Should I feed my dog before or after leaving for the day?

A dog left on an empty stomach for a long stretch can become restless or overly focused on food related behaviors, while a dog fed shortly before you leave often naturally wants to rest afterward, similar to the effect of exercise beforehand.

Rather than feeding the whole meal from a bowl and then leaving, some owners save a portion to stuff into a puzzle toy or slow feeder right as they head out, extending mealtime into the first part of the absence and giving the dog something engaging to do.

Dogs prone to bloat, generally larger, deep chested breeds, should avoid vigorous activity for an hour or so after eating, so a calm settle after feeding rather than an immediate energetic departure is sensible for those dogs specifically.

A puppy eating 3 or 4 small meals a day rather than the usual 2 adult meals will need at least one of those feedings arranged around a midday visit if a long absence falls during the working day, since skipping a meal entirely is not a good substitute for timing it around your schedule. Checking with your vet about the right number of daily meals for your puppy's current age helps keep this schedule appropriate as they grow. As a puppy transitions toward fewer, larger meals over the following months, the midday feeding requirement naturally drops away, which is often a welcome sign that the schedule is becoming easier to manage.