Adding Water to Kibble: Pros and Cons

Do you feed your Husky dry kibble? Interested in “taking it up a notch?” If so, read about the pros and cons of doing so.

PROS:

Wet kibble is hydrating: Adding water to your dog’s bowl of dry kibble increases his water intake by providing just the right amount of moisture to his daily diet. This is especially beneficial for those who don’t drink enough water on their own every day.

Wet kibble is an appetite enhancer: Added water boosts both the smells and flavors of otherwise bland dry kibble. If your dog seems to show little interest in his meals due, e.g. to an illness or a general lack of appetite, this is almost guaranteed to make him “sit up and take notice” the moment he sniffs his now-flavorful food bowl.

Wet kibble is easier to chew: By moisturizing those hard pellets of kibble, thereby softening them, you’re helping keep a dog with dental issues or a senior who doesn’t eat as well as he used to stay well nourished and well fed, not to mention much more comfortable.

CONS:

Wet kibble can sicken your dog: Adding water to dry kibble creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, particularly if it’s left sitting in a bowl for too long. And if your dog likes to “graze” throughout the day, taking what he wants and leaving the rest over and over, he may become sick by the time he’s taken that last mouthful. In fact, studies show that dogs fed water-softened kibble have a higher rate of pathogenic bacteria in their feces than those who consume dry kibble.

Wet kibble can be messy: Not only can the mixture stick to your dog’s face, here, there and everywhere, he can carry off various bits and pieces of food to other areas of your home. If he’s a voracious eater, he may slosh the mixture around the food bowl, leaving splatters in and around the bowl, on the floor or carpet, kitchen cabinets and on all nearby surfaces. Once it dries, it cakes: from the sides his bowl to every other spot it landed, not only making everything harder to clean thoroughly but again providing bacteria the ideal place to breed and grow.

Wet kibble can be detrimental to dental health: Mushy kibble may not remove some tartar and plaque as effectively as hard kibble since the very act of your dog’s chewing on something hard helps, in part, to keep his teeth cleaner naturally.

There are, however, two alternatives to softening your dog’s kibble with water:

Wet food: By feeding your dog a combination of dry kibble and wet food, you’re adding aroma, flavor and hydration to each meal. Not only are there countless formulations of wet food that provide your dog with nutritional benefits, many of them are specialized to meet certain needs.

Bone broth: Besides providing added hydration to dry kibble, bone broth contains valuable nutrients beneficial to your dog’s health and wellbeing. Some of these nutrients help improve digestion, detoxify the liver, boost the immune system and support his joints, hair and skin.

But before you make any changes to your cherished canine companion’s food, please consult your veterinarian.