Does Dry Dog Food Expand In The Stomach: 7 Advantage Of Soaking

A common question that dog owners have Does Dry Dog Food Expand In The Stomach? Yes, this does happen, but not all dogs do it.

Some dogs have a slow digestive system which allows them to easily digest a dry diet, while others are more prone to gas and bloating with a dry diet.

If your pup has gone through a bout of bloating and gas, it may be caused by the increased air being trapped in their stomach without anything else to break it down.

If you have noticed that your dog is having issues with bloating and gas, we suggest switching their food to a wet or canned diet.

Dogs prone to this are usually overweight or have a slow digestive system. Canned food is recommended because the liquids add to the moisture content in the dog’s body, thus helping them out.

Does Dry Dog Food Expand In The Stomach?

This article will discuss Does Dry Dog Food Expand In The Stomach? For food to expand in a dog’s stomach, there are two ways to go about it: hydrochloric acid or enzymes.

Hydrochloric acid, also known as HCL, is a digestive acid produced by the stomach. The pancreas also makes it to make enzymes.

When dogs eat dry food, they produce less hydrochloric acid, making it hard for them to digest their food and causing them to become bloated and gassy.

Enzymes are made in the pancreas and aid in the digestion of food. The lack of HCL and enzymes in dogs who eat dry food can cause issues as they age.

Two main problems come from eating dry dog food: gas and bloat. Gas comes from fermenting carbohydrates, and bloat is caused when the stomach fills with extra air that does not digest properly.

What is Soaking & 7 Advantage Of Soaking

Soaking is the process of allowing the food to dissolve in water first. This allows the food to be more easily consumed and makes it easier for the dog’s stomach to absorb and digest.

Be sure that you keep a close eye on your dog’s food intake and make sure that you don’t overfeed them. Overfeeding can cause dry, boggy stool, which may cause serious health effects on your dog.

The main culprit for dry dog food is the lack of hydrochloric acid in the dog’s stomach.

Here I am listing 7 advantages of soaking.

7 Advantage Of Soaking:

1. The pancreas produces enzymes in response to the sugars found in the food.

2. Enzymes break down carbohydrates, making them easier for your dog to digest.

3. This increases the number of enzymes released from the pancreas, making digestion easier and faster for your dog.

4. Enzymes can also break down proteins and fats made by cooking.

5. The enzymes break down proteins into amino acids and fats into glycerol and fatty acids.

6. The protein digestibility increases with enzyme supplementation.

7. Enzymes can be given to sick dogs as a supplement to their diet.

The soak water is also filled with these enzymes that help lighten digestion since they break down half of the food right out of the gate.

Pros And Cons Of Putting Water In Kibble

Pros:

1. The puppies don’t have to eat as much because they don’t have to chew the food and mix it with their saliva.

2. There is always something to look at or play with while your pup ingests his food.

3. It’s easier to adjust a puppy’s diet while eating the same food as him, but it leaves room for treats and accessories when you go on a walk or playtime with your dog.

4. It makes feeding time shorter since the food is already soft.

Cons:

1. If a puppy is left alone with his food for too long, he may just eat it without chewing it. This can cause stomach issues that are hard to fix.

2. Sometimes, dogs mix their wet and dry food together, causing them to become bloated or constipated depending on the consistency of the meal and how much they ate.

When To Stop Soaking Puppy Kibble

This is a common question I get from people who don’t know when to stop soaking puppy kibble. Soaking puppy kibble is something you should do until the dog stops eating it without chewing.

People are always worried if they can stop soaking their dog’s food when I tell them they can stop it anytime.

No matter your dog’s age, you can always stop soaking his food.

What Can Be Mixed With Dry Dog Food?

You can mix your dog’s dry kibble with wet food, including canned fish.

Fish is good for dogs because of the Omega-3 fatty acids, which help to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

The omega-3 fatty acids also help to prevent inflammation and itchy skin, making fish a great addition to your dog’s diet.

Fish is also high in protein, which helps keep your dog active and healthy. A common question I get from people is Can I feed my dog dehydrated foods?

Yes, you can. Dogs have enzymes in their stomach that help break down the proteins in dry kibble when it is cooked, and there are also enzymes in canned foods.

The main drawback to feeding dry food is that it takes more time for your dog’s digestive system to process the food.

How Long Can Soaked Kibble Last?

The shelf life for soaked kibble is about 3-4 days. After that, it’s best to throw it out and start soaking more kibble.

You can extend the shelf life of your soaked kibble by drying out the excess water with a paper towel or a blow dryer in a cool setting.

The excess water will soak through the paper towel or blow dryer and leave you with dry, soft kibble that will last at least another couple of days.

How Long To Soak Kibble In Water?

As long as it takes for your dog to eat the soaked kibble. A few hours may be all you need for a dog with a strong casing.

For dogs with more sensitive stomachs, soaking longer may be the best thing to do.

If your dog suffers from digestive issues, it’s best to soak the food longer than usual to break down enough for consumption.

Is It OK To Add Water To Dry Dog Food?

Your dog should be eating a diet of 75% water and 25% dry food.

If you want to add water to your dog’s diet, do it slowly over two weeks and ensure you follow a good schedule to track how much your dog is eating.

The feeding schedule should be 1/8th cup (125 g) every 3 hours, starting at 7 am, then again around 8 pm.

Can Adding Water To Dry Dog Food Cause Bloat?

Adding water to your dog’s dry kibble can cause bloat, a major issue for many dogs.

The main reason the food gets bloated is that it has too much air and the air that causes bacteria to produce bloat in the bacteria.

There are so many things that cause bloating with dry dog food that it’s more of a guessing game than anything else.

Some things that can cause your dog to get bloated are:

1. Eating too much dry dog food without enough water to drink
2. Eating the food straight out of the bag or bowl without chewing it first
3. Eating too many treats  
4. Not eating the entire dry food in one sitting
5. Dogs with sensitive stomachs need to add more water to their diet

The Conclusion

In summary, Does Dry Dog Food Expand In The Stomach? Dry kibble expands in the stomach and can lead to bloat if your dog eats it too fast.

While this isn’t an issue that will kill your dog, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your pup.  

Dogs with sensitive stomachs are more prone to getting bloated, so make sure you take the time to watch your dog when he is eating and make sure he chews his food slowly.

Especially if you mix it with wet food or add water to the dry kibble.

If your dog is having an issue with bloat, the first thing you should do is take him to the vet.

The vet will examine him and ensure it’s not a more serious issue, such as an obstruction in his bowel or heart.

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