Is there such a thing as too much freedom? No, we’re not trying to be overly philosophical here - we are merely referring to the practice of ad libitum or free-choice feeding. This same question that philosophers have been discussing for ages is also one that pet owners have been debating for years – regarding the proper feeding to method to use on their pets, that is! Ad libitum or free-choice feeding is when the pet owner just leaves food out for his/ her pet to eat whenever he/ she wants. Some vets and pet owners are proponents of this feeding method, while others strongly caution against it. Here, we present the two sides of the argument so you, the pet owner, can decide for yourself what is best for your beloved pet!
The PROS: Fans of the free-choice feeding method argue that if practiced when your dog is only a puppy, it teaches him/ her to only eat when he/ she is hungry. Also, this could encourage your pets to eat frequent small meals, which gives them a more constant supply of nutrients and is great for blood circulation. In addition, pets who are fed ad libitum are also less prone to barking to demand for food since they are used to constantly having it around. Thus, food becomes a non-event and they are able to control their appetites better, leading to a more healthy, fit weight.
The CONS: Well, firstly it could be very impractical when you have one or more pets around the house who might end up fighting over the readily available meal! But more importantly, opponents of the ad libitum method argue, that leaving food lying around could lead to overeating especially if your pets are bored and have nothing better to do. Overeating, as we all know, could result in obesity and developmental bone disease. Large breed dogs are particularly at risk.
After being informed about both sides of the issue, the decision is ultimately yours. Just like humans, each pet is different and unique in his or her own way. Naturally, it follows that what is beneficial for one pet may be detrimental to another. If you’re interested in free-choice feeding, try it with your pet and observe closely if he/ she has the tendency to overeat or not. With keen observation, you should be able to decide on the right choice to make. After all, no one knows your pet better than you do!
