As a dog behaviorist, I often come across the debate of whether to free feed or not to free feed a dog. And, the sincere answer right at the start is that it brings more trouble than good. It’s not just related to the increased risk of obesity, some behavioral issues can arise. But, as with everything in life, it’s not all black and white, and there are many gray areas. However, in this article, we’ll talk about the cons and the pros will be briefly mentioned.

What Is Free Feeding?

Free feeding is when a dog has food available at all times. It literally means the bowls are always full of food and a dog can eat the food whenever he feels like it. In most cases, the food is kibble (dry food), but some owners leave other types of food as well. 

The reasoning behind food being available at all times is that a dog will eat the amount of food he needs, and won’t overeat. Those who practice this type of feeding think that a dog won’t gulp down food every time he eats because he knows there is always food available. If food is available at all times, a dog will eat less but more often. While there are good points behind this opinion, there are also some faults we need to address.

The Cons Of Free Feeding

Free feeding your dog(s) can lead to:

• Lack of routine (for a dog)
• Overfeeding (obesity)
• Lack of insight into dog’s health
• Lack of food motivation during training
• Resource guarding 

Feeding your dog rather than food being available all the time, is essential for establishing a routine. Through routine a dog is less stressed, feels safer because there is an expected meal every day at the same time, and they are more eager to listen and please our demands because they know when to expect food and from whom. 

Feeding your dog strengthens the bond between you and your dog. It’s a ritual the owner should enjoy just as much as a dog. The excitement of the dog, wiggles, tail wagging, and us calling our pet nicknames is supposed to be a special time of the day. Or two times of the day if you feed your dog two times a day.

Another issue with “free feeding” is the possibility of overfeeding and obesity. Some dogs eat the amount they need to satisfy their hunger. But, I’ve only heard from some farmers that some of their livestock guardian dogs ate like this, and I’ve come across a couple of documentaries talking about guard dogs in rural areas. The majority of owners claim it seemed as if their dogs could eat everything they gave them. So, a permanent supply of food can lead to obesity in most dogs. 

Another problem is not noticing if something is wrong with the dog. In a lot of cases, dogs and other animals lose appetite when they have a health issue. This issue can be anything from dental problems to infection in any part of the body manifesting in lack of appetite. If a dog has a permanent supply of food it will be much harder to notice that a dog eats less than usual. This is especially difficult if you have more than one dog. Which dog eats the most and which one is not eating?

Training will also be more difficult because dogs won’t be food-motivated if they have food available at all times. Why would they, when they can just ignore you and eat the food whenever they can? We will have to find some other motivators to teach a dog anything, from potty training to basic commands such as “sit”. 

And finally, dogs may start guarding food (resource guarding). This is not with all dogs and it’s common in households with multiple dogs. Some dogs have a higher need to protect what is theirs. If there is always food, some dogs will want to keep an eye on their food supply and protect it from other dogs – at all times.

When Is Free Feeding Recommended? 

With every opinion comes at least one with a different approach or thoughts on the topic. But, there is one situation that dog breeders or dog owners encourage and it’s free feeding the puppies. However, not all the way until they reach adulthood, but up until they are 3 to 6 months old.

The second situation is the one I already mentioned and it’s free feeding working large livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), such as the Great Pyrenees. Emphasis is on working. Although a lot of LGDs will have it in their DNA not to overeat and eat the amount they actually need, every dog is unique.

The third is free feeding during the final stages of pregnancy or the last 10 days. During this time, a pregnant dog is allowed to eat food whenever she wants. Veterinarians recommend this because the dog needs a lot of nutrients in the last few days and during labor. However, the biggest need is after the labor, when she gives birth to puppies.

Summary

As mentioned in the beginning, this topic is a debate. There are different opinions and you can find the truth or good reasons to support all of them. However, the cons presented in the article are well-known and often cause problems during training or making your dog feel safe. Routine is very important for dogs, especially if you’ve just brought a dog home. Consistency is what makes them feel good, happy, without stress, and easier to train.

Of course, the best option is to consult a vet after they examine your dog. It is true that each dog is unique, and maybe the vet will recommend you should free-feed your dog. But, even if that’s the case, I still believe your dog is the exception and not the rule.

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Cover Photo by Matty Coulton