Feeding Schedule for a Standard Poodle

Question
QUESTION: I've had a 2-year old Standard Poodle for about 2 months.  I was told that I should feed two meals a day, the last one being late in the evening, like 8 or 9 p.m.  I am feeding him at 7 a.m., noon (snack#, 4 p.m. #snack),and his final meal at 7 p.m.  I notice that he throws up a little phlegm in the a.m. I was told by my vet that he may have a little gas reflux and that his stomach is too empty.  Should I feed him later at night?  Three weeks ago he was neutered and had his stomach tacked to prevent GDV.  All went well.  Any sugestions?

ANSWER: Hello Sharon,
You might want to move his evening feeding to a bit later in the evening so that his stomach doesn't get fussy before you feed him his morning meal.  Actually, most dogs do great on 2 feedings a day.  You can feed smaller meals more frequently, (this is suppose to help prevent GDV by less food being in the stomach at one time), but most dogs do great on 2 meals a day.  Its more personal preference than anything.  

If you are still concerned about the gas reflux in the mornings, you can leave a bit of food out during the night for him to nibble on.  It doesn't have to be much, maybe a Cup a the most, but that way if he gets hungry, he can nibble during the night.  

Also, watch the snack feeding unless your dog is quite active.  Even though he is 2 and probably fairly active (most Std Poodles are), now that he is neutered and over 2 yrs old, he may slow down some and can put on weight more easily.  


I hope this helps you some.  If you have other questions for me, please feel free to ask.
Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, Kim.  I moved his laat meal to 7:30 p.m., and he had no problem in the a.m.  I want to move it up to 8 p.m.  Regarding the snacks, I give him a slice of the Natural Balance  meat roll (about an inch), and then he gets freeze-dried chicken and beef (little chunks) for training treats.  What do you think?  I will watch his weight because he is going to be doing agility.

Answer
Hello again,
This sounds fine for him and the fact that he is doing Agility will help keep his weight to a good normal.  He will probably even gain some nice muscle mass.  

As for moving up the time that he eats, try doing it slowly to give his body a chance to adjust.  Try 5 minutes every 3 days or so, and you can go to every other day if he is doing fine.  

Good Luck with the Agility with him.  I would love to do some Agility with my boy, Riot (Silver Std Poodle), but just don't have the time right now.  He would be great as he is very energetic.  

Thanks again for using AllExperts.com and if you have other questions for me, just ask.

Kim