by: Rita Rail

Hi Deb: A baby Pom must eat more often as when older of course. I have found that the free feeding always worked well for me. I have had quite a few pups and this was the way they were always fed. In their growing years, they must eat often as the stomach is not very large. They have been nursing from the mother as often as they were hungry and I always felt that they should continue to regulate themselves. This has to be stopped if your dog begins to gain too much weight. Emily is a very small Pom and regulates herself to this day, She is nine years old. Very active also. Crystal is six and wants to eat everything (in food) that fits into her mouth. She is not very active.

Upon her yearly check-up, I was advised that she was overweight, this is apparent by feeling her ribs. Too much fat will not let you feel them as you should. Therefore a diet of eleven Hill’s Science Diet Small Bites for her twice a day. Treats are minimal. Both have four tiny dog bones for lunch and at bedtime, they have each two of those bones and two small pieces good quality liver treats. Of course we are unable to resist our in-between meal snacks and this is limited to a miniscule treat.

they are allowed two each and do not ask for more. The above has worked well for my dogs. I hope the free feeding works for you as it really eases the care. Emily has no chance to eat out of Crystal’s bowl so this one can be left on the floor (there are never any left-overs) and Emily is fed on a higher level where Crystal has no access. Please let me know how this works out for you if you try it. It is great if you have to leave your dog when you have to miss a feeding. Please let me know the results if you try free feeding. RR