In recent years, research has highlighted significant benefits associated with a feeding schedule of one meal a day for dogs. This feeding schedule has shown potential to enhance a dog’s cognitive function and overall health. A study done for the Dog Aging Project has provided evidence supporting these benefits, revealing lower instances of health issues in dogs fed once daily compared to those fed multiple times a day [1]. This approach also aligns with the natural eating habits of dogs’ evolutionary ancestors, wolves, who often went for days without eating. In this blog, we will explore the rationale behind once-a-day feeding, its benefits, the concept of intermittent fasting, and practical advice for implementing this feeding strategy.

Why Feed Once a Day?

The canine digestive system has evolved from wolves, who in the wild, typically consume large raw meals infrequently. This evolutionary background is crucial in shaping the optimal feeding strategy for modern dogs. Wolves, as opportunistic feeders, often eat large quantities of food in one sitting and then go for extended periods without eating. According to an article by NewScientist, this natural feeding pattern suggests that less frequent feeding may be beneficial for domesticated dogs, mimicking their ancestral behaviors [2].

A feeding schedule of once a day involves providing your dog with their entire daily nutritional requirement in a single meal. This feeding schedule can help maintain vital tissues, organs, and muscle mass by ensuring that the liver enzyme cofactors involved in fat breakdown and toxin release are optimized. For instance, The Grateful Pet’s feeding guidelines for fresh raw food recommends approximately 500g of food per day for a 10kg dog. Instead of splitting this into two smaller meals, the dog would consume the entire portion in one meal, aligning with their natural feeding behavior.

What Are the Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Once a Day?

A variety of methods in feeding have been studied for possible anti-aging effects. In particular, studies of intermittent fasting and time-restricted feeding in laboratory rodents have found evidence of beneficial health outcomes.

The research done in 2021 for The Dog Aging Project was based on the collection of data on thousands of companion dogs of all different ages, sizes, and breeds since 2019. Researchers used this diverse cross-sectional dataset to investigate associations between feeding frequency and cognitive function, as well as nine broad categories of health conditions.

They found that dogs on a feeding schedule of one meal a day compared those who had more than one meal a day had lower mean scores on a cognitive dysfunction scale, and lower odds of having gastrointestinal, orthopedic, kidney/urinary, and liver/pancreas disorders.

Cognitive Health

The study found that dogs fed once daily had lower mean scores on a cognitive dysfunction scale compared to those fed more frequently. This suggests that less frequent feeding may help protect against cognitive decline as dogs age.

Studies on rodents have demonstrated that intermittent fasting can modulate the biology of aging at the cellular level, leading to improved cognitive function [3]. In dogs, the difference in cognitive scores between those fed once daily and those fed multiple times was equivalent to the difference between a 7-year-old and an 11-year-old dog. This significant disparity indicates that a once-daily feeding schedule can help maintain cognitive health and potentially delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline.

Digestive Function

Feeding once a day allows the digestive system ample time to process the dog’s food thoroughly and rest between meals. This rest period can reduce the risk of bloating, indigestion, and other digestive issues. When dogs are fed multiple smaller meals, their digestive system is constantly working, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential problems such as gastrointestinal discomfort or bloating.

By providing a single, substantial fresh meal for your dogs, the digestive tract can fully process the food and absorb nutrients more effectively. This approach also mirrors the natural feeding patterns of wild canines, who consume large meals infrequently, allowing their digestive systems to rest and recover between feedings.

Weight Management

Although feeding once a day is associated with lower odds of developing orthopedic issues and certain disorders, it does not necessarily improve existing conditions. However, doing so serves as good weight management that can prevent the above problems.

Unlike cats, dogs don’t benefit from having multiple small meals or grazing. By having controlled feedings once a day, and preventing continuous grazing which may lead to overeating, it reduces the risk of obesity, a common issue in dogs fed multiple meals throughout the day.

Carrying extra weight can be a big health risk for our dogs. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition on the ‘Growing Problem of Obesity in Dogs and Cats’ in 2006, has shown that obesity can seriously shorten a dog or cat’s lifespan and put them at risk for a variety of health problems [4]. These include joint pain and arthritis from the strain of extra weight, diabetes, unhealthy cholesterol levels, heart and lung problems, difficulties with urination, and even an increased risk of certain cancers, especially breast tumors in female dogs. Skin problems and complications during surgery due to the extra weight are also concerns.

A study done by Purina on a 14-year “Life Span” in 2002, also found that calorie-restricted diets (CRD) in dogs were associated with lower rates and severity of arthritis, as well as increased longevity [5]. For example, the CRD-fed dogs had a lower rate and severity of arthritis and lived an average of 2 years longer than the control dogs, highlighting the potential benefits of controlled feeding strategies.

Is Intermittent Fasting Suitable for Dogs?

If you’re concerned that feeding once a day might be too drastic, intermittent fasting, also known as time-restricted eating is something you can consider. This approach still involves feeding two regular meals but this is done within a 6-to-8-hour period, creating a fasting window of about 18 hours. For example, feeding at noon and again at 6 PM. This creates a fasting period from 6 PM to noon the next day, similar to the once-a-day feeding strategy. This might be a better alternative for dog parents trying to reap the benefits of this feeding schedule, but are not comfortable with their dog eating just once a day.

Intermittent fasting offers similar health benefits to feeding once a day, including reduced systemic inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity. Research done by the Imperial College London in 2013, has shown that dogs, like humans, enter a health-enhancing metabolic state of nutritional ketosis during fasting [6]. This state leads to various immunologic and metabolic improvements, such as a reduction in the amount of insulin—a pro-inflammatory hormone—that circulates in the body. This reduction not only decreases systemic inflammation but also helps maintain insulin sensitivity.

How To Feed Your Dog Once A Day And Considerations

Transitioning to once-a-day feeding should be a gradual process, especially for dogs accustomed to multiple meals per day. Start by slowly adjusting portion sizes, ensuring the single meal is nutritionally complete and balanced. Monitoring your dog’s health, energy levels, and weight during this transition is crucial to ensure they adapt well to the new feeding regimen. It’s also important to consider the individual needs of your dog, including their age, breed, and any specific health conditions.

It is equally important that they meet their vital daily nutrient intake, hence, ensuring the food they consume is from a local reputable source with clear ingredients, nutrient values, and feeding guidelines is essential. Fresh dog food is preferable, as other diets like kibble or canned food may contain fillers such as corn or starch, which are not satiating or sufficient for a dog on a once-a-day feeding regimen, unlike fresh alternatives like cooked or raw meals.

Not all dogs may be suitable for once-a-day feeding. Puppies, senior dogs, and those with certain health conditions might require more frequent fresh meals to maintain optimal health. Consulting with a veterinarian before making any major diet switch to gently cooked or raw dog food, and significant changes to your dog’s feeding schedule is crucial to ensure their well-being and suitability for this feeding approach.

It’s important to note that while the benefits of once-a-day feeding are supported by research, every dog is unique, and their dietary needs may vary. Close monitoring and regular veterinary check-ups are essential to ensure your dog remains healthy and happy on this feeding regimen.

References:

[1] Results from the Dog Aging Project, The University of Arizona, November 2021 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356152844

[2] Feeding pet dogs just once a day might keep them healthier as they age, Michael Le Page, November 2021 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2298623-feeding-pet-dogs-just-once-a-day-might-keep-them-healthier-as-they-age/

[3] Intermittent and periodic fasting, longevity and disease, National Library of Medicine, January 2021 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35310455/ 

[4] The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats, Alexander J German, July 2006 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16772464/

[5] Purina lifespan study, Purina, May 2002  https://newscenter.purina.com/LifeSpanStudy 

[6] Metabolic phenotype modulation by caloric restriction in a lifelong dog study, Journal of Proteome Research, July 2013 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23713866/