Set feed times or not?

[CJ0374]

I have a 2.5yr mini poodle. She has no set feed times. There is always kibble in her bowl, which she'll nibble when she wants, and generally some wet food twice a day. She might not eat the wet food for hours or leaves overnight, but sometimes will eat it all at once. She is not overweight and no health issues we are aware of.
A friend has 2 of the same breed, and they scratch and bark 3x a day to be fed at VERY set times. She claims this is the norm but I couldn't stand it, unless there was some benefit to the dog.
I realise some breeds will eat everything in sight, but mine just seems to eat when hungry. Should my dog have rigid, set feed times? Is there a reason to do this I'm missing?

My 18 month old Labrador will come and tell me when it's 6.30pm.

She's very reliable!

By leaving the food down all the time it loses its value. So any training using food rewards will be much less rewarding for your dog.
Mine are fed twice a day. A third of the daily allowance in the morning and the rest in the evening.
We don't have exact set times, for example I feed earlier when we are competing at an agility show.
I would only leave food down for 15 minutes before removing until the next meal.
(Not that I ever have that issue. It takes a couple of minutes at most for the food to be eaten)

My Lab gets fed at 7am and 6pm. He lets us know if there are any delays!

Would you want to eat wet food left out for hours or all night, especially in summer 🪰🤮

Mine get fed twice a day. Pretty regular meal times. No way would anything last for ‘grazing’ purposes so it’s a moot point, lol.

Mine gets fed once a day in the evening, there is no set time though... anywhere between 630pm-830pm

He does normally have two full Kongs and treats (kibble - I'm mean!) during the day though

Some dogs just aren't food driven, so it is perfectly acceptable to leave kibble down for them to eat as they want.

I wouldn't leave wet food down, I would try and find food that they liked enough to eat up all at once, if there is such a thing for your dog.

Yeah set times here 7am & 5pm and she reminds us if we are late…typical Lab! Plus a few dog biscuits at lunchtime

My dog will sit by his bowl at 5pm on the dot and stare at me (I'm usually still working) until I notice him. If I don't he'll make funny grunting noises. Breakfast is part of his routine after a walk.

My dog is a grazer so he just eats a bit when he feels like it. No set times here.

My 2 are fed around 7am and then 6pm. If I am late of an evening I will have a reminder from the spaniel.

Poodles are known for not being very food motivated. If it works for you and your dog then it’s fine. The only concern may be leaving the wet food out for hours in the warmer weather.

No set times here. 4 dogs, all eat when they are ready - usually once the only female dog has given the boys permission 😁. 3 different cold pressed / semi moist kibbles are usually available, as they all have different preferences but also appreciate options. (Bowls washed regularly, not just topped up.)

Wet / homecooked food also offered occasionally, but due to allergies/ intolerances, the specific dried foods we use have resulted in almost perfect poos for all, so reluctant to rock the boat. Fresh veg like carrots or broccoli offered most days too.

Thanks everyone. She is definitely not food orientated, unless its cooked chicken- but balls on the other hand 🙄. We don't leave wet food out overnight or during hot weather. We realised early on that she would often only nibble a bit of wet food or leave it for ages. It now goes in the fridge if not eaten within a reasonable time.

Potential issues I can think of off the top of my head…

harder to notice if they’re unwell and off their food.

lots of medications have to be timed round food

will be a huge issue if you ever need to leave them with a boarder or anyone with another dog for holidays etc.

There’s a huge gap between food down all the time and having such a set routine that they harass you near mealtimes btw, mine have rough times they’re fed at, but it varies by a fair bit and they don’t hassle for their meals.

Mine are fed at 6.15 and 5.30. If I am busy and forget their tea I get the amber rays from them both, to remind me, but never any hassle. Regular mealtimes means regular emptying times and I can see if either aren't eating.

Our Samoyed gets fed when we have our dinner, our plates on the table and everyone sat down, then she gets hers.
Breakfast is usually when I'm
Making mine as I'm first up

Personally I don't really agree with free-feeding dogs, for all kinds of reasons.

• It's harder to tell if your dog is unwell or off their food if they're not eating at a set time.
• It's harder to keep track of the amount they're eating.
• Lots of medications have to be given around food which can be impossible with a free feeder.
• Food loses its' value if they have access to it 24/7 which makes it harder to use in training or as a reward
• It's harder to keep track of their toilet habits and bowel health if they don't eat at set times.

Doing set meals doesn't mean your dog pesters - mine gets three meals a day but the timings vary depending on our schedule and whether we're home or not. But it means we can keep track of what he eats, check for signs of pain and monitor his toilet habits much easier.