One reason of bloating in pets is water absorption from the body. Wet food has higher water content than dry food and thus feeding wet meals will provide the water content needed by the body preventing bloat in pets.
Feed Canned Food
Canned/wet dog food has extra moisture which dogs need and it's easier for a dog to digest than dry kibble. Mix some canned food with your dog's regular kibble or switch to canned food exclusively if you want to prevent your dog from developing bloat.
Generally speaking, wet food is better for dogs than dry food. Wet food has fewer carbohydrates, which are difficult for dogs to digest, and more water, which keeps dogs hydrated.
Wet dog food can help keep your dog hydrated because it has a higher moisture content than dry food. Increasing your dog's water intake helps put less strain on major organs, such as the kidneys, as well as on the urinary tract. A moisture-rich diet is often recommended for diabetic dogs who have kidney issues.
Fact: The grain used in kibble is typically highly digestible and unlikely to cause bloating and gas. On the contrary, grain-free diets that use legumes to replace the grain can sometimes increase the amount of gas being formed and potentially increase the risk of bloat.
Kibble is the most commonly fed type of diet, and unfortunately for our dogs, once it enters the dog's stomach, it starts absorbing stomach acid and begins to swell. The wet kibble becomes dense and heavy. While your dog may feel the urge to vomit, he may not be able to successfully retch up the mass of food.
This is a common occurrence, particularly with cats. However, kibble that blows apart and makes a very large volume when water is added can be dangerous for animals prone to bloat.
Many dogs prefer wet food as it tends to be more flavorful and more closely resembles meat and meat by-products. Wet dog foods contain a significantly higher moisture content than dry kibbles, which can be important for dogs with urinary tract conditions or dogs who don't tend to drink enough water on their own.
Give your dog one 3 oz can per 3 - 3½ pounds of body weight daily, divided into two or more meals. Adjust this amount as needed to help maintain your dog's ideal body condition. If mixing with dry food, remember that one 3 oz can replaces about ¼ cup of dry dog food.
Better for sensitive stomachs
Dogs with sensitive stomachs and those prone to constipation often do better on wet food diets made from all-natural ingredients.
The reality is that it's completely your choice whether you want to feed your dog wet or dry dog food. The most important thing is to choose a food that's complete and balanced and appropriate for his age, size, and activity level.
Benefits of Dry Dog Food Compared to Wet Dog Food
Dental health benefits: Dry food encourages dogs to chew their food, which aids in preventing tartar buildup and secondary periodontal disease. Convenience: Compared to wet food, dry diets are much easier to pre-portion, and they won't spoil if left out all day.
This is why mixing wet and dry food can be so beneficial. It's the best of both worlds. Combining the two will bring balance to your dog's diet, offering up a complete and more rounded mealtime that covers a wider range of nutrients. More variety, different textures, contrasting flavours.
What is food bloat? Food bloat is a condition in which a pet's stomach has become over-filled and distended after the pet eats a large amount of food all at once. The majority of food bloat cases happen because a pet ransacked a bag of dog or cat food and then gorged to capacity (or beyond!)
Swallowing Air Is a Primary Cause of Bloat
While dog bloat can be caused by consuming too much food or water and stretching the stomach that way, another very common cause is the swallowing of air. This might happen if your dog eats too quickly or exercises heavily immediately after a meal.
Mixing/Topping Wet Dog Food with Your Dry Dog Food
Kibble takes longer to breakdown and digest, making it harder to absorb the nutrients. Adding moisture-rich protein of wet food not only makes meals tastier but helps the body digest all the vital nutrients your pup needs from their meal.
Wet food can be more filling
Because canned food has a much higher water weight than kibble, canned occupies more space in the bowl (and the dog's stomach), and can provide an easy way to scale back on calories. Wet food also provides more moisture which helps with ease of digestion.
It is recommended that puppy food is soaked from the age of 3-4 weeks up to 12 weeks. However there is no set rule for this, some puppies or even older dogs will always prefer to eat dry food when soaked and it is providing your puppy or dog with more water intake, so certainly nothing wrong with that!
Easy to Digest
The high moisture content and soft texture of wet food make it ideal for dogs with digestive difficulties or an upset stomach. Feed wet food when your dog is recovering from a stomach virus for an easier transition.
Canned food is more expensive per energy calorie than kibble due to the high water content and the packaging. Another disadvantage to canned dog food is that for some dogs, canned food may contribute to periodontal disease.
Heavy or rapid panting. Drinking excessively. Restlessness, pacing, whining.
A small dog, like a Pug or Chihuahua, can bloat from eating 2–3 times their daily intake. A large breed dog, like a Lab or Great Dane, may need to ingest 3–5 times their normal food intake to cause their stomach to bloat.
Canine bloat isn't just when a dog's stomach is a little bloated looking. It's actually a condition where dogs accidentally ingest large quantities of air when they eat or drink too fast. And this condition is actually quite serious, and could become fatal if not addressed quickly.