Our 65-pound collie mix is super picky with food and has some dental problems. We tried a fresh food brand recently, and at first, she loved it. But now, it seems like she struggles to eat it because of her long snout—she might be inhaling it when she tries. She also has issues with another food we tried called Paw Lickin’ Chicken. Should I try softening a dry food with water or broth? I want something soft but still healthy. Any ideas for good options?
You can add water to any dry food to make it softer—it doesn’t change the nutrition. If you’re looking for good brands, try ones recommended by vets like Purina, Hill’s, Iams, Royal Canin, or Eukanuba.
@Adley
Thanks! I wasn’t clear before. I know water doesn’t affect nutrition, but I’ve heard not all dry food is good quality. I’ll look into those brands. Mud Bay might have samples to help me decide.
Corey said:
@Adley
Thanks! I wasn’t clear before. I know water doesn’t affect nutrition, but I’ve heard not all dry food is good quality. I’ll look into those brands. Mud Bay might have samples to help me decide.
Not all kibble is bad—it depends on the brand. Stick to the ones mentioned, and you’ll be fine.
Corey said:
@Adley
Thanks! I wasn’t clear before. I know water doesn’t affect nutrition, but I’ve heard not all dry food is good quality. I’ll look into those brands. Mud Bay might have samples to help me decide.
Kibble is fine if it’s nutritionally complete. The brands I mentioned meet high standards, so they’re great options. People have mixed opinions about these recommendations, but in the end, feeding your dog something balanced is the main thing.
Corey said:
@Adley
Thanks! I wasn’t clear before. I know water doesn’t affect nutrition, but I’ve heard not all dry food is good quality. I’ll look into those brands. Mud Bay might have samples to help me decide.
Kibble gets a bad rap because it’s not ‘natural,’ but that’s not a problem. As long as it’s balanced and meets the right standards, it’s a good choice. Go with the recommended brands.
Your dog might be picky because she’s used to you giving in. Pick one of those recommended brands and stick with it.
Jesse said:
Your dog might be picky because she’s used to you giving in. Pick one of those recommended brands and stick with it.
Another trick is to put the food down and take it away after 10 minutes if she doesn’t eat. Don’t give anything else until the next meal. A healthy dog won’t starve themselves.
Jesse said:
Your dog might be picky because she’s used to you giving in. Pick one of those recommended brands and stick with it.
Okay, I feel called out right now!
Try Purina Moist and Meaty. It’s soft like a treat and doesn’t need to be refrigerated. It’s also budget-friendly! Someone here suggested it, and I gave it a try—it’s a winner for us.
I shared some thoughts on this topic in another forum. You can check it out here. It explains why I personally wouldn’t go with the fresh food brands like the one you mentioned.
Purina Moist and Meaty is a good option. It’s semi-moist and easy for dogs to eat.
Just Food for Dogs is fresh food but not as wet as the brand you tried. I had the same issue with that one—it was too watery after thawing.
Kim said:
Just Food for Dogs is fresh food but not as wet as the brand you tried. I had the same issue with that one—it was too watery after thawing.
Have you checked out the wiki for this forum? It’s got a lot of tips on food options.
Kim said:
Just Food for Dogs is fresh food but not as wet as the brand you tried. I had the same issue with that one—it was too watery after thawing.
We love Just Food for Dogs. We actually use their DIY recipe, and it’s about the same cost as kibble.
@Wren
You really should check out the wiki—it has great tips!