Feeding is the main factor in promoting the health of pets. Offering quality food in the correct quantity is crucial for them to have a long and healthy life. But how often should pets eat per day? At what times? Should they follow the family meal routine? Can food be placed in the bowl only once a day so they can eat when hungry?
+ Video: Dog confronts mountain lion and survives to tell the tale
Many owners still have doubts about how often they should provide food to their pet per day, so they are satisfied and do not show signs of hunger. For those who share these questions, veterinarian Núbia Galiano, who works in the area of technical training at Adimax, one of the largest manufacturers of dog and cat food in Brazil, explains that the ideal frequency for dogs can vary depending on the type of food, the life stage they are in, the family routine, and so on.
“For adult dogs, the daily amount of food should be divided into at least two meals, so they do not go too long without eating. If the family routine allows, it is interesting to divide it into three meals, and for older dogs, three to four meals would be ideal. For puppies, the daily amount of food should be divided into at least three daily portions, thus respecting their smaller stomach capacity and favoring food absorption. It is important to note that offering more meals per day does not mean that the animal will eat more, but rather that the total amount will be divided and offered in portions throughout the day,” explains Núbia.
The veterinarian also highlights another important point: “When dogs consume a large amount of food very quickly, especially large ones, they are more predisposed to what is known as gastric torsion, a serious condition characterized as an emergency.”
Cats have different habits than dogs and usually eat small portions, several times a day, not being common for them to eat all the food from the feeder at once. Therefore, the total daily amount can be available all day. “But it can happen that a cat is greedy and in that case, the owner should also divide the daily amount into at least three meals throughout the day,” recommends Núbia.
Another tip is that hot weather can lead to loss of appetite and in such cases, it is ideal to offer food at the coolest times of the day, such as early morning hours and late afternoon/evening.
To know how much food should be offered daily to the pet, Núbia advises owners: “The daily amount should respect the indication on the package according to the age, size, and level of physical activity of the animal, or the recommendation of a trusted veterinarian. In case of doubt, the owner can also call the manufacturer’s Customer Service. It is also worth mentioning that treats, usually offered as a treat or reward, should also follow the recommended amount on the package, so that the animal does not receive an excess of calories, which can lead to obesity.”
The food should be offered to pets in always clean bowls, which should be washed with water and soap, just like those for water. If they do not eat everything, leftovers should be discarded after 24 hours if it is dry food, and after 30 minutes if it is wet food, in order to prevent spoilage or attract insects that could contaminate the food or transmit diseases to the animal. And remember that the food and water bowls should be kept in a clean place, protected from the sun and rain, and away from the place where the animal does its business.
