Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM
Dear Dr. Mark:
Dr. Mark
Dr. Nunez is a practicing veterinarian while also assisting patients through The Balanced Canine blog and his own online veterinary pharmacy. Have a question for Dr. Mark? Send it to [email protected]. You can also follow Mark on Twitter.
Want to read more from Dr. Mark? Try these, or visit his archives:
Arthritis Treatment and Prevention Safe Dog Chews The Toughest Decision
Dr. Nunez's advice does not necessarily replace an actual medical examination.
- Ask The Vet: Challenging Uti's
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Chris Abbas via Flickr.com Dear Dr. Mark: I have a 6 yr old Shih Tzu who has been sick for six weeks. She was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and has a history of bladder stones and urinary tract infections. I kept...
- Ask The Vet: Digestion In Senior Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Tracy Out West via Flickr.com Rufus, a Standard Poodle Hi Dr. Mark, I have a 12 year old standard poodle (the light of my life). He is now having trouble pooping as easily as he once did, and the amount is less. I talked...
- Ask The Vet: Dogs And Separation Anxiety
by Mark Nunez, DVM © All Things Dog Blog Happily Enjoying Crate Time is Healthy for Your DogMy rescue dog has been with me since she was quite young. Living alone, I wonder if she has become too attached to me. When visiting family she displays...
- Ask The Vet With Dr. Mark: The Dangers Of Animals Bones
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Mateuszz via Flickr.com Natural Bones Have Multiple Dangers Hello Dr. Mark: My husband hunts deer. He brought home some deer bones for Rex, our Jack Russell mix. I suggested he cook them to kill parasites or germs...
- Ask The Vet, With Dr. Mark: My Dog Licks His Packmate's Eyes
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy 1corey via Flickr Eye Licking-- Grooming or Dominance? Dear Ask the Vet: Oreo has always licked Cocoa's eyes. I'd guess he does this about 5 times a week. The groomers have been saying Cocoa's eyes look...
Dogs
Ask the Vet: Timing of Feeding
by Mark Nunez, DVM
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| © Carrie Boyko Dr. Mark Recommends Twice Daily Feedings |
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question: I really hope you can help me figure this out.
Being a college student and working makes my life a little crazy....especially with my 2 energetic toy poodles. They exercise a little over a mile a day and each 1/2 cup of their favorite (AND Tanner and Oliver's favorite) chow-- Organix, along with just a "few" treats!
Because they only eat 1/2 cup of food once a day, I'm wondering when the ideal time to feed them is. Should I split it up and let them eat 2 X a day? Only eat breakfast when we get up? Does this even affect them?
Thank you so much, Dr. Mark.
Elizabeth, Cocoa and Oreo
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Hello Elizabeth,
College life can be very demanding and I remember it well. I would like to commend you on the amount of exercise they get, great job! I know it's not easy to find that time with a busy school schedule.
I always recommend twice a day feedings (3 times a day for small breed puppies). There a few reasons, #1 It helps to keep their metabolism going at a higher rate. When humans want to loose weight it is recommended that they eat many small meals vs. only 3 large ones, same concept here. With a canine overweight/obesity rate that parallels the human population, this is very important. #2 Feeding after the morning walk helps to set the stage for relaxation after you leave and while you are gone for the day. Better for your dogs to sleep and rest rather than get into mischief or be anxious about your departure or being left alone. #3 Depending on a dogs' breed, one large meal a day can lead to bloat and gastric dilation and volvulous, which can be life threatening and require surgery. And #4 I would want more than one meal per day :-). The amount you are feeding sounds appropriate, just feed 1/4 cup in the morning and a 1/4 cup in the evening. Thanks for the question!
I always recommend twice a day feedings (3 times a day for small breed puppies). There a few reasons, #1 It helps to keep their metabolism going at a higher rate. When humans want to loose weight it is recommended that they eat many small meals vs. only 3 large ones, same concept here. With a canine overweight/obesity rate that parallels the human population, this is very important. #2 Feeding after the morning walk helps to set the stage for relaxation after you leave and while you are gone for the day. Better for your dogs to sleep and rest rather than get into mischief or be anxious about your departure or being left alone. #3 Depending on a dogs' breed, one large meal a day can lead to bloat and gastric dilation and volvulous, which can be life threatening and require surgery. And #4 I would want more than one meal per day :-). The amount you are feeding sounds appropriate, just feed 1/4 cup in the morning and a 1/4 cup in the evening. Thanks for the question!
Dr. Mark
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| © courtesy m.n. Dr. Nunez |
Want to read more from Dr. Mark? Try these, or visit his archives:
- Ask The Vet: Challenging Uti's
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Chris Abbas via Flickr.com Dear Dr. Mark: I have a 6 yr old Shih Tzu who has been sick for six weeks. She was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and has a history of bladder stones and urinary tract infections. I kept...
- Ask The Vet: Digestion In Senior Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Tracy Out West via Flickr.com Rufus, a Standard Poodle Hi Dr. Mark, I have a 12 year old standard poodle (the light of my life). He is now having trouble pooping as easily as he once did, and the amount is less. I talked...
- Ask The Vet: Dogs And Separation Anxiety
by Mark Nunez, DVM © All Things Dog Blog Happily Enjoying Crate Time is Healthy for Your DogMy rescue dog has been with me since she was quite young. Living alone, I wonder if she has become too attached to me. When visiting family she displays...
- Ask The Vet With Dr. Mark: The Dangers Of Animals Bones
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Mateuszz via Flickr.com Natural Bones Have Multiple Dangers Hello Dr. Mark: My husband hunts deer. He brought home some deer bones for Rex, our Jack Russell mix. I suggested he cook them to kill parasites or germs...
- Ask The Vet, With Dr. Mark: My Dog Licks His Packmate's Eyes
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy 1corey via Flickr Eye Licking-- Grooming or Dominance? Dear Ask the Vet: Oreo has always licked Cocoa's eyes. I'd guess he does this about 5 times a week. The groomers have been saying Cocoa's eyes look...