Many people believe that dry dog food can be difficult for dogs to eat, so they add some water or broth for added moisture and to make it softer. This not only makes it easier for dogs to eat, but tastier as well.
Have you been wondering if it's beneficial to add water to your pup's meal? The answer is affirmative. However, it should always be done in moderation to avoid turning it into a soup. Keep in mind that there are several measures to take so that the food does not spoil. Here's how to do it.
Is it possible to add water or broth to dog food?
Yes, we can add a little water or meat or vegetable broth (always without salt or spices) to our dog's food and let it sit for a while to moisten. This makes it much easier to eat for most dogs and also prevents them from getting thirsty. Something very common happens when they eat dry feed without moistening.
If a dog has lost interest in their food, adding warm meat or vegetable broth can give it an entirely different and appetizing flavor, which is especially helpful if there's a lot of food left in the bag and it is not possible to buy a new one with a different flavor.
Benefits of soaking dog's dry food.
Soaking dry food for dogs has many benefits. Dogs with dental issues, wounds, or sores in their mouths can find it difficult to eat dry kibble, as it is usually very hard and dry. Adding water to the food can make it easier to chew and swallow. Additionally, soaking the food helps to release vital nutrients and makes the food more palatable. Other benefits include improved digestion and hydration, as well as a healthier coat.
- Dogs don't consume large amounts of water after it, so it doesn't cause excessive thirst.
- This makes it an ideal choice for dogs with oral problems or missing teeth as it is softer.
- This is perfect for puppies transitioning from breast milk to solid food.
- Dogs with gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, may benefit from this.
- Using meat broth as a base enhances the flavor of the feed, making it more appealing.
- The ration makes the dog feel more full, satisfying it.
- It is much better for digestion.
As you can see, there are so many benefits to moistening our dog's food beforehand that it is strange not to do it regularly.
Disadvantages of Adding Water to Dog Food
Many manufacturers claim that dry food helps clean the teeth and prevents bacterial plaque, however, this is not always the case as dogs that only eat dry food can still develop tartar.
In reality, moistened feed does not help to prevent tartar buildup in our dog, so theoretically, it is more likely that our dog has tartar. However, since this has not been scientifically proven, it should be further investigated.
A downside of this is that the dog must finish all of its food in one sitting. Leaving wet food out for the dog to eat throughout the day will cause it to spoil.
How to properly moisten your dog's food
We must only moisten the portion of food that we plan to feed the dog, not the entire feed bag. To do this correctly, add water or broth to the food about 30 minutes before serving. If we moisten the feed bag completely, it will spoil.
With the water or broth that we have added, the feed will have time to moisten and absorb it. You will notice that it will expand and become much softer, resembling a kind of mush, and sometimes still maintain the shape of the kibble. This is totally normal and how it should be.
We should give our dog 0.3 pounds of dog food with a third of a glass of room temperature or slightly warm water or broth. Allow it to stand for 30 minutes before feeding it to the dog -- never use cold or hot water or broth.
We must adjust the amount of water added to each dog's food depending on how much they have eaten. Each dog's appetite is different, so we must experiment with different amounts of water during the first few feedings until we find the right amount.
- Put the right amount of feed into the feeder.
- Pour in a small amount of water or broth.
- Let stand for 30 minutes after stirring.
- We serve the wet food to the dog.
When feeding dogs, it is important to avoid making the food into a soup or mash that is difficult to eat. Moistening the feed is beneficial, however, it should not be made too difficult to eat.