Sometimes, I soak my dogs’ dry food in warm water for 15 or 20 minutes before I feed them. I do this for a couple of reasons. My older dog has had a few dental extractions, and doesn’t chew up his food as well as he used to – not that any dog grinds up much of the kibble he or she eats; unlike ours, canine teeth are not much for grinding. Mostly, a few of the kibbles get crunched, and more likely get swallowed intact. My younger dog is prone to eating way too fast – just bolting down all his food whole in less than a minute (unless I put it in a slow feeder or snuffle mat) – and I am guessing that it will put less of a strain on his digestive system if the food arrives even slightly pre-moistened.
And I know that feeding both of them soaked food makes them feel more full. Dry foods are so nutrient-dense, that the volume of the amount of food that is calorically appropriate for their weight might not come close to filling up their tummies. If their meal is full of water, it definitely increases satiety – that sensation of fullness. They quit walking around the kitchen looking unsatisfied after their meals when their food is soaked.
If you’ve ever soaked your dog’s food, you’re aware of how much dry dog food expands when immersed in water. It’s a little horrifying, actually, to realize how much more space a certain amount of food will require in a dog’s stomach and gut once the dog’s digestive juices hydrate the individual kibbles. It nearly doubles in volume. The kibbles are like little sponges – some more than others. I’ve noticed when soaking food for various foster puppies that some kibble is more resistant to soaking than others.
Neither of my dogs are reluctant or picky eaters, but adding water can definitely increase the palatability of dry food for some dogs.
However, one shouldn’t moisten food and leave it sitting out at room temperature for very long – I would start being concerned about bacterial growth in moistened food that had been left out at room temperature for more than an hour.
Many people believe that feeding soaked food will help prevent bloat. I’m not sure there’s ever been a study that looked at just that, but it would make sense to me. I’m super cautious about exercise for a couple of hours after feeding, too, for the same reason.
Out of curiosity: How many of you moisten or soak your dog’s dry food?
I have a 17 year old schnoodle. Recently I had a major scare. He bloated like crazy twice in a two week span. Happened all of a sudden. I thought i was going to lose him. He has had many of his teeth extracted over his years and I have softened his food in water for many years always keeping it refrigerated. Since his bloating incident i have figured out his digestive system wasn’t working well even with the soft food. I had to feed him in smaller portions throughout the day. In addition to my routine I figured out smashing his portion of the wet food to what I call “mashed potatoes” like texture mixed with boiled shaved chicken pieces did the trick. No more bloat issues and he is as peppy as ever.
have a yorkie with teeth too lazzzy to chew started doing equal part water to food is this the right measures. also ad shredded chicken. she is 12yrs. old withh pancreaitis food is also script by vet.
I have no problem with adding water and my dog’s do not eat it necessarily right away.
My 10 yr old is very picky and has had teeth removed, my 7 yr old is not very picky but the don’t eat the food right away.
I leave it until they eat it..
Great! I learn more here. I’m in a perfect timing to have this learning. So much informative that can help my problem. Last time I use Genuine Haarlem Product for my pets, specially for dogs. Thanks for sharing keep on posting more blogs here. God bless!!!
I have many GSDs and Belgian Malinois over the decades and currently have 5(3-GSDs 2-Malinois) ranging from 12yo to 2yo males and females. I always mix water or homemade broth with their kibble prior to feeding. Never had an issue and they prefer it that way vs just dry(which I have tried to test and observe). These breeds being deep chested are more at risk for bloat. I have never had an issue with bloat, but you never know nor can you control imo (and my numerous vets over the years). I have seen many articles how to control bloat and they contradict. Add water, Don’t add water and don’t let them drink water for an hour, raise bowl, don’t raise bowl, No exercise before or after for an hour (my dogs are working K9’s lots of energy and will run and play with each other before and after eating). Never had an issue. Point of this is they DO NOT KNOW how to prevent or lower risk of bloat, THEY ARE ONLY GUESSING. There is NOTHING CONCRETE. I agree with my Vets, no matter what you do if your dog gets bloat it will get bloat and nothing you can do about it. Some people will have their dogs stomach staples to prevent it twisting, which would prevent the twisting. I find that extreme, but will prevent it if you want to be 100% your dog will not get bloat.
Let your dogs be dogs and enjoy them while you have them.
Thank you for your comment! Brings it back to the basic- you really can’t control for bloat. I’m looking into soaking kibble for the first time and don’t want to do it “wrong” so I’m looking at a few articles. I appreciate your matter-of-fact comment.
As a GSD owner I too am concerned about bloat. For 8 years I have always added water to her kibble. Recently I read that wetting kibble with CITRIC ACID as an ingredient increases the chance of bloat 320 percent. As you said, there are so many contradicting articles I feel torn apart over which way to go. I think I agree with you that there is really nothing we can do but hope for the best and let our pets enjoy their lives as best we can.
My dog eats so quickly I had to water his pellets down as he used to choke just a small schitzu but he vomits and sometimes whole biscuits have tried so many foods but hill gastro biomes has been good but still vomits every now and then but another lady mentioned smaller amount mor often sounds a great idea going to try that as watering down is best so no choking
We have a 5 month old puppy and soaked his pellets then left it out for 24 hours my bf fed it to him next night, he vomited it all up within 2 hours… Shame he never knew about bacteria growth in damp food🙄
Great! I learn more here. I’m in a perfect timing to have this learning. So much informative that can help my problem. Last time I use Genuine Haarlem Product for my pets, specially for dogs. Thanks for sharing keep on posting more blogs here. God bless!!!
Is that good for dogs to eat? I don’t know it well co’z I never try. Last time I feed my horse with the dog foods. lol . Yes, I tried it last time because my friend told me to do it because she gave Genuine Black Seed Oil supplement. So, I need a yummy foods to them to add a food supplement without taste of it.
I have 1 year old Labrador mix with German Shepard. When we first got her we gave her dry food in one bowl and water in the other. Then she soon got use to having milk in her bowl with her food and water on the side. I think having the milk with her food is actually better and helps her digest it better rather than not having the milk in the bowl.