Dry or Wet

Jose

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The pet shop told me to feed Royal Canin dog food for my 5 months old Sheltie. Should I feed him dry or soak it with water?
 
The pet shop told me to feed Royal Canin dog food for my 5 months old Sheltie. Should I feed him dry or soak it with water?

You should feed it to him the way he likes it. With our pups I take the dry food and mix in warm water for a minute or two and then drain off the excess. I also give them a tablespoon of yogurt with their food from time to time. I'm sure if they were hungry enough, they'd eat it dry, but they seem to prefer it moist.

Our Schipperke likes the crunch so we feed him dry kibble. If you feed dry food, make sure there is plenty of fresh water available to drink.
 
I soak my dogs food in water, but it really just depends on the dog. My dogs eat their food too fast and literally suck it down their throats without chewing. The water slows them down a little and softens the food so it's easier to swallow. My mother's dog won't eat her food hardly at all or eats very slowly, the water brings out more of the sent that attracts dogs to the food. Now she eats normally.

BTW, dry kibble is only better for the dogs teeth in they chew it.:wink2:
 
Start with it dry, if for some reason he doesn't eat it (which I doubt a pet store moistened it regardless), add a little bit of water, swirl it around in the food, drain the water then give it to him. It will be softer on his teeth.

My male pup has no issues with just eating his food dry. My 9 yr old female has to have hers a little wet (as described) in order for her to eat it. If I don't do it, she'll stare at me, complain then I'll wet it for her.

Wet dog food you buy at a dog store is okay to use as well, but you have to brush the dog's teeth more frequently. Dry dog food out of a bag is much better for them
 
I usually moisten Riley's food to try to slow down his eating. When I go camping I usually put in enough water to make the food float - its a nice way to make sure he drinks water when its hot out.

Riley will also eat dry food, he doesn't care how I prepare food.
 
Shelby will eat dry or wet. Either way she doesn't chew it. I think her underbite makes it difficult for her to chew it. However we do usually add water to her food b/c she does not drink enough water.
 
Paradoxically, it's probably less likely to stick to their teeth if it's wet and they don't have to do any hard-core chewing. I think the big culprit from a dental perspective is anything starchy or sugary.
 
I feed dry. Hanna chews her food fairly well. Here's an article with some information. I also used to think that dry was better for dental health, the vet after all sells a dry "dental" food ( essentially a really big kibble), but it turns out that may not be true.

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing-dog-food/canned-or-dry-dog-food/

I think, as with humans, mouth chemistry has something to do with it. When I had the 2 shelties my kids grew up with I fed them both dry kibble. The female who tended to to be overweight needed cleanings at the vet every 2 or 3 years. My male, who ate the exact same diet, was lean and had great teeth, and did not get his first vet cleaning until he was 6. I did not brush their teeth. I'm working on it with Hanna but mostly she chews the brush. She gets greenies a couple of times a week.

So it looks likes either choice is okay. You need to consider cost, convenience and make a choice.
 
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