The Pros and Cons of Different Feeding Methods for Your Pet

In today's pet food market, there are many options available for pet owners to choose from in feeding their dogs and cats. It is not only what food to choose that requires attention, but the method of feeding the pet that must be chosen as well. Many people may not even be aware that there are different methods of feeding their pets, let alone which one might be right for them or their specific animals. So what are these methods, and what are the pros and cons of each one?

There are two main ways an owner may feed his or her pet: free choice or meal feeding. Using free choice, there is food always available to the animals. They are able to eat whenever they want, and as much as they want. For this method, only dry or semi-moist food should be used, as wet food will become stale quicker. This method should also not be used in overweight pets, as they will tend to overeat.

The advantages of the free choice method are that there is little work involved for the owner, there is little chance of underfeeding the animal, there is more opportunity in a group of pets for all of them to have a chance to eat, and it may decrease the incidence of coprophagy (when an animal eats its own feces). The disadvantages are that the owner has little control over nutrition, there is a greater chance of obesity, and if an animal is not eating, the owner may not notice quickly.

Meal feeding may be subdivided into two types: time limited or food limited feeding. In time limited feeding, more than enough food is given to the animal for a short timed period, for example ten or twenty minutes. In the food limited method, a measured amount of food is given and the animal has as much time as needed to eat it. Both of these are done at the same time or times every day, from one to three times a day.

The pros of the meal feeding method are that the animal is kept on a regular schedule, which aids digestion and elimination; the pet's appetite is easier to monitor and food amounts can be adjusted, for example, if the pet is too thin or too overweight; the owner has control over nutritional goals; any type food can be used, such as wet food; and there is a smaller chance of the pet becoming overweight. The disadvantages of this method are that there is more work involved, more knowledge is needed by the owner to determine if the animal's needs are being met, there is a higher chance of coprophagy occurring in the animal, and there is a chance of underfeeding.

If an owner is not sure which method of feeding is best for his or her animal, it is always advisable to talk to a Veterinarian. With a physical exam and patient history, the Veterinarian can give advice about the best method of feeding, as well as what type of food to give the animal. It is notable that fresh, clean water should always be available to the pet and should never be limited.