How to Soften Kibble and Feed Soft Dog Food to a Senior Dog

We love our aging dogs. They bring so much joy to our lives. As our buddy begins to age, we start thinking about what we should feed them and all the different ways we would like to keep them happy and healthy, so that they can live a good, long life. However, one of the struggles for an older dog might be their ability to eat and digest hard, dry dog food. This is usually due to dental issues, a slower metabolism, and other age-related concerns. On top of this, some dogs tend to become picky eaters and might need extra incentives to chow down. For example, adding a topper to kibble can enhance the flavor and smell making the food more enticing for our loved one. This article will discuss:  

• How to soften dry dog food 
• How to feed soft dog food to an older or senior dog
• The benefits of wet or soft dog food for senior dogs
• If you should feed soft dog food to your dog 

What is Soft Dog Food?

Soft dog food is food that holds a tender texture making it easier for canines to chew or swallow. This is especially true for pooches with dental diseases. Additionally, many soft dog foods tend to have higher moisture content, which assists a dog’s organ function and other essential physiological needs.

You might be wondering, What is the best soft dog food for senior dogs? For aging dogs, there are plenty of senior dog food options on the market these days that your older buddy might love. Talk to your vet and see which soft food option will be best for your pal.

Benefits of Soft Dog Food

There are a lot of advantages to giving your senior dog soft food to eat:

• A softer texture makes it easier for dogs to chew and swallow, especially if they have dental issues
• Wet or canned dog foods have more moisture content, which keeps your buddy hydrated
• The higher moisture content aids in a dog’s overall health and assists in proper organ function 
• Moistening dog food can improve the smell and taste for an aging dog making it more appealing for them to eat

On top of the above benefits, there are many ways to encourage your buddy to eat soft dog food if they are not consuming enough. For example, you can try adding a strong-smelling dog treat that they will love. You will also want to make sure that the food is easily accessible, since a senior dog can have trouble getting around. Your vet might even have some other great suggestions on how to entice them to eat more to promote a healthy weight. Try different methods and reach out to your vet if you need further assistance with your older dog.

Should You Feed Soft Dog Food?

If your dog is experiencing dental or digestive health concerns, then it might be a good idea to feed them soft dog food or to soften their dry dog food. There are many senior dog food options which might be easier for your older pup to eat and digest. This includes wet and dry dog food options for aging pups, such as Purina ONE +Plus Vibrant Maturity Adult 7+ Formula which combines dry kibble with tender, meaty morsels. Most senior dog foods provide high-quality protein along with added moisture to give your pup a nice boost to their hydration, immune systems and other bodily functions. Therefore, it’s important to find the right senior dog food option for your older buddy with the help of your vet. If you notice that your dog is still struggling to eat the drier dog food, then it might be necessary to either learn how to make their food softer or to slowly change them over to wet senior dog food instead.

When to Switch to Soft Dog Food

Dogs are generally seen as seniors around the age of 7. However, the rate they age is usually dependent upon their size and breed. Smaller dogs tend to have a longer lifespan than larger dogs, causing them to mature at an older age. When they do show signs of aging, this is when they might need to switch to a soft senior dog food, as this is when they usually start needing more support for their teeth, joints, immune system, and overall health. Gradually introduce them to the new food over a 5-7 day period. Some dogs might need a few extra days, so be patient with your pal as they adjust. Start by mixing 1/4 of the new food with 3/4 of the old food, then gradually increase the new food. Talk to your vet if you need advice on alternative formulas or foods. 

How to Soften Dry Dog Food or Kibble

If the dog food is still too hard for your buddy, there are plenty of methods to soften it. It’s important to note that we don’t want to add too much liquid, since this could cause diarrhea in your loved one. If you follow the advice below, then your buddy should be fine:

1. Add warm water. This is the easiest way to soften dry dog food, and most dogs will take this method. Warm water will soak into the kibble more easily while enhancing the flavors and scent of the food. Dogs that are elderly and losing their eyesight and sense of smell will certainly appreciate you for this. If the food is still not soft enough, then add more water or microwave it to speed up the soaking process.  
2. Mix with wet food. This will give your dog proper nutrition and moisture content. The simplest way to adjust the portions is to give them half of the recommended wet food amounts and half of the recommended dry food amounts.   
3. Try a topper. A topper is a small pouch of food that you could sprinkle on top of your dog’s food, such as Purina Dog Chow Soft Bites. They are often moist and will improve the smell of the food making your aging dog’s meal more palatable. Make sure to check the portion sizes so you can give your dog the right amount of daily calorie intake. Calories from treats and toppers should not make up more than 10% of a pet's daily intake. 

Again, you can always talk to your vet for more ideas on how to make your dog’s food more appealing as well as easier to eat and digest.

How Much Soft Dog Food to Feed a Senior Dog

Each dog is going to be different when it comes to portion control. You want to make sure to take into consideration their size, weight, and individual conditions, such as activity levels, being spayed/neutered, etc. You also want to take into consideration whether you are feeding them wet or dry food. It’s important to portion out their meals based on their daily caloric intake, which your veterinarian can help you figure out. Generally, the guidelines for canned food on the label are a good place to start. The total daily amount can be divided into 2-3 meals per day. The same goes for dry food – the overall feeding amount will depend on the calorie density of the food and the size of the animal. Make sure to give your dog the same portions at the same time every day, since dogs thrive on routine. Talk to your vet to figure out the best portion size for your loved one. 

If you notice any drastic changes in your dog’s eating habits or their overall weight, then they might have an underlying health condition. In this instance, it’s best to reach out to your vet or local animal hospital.

Purina Soft Dog Food for Seniors

One of the best things about Purina’s senior dog food line is the diversity of wet and dry foods that we offer older pups. We even offer a Pet Food Finder to help you find the perfect senior dog food match for your loved one. We understand that each dog is unique and has different needs, tastes, and desires. We also understand the importance of senior dog nutrition and ensuring that their dietary requirements are met. Our experts work hard to make sure that each senior dog food formula is optimized to meet the unique needs of aging buddies and has the highest-quality ingredients for their overall health.

For more expert tips on caring for your senior dog, explore our other feeding senior dog articles.