Why is the practice of free-feeding generally discouraged for Bichon Frises?
Answer
It leads to overeating, rapid weight gain, and poor appetite control
Free-feeding, which involves leaving food accessible to the dog all day long, is strongly discouraged for Bichon Frises primarily because this breed is prone to obesity. When food is continuously available, dogs often fail to regulate their intake adequately, resulting in consuming significantly more calories than necessary. This consistent overeating directly leads to rapid, unhealthy weight gain. Furthermore, allowing constant access makes it impossible for owners to accurately monitor how much the dog is actually consuming, leading to poor appetite control and masking potential changes in eating habits that might signal underlying illness.
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