Does soaking dog food prevent bloat

Dog Bloat: 5 Ways to Prevent It

Bloating in humans isnt usually that big of a deal. It might makes you uncomfortable for a brief period of time, and usually youre fine. That is not the case with dog bloat. For dogs, bloat can be very serious, even deadly.

Many dogs die from bloat every year. There is no home treatment for bloat. If you suspect that your dog might have bloat its critically important to get them to a vet immediately. Dont wait. If your regular vet isnt available go to the closest emergency vet.

The dog is fine one minute and in a life-threatening situation the next. Dogs often die from bloat while their owner is off at work or sleeping at night. Tufts University

Dont hold off to see if your dog can wait until morning just to ensure you get in with your usual veterinarian. The sooner you get medical treatment for your dog the better the chances are that your dog will live.

5 Ways to Prevent Dog Bloat

What is dog bloat?

Bloat in dogs is technically called Gastic Dilation and Volvulus. It can also be called GDV or canine ACD But, no matter what you want to call it, its deadly for dogs for when not dealt with properly and fast.

There are many different factors that can contribute to bloat. Some breeds, especially large and giant breeds with deep chests, are genetically prone to bloat.

Breeds most susceptible to canine bloat:

* Risk ratios and ranks provided by vets at PetEducation.

If you have a large or giant breed dog like a Great Dane, German Shepherd or Mastiff you should always be on the lookout for dog bloat.

There are things you can do to lower the chances of your dog developing bloat, but once it occurs only veterinary treatment can help your dog. When bloat occurs the dogs stomach fills with gas and twists in on itself. The gas can put pressure on the diaphragm, making it difficult for the dog to breathe.

It also can cut off blood flow to the heart. The gas pressure builds up in the stomach and it can cause the stomach to rupture. Bloat always needs to be treated as an emergency situation.

Symptoms of dog bloat

The symptoms of bloat at first may look like the symptoms of an upset stomach. Your dog may walk around a lot or just seem generally uncomfortable. The dog may nip at their sides, pace or cry.

If you see excessive drooling or if the animal has rapid, shallow breathing he could have dog bloat. Other symptoms of dog bloat include dry heaving and a distended or swollen stomach, as well as several other indicators.

RELATED:5 Reasons Your Dog Has Canine Bloat and How To Prevent It

How to Prevent Bloating in Dogs

No one really knows exactly what causes bloat. But there are a few things that you can do to prevent it. If you have a large or giant breed dog that is prone to bloat genetically, you should always do these things in order to lower the chances that your dog will develop bloat:

1. Get A Puzzle Feeder

One of the things that can cause bloat is a dog eating too quickly. Especially if you are feeding dry kibble the dog can get bloat if they devour the kibble too fast. Get a puzzle feeder, or a dish designed to make your dog eat more slowly.

Dogs who have food insecurity issues often eat too fast and have anxiety about their meals. Using a puzzle feeder or a special feeding dish will force your dog to slow down and not inhale their food. If you have multiple dogs feed them separately so that they dont feel any stress or anxiety about the other dog eating their food.

Top Dog Tips has featured reviews on two great choices for slow feeders. For more information you can read the full reviews on the:

2. Do NOT Use A Raised Feeder

Raised or elevated feeders are very much on trend, but they can be bad for your dog. There's a myth that elevated dog food bowls can actually combat dog bloat based on a poor study from a decade ago. However, this myth has been debunked with new studies.

An elevated feeder can encourage dogs to eat too much and to eat too fast. Use a regular bowl on the floor unless your vet has recommended that you use an elevated feeder.

If you have a dog that tends to eat very quickly dont use an elevated feeder for that dog. Bowls on the floor might not look as chic as a trendy raised feeding table but it can make a big difference in your dogs health.

RELATED:Mealtime Battle Regular Dog Bowl vs. Raised Dog Bowl

3. Feed Several Small Meals

Its much better to feed your dog several small meals throughout the day instead of only feeding your dog once or twice a day. Dogs that are fed only once or twice a day tend to develop some food anxiety. They anticipate their mealtimes and then when they are fed gobble down their food as fast as possible.

When you feed several small meals throughout the day the dog wont get as anxious about meals and is more likely to eat the food at a healthy pace instead of just trying to eat as quickly as possible because they are quite hungry. Think about how you feel when you go all day without food.

When you do eat again, dont you eat more and eat faster because you are so hungry? Its the same for your dog. Feeding several small meals throughout the day is an easy way to prevent dog bloat.

4. Feed Canned Food

Some dog owners think canned food should be a luxury or a treat, but vets now overwhelmingly recommend adding canned food to a dogs diet.

Canned/wet dog food has extra moisture which dogs need and its easier for a dog to digest than dry kibble. Mix some canned food with your dogs regular kibble or switch to canned food exclusively if you want to prevent your dog from developing bloat.

A lot of dog owners dont want to buy canned food because they think its too expensive. Canned food doesnt have to be expensive. Many vets say that even inexpensive canned food is better for your dog than high quality kibble. Mixing the two is a smart and cost effective way to feed your dog and help keep the dog healthy.

5. Always Provide Fresh And Clean Water

Your dog needs 24 hour a day access to lots of cold, fresh and clean water. Keeping your dog properly hydrated is important when it comes to preventing bloat.

If your tap water isnt very appealing try using distilled water or bottled water for your dog. Or you can invest in a water filter for your tap or use a water filtering pitcher that is kept in the fridge. Giving your dog filtered water will encourage your dog to drink more.

READ NEXT:Top 5 Best Digestive Enzymes for Dogs

Can Adding Water To Dry Dog Food Cause Bloat?

Are you concerned that adding water to your pup's dry food might lead to bloat? Despite prevalent misconceptions, combining water with kibble has not beenscientifically provento cause this uncomfortable condition.

And I think that adding water to the dry dog food outweighs the potential cons in regards to the pros.

Want to find out why?

Let's take a look!

Key Takeaways

• Adding water to dry dog food has not beenscientifically proven to cause bloatin dogs.
• Different opinions exist about whether soaked dog food can cause bloating.
• Adding water can provide benefits likeimproving hydration,aiding digestionfor some dogs, and enhancing palatability.

Does Adding Water to Dry Dog Food Cause Bloat?

This is one of those questions where people think differently. Some say that bloating is a risk in some dogs, and others do not agree with this idea at all. Actually,there is no firm proof from sciencethat says that adding water to dry food will cause bloat.

Bloat usually happens in large breed dogs like Great Danes, Rottweilers, etc., yet you should keep in mind that any type of food can lead to bloat in dogs if theyeat too fast or swallow airwhile eating.

I tend to soak my dog's kibble from time to time because of this reason, my Golden Retriever basically inhales his food. And by adding some water to his food, thestress eating is significantly reduced. Aslow-eating dog bowl is also a great choice to prevent bloat.

Benefits of Adding Water to Dry Dog Food

If you do decide to try adding water to your dog's food, then there are several benefits for your dog, such as improved hydration, digestion, and possible palatability.

Improved hydration

By adding water to your dog's dry food, you can help him boost his hydration levels and keep him adequately nourished.

This is important because adequate hydration is essentialfor your dog's overall health and well-being. And even more if you know or suspect your dog isn't drinking enough.

Easier digestion

By soaking the kibble, you can make it easier for the dog to digest. When dry kibble is moistened, it becomessofter and more manageable in the stomach.

This can be especially helpful for dogs withsensitive stomachsor those who tend togobble their food too quickly(Not good!).

Moistening dry dog food can also helpbreak down the kibble, making iteasier for the digestive systemto process and absorb nutrients.

Enhanced palatability

Soaking the dog food can enhance its palatability, making it moreappealing to picky eatersor dogs with adecreased appetite.

This can actually be quite helpful if your dog prefers everything else but his kibble. My dog doesn't care whether his food is dry or wet, but I think he likes the soaked one. The slowed-down tempo is just a huge plus in my book.

Some Drawbacks To Soaking Dog Food

Increased risk of bacterial growth

It's important not to leave the soaked food out for more extended periods because of the bacterial growth that might happen.

Not enough Calories

Dry kibble expands when soaked in water and can result in your dog feeling full much faster. This could be beneficial for overweight dogs but not as good for dogs that are too thin.

Appropriate Water-To-Food Ratio

There is yet to be an exact science on how to determine the right amount of water to add to the kibble. I would say, as a general rule of thumb, to use ahalf cup of water for one cup of food.This is how I do it for my dog:

My dog doesn't seem to care about what form his food comes in (it is a golden after all), but yours might do. Some like the food thoroughly soaked and absorbed, while some prefer semi-dried. You have to field-test this yourself.

Should You Use Cold, Lukewarm, Or Room Temperature Water?

Experimenting with the temperature of the water may sometimes be needed. Some dogs don't like their food being soaked in cold water, for example, while some may love it.

It's best toavoid using hot wateras it can destroy essential nutrients in the food. Using cold, lukewarm, or room-tempered water will helpmaintain the nutritional valueof the kibble while making iteasier for your dog to eat and digest.

Transitioning And Acclimation To Moistened Dry Food

Gradually introduce water to your dog's diet, addressing any reluctance or unfamiliarity with moistened food to ensure a smooth and stress-free transition.

Transitioning to soaking your dog's food will probably go pretty smoothly, but since all dogs are their own individual, not everyone will welcome this new behavior with warm, open paws.

So to ensure a stress-free transition, you could follow the steps below.

Gradually Introducing Soaked Dry Food

1. Start by adding a small amount of water to the dry food, just enough tomoisten it slightly.
2. Slowlyincrease the amount of water over several days or weeks.
3. Monitor how your dog responds to the moistened food. Test with different temperatures of the water.
4. Pay attention to your dog's preferences and adjust accordingly. Some dogs may prefer their food drier or more moistened.

Observe your dog's individual needs and preferences

It may be that your dog totally refuses to eat the soaked dry food, and that is ok! Some dogs may prefer their kibble dry, while others might enjoy it moistened with water.

It's essential toobserve your dog's behavior and reactionswhen you make changes to its diet.

If the dog seems to have trouble digesting, show signs of discomfort, or just doesn't like the taste, it may be best tostick with dry food.

Another option is to test a wet food brand; I would suggest looking into Just Food For Dogs if that sounds interesting.

Conclusion

We learned that adding water to your dog's dry food isn't scientifically proven to directly cause bloat, despite concerns. The benefits, like improved hydration, digestion, and tastiness, could make it a valuable option.

Be cautious about bacterial growth if the food is left out for too long. Adjusting the water-to-food ratio and using lukewarm water maintains nutrition while easing digestion.

When introducing moistened food, take it slow and watch for your dog's preferences. Their well-being should always guide the process.

FAQ

Can adding water to dry dog food cause bloat?

Soaking dog food does not directly cause bloat in dogs. Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a severe condition that occurs when a dog's stomach fills with gas and twists.

While there is some debate about the relationship between soaked kibble and bloat, there is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that this increases the risk of bloat.

Can I soak my dog's dry kibble in water?

Yes, you can soak your dog's dry kibble in water. Soaking dry dog food in water can have several benefits. It can make the food easier to chew and digest, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs or dental issues.

How much water should I add to my dog's dry kibble?

Some dog owners prefer to add just enough water to moisten the kibble, while others like to thoroughly soak the food. As a general guideline, you can start by adding half the amount of water to the amount of dry kibble.

Over time, you can adjust the amount of water based on how your dog responds to the soaked food.

What are the benefits of soaking dry dog food?

Soaking dry dog food can have several benefits. It can make the food easier to chew and digest, especially for dogs with dental issues or sensitive stomachs.

Soaking the food can also help prevent dehydration, as the kibble absorbs the water and provides extra hydration for your dog.

Can dogs get water intoxication from adding too much water to their food?

Water intoxication, also known as water poisoning or hyponatremia, is a rare condition when dogs consume excessive amounts of water.

While adding water to dog food can increase the moisture content, the risk of water intoxication is minimal if the amount of water added is appropriate.

Is it better to use warm water when adding water to my dog's dry kibble?

Using warm water when adding water to your dog's dry kibble can help enhance the aroma and flavor of the food. But it is not necessary to use warm water; room temperature or cold water can also be used. The most important thing is to make sure the water is clean and free from contaminants.