Pet Lovers

[SeaMaiden]

  Do you just put dry food in the bowl and feed the dog? Or do you let the dry food soften up in a bit of  warm broth or warmwater  and then feed the kibble soft?  

 I am conflicting on this issue as some articles say it  is best to hydrate the hard dry kibble as it is supposly easier on digestion... and on the kidneys especially for older dogs or during the hot weather....

Other information says softening the kibble could lead to bloat which is a horrible illness that kills the dog.  I lost a dog recently from bloat ..... and I had been softening the food...my other dog  has always had softened dry and she is fine.    

Now I do not know what to do.....

[CAcableGirl2]

@SeaMaiden   I put a little bit of warm water on the dry and then stir it up, so most of it is still dry but just a little moist.  I then put a scoop of canned dog food on top that includes her pills.  

[KingstonsMom]

Kingston has his kibble dry, not moist, but he gets a variety of add-ins to the kibble.

Shredded cheese, cooked chicken, cooked liver, scrambled egg etc., but the kibble remains dry.

[NickNack]

I've never heard it recommended to moisten the kibble.  I've always fed it dry.

[geezerette]

I do both.

I have a Rottweiler, which are known to bloat also.  I feed her twice a day: kibble with added freeze-dried topping.  In the morning she sometimes tends to gobble her food fast and often will vomit it back up shortly afterward.  So, in the mornings I add warm water.  Just a little bit—not quite enough to cover the food.  Swirl it around well to make a gravy.  Since she normally eats shortly after I put the food down, like @CAcableGirl2 said, the kibble isn’t completely soft yet.  

At night, I give her straight hard kibble with the topping.  By this time, she’s not “starving” so she eats slower and she’s not active after this meal.

As far as bloat goes, its my understanding that feeding more but smaller meals is better than one large meal.  Also, if you have a dog that eats very fast, you might try one of those bowls made specifically to slow them down.  Also, no hard exercise before and after meals.

I can understand your concerns.  I remember friends losing their dog from bloat while staying with us.  It was awful.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

I mix some wet (canned) with the kibble, and thoroughly mix it around, not only to make it more palatable (probably in my mind only) but to keep him from gobbling just the wet.

We let him cool at least an hour if he's been very active, before feeding.  I deter him from drinking a ton of water right after feeding (don't know if it really helps, but again, in my mind it matters).

I'm sorry to hear.  How awful.  I'm always concerned that could happen.  It just does sometimes.  Awful.

😕❤️

[queendiva]

I guess it depends on the dog.

My small dog noshes on his dry kibble when he feels like it during the day, usually after his walks. At night I feed him a raw diet, which he loves and looks forward to, reminding me if I am late in serving his dinner!

[GCR18]

Dry, no liquid.

[SeaMaiden]

I appreciate all the suggestions. Thanks for sharing

[KingstonsMom]

Dry kibble is also helpful in keeping tartar on their teeth at bay.