If your dogs could speak and answer to the question; how often they should be fed, the answer would likely be: “Eight times a day and one treat every 10 – 15 minutes!”
Many dogs have insatiable appetites, however in nature, wild canines could go without a meal for several days. That is why feeding your dog once a day with fasting once a week is a common practice. Some people ask me if evening or morning is better. I usually suggest “the time that is more convenient for you”. However, if your dog has a tendency to pant and overheat at night, morning feeding may be better because digestion increases the heat production.
If you can’t resist Fido’s sad puppy eyes and do not feel comfortable about feeding once a day, twice a day feeding is just fine. Ideally, your dog should not eat more than twice a day with the exception of puppies less than 4 – 5 months of age. They are usually fed three times a day.
If your dog is fed more than twice a day and is otherwise healthy, he may be a victim of “monkey love.”
I first heard this expression from my father. When my sister and I were little kids, our lovely and caring grandma would do anything for her grandchildren to be happy. She was definitely our favorite because whenever we stayed with her, the mainstay of our diet consisted of candies, chocolate, pop soda and chewing gum called Pedro.
I remember my sister refusing to eat any vegetables because she knew that if she didn’t, she would get chewy fruit toffee called Si -Si and Pedro instead. My preferences were slightly different. I was hooked on chocolate and artificially colored pop soda in PVC pouches that were inflated like little cushions and you put a straw in a little port to drink it. Yes, those were the old days of not knowing any better.
So, getting back to monkey love. If you offer your loved one something other than wholesome for the sake of pleasing them or making them love you, it is monkey love. Sound familiar? Join the club. Succumbing to monkey love is very human. My goal is to make make sure that monkeys do not visit your home too often.
Recently, I visited my friends and family in the Czech Republic where I learned that fighting monkey love can sometimes be a loosing battle.
When I was a student at the university, I used to visit our long time family friend, auntie Alena, a wonderful supporter of mine and an amazing cook. One of her most common phrases was: “Eat, eat, you look so thin, just have one more dumpling!”
This time, I came for a visit with Skai. Right after we arrived, I decided to take a quick shower, leaving Skai in the kitchen with Alena. As I was coming back to join them, clean and refreshed, I stopped around a corner to hear Alena saying: “Poor little Skai, Daddy didn’t feed you, did he? Here is a piece of ham and a little bit of cheese and how about a little roll?” she baby talked “ That mean daddy would not give you any of this, would you like one more piece?” At that moment, I could not resist laughing as I entered the kitchen. “ Mean daddy? “Am I a mean daddy?” I laughed. I guess even dogs deserve to have special days with aunties and grandmas.
Just keep in mind that if your dog’s physique resembles a little night table with four legs, it may mean trouble. Perhaps you may remind yourself of monkey love and do not forget to keep an eye on your family and friends.
