How to Soften Dry Cat Food: 5 Quick and Easy Ways

Cats have unique preferences. Like humans, they can nitpick about their food, especially if you feed them dry cat food. Dry cat food is convenient, affordable, and has a longer shelf life. But your cat doesn’t know that. And if it did, it probably wouldn’t care.

Many cats find wet cat food more palatable, and you can’t blame them. If you were a cat, you’d prefer the best wet cat food too! Some cats may prefer dry cat food but struggle with dental issues or other illnesses requiring them to eat wet cat food. Here’s how to make wet cat food from dry, lessening the stress of mealtimes for your pet.

How to Soften Cat Food

Softening your cat’s dry food is simple. Here are some quick methods using ingredients you likely already have at home:

1. Add warm water.

Adding warm water is one of the easiest ways to soften dry cat food. Pour a small amount of water over the kibble and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Once the kibble is softened, remove the excess water and serve it to your cat. Avoid using water that’s too hot, since this makes the food too mushy and unappetizing. You can also microwave the water slightly if you’re in a hurry. 

2. Use low-sodium chicken or beef broth.

Plain water-softened kibble may still be unappetizing for your cat. Using low-sodium broth adds flavor and usually does the trick. Several online stores offer healthy broths for pets, usually bone broths without salt, onions, garlic, and other toxic ingredients. Make sure you know what to look for in cat food to avoid unhealthy additives. 

3. Mix with wet cat food.

Combining dry and wet food creates a more palatable and affordable meal. To do this, add a spoonful of wet cat food like Purr Delight to dry cat food. Made from fresh tuna and enhanced with immune-boosting moringa and other vitamins, Purr Delight adds nutrients to dry cat food. Mix the cat food until the wet food coats the kibble evenly. You can also add a small amount of water or broth to the meal.

4. Soak in cat formula milk

Regular cow’s milk isn’t a healthy human food for cats. It can cause stomach upset for lactose-intolerant cats. Instead, find milk specially formulated for cats at pet stores. To soften the dry food with milk, pour a small amount over the kibbe. Allow the kibble to absorb the milk and serve immediately to prevent the milk from spoiling.

5. Blend into a mash

Mashed dry cat food can help cats with severe dental issues or difficulty chewing. Add warm water, broth, or cat milk to the kibble. Afterward, use a fork or blender to mash the mixture into a smooth consistency. You can adjust the amount of liquid to achieve the desired texture. It’s just like preparing food for a baby, except this time, it’s for a baby with fur.

Why Soften Dry Cat Food

Dry cat food is the most convenient option for many pet parents. They’re affordable, easy to store, and keep sharp teeth clean. However, there are times when eating softer food benefits your cat:

Dental pain

The MSD Veterinary Manual says that a cat’s mouth may react intensely to disease and become inflamed. They may also develop resorptive lesions, which results in tooth loss. Observe your cat for dental issues such as mouth pain, inflamed gums, bad breath, appetite loss, and drooling. Your vet might diagnose an underlying health problem and require your cat to eat softer food.

Dehydration and digestive support

Dry cat food obviously has lower moisture content than wet cat food. Cats who lack water may become dehydrated or have digestive problems. Cats recovering from surgery or illness and kittens may also need softer food that’s easier on their tummy. Softening dry cat food can aid in better digestion and help them avoid health problems caused by dehydration.

Boredom and pickiness

Cats also need variety during mealtimes. Imagine eating the same food every day. Unfortunately, dry cat food doesn’t come with a lot of options. Some brands offer different flavors like chicken, tuna, seafood, turkey, and beef. But most brands stick to one to three flavors at the most, and chances are, your cat doesn’t like most of them. If you can’t afford feeding them wet cat food, softening try cat food can be an option.

What to Avoid When Softening Dry Cat Food

Softening dry cat food is generally a straightforward process. But to avoid harming your cat, here are some tips:

• Avoid adding human food - Food like onions, garlic, and regular milk are harmful to cats and shouldn’t be used as an ingredient for softening dry cat food.
• Don’t leave food out for too long - Softened dry cat food can spoil more quickly and allow bacteria to grow. Discard uneaten cat food after 30 minutes or an hour.
• Avoid using very hot liquids - Boiling water or broth can alter the taste and texture of dry cat food. If you don’t want your cat’s food to go to waste, make sure the temperature is just right!
• Don’t oversaturate - Too much liquid can turn the kibble into an unappetizing mush. Don’t blame us if your cat turns up its nose at it.
• Avoid frequent changes - Cats need consistency during meal times. Frequent changes to their diet can make them hesitant to eat. If you need to transition your cat from dry to wet cat food, try serving softened dry cat food first.

Soften Your Cat’s Dry Food

Making dry cat food soft is a simple way to cater to your cat’s preferences. It also helps cats with dental issues, kittens learning to eat solids, and picky eaters. Softening dry cat food makes mealtime adds variety and makes meals more nutritious for your pet. You can choose one of the easy methods above–add warm broth or water, mash with a fork or blender, or soak in formula milk.

After serving your cat their softened dry cat food, pay attention to your cat’s reaction. Do they eat the food happily or refuse to eat? Try another method if the first one doesn’t work. Also, always consult your veterinarian if you’re making significant changes to their diet. A happy, healthy cat starts with a bowl of food that’s just right for them.