"Hiding" food

[pogopup]

How in the world can I, well, maybe not stop but curb Pogo's enthusiasm about hiding or covering up his food? According to Innova, he should be getting about a cup a day, so I feed him half a cup twice a day- well, he only eats about half that because he wants to cover it up after it's half gone. I'm just concerned that he isn't eating what he should. I guess as long as he isn't loosing any weight, he's just eating until he gets full, right?

Thanks!

 

[JessicaR]

the rule at my house is the dogs get 10 minutes to eat after that time the food gets put away until next feeding time. as long as he is healthy and not loosing weight I would just put the food up when he tries to hide it.

 

[GeeRome]

I agree with JessicaR. I normally allow 15 minutes, but same principle. Put the food down, as long as the dog is actively eating, they can have it all. If at any time they walk away from the dish or cover it up, the food is picked up and put away until next meal. This will also solve the little habit that some dogs have of taking one or two kibbles, going to a different room to eat them, then wandering back to the dish. By the time they get back to the dish, the food is gone and put away until next meal. Doesn't take them long to figure it out

The recommendations on the sides of bags are often on the high end anyways. For liability issues, it is safer for a company to recommend feeding a dog MORE than it needs than less. No one is going to sue over a chubby dog, but someone could sue over a malnurished dog. And hey, if people are feeding more of a certain food, they are going to need to buy more, right? haha So don't rely too heavily on what the bag tells you. If he is not losing any weight and is the gleeming perfection of health ... no worries. You are just lucky enough to have one of those rare self-regulators that so many people would give their right arm for!

 

[JessicaR]

I used to have that problem. my one sheltie would only eat until she is full, and the other two would be all too happy to finish the rest I agree with the amount of food the manufactuer recommends. the food I feed says my 35 pound needs 2 cups if I fed her that much she would be a blimp so she gets 1 cup which works just fine for her. I just go by the feel method. everyday I feel their ribs if their is too much padding they get a little less food, if I think they feel a little on the thin side I add a little more food.

 

[pogopup]

Thanks for the help, JessicaR and GeeRome. I was thinking the same thing, but I'm a big worry wort when it comes to the health of my animals. I have been taking up his food after a certain time period but just needed some second opinions...Thanks again!