Feed your puppy softened dog food! [Feeding Tips]

01/22/2026 01/22/2026

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Hello, dog lovers!
This time, we're going to be writing a column focusing on "soaked dog food"!

Soaked dog food is similar to what humans would call baby food, convalescent food, or nursing care food. It's especially effective for puppies whose digestive systems are underdeveloped and for older dogs.
Puppies under three months of age are unable to digest dry food, so dog food must be soaked before feeding them.

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of soaked dog food and how to make it!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Soaked Food

Advantages

Improves digestion and absorption
Allows intake of water
Enhanced flavor
Feels full

Disadvantages

Time-consuming and labor-intensive
Weakened chewing ability
May lead to periodontal disease

Dogs' bodies are not fully developed until they are about three months old, so if they eat dry food raw, they will not be able to digest it properly and may develop diarrhea or vomiting. For puppies, soak dog food before giving it to them.

Soaking dog food has the added benefit of preventing choking if swallowed all at once. It also has the added benefit of enhancing the flavor, which can stimulate appetite.

The downside is that it takes more effort than feeding dry food. Also, feeding soaked food alone can weaken a dog's chewing ability, so dry food is recommended for healthy adult dogs.

Note: Soaked food spoils quickly, so be sure to clean up any leftovers immediately!

Tips and Cautions for Soaking Dog Food

There are three points to keep in mind when soaking your puppy's food.

Soak in lukewarm water (30-40°C).
Give your dog any remaining water after soaking.
Soak only the amount you will feed it at one time.

Soak in lukewarm water (30-40°C).

The nutrients in dog food are sensitive to heat, so using boiling water will destroy the nutrients. Therefore, boil the water and cool it to 30-40°C before using it.
Also, avoid using cold water, as it can cause stomach upset in dogs.

Feed your dog with the remaining water after soaking.

Nutrient content is dissolved in the remaining water when soaking dog food, so don't discard the water. It will also help your dog hydrate.

Soak only the amount you will feed your dog in one sitting

It is strictly forbidden to prepare and store soaked dog food. This is because it contains a lot of moisture, making it prone to spoilage and bacterial growth. Discard any leftover food and do not use it for the next meal.

There are two things you need to be careful of when soaking dog food.

Do not soak in milk

Milk is slightly sweet and delicious, and dogs often enjoy it. If you give your dog too much, your dog will stop eating it unless you add milk. It can also lead to overnutrition and obesity.

Do not use mineral water

Mineral water for humans contains various elements, such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. If your dog consumes too much of these elements, it may be at risk of developing urinary stones.

How to Soak Dog Food

This time, we'll introduce two methods: soaking in warm water and soaking in a microwave.

How to Soak in Warm Water

Place a single serving of dog food in a container. Dog food will expand to about three times its size when soaked, so use a large container.

Pour warm water (about 30-40°C) over the dog food until it is completely submerged.

After pouring in the warm water, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. It's effective to cover the dog food with plastic wrap so that it adheres tightly to the food, as this will allow the hot water to penetrate evenly.

Once the dog food has completely softened, select the smallest kernel and crush it. If you can easily crush it between your thumb and index finger, it means the hot water has penetrated thoroughly.

※If you want a paste-like consistency, leave it to soften for a longer time!

The time it takes for dog food to soften varies. Adjust the time based on your puppy's health and appetite.

How to Soften Food in the Microwave

Place a serving of dog food in a container and pour in enough water to cover the food.

Lightly wrap and place in the microwave. The temperature and heating time will vary depending on the microwave you're using, so try heating for short periods of time, like 10 or 20 seconds, while checking the condition.

When it's soft enough to crush with your fingers, it's done!

The key is to use water, not lukewarm water. Using lukewarm water may result in boiling water when heated in the microwave.
Also, make sure the dish is not hot before giving it to your dog.

Finally

Puppies require special attention when it comes to their diet, so try making softened dog food that's suited to their individual needs!
Regular dog food is designed to be eaten whole, so healthy adult dogs don't need to be softened.

Although this varies from pup to pup, you should gradually transition from softened dog food to dry food around 3-4 months of age!
When transitioning to dry food, gradually reduce the amount of moisture and the degree of softening.

It's best to transition to dry food over a period of about a week to 10 days. If your pup's appetite declines during this period, return to softened dog food and then transition back to dry food.

When transitioning to dry food, it's important to monitor the condition of your pup's stool. If it's too hard, it's a sign of too little moisture, and if it's too loose, it may be due to indigestion.

Food is important during growth, so gradually change your pup's diet while monitoring their appetite and physical condition!