Soaking dry cat food is a process that you can use to make it more palatable. When you soak dry cat food long enough, the starch will be converted into maltose which your cat will love to eat.
Keep reading the full article to learn more about the process of applying this dripping wet to dry cat food.
Though it is not necessary, if you soak dry cat food before feeding your cats with it, they will be getting the equivalent amount of undigested starch. This can also be achieved by cooking or boiling. Soaking dry food decreases the number of carbohydrates and thus decreases its glycemic index.
A cat’s body is made to take in a lot of protein and very few carbs. Therefore, cats need meat, not flour or starch. A high glycemic index can lead to obesity and diabetes (just like in humans). The food will be digested quickly and can cause stomach and intestinal issues.
Soaking dry food provides your cat with more water and benefits their urinary tract health. It also increases the food’s moisture content, increasing palatability for cats that don’t like to drink much water.
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How to Soaking Dry Cat Food?
Use a shallow bowl and pour the amount of food you want to soak over it. Then, add enough water or broth that will cover most of the food before mixing thoroughly. Remember to use hot water as this will make the cat food softer.
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Remember that dry cat food is made from different kinds of meat and, if soaked long enough, can affect the taste.
For example, dry food made from mainly chicken meat will not soak for a long time in the water, while food made from beef can be soaked for up to 30 minutes without losing any of its flavors.
If you want to do it quickly, use hot water or warm milk instead of cold milk. You can also add a small amount of fish oil or cream, making the food even more attractive to your cat.
Why should I soak dry cat food?
You should soak dry cat food because it will provide your pet with undigested starch. This can be achieved when boiled or digest the food faster (soaking in water, cooking it).
This will help your pet with urinary tract diseases.
It also increases the food’s moisture content, increasing palatability for cats that don’t like to drink much water.
You should not soak dry cat food if:
Your kitty has trouble digesting starch.
The amount of water is equal to or more than the dry food.
You don’t want to change the taste of your cat’s food.
Please keep in mind that feeding your cats dry food is more convenient for you, and it is important to make sure they eat properly (with a balanced diet). Soaking this type of pet food will make it healthier and more suitable for your cat!
Also Read: How to Make Dry Food for Cat: 3 Easy Step
How to prepare Soaking Dry Cat Food at home?
If you want to prepare this homemade method of soaking dry cat food by yourself at your own house, then consider following these simple steps:
Take a container (preferably a plastic one).
Pour the amount of dry cat food you want to soak over it. Then, add enough water or broth that will cover most of the food before mixing thoroughly.
Remember to use hot water to make the cat food softer and more palatable, especially if your cat is not used to dry pet food.
Let the cat food soak for a day at room temperature.
At night, pour any leftover liquid from the bowl and add fresh water or broth to the bowl. Then, mix thoroughly again before leaving it at room temperature for another day. Once this is done, your pet’s dry food is now ready to be served!
This homemade method of soaking dry cat food can be used for both cats and dogs.
Useful Tips
Using broth to soak the dry kibble will provide your pet with additional electrolytes, which is highly important if your pet is sick or has a fever.
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Please keep in mind that feeding your cats dry food is more convenient for you, and it is important to make sure they eat properly (with a balanced diet). Soaking this type of pet food will make it healthier and more suitable for your cat!
Important
Please keep in mind that if you are soaking dry cat or dog food, the benefits are many, but soaking may decrease some vitamins. For example, cats need Taurine for their eyesight and heart, but it may be lost when soaked.
Soaking the food also changes some minerals into a soluble form that can leach into the water. Thus, don’t soak cat or dog food for more than an hour unless you add more to drink!
Thoroughly mix new water with dry cat food
Pour the dry cat food into a container and add enough water to cover most of it. Remember, the longer you allow the dry cat food to soak, the softer it will get! Let your pet’s dry food soak overnight at room temperature before serving in the morning.
If you want to make your pet’s dry food softer effectively, try adding hot water to it for an hour. This will make most dry foods soft enough to eat without any problem.
You can also add a small amount of fish oil or cream, making the food even more attractive to your cat. A third option is to use warm milk instead of cold milk.
Benefits of soaking dry cat food
Dry cat food can be difficult to digest, so it’s important to provide your pet with fresh water and a moist diet.
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If you feed your cats dry food all the time, they may develop health problems like kidney disease or urinary tract issues. Animal experts recommend soaking dry cat food for 24 hours to increase its moisture content and make it easier for kitties’ systems to process.
The benefits of soaking wet cat food are:
(1) cats will drink more water if their diet is more liquid;
(2) wet diets help prevent constipation by adding fiber to the mealtime mix!
3) cats on a wet food diet have less of a chance to become overweight since they will eat smaller, more frequent meals.
4) wet cat food diets will keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthier by providing necessary moisture for cells, tissues, and organs. The added water keeps the saliva flowing, which helps remove any trapped particles from between teeth!
5) cats on a wet food diet may have less chance to develop crystals in their urine.
6) moist diets are easier for kitty to digest, especially those who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease and other digestive disorders!
The Last Word
Cats are carnivores, so feeding them dry cat food is not the best option for their diet. The water content in wet cat food helps keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy while also making sure they get all of the nutrients they need regularly.
If you want to know more about how Soaking Dry Cat Food can help your pet improve their health, let me know in the comment section below.
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.
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