Soaking Dry Kibble

[simplymisty]

I saw on another thread where a lot of people said that they either add water or soak their dogs dry kibble in water.

Some said that it's better for the dogs.

Can you please tell me if this really is better? why? I give my guys dry Canadie (used to do Iams until I found Chaz) and if it's better to soften it I'll do it in a heart beat, but I wanted to double check and get some opinions.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

We do it-I know it has some nutritional or something or other benefits, but I mostly do it for my chow hounds who slow down when more water is added. Sorry, not the answer you looking for, was it?

 

[~Jessie~]

^^^ I do the same thing, BP. Chloe will eat her food in 20 seconds if we don't add water. The water keeps her from gulping the dry kibble and keeps it from being a choking hazard.

I've read that it is easier for dogs to digest kibble when warm water is added. I don't know much about it... it's just always something we've done since they were puppies.

 

[Dekka]

Dekka pukes her food if I don't add water. I add water to all their food. I don't soak it. Just run a little warm water in their bowls after I have added kibble. Kibble is very dry, and many dogs don't drink when they eat. It makes sense that it would be easier to digest with extra liquid in there. And it can't hurt.

 

[simplymisty]

I agree, my 3 inhale their food. If adding water would get them to slow down and not act as if they're starving 30 seconds after eating it I'll give it a try. I'll try anything.

 

[BoxMeIn21]

Just make sure the kibble you are soaking isn't preserved with citric acid - it increases the risk of bloat.

 

[SharkyX]

Same as the others... I do it mainly to slow the dogs down while eating.
Also adds more hydration to the dogs... sometimes the fast eaters run into problems of becoming dehydrated something to do with the kibble soaking up water and dehydrated that doesn't happen when the dogs stop to chew... I don't remember exactly I read that over two years ago.

 

[simplymisty]

Well I feed them Canidae, does anyone know off hand if it has citric acid?

 

[SharkyX]

You would be safe to soak Canidae.

 

[Cheza]

I feed canidae to my great dane puppy and I soak it because she throws it up like clockwork if I don't. It's safe to soak ^^

 

[showpug]

Adding water to kibble and actually soaking kibble are two different things. Soaking is when you allow the kibble to absorb the water prior to feeding it. In some cases the actual soaking can cause some issues with the probiotics that are sprayed on after the cooking process in some brands. I have heard that the soaking can make them less effective.

Adding water and then immediately feeding the kibble and water does not cause this problem and is better for your dog than feeding dry kibble alone. Some dogs don't drink enough and kibble is very dry. When you add water, it helps with digestion and the largest benefit is that it is MUCH better on the kidneys to feed dry kibble with water.

 

[SharkyX]

Ok then I just add water

 

[~Jessie~]

We just run the warm water in the bowl, and give it straight to the chis.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

That's what we do. ^

 

[Ladychaos]

I feed my dog California natural. I have tried giving him his kibble with water on top but he got liquid diahrrea from it! He seems to get the runs whenever he gets meat, wet food, or water on his kibble, or even drinks to much water! I don't know why this happens. I wished I could give him wet food without worrying about having to clean up a disgusting mess.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Have you gone to the vet? ^^^^

 

[oc_spirit]

I add water to the kibble but dont wait for it to soak. The reason I do it is simply hydration especially in the winter where sometimes the wter freezez before I get a chance to change it.

 

[Cheza]

Oops, ok we don't soak it, we just give it to her like a bowl of cheerios.

 

[Toller_08]

My dogs always get water added to their food. Tango won't eat it otherwise, and Winston throws up instantly if he doesn't get any. It's supposed to be better for their organs and therefore, make it more easily digestible. I don't soak it though. Just enough so the very top kibbles slightly float and they're fed immediately.

 

[goldiefur]

Okay I added water to my dogs food for the past two feedings and he scarfed it down so fast and he looked like he wanted more. (Canidaie) He usually picks at his dry kibble and I have to encourage him to eat. I don't know if he ate it so fast because it was something new or what. So now I don't know if adding water is good for him or not. Any opinions on this?