74 FEEDING OF DOGS. 



tory tendencies, render such change essentially necessary to the 

 health of the dog. 



At what time of the day dogs ought to he fed, is frequently 

 likewise a matter of consideration, and difference of opinion is en- 

 gendered ; but is most likely to be settled aright, by considering 

 it on the principles already touched on. In a state of nature, even 

 a daily meal among dogs must be very precarious ; for, in some 

 situations, vegetable food cannot be obtained, and then the hunting 

 down of other animals, or the meeting with the ofFal or refuse of 

 what may have been hunted by others, must be the principal sup- 

 port. For this reason, Nature has kindly and wisely fitted a dog 

 with a stomach that digests his food, particularly of the animal 

 kind, very slowly ; so that a full meal of flesh is not digested in 

 less than twenty-four hours. Those, therefore, who feed their 

 dogs on animal matter never need to do it more than once a day ; 

 nor do dogs require to be fed oftener if meal be given, when the 

 quantity is sufficient. But is must be remembered that, under a 

 life of confinement and art, where all the functions are weakened, 

 as they must of necessity be in those dogs who are petted and in- 

 dulged, it is better to feed them in smaller quantities twice a day. 

 If fed once only, they become heavy and sleepy, and lose much of 

 their vivacity. This may elicit an observation, that hard-worked 

 dogs, as soon as fed, should be shut up, to encourage sleep. Diges- 

 tion goes on better sleeping than waking ; and more nutriment is 

 obtained from the food in this way than when an animal is suffered 

 to run about after eating. 



It may be also not improper to notice the unnecessary fear that 

 many persons encourage relative to the giving of bones to dogs. 

 Except from those of fish, or the legs and wings of poultry, which 

 break into splinters, and may choak, I never remember having 

 seen a dog injured by a bone ; but I have great reason to think 

 that the stomachs of these animals would be often benefitted by 

 the action of the bones : and also, that although the teeth are 

 thought to be broken by them (and now and then, though but sel- 



