depends on the individual dog. If she has a high metabolism, and is exercised intensely (i think that's a word :lol: ) then she will need more food then your regular lay around the house couch potato that does nothing. As long as she's a normal weight then I don't see a problem personally!

My grandpa's dog used to come running when he had to take his medicine too! They would hide it in licorice (he had a thing for licorice!). But he was also severely over weight. Mind you he hardly ever ate people food. He was a huge GSD and would have cereal, toast, and tea for breakfast. Leftovers from the night before for lunch with a Del Monte fruit cup for dessert, and whatever they were eating for dinner! Plus they didn't give him dog cookies, they gave him people cookies...Something i DEFINATELY wouldn't recommend! Mind you, he was their baby, and spoiled ROTTEN! He had his own room, and his own bed...and when he wanted his sheets washed (yes, you heard that right) he would take them off the bed and bring them down to my grandma. Then she turns to me and goes "oh...and he loves it with lots of fabric softener!" This is going a bit too far in my opinion, but it made them happy...