Free Feeding

[lumpdogjr]

I am about to pick up my Bullmastiff puppy on april 11th. My breeder said that she doesn't recomend free feeding. I have had dogs my whole life and always have free fed them. I have never had any wieght issues. I have also never owned a bullmastiff. Has anyone tried free feeding and if so, have you had success? I already have a French Bulldog and she free feeds.

 

[DMikeM]

I did it for years as well and my dogs were always perfect weight for the season we were in. But when I got my Boerboel she started getting fat right away so I went to measured meals. She gets 3 meals a day one small one around 5:30AM then a normal meal at about 8AM then around 6 or 7PM she gets another small meal. Now she is in good contition and my 2 older male dogs have dropped a couple pounds which is good for the hips on them.

 

[mx5055]

Years ago I did free feed, but it was always with adult dogs, plus we lived on 7 acres and they were very active. I have learned better nutritional ways for my dogs since then. In my own opinion I would not free feed a pup. When you get a pup there are a lot of adjustments going on, and if your pup has digestive, weight gain/loss, etc. issues, it is really hard to evaluate the problem if you don't know when they last ate, and how much they ate that particular time. This is a simplified explanation, but, like I said, I would not free feed any puppy. I wouldn't do it now with my adult dogs either. My own opinion. Welcome to the forum

 

[acain37]

I free feed my dogs and they are all a healthy weight, even on the thin side.

 

[Smart_Family]

Slow and steady growth is very important in mastiff pups and many mastiff pups when given the chance will eat and eat and eat. This is not good for their growth not to mention the risk of bloat in these big guys.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Some dogs are fine on free feeding, some aren't and will eat everything in sight. Plus it does increase the chances of bloat since its harder to control exercise after eating if you free feed.

 

[lumpdogjr]

Thanks for all the input. Its going to be difficult to free feed just my frenchie and not my Bully, but if it means a better health for my bully I will. I've been doing my own research and just like on here there are mixed opinions. I will also consult with my Vet and if available a dog nutrionist. I like the idea of my dogs having food when they are hungry, but i dont like the idea of an unhealthy pup/dog.

 

[ParentsofVegas]

The other dog would probably get used to measured meals
easier than you would think.
We always free fed till we got Vegas.
Going to measured meals has been really a good
thing for our older guy. Like Mike's pups he has some age related
orthopedic issues that make getting him a little leaner a good
thing. He adjusted really easy too, even to the point where he
didn't even steal what Vegas left over the other morning.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Every vet I've talked to has NOT LIKED free feeding. THEIR reasoning is because if you're free feeding its MUCH harder to moniter the animal's intake and confirm that they're eating how much regularly (something that can tell you ALOT about an animal's health). And thats especially true when there is more than one animal being free fed in the house. Without meal times there's just no way to be sure which animal is getting how much food.

 

[jcook]

I would advise against free feeding for the reasons already mentioned. Another reason we always watch our dogs eat is because my bf had an English bulldog choke to death on its kibble. I know French bulldogs are also brachycephalic so I would just keep that in mind. Because of that we also both know the doggie heimlich.

 

[ParentsofVegas]

I would advise against free feeding for the reasons already mentioned. Another reason we always watch our dogs eat is because my bf had an English bulldog choke to death on its kibble. I know French bulldogs are also brachycephalic so I would just keep that in mind. Because of that we also both know the doggie heimlich.

Anyone have a link to a vid of that?
Sounds like a valuable thing to know.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Not a video But a decent description: First Aid for Canine Choking - Canine Heimlich - Southern States

 

[ParentsofVegas]

Thanks Ruth

 

[DDBsR4Me]

I have free fed adult dogs in the past, but I would never free feed a pup - especially a giant breed since they really need to be monitored during their growth.

 

[DennasMom]

Our last pup could free feed - but we measured out his daily amounts, so we could monitor his intake. He just was never that excited about food, so he'd just graze during the day. Once we added a second dog to the mix, there was never kibble left in the bowl... competition is good for the appetite.

 

[broccolini]

Our last pup could free feed - but we measured out his daily amounts, so we could monitor his intake. He just was never that excited about food, so he'd just graze during the day. Once we added a second dog to the mix, there was never kibble left in the bowl... competition is good for the appetite.

Our TM puppy is like that. I put food out in the morning and she will usually not eat it until about noon. Sometimes she will go the whole day without eating. The cats like her food so they will eat it. That makes her go to her bowl but she will just watch them eat.

I'm not sure if that counts as free feeding but I will leave the food in the bowl until she eats it. I don't keep it full all day and she only has access to it when she's out of her crate.

 

[Robtouw]

Having "dogs" your whole life isn't the same as having "mastiffs" your whole life. They grow differently then the average dog and are sensitive to far more with stomach issues that average dogs are not prone too. Rersearch bloat, founder, gastric tortion and know the signs and symptoms before making your decision to free feed.