My dog is about 18 months old and quite active. Should she be eating once or twice a day? She seems to snack all day. Someone told me to regiment her water drinking times too.

Feeding twice a day and picking up the food if it hasn't been eaten in an hour or so is the optimal schedule for an adult dog. Physiologically speaking, it's tough on a dog's metabolism and body to only eat once a day and to try to store the food. Think of eating a buffet, having that big surge of sugar, going into a food coma and then starving yourself for the rest of the day. A dog's digestive tract and metabolism are really no different from ours, so it would be tough to live this way.

On a once-a-day feeding schedule, you'll notice your dog is hungry and she'll be begging whenever she sees you eat, and you'll inevitably end up feeding her anyway.

Working dogs generally need feeding twice a day to keep up their energy. Your young, active dog can probably be considered a working dog since she's likely bouncing around and playing all the time.

Giving her food twice a day puts her in a routine to know when she should be going to the bathroom, whether you walk her before or after feeding. It will give her something to look forward to in the evening, and escalates her excitement and attachment whenever she sees you. It will also allow you to see any health or appetite problems faster. It'll also be easier to administer medication twice a day mixed into her meals if she ever needs it.

Picking up the food trains her that nothing in life comes for free. Leaving food out lets dogs know they'll always have this resource available, no matter what, which can lead to them purposely not eating it because they know there are tastier table scraps available.

However, you should never restrict access to fresh, clean water because dehydration is not a good thing. If you're worried about her urinating too much, she should regulate herself on a routine walking schedule unless she has some underlying disease that causes her to drink too much water, in which case you should take her to see a veterinarian.

Need advice from METRO's pet expert? Send questions to metrobeijing@chinadaily.com.cn. Please give as many details about your situation as possible. Answers supplied by the International Center for Veterinary Services in Chaoyang district, 8456-1939, icvsasia.com.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/24/2011)