overweight schnauzer - feed one meal or several smaller meals

Question
QUESTION: Do dogs metabolisms work like humans in that smaller meals taken more frequently keep metabolism going and assists in weight control?  I've got a girl that needs to drop several pounds - my vet (and you also, a few months ago) suggested I get a high quality, low fat food and be strict in feeding.  Done that.  But she usually eats one meal a day (dinner) - would splitting her total food intake for the day into smaller portions be helpful or indifferent?
Thanks!
(and how is your weight loss going??)
ANSWER: Oh, geez.... you just had to ask about my weight loss<G> I was down 56#, and then the Holidays arrived. I am still paying for that.... plus with our cold winter, I found I was hungry all the time. So I have gained back 8# and I really need to get back on the treadmill again. I am eagerly waiting the arrival of spring so that I can go and dig in the dirt again! Somehow I just cannot get as motivated over those 8# as I was when I weighed 180! Oh, well... the newer clothes still fit<G>

I don't know the answer to your question. Dogs really aren't like us, and in the wild, they probably wouldn't be eating every day. Wolves, for instance, would be eating whatever they could catch, and would live for days on a large kill, and probably go a bit hungry in-between, as they would not have successful hunts every day.

My dogs only get fed once a day.... dieting or otherwise. I usually suggest twice a day for people such as yourself as they often feel that they are starving their dogs and feel sorry for them.... and then start cheating with their dog's diet. Schnauzers are great ones for making their owners' feel guilty!<G> LOL!

How much weight has your dog dropped? You make it sound like she still needs to lose more. When I am dieting a dog here, I take them down to 1/2 cup a day. The weight comes off pretty easily. The only time I was not successful, I discovered that the dog in question was hypothyroid after several months of trying to diet him. You might want to have that checked on your dog if you are still struggling with this. My guy didn't start having hair loss until several months later. Rather a "DUHHHHH!" moment on my part. The weight started coming off once he was on medication.

Now that the weather is improving, getting out and walking with your dog will help, too.

Karen

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

QUESTION: Spring is here in Texas - I hope it gets to you soon.
I honestly gave up on dieting her a few months back when I last asked your advice.  I'll tell you, the training is definitely needed on the owner's part in my case.  However, I got my girl a friend - he is a 3 year old, white schnauzer / parson russell mix and is a doll.  He is a normal weight at 22 lbs and really opened my eyes as to how large she had really become.  When my fatty girl came to live with me at a little over a year old, she weighed in at 22 lbs and looked svelte and gorgeous.  She just turned 5 and I weighed her a couple of days ago....33 lbs.
She likes this new low fat, reduced caloried food I am now feeding her.  The cheap, store-bought snacks are out.  I really am committed to making her weight a priority.
We walk every day - especially because of the new dog...he is FULL of energy!!
I should take some before and after shots and send them to you!  

Answer
Oh, you really *MUST* harden your heart and work on her diet! An overweight schnauzer is just begging for health issues.... the #1 problem being diabetes. One of my vets told me once when I inquired that diabetes was the most common problem she saw in schnauzers, and every single one of them was overweight. That is NOT the way you want her to lose weight! Put a bit less food in that food dish, and keep up the walking. NO TREATS.

You can DO this! Just keep thinking of the years you will be adding to her life....

Karen