Should you soften dry dog food

How To Soften Dog Food

Kibble is known for its extended shelf life and significant nutritional benefits, making it the preferred choice for most dogs. However, this belief may not always hold true. If youre thinking about transitioning to canned food, be aware that it usually comes at a higher cost.

Softening dry food can be a win-win situation for you and your dog. So, in this article, you will be able to know a couple of ways to soften your pups food.

What Happens When Dogs Cannot Eat Dry Food?

Dry kibble has its benefits. Apart from the fact that it costs less than canned dog food and does not require refrigeration, experts say it also helps keep yourdogs mouthhealthy by minimizing plaque and tartar buildup. However, some dogs dislike dry food as eating such will sometimes cause painful sensations when chewing, especially to an older dog. This is due to the fact that just like people, as your furry friend ages, they tend to develop dental issues and sensitive teeth and gums. The same consequences apply to dogs that have bad teeth condition.

Regardless of age, dogs may suffer from teeth infections or your dogs teeth may have a crack or are missing eating dry food their entire life will be more than just a task and can be very painful for them. In some instances, your veterinarian may require your dog to switch from canned dog food to dry kibble as many medical and diet food is in the form of dry food. If your pet is accustomed to eating dog food from the can, then you will have a hard time letting your dog eat dry food. Additionally, wet food is quite different from dry food as it is less dense, containing 75% water in every ration. In essence, dogs that cannot eat dry food will not be able to get the nutrients it needs, and in the long run, it would result to health problems that might be hard to revert.

Important Things To Consider

There are few things that you need to consider before selecting the right softening method you will use to soften your dogs dry food. Essentially, these factors may help you choose the right softening method with respect to their health condition requirements, their dietary requirements, and some other factors.

Your Dogs Health Needs

Your dogs overall health comes first before considering the right method to soften your dogs food. For instance, if your dog is on a very strict diet and should not take on additional calories, you probably do not what to choose the method that would not add to your dogs weight. The ideal option, in this case, would be the warm water method as it would not ruin your dogs diet.

Contrarily, if your dog needs more calories, vitamins, and minerals, you may deliberately experiment with different methods to soften dry dog food that adds up to the micro and macronutrients in your dogs diet. An example of this is adding milk to the dog food. Not only will it improve the taste of dry pet food, but it will also add up to the nutrients in your dogs food. To make sure that your dogs health needs are met, you can ask for some veterinary advice before switching to any diet.

Your Pets Preferred Diet

Generally, a senior dog that struggles to eat any dry kibble would be very delighted to have a soft meal like canned dog food before them. However, in another context, some dogs are naturally picky eaters, they often refuse to eat anything unless it is in accordance with their own liking. Hence, you need to take into consideration your pets preferences when choosing the right method for softening dry food.

Adding flavor to your dogs food is ideal when you try to soften the food of your pup. For instance, warm water is effective in softening the kibble and bring out its natural aroma but does not add any additional flavor to the food. While if you soften the food with beef, chicken or bone broth, milk, or canned food, it will most likely be more appealing for your picky eater.

Your Budget

You might also want to take into account your allotted budget for your dog. If you plan to soften your dogs meals, you do not want to spend all your fortune. As dog owners, you can do your diligent research and look for the best softening method that fits your budget. In essence, you should not spend more than what you can afford.

Plan Your Timing

Ultimately, no matter what food softening method you choose, it is vital that you plan the best timing. With that being the case, you need to make sure that you time the softening process to go smoothly with your dogs feeding time, for you not to disrupt your dogs feeding schedule. Although kibbles are naturally porous, it would take some time to absorb the water so it is highly recommended that you prepare your dogs food, prior to the feeding schedule. A piece of advice to dog owners like you, it is best to give yourself extra time in order to ensure that your dog gets fed on schedule. [1]

Methods To Soften Dog Food

The following are some of our few tips that you can freely experiment with your dogs needs. You might want to seek veterinary guidance, in case your dog has medical issues that need to be addressed first.

Using Warm Water

Adding water is the cheapest and the easiest way to moisten dry food. If your dog has dental problems, it is ideal to add water to your dogs kibble and turn it into a soft food, to deal with the problem. Moreover, water has the added benefit of releasing flavor and aroma that may entice your dog to eat. The process of turning your dogs hard food into a wet paste is easier if you add warm water.

Begin by adding just a few tablespoons of warm water to your pets food or just take about a cup of filtered water and add it to the top of thebowlof kibble to moisten. Slowly add water to prevent soaking the food. Be sure theres plenty of room in the bowl too. Youll be surprisedhow much waterthe kibble can absorb. You can gradually add more water depending on your preference. Remember that transitioning from wet food requires gradual changes and immediately soaking dry food is not a good idea.

Boosting The Flavor With Broth

It is ideal to add broth to the hard foods that you feed your dog as it adds more flavor to it. The type of broth that you may add to your dogs foods may vary from beef broth, chicken broth, or bone broth. This method is ideal for dogs that are quite picky and wont eat a meal that isnt tasty as they expect it to be. If you dont have access to an all-natural chicken, bone, or beef broth, you can simply have a canned tuna juice as its close substitute.

As responsible pet owners, it is important that you use low sodium broth since too much salt can cause serious illnesses. In addition, while the aroma, taste, shape, and consistency will be enticing to your pup, youll want to ensure the ratio of the broth mix is healthy for theweight, size, and age of your pup. To be sure, always consult your veterinarian.

Adding Milk

Like other animals, most dogs love milk. A kibble that is moistened with the use of milk is quite popular for breeders that want to feed their newborn pups. Adding milk to the food of your dog will enhance the flavor of the kibble, enticing your dog to eat food. It is also recommended to place the kibble and milk mixture in a fridge hours before dinner time. This will give thefood plentyof time to soften.

Make sure to check with yourvetfirst for the proper dosage or if your pup is even allowed to have one in the first place as some dogs are lactose intolerant. If your dog suffers from this, the milk mix can cause loose stool, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset.

Mixing Canned Food With Kibble

As for the last option in this list, you may mix canned food with high moisture content to make a soft and delicious kibble meal for your dog. Having this option, you might want to consult your veterinarian first since you need to know whether the two dog foods complement each other. To make things healthy, you might need to have some adjustments since canned food or other pre-moisten food contains lesser nutrients. Your vet can give you more insight regarding the best food that goes well together.

Why Soften Dog Food

Apart from the idea that older dogs need soft adult dog food for easier chewing, here are other reasons why you need to soften your dog food.

• Your dog can easily absorb essential nutrients and requires lesser time to digest the dog food.
• It improves circulation.
• Dogs find it more appealing to their taste buds.
• Prevents you to buy canned food that costs a lot of money
• It addresses the problem of dehydration caused by lesser water intake

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to moisten dry dog food?

Yes, you can moisten dry dog food. Adding moisture to your dogs food, particularly dry kibble, makes it easier to chew, especially if your dog faces some medical issues that prevent them from eating properly. This will also make the food more palatable for picky eaters.

How can I improve my dry dog food?

You can improve your dry dog food by simply adding water, broth, milk, or wet foods. Adding liquid brings out more flavor and aroma from the dry food, broth and milk add flavor while softening it while wet foods help unaccustomed dogs get used to the flavor of the dry food.

How do you soften a dogs dental chews?

Steaming can be a good way to soften your dogs dental chews. You can do this by wrapping a damp paper towel to it and warm them with low heat in the microwave.

Is dry dog food harder to digest?

Yes, dry dog food can be harder to digest, with respect to wet canned dog foods. Another factor that can also affect the digestibility of hard dog food is the ingredient used by the manufacturer. You should that not all dog foods are created the same. Generally, cheap dog foods are hard to digest since it uses components like corn that your dog cannot easily digest.

Conclusion

As a general rule, you dont have to eliminate dry food in your dogs diet to get them to eat the nutrients that they need. With the right method, you can effectively transform hard kibbles into a soft meal that your dog would like. In the course of improving your dogs meal, you can always talk to knowledgeable individuals that can provide veterinary advice for you and for your dog.

10 Ways to Soften Up Dry Dog Food

Dry kibble is known for its budget-friendly price and high nutritional value. While many pups have no problem wolfing it down, some struggle to chew this particular kind of food, as the hard, crunchy texture can be difficult on sensitive mouths (or refined taste buds!).

Luckily, its pretty easy to soften up dry dog food, and doing so can even come with extra nutritional perks depending on the method you use. Well share a few of the best ways to soften your dogs kibble below.

10 Ways to Soften Up Dry Dog Food

There are several ways to safely soften up dry dog food, though each approach is better suited to certain needs and situations than others. Some methods will soften the kibble without adding additional calories, while others can provide more nutritional benefits and/or a deeper flavor profile.

Before softening up your pups kibble, make sure to consider any food intolerances or allergies your dog has. Speak to your vet for dietary advice if necessary.

Pet Care Pro-Tip: Kibble Isnt the Only Game in Town

You can always switch to fresh or wet food if you dont have the time to soften up dry dog food yourself. However, keep in mind that these options are generally a lot more expensive than dry dog kibble.

1. Water

The easiest and cheapest way to soften dry kibble is to mix in some water. Usually, around cup of water per meal is a good starting point. Make sure to use fresh, lukewarm water, and dont use an excessive amount if the food becomes too mushy, your pup will have a hard time eating it and may even turn his nose up at it!

Adding water to soften dry kibble is a simple way to increase your pups daily water intake. It can also slow down the speed your pup scoffs his food down, which may help prevent bloat.

2. Fish Oil

Adding fish oil to your four-footed woofers dry kibble wont just soften it; itll also improve its nutritional value. Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which provide a range of anti-inflammatory effects. This kind of omega-3 supplementation may help with things like skin and coat issues as well as joint problems.

The exact amount of fish oil you should add to your pups kibble depends on the portion size and his weight, but keep in mind that the recommended daily dose of fish oil is around75 to100 mg/kg total EPA/DHA. James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital has a more detailed guide on the appropriate dosage amount, but you can also just inquire with your vet.

3. Olive Oil

Olive oil, a kitchen staple, might not be the first thing that comes to mind when figuring out a way to soften your pups dry kibble. However, its definitely an option and an underrated one at that! Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil can boost your pups energy and even condition his coat (so yes, your pup will be boasting LOral-worthy fur in no time #because hes worth it).

To soften up your pups kibble, add a splash of olive oil one teaspoon for every thirty pounds of body weight combined with water. Make sure to use extra-virgin olive oil, since it has a lower acidity than other types and is less likely to upset your woofers stomach.

4. Yogurt

Adding a spoonful of yogurt to your pups dried kibble can help moisten it while also providing a source of natural probiotics. If youre not familiar, probiotics are essentially live bacteria and yeasts that are known to have various health benefits (sounds scary, but its good stuff. We promise!) They can help improve gut health, aid digestion, and potentially strengthen the immune system. Yogurt is also packed with lots of calcium and protein.

Only give your pup unsweetened, plain, low-fat yogurt. As always, it is a dairy product so consult a vet before feeding your dog this if he is known to experience food intolerances. Greek yogurt is the best option since its lower lactose content is likely to be easier on his stomach.

Make sure to double-check the ingredients, even if the packaging says plain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is sometimes used in yogurt products, is toxic to dogs.

5. Milk

Milk isnt a suitable option for dogs that are lactose intolerant. But if your pups stomach can handle it? Its a nutritious, affordable way to soften up his dry kibble! Many dogs love the taste of milk making it a great option for fussy eaters and it comes packed with nutrients like protein, calcium, potassium, and vitamin D.

Add a few tablespoons of unsweetened cows or goats milk to your pups dry kibble. Feed on occasion and alternate with water. Keep in mind that milk is high in calories, so it isnt an ideal option for dogs trying to trim down the pounds.

6. Bone Broth

While slightly on the pricey side, bone broth can be a dietary game-changer for your canine companion. Its flavorful, will help keep your pup hydrated, and is loaded with nutrients that can support your four-footed woofers gut, liver, and joints. Plus, its easy on your pups stomach compared to the likes of milk and yogurt.

Add a few tablespoons of bone broth to your dogs dried kibble to soften it up. Make sure to remove any bone fragments before adding the broth to the kibble. If you buy premade bone broth, you should also ensure it doesnt contain any toxic ingredients, such as onions and garlic.

7. Add Some Wet Food

Mixing wet dog food with dry kibble is another easy way to soften your pups meal. Wet food usually has an enticing aroma, texture, and taste, which can make it an ideal option for a picky eater.

Stick to a ratio of around 70% dry kibble and 30% wet food. Gradually introduce the wet food in small amounts. Keep in mind that wet food does spoil fairly quickly, so its important not to leave it out throughout the day most wet foods can be left out for an hour before they spoil.

8. Use Commercial Dog Food Toppers

If you dont mind pampering your pooch ahem, splurging the cash, then commercial dog food toppers make excellent options. There is a wide range of liquid-based dog food toppers available that can soften up dry kibble. Since theyre specifically designed for canine companions, you can also rest assured that theyll be safe for your dog to consume.

Commercial dog food toppers are generally rich in nutrients, flavorful, and come with handy serving suggestions on the back of their packaging.

9. Cottage Cheese

Cheese is a high-value reward for most dogs (and humans!). So, if your pup is reluctant to nom on his dry kibble? Cottage cheese is a great option. While its lower in fat and sodium than other cheeses, its still tasty and has a soft, bumpy texture that can help engage your pups senses. Its also lower in lactose than many other cheeses, meaning its less likely to cause an upset stomach.

Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, and amino acids. Use a couple of tablespoons to soften up dry kibble. Always double-check that the cottage cheese doesnt contain any added flavorings that are toxic to dogs, such as onions, garlic, and chives.

10. Wet Veggies

Wet veggies might not be the most exciting way to spruce up kibble. However, theyre an affordable way to soften up food while increasing your pups daily water intake. Wet veggies are generally easy on the stomach and most dogs will happily consume them without complaint.

Keep in mind that wet veggies arent the greatest source of nutrition. If you are looking to add nutritional value to your pups food, your best bet is to try another food mentioned above, like bone broth, fish oil, or yogurt.

Why Do Some Dogs Need to Soften Food?

Dogs may need to eat softened dog food for a variety of reasons, ranging from health-related causes to palatability problems. Well share a few of the most common reasons your doggo may prefer softer dog food below.

Picky Eater

Just like humans, some pups are just picky eaters with Michelin-star expectations of their kibble. In other words, theyll refuse to eat anything unless it has been softened to their liking (and preferably served up on a silver platter!).

Were not blaming them though soft food, especially when mixed with some tasty cottage cheese, yogurt, or a flavorful food topper is a lot more appealing than some basic dry kibble. Many dogs also arent picky eaters by choice; they have sensitive stomachs that dont react well to hard kibble.

Bad or Missing Teeth

Dogs with missing, brittle, or sensitive teeth often experience pain while chewing, and dry kibbles hard texture can exacerbate this pain and make it even harder for them to eat (and more importantly, enjoy eating!).

Softening the food is a simple but effective way to alleviate this pain as its easier on sore mouths and doesnt require the kind of intense chewing hard kibble does. However, you can also just opt for one of the best dog foods for dogs with bad or missing teeth.

Old Age

Senior dogs often suffer from health problems that can make it harder to properly eat and digest dry food, including gum disease, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatitis.

Dogs tend to lose their sense of taste and smell as they get older too, which can put them off dry kibble that doesnt have a prominent flavor. Adding a strong-flavored bone broth, food topper, or wet food can help with this issue in particular.

Monitor Your Mutt!

If your usual scoff-everything-down-in-seconds dog exhibits sudden pickiness, you should contact your vet if his appetite does not return to normal within a day. It may indicate an underlying health issue or an adverse reaction to a new medication.

The Benefits of Softening Up Your Dogs Food

While its a bit more time-consuming, softening dry kibble comes with a range of fantastic perks. It can make the food more digestible, easier to chew, and more appetizing for fussy eaters. In some cases, it can even provide additional nutrition and health benefits.

Makes Food Easier to Eat

Softened dog food has a gentle, mushy texture that doesnt require intense chewing or biting to break it down into digestible pieces. It can be swallowed effortlessly, whether or not your pup has all his teeth intact!

Makes Food More Appetizing

Some dogs find that dry kibble smells and tastes bland, especially if theyre older and their sniffers arent as good as they used to be. You can elevate the flavors of kibble by adding the likes of bone broth, cream cheese, and commercial dog food toppers.

Be Sensible About Topper Selection!

Familiarize yourself with the kinds of flavors your pup drools over; dont use yogurt if hes never been tempted by it before!

Often Provides Additional Nutrition

Several foods used to soften up kibble come with additional nutritional value for your pooch. For example, bone broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, all of which can potentially aid digestion and support immune function.

May Provide Joint Benefits

Certain food mixers that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, can help reduce inflammation and relieve joint pain.

May Help Ease Digestion

Soaking dried kibble makes it soft and easy to break down, which can ease the strain on your pups digestive system. This benefit is especially useful if he often suffers from gastrointestinal problems like constipation or diarrhea.

Ensures Better Hydration

Virtually every food used to soften dog kibble is high in moisture content, meaning your pup will be getting another source of hydration throughout the day.

This perk is ideal if your dog struggles to meet his daily water intake requirement, no doubt because hes too busy begging for treats, snoozing on your lap, or sniffing around the yard!

Hydration for Hounds

Adding water to your dogs food can certainly help with his hydration level, but you can also set your pet up with a dog water fountain to help encourage him to drink more water.

Softening your pups dry food offers a whole host of benefits, and while the process is a little time-consuming, its definitely worth it! Your canines stomach is sure to appreciate it. Plus, its a cheaper alternative to buying wet dog food.

Is your foodie pup a diehard fan of wet kibble? Do you know of any other safe ways to soften dry dog food? Let us know in the comments down below!