What Time of the Day Should I Feed My Dog?

Your canine companion thrives on routines. So when you’re wondering what time of the day is the best to feed your dog, the answer is a consistent time. Let’s dive into more about scheduling your dog’s meals, when, and how many times a day is appropriate depending on your pooch’s age.

Feeding Schedule for Puppies

When it comes to puppies, you have to keep housetraining in mind while also considering their feeding schedule. A puppy will ideally have three meal times throughout the day. A great way to work their feeding schedule would have it also work with outside time (to encourage relieving themselves outside instead of inside). Here’s a great example of that:

1. First thing in the morning, go out for a walk
2. Breakfast, then outside right after
3. Lunchtime (second feeding time) and outside right after as well
4. Let them out again around 4:00 p.m.
5. Dinnertime (third feeding time) and outside once again
6. Then another time let out right before bed.

Many puppies will need to relieve themselves after eating or napping – so also keep that in mind.

Feeding Schedule for Adult Dogs

Once a pup reaches adulthood, they should only need two feeding times a day. This can help keep their metabolism stable and helps their digestion process. Dogs are smart, so you’ll notice that Fido will quickly catch on to when their mealtimes are and will expect you to stay consistent with those times. Adult dogs have a much simpler schedule since housetraining is no longer a concern. Here’s an example:

• 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast (first meal)
• 6:00 p.m. – Dinner (second meal)

Feeding Schedule for Senior Dogs

When it comes to senior dogs, two meals a day is usually good. Typically you’ll feed these canines smaller portions since their activity levels are pretty limited. But when it comes to scheduling sticking to the same times as you always have in their adult years is perfectly fine. Portion size is what matters more here.

Every pup is different, and you might have to change their meal schedule or portion depending on their activity level. You might also have to alter their schedule to make it work with yours. But as long as you try to stay to a consistent routine, you should be good.