Honestly.. I don't really go by that rule. When I first got into Balls I would wait 5 days, but I don't now. I honestly haven't seen a difference but I also know how to handle a picky eater now. Then again, I don't handle them for more then 2-5 minutes, as before, I handled them for a good 20-30 minutes at a time. I guess it really just depends on what you feel comfortable doing.