Feeding Lacy 2 x per day now-(adjustment period?)

rrboxer · #1 12th January 2011, 08:00 AM

Okay, now that Lacy is 7 mos I have starting feeding her only 2 x per day (morning & later in evening) my question is this. Since she has been fed only 2x I noticed that now she is whining at earlier than normal in am to be let out of crate to do her bowel movement. She is getting me up about 3:00 am to 4:00 am and I'm a bit surprised. When I was feeding her 3 times a day she could sleep through the night and then I would take her out about 6:00 am - 6:30am depending on when she woke up. I haven't changed her routine on the times I take her out during day and evening to do her business. The last time I take her out before putting her in her crate is about 9:30 pm - 10:00pm is her last potty break right before going to bed. Is this normal and her system just needs to get adjusted?

Another question, now that we are only feeding her 2 x a day (gets 1 1/2 cup in am and then 1 1/2 cup in pm); after she eats her portion she still acts like she is hungry. She is now getting 1 1/2 cup in am & pm so she is actually getting a larger portion at feeding time & I'm a bit surprised that she keeps looking at me that she wants more. She weighs about 50 lbs now and I have noticed that she is as large as some of the 1 yr old boxer male we have met in last 2 months. Is this just an adjustment timeframe and she'll eventually get back to her routine?

BxrMommieNAZ · #2 12th January 2011, 09:26 AM

Some dogs always do that with the bowl licking and such. As long as you're feeding her the appropriate amount (ie she isn't losing or gaining weight) then IMO just ignore the behavior.

As far as having to potty keep in mind you're feeding her more at once which may be the cause of that. However you said "late evening" how late are you feeding her? Feeding her a bit earlier in the evening so that her system has time to process it and she can go before bed may work out better depending on how late "late evening" is.

But also give it a few weeks. Changing routines can be tough for some pups, but be consistent and she'll get used to it.

rrboxer · #3 12th January 2011, 01:07 PM

She is fed early in am about 6:30a - 6:45 am right after I take her out to do her business in am then her evening meal is between 5:00 p or 5:30 pm depends on when we get home but her last meal she gets fed before 6:00 pm. It is hard to ignore those beseeching eyes but I know better than to cave & give her too much TOTW. We don't want an overweight Boxer its bad for her health. Okay, I'll just keep monitoring her and I'll just have to get up earlier if she needs to go & hopefully her digestive system will get in sync eventually. Appreciate your response.

jdogg · #4 12th January 2011, 02:55 PM

When I switched Sadie to 2 feedings a day I weened her off by feeding her less for her 2nd meal each day and would add the amount that I took away to her 3rd cup(she eats the same amount as yours). I did this for about a week but I still seen some changes to her bathroom breaks. Which I would say is natural. She will come around though. Sadie eats her supper around 6:00-7:00pm every day and doesn't have a bowel movement until after she eats her next feeding which is 6:30-7:00am. She will go about 3 times during the day though so she makes up for it!

I would try very hard to not give in to her whines at 3-4am. You know that she should be able to go at least 7hrs before she has to pee and I would say just as long, if not longer for the other as long as she has just enough room in her crate to lay down. Obviously if you give in to her whines you will be getting up every day at that time!

Also, I took Sadie's water away at 8:00pm for a long time and have gradually extended that time and am now to 9:00pm and she will be 9 months old on the 21st of Jan. I don't like this for the sake of her being thirsty throughout the night but it has helped and prevented her from whining in the middle of the night to be let out. Eventually I will give her water in her crate but will add just a little to the bowl and gradually add more until I think it's safe. Sorry, I'm ranting... Good luck with Lacy! You will find all the information you need on these forums... I have been very grateful to have found this site.