Although their guidance isn’t set in stone, veterinarians typically recommend feeding the average adult dog twice daily. People also often feed their dogs twice per day to mimic their own feeding times for breakfast and dinner — after all, dogs are part of the family!
However, new research suggests there could be health, cognitive function, and longevity benefits to feeding a dog once a day. Although the large-scale project analyzing the findings is only in its preliminary stages, and changing your dog’s feeding schedule based solely on the initial research would be premature, it provides compelling food for thought.
The Research is Part of the Large-Scale Dog Aging Project
Dr. Emily Bray, assistant professor of human-animal interaction at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, is a researcher with the Dog Aging Project and co-author of the feeding frequency paper. She explains that the project is a long-term community science initiative involving dog owners, expert researchers, and veterinarians across the U.S.
This world-leading health study aims to understand how genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle influence canine health and aging. “We’re trying to figure out not just what leads to longer lives for dogs, but what leads to healthier lives,” Dr. Bray says.
The initial cross-sectional data collected from the detailed surveys of over 24,000 owners showed that most feed their dogs twice a day, some free feed, topping up the bowl whenever it’s empty, and the smallest number (8%) feed them once daily. Early research analysis indicates feeding frequency could influence dog health and longevity. Dogs on the once-a-day feeding regime are associated with having lower odds of developing cognitive dysfunction and multiple diseases.
Why Once-Daily Feeding Could Be Beneficial
Intermittent fasting is an increasingly popular dietary trend in humans, and studies support that this type of time-restricted feeding schedule in laboratory rodents can offer health and cognitive function benefits.
Dr. Bray explains that while the data in the study suggests there could be similar benefits for dogs in real-life situations, the link is currently only correlational (statistical) and not causal. Because the extent and nature of the link between feeding frequency and dog health has not been identified, she says that any theorizing about why once-daily feeding could be beneficial is conjecture.
While we might not understand why, the study indicates that dogs fed once a day are less likely to experience gastrointestinal issues, dental disease, orthopedic conditions, kidney or urinary problems, and liver or pancreatic disorders.
Canine obesity is a major problem in the US, with the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimating that more than half of all pet dogs in the country are overweight or obese. Weight issues can contribute to or cause various health issues, some of which can affect dogs’ lifespans.
“It could be that feeding frequency is affecting caloric intake, weight, and obesity levels,” Dr. Bray says. “If that is the case, then we expect this to impact things like orthopedics and cardiovascular health.” It’s also possible that allowing the gastrointestinal system extra time to rest and repair could be beneficial. However, Dr. Bray points out that intermittent fasting and caloric restriction can be hard to disentangle from one another. This means it’s unclear if one or both aspects offer benefits.
The data also suggests that cutting back your dog’s feeding schedule could mean they will be less likely to develop canine cognitive dysfunction in their senior years, or it may take longer to develop. “We see this seemingly protective effect, where dogs that are fed less frequently are having better cognitive outcomes,” Dr. Bray says.
Does This Mean I Should Feed My Dog Once a Day?
Dr. Bray and her co-authors don’t recommend changing your dog’s feeding schedule based solely on the research results. However, that’s not to say you shouldn’t feed your dog once a day.
“The logic behind the genesis of the guidelines for eating twice a day is murky,” Dr. Bray says. Because there is little scientific evidence to support these guidelines, sometimes it could be appropriate to feed less frequently.
Your dog’s age, size, health, and activity levels can all influence how often you feed them. “It’s going to be an individualized decision, and owners should always consult with their veterinarian before making major changes,” Dr. Bray says.
However, there are times when feeding once a day can be problematic. Examples of when a more frequent feeding schedule is typically recommended for dogs include:
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To aid digestion for the delicate stomachs of puppies or senior dogs.
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When pills need to be taken multiple times a day with food.
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To reduce risks associated with certain health conditions, such as bloat, canine diabetes, and bilious vomiting syndrome.
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To maintain the energy levels of high-activity sporting or working dogs.
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Sometimes, greedy dogs on weight loss plans will cope with diet restrictions better when fed multiple small meals during the day rather than one larger one.
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To avoid the risk of life-threatening refeeding syndrome when providing nutrition to an emaciated dog.
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Some dogs are more settled and happy being fed two smaller meals daily than one large one.
Consider Signing Your Dog Up to Help Inform Ongoing Research
Dr. Bray explains that the researchers revamped some survey questions to get more details following the first study. This addresses some of the limitations and could help identify the causal links between feeding frequency and health and longevity in dogs. “They’re in the pilot stage right now, so it’s going out to a subset of the participants,” she says.
Although only 8% of the original cross-section of pet owners fed their dogs once daily, given the large quantity of surveys completed, it’s still a decent sample size. However, as more dog owners sign up for the project and the powerful longitudinal data grows, this will help better inform the research. Dr. Bray says there are also plans to examine how the type of diet impacts health outcomes.
If you’re interested in contributing, the project welcomes enrollment of new dogs of any breed, age, and health status. You just need to be US-based and have a good estimate of your dog’s age. “You nominate your dog, and once a year, fill out a Health and Life Experience Survey (HLES) that is the project’s backbone,” Dr. Bray says.
“Sometimes I think people are confused because it’s called the Dog Aging Project,” Dr. Bray says. “They think maybe their dog has to be older, but, in fact, it’s actually better to enroll your dog younger. That means we have more years to follow them and see what’s happening.”
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