Should kibble be soaked for greedy dogs?

[elmuervo]

I know this is a probably a really daft question, but . . .

Barney the greyhound is a very greedy, fast eater, so we recently started to soak his James Wellbeloved kibble in hot water before feeding times as we were really concerned that he was just hoovering-up his meals without ever chewing a bite. We could just imagine his poor stomach having to go to work on a huge mass of dry, unchewed food twice a day (which didn't seem like a good idea at all - the prospect of bloat was worrying us!).

So, when his food is served now it is warm-ish, puffed-up, squidgy and looks like twice the amount it really is, which he's very happy about indeed . We're happy too, as it slows his eating down and he doesn't drink gallons of water afterwards like he used to. He also hardly ever trumps anymore, which is a VASTLY welcome side-effect of the soaking ;D , BUT . . .

Are we doing the right thing? It's just that he's not getting any of the toothy-benefits of chewing and crunching his kibble, which isn't good. He has denta sticks and what have you, but are we doing more harm than good long-term . . . ?

[lurcherlot]

I think it's better for Barney's teeth if it's not soaked - you could put a ball in the bowl, which he'll have to push around to get to his grub, therefore slowing him down a bit?

[Aoj]

I do soak it a little but not so it goes to mush. I also put a tennis ball or a kong in the bowl for Brodie and he jsut sticks his mouth in and sucks otherwise!

[Princess C]

I only soak it for two of mine, Matilda and Otis because they doesn't chew it, but only so that the outside of the kibble is soft and not scratchy. They both just fill their mouths up and then throw their heads back and swallow, neither of them chew I've tried a ball/kong and even a chain in Otis's food and it makes no difference, he still doesn't chew it!

I soak it with cold water though, because someone told me using hot water can affect the nutritional value of the food - dunno how, but that's what I was told!

[ownerofgreys]

I feed mine twice a day in the morning I feed the kibble straight from the bag with butchers tripe or tuna (I do put in the sunflower oil) and in the afternoon I do soak and feed with some sort of pet mince.

[jane002]

I have always soaked my dogs food, as it reduces a lot of problems associated with dry food, - if you think about it, the amount that you put in a bowl dry, soaks up all the water in there stomachs, this then expands in there, it cant be good for the dog, if you did the same you would feel bloated and sick afterwards,
then they drink copious amounts of water afterwards, that swells the food even more,

if its working and your dogs fine with the food being soaked - then i would carry on - but just add a little less water, for teeth you could give some raw bones once or twice a week, instead of the denta sticks, the bones clean better,

All my lot are all over 9 now and have never had a problem with there teeth at all, they have had there food soaked from being puppys.

[elmuervo]

Aug 10, 2008 15:11:57 GMT -5 lurcherlot said:

I think it's better for Barney's teeth if it's not soaked - you could put a ball in the bowl, which he'll have to push around to get to his grub, therefore slowing him down a bit?

Thanks! What a great idea. Barney's one of those incident-prone type of dogs, so I'll let you know whether he swallows the Kong as well as the kibble .

By the way, when bones are fed, what type should I be asking for? I know that they need to be raw, but which bones are best . . . ?

[ragsysmum]

By the way, when bones are fed, what type should I be asking for? I know that they need to be raw, but which bones are best . . . ?[/quote]

Don't want to hijack your thread but I am interested in this too. I always understood raw marrow and knuckle bones were the only ones to give for teeth cleaning but all the local greyhound kennels give large roasted bones which are supplied at the track. Surely all the greyhound owners and trainers can't be wrong in giving these? They certainly clean the teeth fine and since the mad cow disease and foot and mouth scares, many butchers locally say they are not allowed to supplied raw bones any longer.
Anyone able to clarify the situation at all?

[andywillow]

Aug 11, 2008 10:03:42 GMT -5 ragsysmum said:

By the way, when bones are fed, what type should I be asking for? I know that they need to be raw, but which bones are best . . . ?

Don't want to hijack your thread but I am interested in this too. I always understood raw marrow and knuckle bones were the only ones to give for teeth cleaning but all the local greyhound kennels give large roasted bones which are supplied at the track. Surely all the greyhound owners and trainers can't be wrong in giving these? They certainly clean the teeth fine and since the mad cow disease and foot and mouth scares, many butchers locally say they are not allowed to supplied raw bones any longer.
Anyone able to clarify the situation at all?[/quote]

I'd NEVER feed cooked bones to dogs as they splinter easily and can cause problems. I only ever give mine marrow bones as I have quite a few greedy hounds who don't know how to chew
I am going to look into getting more marrow bones though as I think their teeth need to have a good gnaw.

Sue

[jane002]

Butchers can supply raw bones, i can get most bones at my butchers,
the only thing they cant supply like they used to do is brain,
my dogs used to love having this.

But for teeth cleaning try some raw marrow bones,
if you dog dosn't rush food you can give some necks,
rib bones, anything thats not weight bearing.