When To Stop Soaking Kibble? - The Labrador Forum

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The Labrador Forum Home Forums > Getting Help With Your Labrador > Labrador Puppies > When to stop soaking Kibble?

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

Leanangle Registered Users
Joined: Sep 3, 2014 Messages: 574
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. :-\
Leanangle, Oct 6, 2014 #1
Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter
Joined: Apr 10, 2013 Messages: 10,038 Location: Dubai
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....
Dexter, Oct 6, 2014 #2
Penny+Me Registered Users
Joined: Dec 30, 2013 Messages: 2,195
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.
Penny+Me, Oct 6, 2014 #3
Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter
Joined: Mar 29, 2014 Messages: 8,416
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
Boogie, Oct 6, 2014 #4
drjs@5 Registered Users
Joined: Jun 2, 2012 Messages: 15,335 Location: Fife, Scotland
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!
drjs@5, Oct 6, 2014 #5
GreenBull Registered Users
Joined: Jan 9, 2014 Messages: 72
Re: When to stop soaking Kibble? We never soaked his food so can't offer advice on that!
GreenBull, Oct 6, 2014 #6
Stacia Registered Users
Joined: May 25, 2011 Messages: 6,924 Location: Malvern UK
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.
Stacia, Oct 6, 2014 #7
charlie Registered Users
Joined: Sep 29, 2012 Messages: 12,217 Location: Hampshire, UK
Re: When to stop soaking Kibble? I put warm water on kibble too, slows down the gulping x
charlie, Oct 6, 2014 #8
Holliesmum Registered Users
Joined: Aug 30, 2014 Messages: 283
Re: When to stop soaking Kibble? We have never soaked hollies maybe we should, try and slow her down a little????
Holliesmum, Oct 6, 2014 #9
Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter
Joined: Mar 29, 2014 Messages: 8,416
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.
Boogie, Oct 6, 2014 #10
rubyrubyruby Registered Users
Joined: Mar 30, 2014 Messages: 265
Re: When to stop soaking Kibble? My lab is 6 and I still mix water into kibble !! Chloe
rubyrubyruby, Oct 6, 2014 #11
chrism Registered Users
Joined: Sep 23, 2014 Messages: 107
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)
chrism, Oct 7, 2014 #12
Edp Registered Users
Joined: Mar 16, 2014 Messages: 1,369
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.
Edp, Oct 7, 2014 #13
cubby Registered Users
Joined: Jun 10, 2014 Messages: 72
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.
cubby, Oct 8, 2014 #14
Leanangle Registered Users
Joined: Sep 3, 2014 Messages: 574
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.
Leanangle, Oct 8, 2014 #15
lemmys mum Registered Users
Joined: Sep 17, 2014 Messages: 166
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
lemmys mum, Oct 8, 2014 #16
JulieT Registered Users
Joined: Jun 15, 2013 Messages: 20,186
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.
JulieT, Oct 8, 2014 #17
kateincornwall Registered Users
Joined: Mar 4, 2012 Messages: 9,936
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
kateincornwall, Oct 8, 2014 #18