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.
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.
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.
Sometimes, I soak my dogs’ dry food in warm water for 15 or 20 minutes before I feed them.
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.
Why Add Water To Dry Dog Food
You should add water to your dog’s dry food if he finds the kibble unappealing and won’t eat it. If the food is too hard, moistening it can also help improve digestion. But make sure that you don’t add too much water as your dog will reject a sloppy kibble soup.
Oral health problems
Dogs with problems in the oral cavity (e.g. gingivitis, periodontal disease, mouth ulcers, etc.) may have some difficulty grasping and chewing hard food. For this reason, it is often advisable to offer the moistened food in these cases. This will prevent pain when chewing or aggravating existing lesions in the oral cavity.
For more information on maintaining a dogs oral health, take a look at our article on why a dogs gums are bleeding.
Dogs with digestive problems due to gastrointestinal disorders may benefit from adding water to dry dog food. Symptoms of gastrointestinal problems include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or constipation. Wet food is more easily digested than dry feed, so it can help to aid intestinal motility. The additional water in the feed can also provide hydration to a dog which may be dehydrated, something exacerbated when they have vomiting and diarrhea at the same time.
It is important to note that not all gastrointestinal problems will be the same. You will need to consult your veterinarian to ensure you provide the correct diet to help aid digestion.
Convalescent dogs that are recovering from a pathological problem or have undergone surgery often lose their appetite. Their overall health is at risk if they have a reduced food intake. In these cases, it is advisable to moisten the kibble in order to enhance its flavor and stimulate appetite.
It is not always the case that a dog will lose their appetite due to a health problem. Sometimes they are just fussy. This is especially the case when we change brands. There are many reasons we may change our dogs commercial feed, but implementing the change should be done progressively. Mix a little of the new dry feed in with the old incrementally until only new kibble is served.
Additionally, adding a little water to the new dry dog food can make it seem more appetizing. However, since appetite loss is a symptom of various pathologies and medical conditions, you will always need to check with a veterinarian to diagnose the reason for the dogs appetite loss.
Vet Advice | Should I Feed My Dog Wet or Dry Food?
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.
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.