Wondering, how to turn dry dog food into wet dog food? Here is everything you need to know to change your dog’s food into the kind he likes.
Dry food is readily available, inexpensive to buy and transport, and has a long shelf life, making it a popular option among dog owners. A small amount of water can make the food more appealing but is not always the best option.
Pre-moistened food, on the other hand, is softer, making it easier for dogs that have difficulty chewing or puppies who are just beginning to eat dry food.
Premade Wet Food VS Moistened Dry Food
Wet food is a great way to ensure your dog consumes a little more water. While fresh water is vital for every dog, wet food can help dogs who are somewhat dehydrated to intake additional fluids.
Many dog owners prefer to choose canned food for adult dogs. However, dog food preserved in cans is quite expensive as compared to dry dog food; thus, making it an undesirable option for people who are on a low budget.
You may also soften dry dog food if you don’t want to consider canned food. Softening your dog’s diet will allow them to get all of the nutrients they require while making their meal far more chewable.
Moistening food can also make it more appetizing for dogs who are picky about the food they eat. So, what’s the best way to soften dog food?
Read our related article on How Much Canned Dog Food Equals Dry? Find out how much canned food to feed your dog in this short guide!
Is It Necessary to Soften Dog Food?
Teeth become discolored, worn down, and weak with age in both people and canines. They may feel more discomfort when chewing as the teeth become sensitive.
Furthermore, their teeth may begin to fall out or crack as they become aged and this makes eating more challenging.
Soft Dog Food Makes Eating Less Painful
When their teeth get cavities, dogs can’t eat much food in dried form, even if they’re starving. Dry dog food is crunchy and dry, making it difficult for older dogs or those with dental difficulties to consume.
Most dogs with gum or dental problems prefer softened food because it is easy to digest without causing teeth or gum discomfort.
Wet Food Tastes Better to Dogs
You may improve the flavor of their food by softening it with milk, yogurt, broth, or canned food. Dogs love the flavor of kibble that is softened with more appetizing foods.
Adding one of these things to regular dog food will make it more delicious to your dog and can boost nutritional intake.
Even if you use water for food softening, your dog will be grateful because it enables them to obtain their nutrients without causing harm.
Things to Consider When Softening Dog Food
There are a few things to consider when deciding on a dog food softening technique. These variables can help you decide which technique is best for your dog’s mouth, health requirements, and diet.
Consider Your Dog’s Health Conditions
Make sure you consider your dog’s health conditions before selecting a method for softening his food.
If your dog is on a restricted diet and can’t take in more calories, soften food by adding a little warm water.
Your puppy or young adult dog may require more vitamins, calories, or minerals, on the other hand, so soften food with broth, yogurt, or fatty canned dog food.
Stick to Your Dog’s Ideal Diet
Usually, senior dogs that have trouble feeding on dry food are eager to eat puppy food or soft food with a strong smell and taste.
Some dogs, on the other hand, are always finicky and will only eat things they are used to. If your dog is a food snob, use fluids you know he likes to soften the kibble.
In general, adding any liquid to the dish, such as stock or milk, will provide extra aroma and flavor.
Stick to Your Budget
If you want to make your dog kibble smooth and chewy, you probably want to do so without spending extra money on soft or canned dog food.
The majority of the strategies described below are very affordable and can be found in most price ranges. Choose a softening technique that works within your budget.
We put budget dog foods to the test with our canine pals and compiled a list of their favorites. Consider buying one of these budget-friendly dog foods to stretch your dog food dollars.
Timing is Everything
Kibble is somewhat porous and absorbs the liquid within a short time. If you want to soften the food with cold liquids, wait an hour to adequately soften the kibble before feeding it to your dog.
Warm liquids penetrate the kibble considerably more slowly than cold ones. It still takes somewhat longer than feeding ordinary dog food, however, it will be ready considerably faster than using cold liquid.
Never soften your dog’s food with hot liquids of any kind. The liquid can retain heat in the kibble and burn your dog’s mouth if you feed him before it’s cooled.
This is why it’s important to plan the entire softening process around your dog’s usual feeding time. Of course, finding out exactly how to do this is a trial and error procedure.
While you begin softening your dog’s food, it’s a good idea to allow yourself more time so your dog receives feed at its usual schedule. Your dog would prefer soft nourishment over hard food that it cannot eat.
4 Tips for How to Turn Dry Dog Food Into Wet
You may soften dried food in one of three different ways discussed below.
Warm Water
Mixing dry food with lukewarm water is the simplest and quickest approach to softening it. In addition, the heat adds more flavor and fragrance, furthermore, food is more appealing to your dog.
Since aging dogs are susceptible to problems with eyesight and smell, these additional smells and textures will be greatly appreciated.
Broth
The softening process for broth is comparable to that of warm water. Warm the broth first.
Don’t heat it to boiling, but it has to be lukewarm so that the softening time is reduced. When the broth is ready, pour it into the food. Add more broth to achieve the preferred consistency.
Milk or Yogurt
To soften the kibble for dogs who require extra vitamins and calcium, add milk or thin yogurt to the mixture. Milk will give the food a lot of nutrients and give delicious flavor.
Many dog owners feed milk-softened kibble to newly born puppies because it is so tasty and beneficial to their health.
Canned Food
Finally, combining canned food with dry food is a simple way to soften the kibble. This is a really easy method since all it takes is blending the kibble with some canned dog food.
Mix them together and allow time for the canned dog food’s juices to penetrate the dried food, resulting in a soft, delicious, and nutritious dog meal.
Final thoughts
To keep your dog’s mouth healthy, it is important to know how to turn dry dog food into wet. It’s a simple and inexpensive method to guarantee that your older dog gets all of the nutrients it needs without damaging its teeth and gums.
Whether you choose to add warm water, broth, milk, or canned food to your dog’s kibble, all four options are both safe and enjoyable for dogs!
