Is fasting a good idea for GSD? - Page 1

Some say it is.

I fast all my dogs (except puppies!!) one day a week....it gives their pancreas a chance to rest.  I do make sure there is PLEANTY of water though.  The fasting also happens to be the meal before training day and especially if I am going to track!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

Depends on how long you're fasting them. Sometimes I just don't feed my two atleast one day a week. They don't seem to mind, and they are the perfect weight. Healthy, and happy.

-Emily.

I don't fast my dogs but I personally think it is ok because dogs in the wild do go for days without food if they are unable to catch prey. Fasting also allows good eating habits.

I don't fast either, but have noticed sometimes my dogs seem to want to skip a meal. If they haven't ate in 10 minutes or so, I pick up their food and refrigerate, they can go until the next feeding. I feed twice a day. If I notice they skip another meal then I start watching to make sure they aren't sick. Usually they only skip one meal out of the day, and it is not every week they do it, or that often really. It is suggested to fast and I don't think it is a bad thing to do, I just haven't.

I don't personally fast, but I do know others who do and it doesn't seem to hurt them, and they usually do it the day before tracking training.

Skipping a meal once in a while will not hurt the dog for whatever reason you might withold food.   I don't think I would do it routinely tho.   It's hard enough keeping mine fit.   Depend's on how much and what your feeding I guess,   also depend's on the dog I would think and how active it is.

mine get a starve day once a week. sometimes once a fortnight.

they dont seem to mind and they are in perfect condition. 

GSD24, I've never had a fasting day but I know a breeder who has a fasting day for ALL her dogs (3 or 4 different breeds) every week... they are all hail & hearty!

if a dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, they need to go without food for a day.  its really hard on them to force them to eat when they are ill.  their bodies, like ours, sometimes need a chance to purge/clean out.  obviously, if the vomiting and diarrhea continues, they need to go to the vet.  for the occasional upset tummy or minor bug a day without food can get them back on track and they are ready to eat again by the next day.

one day per week without food is also an easy way of keeping weght down on dogs who tend to get too fat.  it works for humans, too.......i need to practice this alot!

pjp