When to stop soaking Kibble?

Discussion in 'Labrador Puppies' started by Leanangle, Oct 6, 2014.

  1. Leanangle

    Leanangle Registered Users

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    At what age did you stop soaking kibble?

    I have read that until 12 weeks pups dont have a gag reflex so can easily choke on dry kibble, I have also read that this is nonsense.

    I am still soaking it but only slightly.


    :-\
     
  2. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    I'll be interested in replies as I didn't know you needed to do this ???....
    Dexter was 5 months though when he came to us.
    I soak kibble for training in the house and garden,he can chomp it down faster then .Its our lowest value reward but it works in those locations....
     
  3. Penny+Me

    Penny+Me Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    Penny's breeder weaned the litter onto soaked kibble only, no wet food, so she came to us on soaked kibble. I continued this for a week or toe and then gradually reduced it.

    I started soaking it again when she got urine infections as a way to get more liquid into her, but since those cleared up I never do now.
     
  4. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    Well ...

    I stopped pretty quickly with Tatze but I'm not sure why! I think I thought "It will be messy to keep any that's left"

    Hahaha any left???? She's a Lab!

    When Gypsy came along I had to keep soaking it as she's a total hoover and I was worried about dry food choking her.

    Then Tatze had to go on a little diet, so I started soaking it again, so that she felt like she had more. Poor girl, her spay means she needs less food. I know the feeling, I need less since my spay - grrr!

    I won't stop soaking it with either of them now. I can't see any reason to. I only soak it for a minute or two - and I think it makes it smell really tasty, I could eat some myself ;D
     
  5. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    I always add water to Lillys food bowl. I don't let it soak though just put it down.
    No idea why. I guess that may have been what OH did to his old dog.
    Lilly doesn't drink a lot which is why I don't want to stop.....though I do sometimes wonder if she would drink more if I didn't put the water in!
     
  6. GreenBull

    GreenBull Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    We never soaked his food so can't offer advice on that!
     
  7. Stacia

    Stacia Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    I have always put some warm water on the kibble and feed immediately, the warm water releases the odour and I think it is easier to eat, won't choke them. Also as it is dried food, adding some water helps with rehydration.
     
  8. charlie

    charlie Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    I put warm water on kibble too, slows down the gulping :) x
     
  9. Holliesmum

    Holliesmum Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    We have never soaked hollies maybe we should, try and slow her down a little????
     
  10. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    [quote author=Holliesmum link=topic=8144.msg115110#msg115110 date=1412592234]
    We have never soaked hollies maybe we should, try and slow her down a little????
    [/quote]

    Yes, it certainly slows Gypsy down, we also use a huge bowl so she has to go round it instead of inhaling it.

    :)
     
  11. rubyrubyruby

    rubyrubyruby Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    My lab is 6 and I still mix water into kibble !!

    Chloe
     
  12. chrism

    chrism Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    I've never really soaked it, just moistened it a bit. I've always wondered if the kibble would swell up inside her tummy. not having any problems. Being mostly dry slows her down a little bit. I think our pups are the same age. I'm feeding about a cup 3X a day.(manufacturer's recommendations)
     
  13. Edp

    Edp Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    I have never soaked but always just put a bit of warm water on to help it go down. Probably not really needed. :)
     
  14. cubby

    cubby Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    I mixed a little water with my dogs kibble for his entire life. Hs breeder said that's hw she fed her dogs. I didn't let it soak before feeding.
     
  15. Leanangle

    Leanangle Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    Thanks for all the replies, I have gone back to completely dry feeding from a slow feeder dog bowl (adding water never did slow him down).

    No problems so far.
     
  16. lemmys mum

    lemmys mum Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    :) I have always just drizzled a little chicken or fish stock over then mixed in this is what my Mum always done and she never had any problems Lemmy isn't too much of a hoover dinner wise and he seems to enjoy licking any remaining "sauce" from bowl but then so does the cat when he's done. X
     
  17. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    I've never soaked kibble unless to freeze it in kongs or something like that. I thought feeding food wet is even worse for their teeth.
     
  18. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

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    Re: When to stop soaking Kibble?

    I never added water to kibble either , even when small pups , they all seem to have managed it alright x
     

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