Hi Green Spotters! Do you currently hydrate your pet's kibble? Many people don't know that hydrating kibble is important - after all it doesn't say anything about it on the kibble bag! Read on to learn the "hows" and "whys" of hydrating kibble.             

Hydrating Kibble?
"I've never added hydration to my dog or cat's kibble, and they're doing fine." We hear you. Many people don't know that hydrating kibble is important, which isn't surprising... Information about hydrating kibble is not provided on the bag's packaging and isn't discussed often. So, how would you know the benefits of hydrating kibble? That's why we're writing this blog :) 

The Benefits of Hydrating Kibble
Here are some of our favorite benefits of hydrating kibble:            

  • Helps your pet get enough hydration - kibble has a maximum of 10% moisture, and kibble is actually dehydrating for cats and dogs.
  • Hydrating kibble helps support all of the body’s organs, importantly including the kidneys and urinary tract system.
  • Improves digestion.
  • Helps with nutrient absorption.
  • Some forms of hydration can help improve the strength of your pet's immune system. (raw goat's milk)
  • Some forms of hydration can help support joint health. (bone broth)
  • Enhances the flavor and palability of food for most pets.

Hydration Options
Here are some of the many hydration options for dogs and cats. Add hydration and serve immediately, or add hydration and let the kibble soak for several minutes for a softer meal. (Pssst, kibble doesn't clean teeth; it actually causes buildup on teeth, so don't worry about making that kibble soft!)         

  • Water. While it doesn't provide any nutritional benefits, water is the easiest way to add hydration to your pet's kibble.
  • Bone Broth. Bone broth, without onion or sodium, has multiple benefits beyond being a yummy addition to their bowl. It improves digestive health, benefits joints, helps filter toxins, provides skin and coat health, and more! It is one of our favorite hydration boosters, as it is highly palatable for both cats and dogs.
  • Raw Goat's Milk. Raw goat's milk has many benefits- let us count the ways! 1) Immune system boost 2) Wonderful source of probiotics, strengthening the gut microbiome and helping with digestion 3) Super nutrient dense! 4) Has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Frozen Raw Food. Providing the ULTIMATE hydration through intracellular moisture (moisture contained within the food), raw food helps hydrate your pet like no other! 
  • Gently Cooked Food. Also from the refrigerator (or sold in our freezer section), gently cooked foods also contain intracellular moisture, which is super effective in hydrating pets.
  • Canned or Wet Food. If you can't get your paws on raw or gently cooked foods, wet or canned food can be a great hydration addition to your pet's kibble. As a bonus, most cats will readily dig into wet foods! (hydration is super important for our feline friends, as it can help avoid kidney and urinary tract issues)

Remember, any hydration is better than no hydration when it comes to hydrating kibble. As with adding any new food to your pet's bowl, begin with a small amount for a few days before adding more. Feel free to mix up hydration boosters, too! Or stick with the same booster (like goat's milk) and take advantage of our frequent buyer programs for some of the bowl boosters. If you're watching your pet's weight closely and want to add a hydration booster like raw food, gently cooked, or canned food - simply remove a bit of the kibble to offset the calories from the hydration booster you're adding. Have questions about the best kibble hydration booster for your dog or cat? Stop by the store and talk to one of our knowledgeable team members, or email us today at info@greenspotomaha.com. See you soon at our SPOT!         

              

The Green Spot is a family-owned, independent pet supply shop. Since 2012, we've been helping pet parents like you aid their pets to a better life through nutrition. We're glad you found us and hope you'll come into our store for a visit! Our inclusive events, supportive pet-parent community, and certified pet nutrition pros are what set us apart—thanks for supporting local!