THE MANAGEMENT OF DOGS IN HEALTH. m 



Some moil eat four times a day, others three times, and 

 some only once; and those who have varied their habits 

 in this respect know th;it the result is often much the 

 same whether the individual eats twice or three times 

 daily. 



The actual quantity of food taken is the principal 

 thing. However, there are persons who, having tried dif- 

 ferent methods, hnd that the number of times food is taken 

 greatly modifies their comfort and efficiency. 



So far as the feeding of packs of hounds and large 

 kennels is concerned, convenience, rather than any exact 

 study of the question, has probably determined that the 

 dogs shall be fed but once in twenty -four hours, and then 

 allowed as much as they care to eat. The result is that 

 the animals, being very hungry, gorge themselves to dis- 

 tention, and lie about in a very lazy manner for some time 

 afterward, and in this they no doubt imitate their wild 

 congeners. 



But it seems more than doubtful whether this is the 

 best way, regarded from the point of view of the dog's 

 welfare rather than the keeper's convenience. 



Dogs, like other animals, require more food and a 

 larger proportion of fatty food in winter than in summer ; 

 and to feed a dog but once a day during the severe weather 

 of winter seems little short of cruelty in the larger propor- 

 tion of cases. 



A light breakfast of, say, porridge and milk, or a few 

 wheat-meal biscuits, with a good meal at night, will prob- 

 ably serve the best purpose. But to all rules there are 

 exceptions, and some dogs will do much better if fed but 

 once a day, even when getting a moderate amount of ex- 



