Automatic feeder?

[yahboycash]

Is it a good idea to put my puppies on an automatic feeder? I've been trying it and to my surprise they aren't just eating themselves sick....lol. I kind of like it
because they have access to their food at all times and no more bulging
stomachs after eating they are gaining amount of weight slowly actually I think
they are eating less and still gaining. But I have a buddy that thinks its a bad idea
to put Canes on auto feeders anyone have any experience with auto feeders?

 

[Mack's mommy]

I have heard both good and bad... So I don't really know. Kinda surprised no one has chimed in on the subject yet. I have never used one so honestly (I feel stupid) I don't really know how they work, like how much they put out at a time and how often. I am assuming you can set it to the way you want. But.. That being said, I would assume, that if you have "gulpers" (pups that gulp there food down" it would probably be better to set the feeder on small amounts throughout the day so they don't gulp it down which can be dangerous and cause bloat. But also, I don't know your circumstances, are they left out all day while you are gone? Are you home all day, gone all day? How old are the puppies? Ya know, stuff like that I just don't know. I have read in puppy books and online that its not good to give a young pup free run of the house. One of my cane corso books (which is amazing by the way lol) says giving a young pup free run of the house is like bringing a young child to an amusement park and saying "here ya go have fun!" And just letting them run free... Lol... So my point is I guess, if they are young pups and on automatic feeders, how are they getting to it? Do they just have free run of house?

Anyway. Most of it comes down to personal preference. Are they running and eating food on their own? I have also read that it's good to be around them when they eat at a young age so that they don't get food aggressive. Like putting your hand in the food bowl while they are eating, let them eat some bites outta your hand... Lean over their backs (dominance) while they are eating... All stuff dominate pack members in a dog pack would do so I guess I am saying that because if they are just running free and eating on their own alone it might cause a problem later down the road. But like I said I don't know your circumstances.

Anyway, hope that helped!

 

[Smart_Family]

I don't like to free feed any puppies, especially mastiffs. Some may be good at self regulating but it's hard to keep an accurate grasp on how much they are eating, especially when there's more than one. The worrier side of me also worries that if my pups had to have emergency surgery and the vet asked when's the last time they ate, that I wouldn't know. Bloat is also a concern in these big guys as well.

 

[DennasMom]

We have an auto-feeder for our cat... that way she gets her portioned breakfast every day without having to howl at us to get out of bed. Make for a much quieter and relaxed morning for the rest of us.

For the puppy... I guess I'm more of a control freak. I like to be in control of the food - which provides good training opportunities for "sit" and "wait" commands. We also vary feeding times a lot so Denna's stomach doesn't get to regulated - if they miss a meal you may have empty stomach syndrome with some bile vomit. Not a big deal, just makes a small goop mess.