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I am adopting two yorkies this Saturday The issue I am having is that the Foster Mom states they cannot eat out of the same bowl because one will eat all the food.
My dilemma is I was planning to get two different automated feeders in case I don't get home exactly when it is their nightly dinner. My concern is that if I don't watch them eat the one dog will eat all of the food in the other bowl.
I am gating them in my kitchen so I can't separate them if I am not there to see them eat. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to handle this? The morning feed shouldn't be an issue as I plan to feed them before I leave for work.
I am planning on taking a few days off next week to help them acclimate to their new surroundings so I am thinking of playing around with the food until I find a solution.
I hope I explained this correctly. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have. I would also love any suggestions as to how to get them to eat from the same feeder. It would make my life much easier. They are too bonded yorkie, but one is definitely the Alpha of the two.
Easy. Feed them in separate rooms or one behind the baby gate. Do not free feed. Put food down for each dog in their respective areas, and take it up if not eaten within 30 minutes. Unless they are young puppies (in which case they shouldn't be alone all day anyway), they will be fine if their dinner is late.
I don't like the automatic feeders or waterers- you need to know how much each of your dogs eats and drinks. I don't see a reason to use them, nor do I understand why you want them to each use the same feeder. Unless there is a medical reason, better to feed as I described above.
Easy. Feed them in separate rooms or one behind the baby gate. Do not free feed. Put food down for each dog in their respective areas, and take it up if not eaten within 30 minutes. Unless they are young puppies (in which case they shouldn't be alone all day anyway), they will be fine if their dinner is late.
I don't like the automatic feeders or waterers- you need to know how much each of your dogs eats and drinks. I don't see a reason to use them, nor do I understand why you want them to each use the same feeder. Unless there is a medical reason, better to feed as I described above.
The problem is when I am not home they are in the same area as I mentioned in my previous post. I was going to get an automated feeder that distributed their food at specific times of the day and when I am not there how do I monitor them eating. I have a large kitchen my thought was maybe keep their food at opposite ends of the kitchen.
The problem is when I am not home they are in the same area as I mentioned in my previous post. I was going to get an automated feeder that distributed their food at specific times of the day and when I am not there how do I monitor them eating. I have a large kitchen my thought was maybe keep their food at opposite ends of the kitchen.
twelvepaw gave you good advice.
If they are going to be in the same room there is no way to keep them out of each others food. It already sounds like there is an issue with one hogging all the food and if you do what you have planned then this is what will happen. There is also the potential that they will fight over the food. Even if they are fine while you're home with one feeder I can tell you with 100% certainty when you go back to work they will revert to their old habits. One dog will eat all the food and the other will get none.
Having them eat from the same feeder is NOT a good idea. You should feed them in separate bowls with some space between them. They should not feel rushed or threatened by the other dog while eating. It doesn't matter what's easier for you, it's not good for the dogs to make them eat out of the same feeder. You have no way of regulating the amount each dog eats.
How much do they weigh? Unless they are so very small the have issues with blood sugar (the foster mom will be able to tell you this) then they should be fine eating whenever you get home (even if it's not at the same time).
If you want to use automated feeders, you will have to put them in separate rooms.
If they are going to be in the same room there is no way to keep them out of each others food. It already sounds like there is an issue with one hogging all the food and if you do what you have planned then this is what will happen. There is also the potential that they will fight over the food. Even if they are fine while you're home with one feeder I can tell you with 100% certainty when you go back to work they will revert to their old habits. One dog will eat all the food and the other will get none.
Having them eat from the same feeder is NOT a good idea. You should feed them in separate bowls with some space between them. They should not feel rushed or threatened by the other dog while eating. It doesn't matter what's easier for you, it's not good for the dogs to make them eat out of the same feeder. You have no way of regulating the amount each dog eats.
How much do they weigh? Unless they are so very small the have issues with blood sugar (the foster mom will be able to tell you this) then they should be fine eating whenever you get home (even if it's not at the same time).
If you want to use automated feeders, you will have to put them in separate rooms.
Good luck.
I'd rep you Rowan123 but I need to spread it around a bit first.
Excellent advice from you and twelve paw.
To the OP, sometimes it just can't be about your convenience. It sounds like these two Yorkies, while a bonded pair, have their pecking order established and knowing this, you really have no choice but to accommodate that and keep them healthy and safe.
I had five dogs until Sammy passed away earlier this year...now it's just four. I have never, ever had my dogs share food bowls. Water? yes, but not food. While they all eat in the same room, I use individual feeders spaced around the area and there's never a cause or reason for one invading the others space or food.
Good luck to you and the pups and thanks for adopting...and not shopping.
Most dogs can wait a few extra hours to eat if you're not going to be home exactly on time. At my house, my roommate and I feed our dogs within certain windows of a few hours, but not necessarily at the same time every day. And if we get delayed, we get delayed, they'll be fine.
I don't feed my dogs from the same bowl because I want to monitor how much they're eating and I don't want there to be bloodshed.
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The issue I am having is that the Foster Mom states they cannot eat out of the same bowl because one will eat all the food. 
