meals and the 10 minute rule.

[SkyeSue]

I just wanted a little more information on why alot of people recommend lifting the dogs dish if they haven 't eaten everything after 10 minutes. I can totally understand this in households where there's a lot happening and there has to be routines in place cos of work, kids going to school etc. But if one can be more flexible...like me..is it really that important? I don't really have a routine with Chloe, she has to work for quite a bit of her food, and sometimes only picks at her dish first thing in the morning. Once we come back from our walk, I will stuff a kong with some of the remaining food and that keeps her quiet whilst I get on with other things.  I also feed her kibble in a plastic bottle sometimes, and sometimes I also stuff the remains of an old slipper (with lots of little holes in the base) with feed.Sometimes, I even scatter kibble over the kitchen floor...she loves that! So she doesn't really get two dish fed meals per day iyswim. Am I wrong in feeding her this way?

[lisalh]

Does this system work for you and Chloe? If so I wouldnt worry too much about the '10' min rule- like everything else it is what suits you both that matters.  I would know Fred had a problem if 10 mins after I put his food down he hadnt eaten it but he is a little pig and TBH I am more worried about the way he gobbles it down.. Horses for courses and all that.....

[SkyeSue]

Does this system work for you and Chloe? If so I wouldnt worry too much about the '10' min rule- like everything else it is what suits you both that matters.  I would know Fred had a problem if 10 mins after I put his food down he hadnt eaten it but he is a little pig and TBH I am more worried about the way he gobbles it down.. Horses for courses and all that.....

Yes, it seems to work well...she's in excellent shape and healthy...I just needed reassuring I guess! Thanks for that.

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I think that lifting the bowl is really for dogs that have become fussy eaters.. I've never had a dog that doesn't wolf every last scrap of whatever I put down, the second they are allowed to so it's not something I've ever had to do...

As has been said if what you're doing works for you and she's fit and healthy then I wouldn't worry!

Hannah xx

[Jan/Billy]

I think that lifting the bowl is really for dogs that have become fussy eaters.. I've never had a dog that doesn't wolf every last scrap of whatever I put down, the second they are allowed to so it's not something I've ever had to do...

As has been said if what you're doing works for you and she's fit and healthy then I wouldn't worry!

Ditto to everything Hannah said.

[Mudmagnets]

He he, the only bowls I lift in this place after 5mins is empty ones Suzie is the only one who won't always eat her meal straight off, but she is excused due to age

[tigs71]

10 minutes    I am lucky if Masons food lasts him one minute 

[LurcherGirl]

I just wanted a little more information on why alot of people recommend lifting the dogs dish if they haven 't eaten everything after 10 minutes. I can totally understand this in households where there's a lot happening and there has to be routines in place cos of work, kids going to school etc. But if one can be more flexible...like me..is it really that important? I don't really have a routine with Chloe, she has to work for quite a bit of her food, and sometimes only picks at her dish first thing in the morning. Once we come back from our walk, I will stuff a kong with some of the remaining food and that keeps her quiet whilst I get on with other things.  I also feed her kibble in a plastic bottle sometimes, and sometimes I also stuff the remains of an old slipper (with lots of little holes in the base) with feed.Sometimes, I even scatter kibble over the kitchen floor...she loves that! So she doesn't really get two dish fed meals per day iyswim. Am I wrong in feeding her this way?

It sounds like a great way to feed your dog! Dogs really should work for their food and givig it in kongs, bottles etc makes it more interesting for them. I wouldn't worry about "rules" if it works for you and your dog. 

However, as we have four dogs, all of which are resource guarders with food, we have set meal times and it works well. They all eat it within a few minutes and there are rarely left-overs from it.

Vera

[cazza]

Mine get one meal in a bowl and the other in different forms / ways

The only thing I have to do when food is given in a bowl is stand in between them so I can tell Braan to leave as he goes to steal Fern's as she is a dainty eater and Braan woolfs his down

I would only use the 10 min rule for a fussy eater - but as I've never had one of them I've never used it 

[bluegirl]

I don't have a 10 min rule as such.
In the past I've left food down all day and thats been fine but I do think in hindsight it lead to a very fussy eater because they was always food down and if it didn't go I'd be offering something else.
Now I put food down in the morning and if it's not eaten with 30 mins (which is practically never) it's removed and they don't get fed again until the following day.

[Clover]

Willow has a 10 second rule  'All food must be gone from bowl in 10 seconds'

I think it depends on the dog really.

[SkyeSue]

Willow has a 10 second rule  'All food must be gone from bowl in 10 seconds'

I think it depends on the dog really.

 

[Michele]

However, as we have four dogs, all of which are resource guarders with food, we have set meal times and it works well. They all eat it within a few minutes and there are rarely left-overs from it.

Vera

Willow has a 10 second rule  'All food must be gone from bowl in 10 seconds'

I think it depends on the dog really.

 

This is the same with my four - all food must be inhaled immediately. It doesn't touch the sides. 

[Mudmagnets]

This is the same with my four - all food must be inhaled immediately. It doesn't touch the sides.   
 
Aha I thought it was only Katie pup, she has Naturediet and terrier meal.  I was a bit worried that it was consumed in record time, but it does not seem to hurt her in any way.