Should I Feed My Dog A Late Night Snack?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Should I Feed My Dog A Late Night Snack?“.

From the car you drag yourself to the front door. Its late and its been a crazy day. Poor Rover is probably hungry now.

Does he need to be fed so late? Will this be a regular occurrence? What will happen to him?

You might want to consider investing in one of those self-feeders. Is that something you should consider?

Smart people do not seem to be able to agree on that one.

Would you like a snack before you go to bed? Is that the same thing as feeding Rover before bedtime or is it somehow different?

Because you always have snacks before bedtime and your poor fur kid looks at you with those please-have-pity-on-me eyes begging for just one bite of whatever you’re having.

Do you think he would like to hear from you? Do you have any suggestions?

Regardless of your needs we have got you covered. Keep reading to learn more about these questions and a few extras.

Is it Bad to Feed My Dog Late at Night?

Food provides energy to dogs just like it does to humans. They get starved between meals if we feed them just once a day or if we give them far apart meals. In this case they would not be able to do what they have to do so they will probably become lethargic bored tired and depressed. This isnot good. 

Furthermore they will not go running around after eating late at night which means they would not burn off the energy they just consumed. Yikes. As a result all of that unused energy is converted into fat resulting in your puppy becoming overweight.

Do not give your pup a late-night meal. It is not advisable.

Should I Give My Dog A Treat Before Bed?

During the day you feed your pup a well-spaced diet so he does not become hungry. In addition he is probably not hungry at bedtime because he is so well fed. However just like us humans he might be a bit peckish before bedtime. Would you mind giving him a treat before he goes to bed? That wouldnot be so bad right?

It turns out that a bedtime treat isnot such a bad thing when done right. As a matter of fact it might help train your pup to settle down in the evening. For those with restless fur kids who do not want to go to sleep this is definitely helpful. What do you think Mom?

Consistently giving your furry kid treats prior to bedtime will teach him to expect something tasty when hes about to go to sleep. You can use this prospect as a training tool since he will associate the treat with lying down in his bed and sleeping.

What do you consider a healthy treat? Thanks for asking.

What is a Good Bedtime Snack for my Dog?

Some of the tasty treats for dogs are unhealthy although there are many to choose from. Here are some healthy snacks you can give your pup before bedtime. Keep in mind that this is just a treat not a meal. You do not need much.

–          Apples

–          Popcorn without any butter or salt

–          Carrots

–          Blueberries

Is it Okay for My Dog to Sleep After Eating?

Your pup might have digestive issues such as a tummy ache if he runs around and acts all rowdy after eating.

Therefore keeping calm and letting the food “settle down” is a good idea. Pay attention to the length of the nap and the time of the meal.

When your pup goes to sleep for the night he would not be able to use the energy he just ate. Thats not healthy (like we said above). However it seems that taking a quick nap during the day will have no adverse effects. In addition to burning off all that energy he will also be well-rested afterward.

What Time Should My Dog’s Last Meal Be?

As with humans dogs should eat smaller portions spread throughout the day. The rule of thumb is to eat breakfast around 7 a.m. lunch around noon and dinner around 5 p.m. Your pup will have plenty of time to digest his dinner burn off some energy and go potty one last time before bedtime. Additionally you’re free in the evenings so you can spend some quality time together before your fur kid goes to sleep.

Note that this is only a suggested timeline – your schedule might be different so adjust things accordingly. The main takeaway here is that your dog needs a few hours between dinner and bedtime to digest the meal hes just eaten.

Why is My Dog So Hungry All of A Sudden?

Its possible that your meal routine was down to the last detail with small regular meals for your fur kid. Then suddenly Rover is always hungry and needs to be fed at odd times during the day and late at night. Sadly this is probably a sign that Rover has internal parasites. The parasites could be tapeworms roundworms or other nasty things. You may find roundworm eggs on fleas or when the pup eats grass or something else that has roundworm eggs on it.

You can test a stool sample to determine whether your pet has parasites. The good news is that these things are generally easily treated with some medication and possibly dietary adjustments.

Another possibility is that your pup may suffer from diabetes or other diseases that cause increased appetite. This can be determined by a blood or urine test at the vets office. They pose a greater risk of serious and long-term health problems than internal parasites.

Whenever your pup suddenly displays increased appetite or other abnormal behavior its best to take him to the vet for a checkup.

Is it Cruel to Only Feed a Dog Once a Day?

Due to necessity the feeding schedules of our pets must sync with our daily schedules. Since we have to fit work exercise social appointments and many other things into our schedule these days can be crazy. Some people feed their fur kids twice daily and thats perfectly fine. You should note that your pups meals should not be more than 12 hours apart. Imagine what would happen if you stretched poor Rover longer than that. As a result his stomach will become hyper acidic causing nausea and possible complications.

No feeding your pup once a day isnot a good idea. It will feel miserable and suffer from all sorts of stomach upsets and tummy aches. Having said that you do not need to feed him more than twice a day.

Additionally there is the option of a timed automatic dog feeder or a self-feeder. Its for people who are super busy and worry they might miss meals every now and then. However the verdict is still out on self-feeders. In fact some dogs do well with these devices and eat less than when they are fed at regular intervals. However some dogs become obese as a result of overeating. The answer depends on the temperament and breed of the dog. 

Why Should I Avoid Late Night Meals for My Dog?

We know now that Rover can eat a late-night snack but not a late-night meal. How come?

Bathroom Breaks

The body of your fur kids needs time to digest food after a meal. He will have to go potty once this is done. It might be impossible for him to get out of bed to do his business if he is already in bed. The poor creature will then hold it in until morning or go inside the house. They are both bad but for different reasons. A short-term discomfort is likely to result if your pup holds it in. He may end up with long-term health issues if he continues to do this.

Getting your pup into the house has no downsides that need to be addressed. Toilet training is an absolute necessity for your peace of mind.

Energy Levels

If your pup goes too long without food he would not have the energy to play or do other dog things. Because of this he cannot maintain a healthy routine or function normally.

He is left with too much energy when you feed him too late. Its likely that he’ll now enjoy playing walking and generally being silly. As a result he would not be able to sleep when he should. This interferes with his natural pattern of sleeping.

Weight Gain

In connection with the previous point. Its bedtime for your pup but he has too much energy in his body. Therefore he probably would not burn all of that the way hes supposed to. As a result all of that energy is converted into fat which leads to obesity. Thats not good.

Health Risks

Feeding your pup late at night can throw off his natural internal clock and lead to weight gain. In both cases conditions such as heart disease and other conditions are increased.

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

Should I Feed My Dog A Late Night Snack? (Watch Video)