# feeding 1 or 2 times per day? I have been feeding twice a day, about 12 hours apart. I'm debating making a change to our routine where I would only feed once a day. I can't find any solid information about the implications of feeding only once a day. I imagine there are plenty in terms of digestion and energy levels for exercis… ## Thread In Food · started by _dlroberts · 9 replies - **Category:** [Food](https://nihonken.org/community/c/food) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## _dlroberts · 2008-08-19T12:43:59.000Z I have been feeding twice a day, about 12 hours apart. I'm debating making a change to our routine where I would only feed once a day. I can't find any solid information about the implications of feeding only once a day. I imagine there are plenty in terms of digestion and energy levels for exercise etc. Does anyone have a good resource (or opinion) on feeding frequency? Thanks! ## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2008-08-19T13:03:00.000Z I've been feeding once a day since I got Jazz, but am considering going to twice a day because I want to incorporate RAW into Fletch & Jazz's diet. It works well for both of them. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-08-19T13:15:18.000Z is there any reason why you want to feed once a day? Could Lucy handle that? What I've learned is that commercial dry kibble is digested (ingredients pending) at a rate of 12-16 hours. I have heard conflicting opinions about smaller dogs and how they can handle one large feeding per day while with larger breeds, twice a day is believed to reduce the risk of bloat. I have also heard that feeding twice a day prevents 'sour stomach', where the stomach and its acid are empty waiting for food and once it gets it, the food is immediately subjected to the built up acid and the dog gets the urka gurkas, eats grass, loose stool, etc. This is supposed to open a window for pancretitis also if not properly transitioned. With any changes in their food, or frequency you also run the risk of the dry kibble not breaking down at the rate the dog's digestion system is used to, which can affect their digestion and energy levels. I'm sure transitioning over time would work out. With one meal, the dog goes through one long cycle of digestion and energy conversion as he or she digests a huge quantity of food with one meal. But by dividing meal time into several events during the day, you reduce the amount of food per mealtime and balance out the digestive activity. By using multiple feedings, you help better align caloric requirements with energy needs throughout the day as intended by the makers of most commercial kibble. I think all this is what made me switch to non kibble food choices, protein introduction, reduction, and feeding frequencies are much easier on the dog because digestion happens so much more naturally and faster. We feed a 1/3 portion of their daily intake three times a day now. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-08-19T13:17:15.000Z **we've also been fasting them so their systems completely digest anything and everything, we do this bi weekly. Feeding once a day in might help their digestion in the long run, making a clean sweep daily. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-08-19T14:22:27.000Z Both my regular vet and holistic vet were THRILLED when I told them I feed the dogs 2x a day. I think it comes down to the fact that while it is not BAD for a dog to eat once a day, it is significantly BETTER for them to eat 2x a day. I would think especially with Lucys sad tummy 2x even 3x a day would be much easier for her digestion. ## _dlroberts · 2008-08-19T14:25:56.000Z Yeah, that was my gut feeling, but I couldn't find any information to support that. *sighs* So much for the new routine. :-/ ## kwyld · 2008-08-19T14:28:01.000Z Jen and Jess, very good information. Most of the dogs that come in to the vet with food bloat or GDV (bloating with the stomach turning over) eat kibble and are fed once a day. My receptionist friend was feeding her English Setter once a day and started the vomiting bile thing at 3am, and she was instructed at that point to start feeding in the am and pm to prevent the acid build up in the stomach. I would stick to twice a day for Lucy. ## Romi (admin) · 2008-08-19T17:28:02.000Z I feed once a day. But it's because my pups made it that way. I would feed them twice a day...and then slowly...they just started eating less and less every morning until eventually - didn't touch their food at all. So - in the mornings i just put 1/4 cup of kibble for each and if they eat it, great, if not - it gets added to their dinner. I haven't noticed any negative changes from eating once a day. *edit* - I did change how they get exercised though. In the morning we only go for a short 20 minute walk. They get all the play time with eachother in between and in the evenining an hour or so after they eat, we take them on a nice long 1-2 hour walk or take them to the local park for an hour to run and play. ## kojichan · 2008-08-19T22:45:20.000Z I feed twice a day for no other reason that is just seemed sensible and Koji does well on that schedule. But here's some "food for thought" for you Dave. I came across this article which definitely puts a thought provoking spin on things. Here's the most salient point from the article .... ".. Your goal is to feed the dog a maximum of 6 meals per week, at times it has no way of predicting." He doesn't come right out and say feed once a day, but based on that statement and the rest of the article, that is what I have to conclude. In that statement of course is also an assumption that one day per week is for fasting. Full article ... http://k9joy.com/dogarticles/dogfood01conditioning.pdf ## _dlroberts · 2008-08-19T23:02:35.000Z Thanks for the information guys! I think I'm going to have to try to figure out a way to adjust my routine without having to adjust their feeding schedule. I don't think Lucy would tolerate a fasting day well at all. She needs to be as regular as possible or she has all sorts of problems. --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)