Our feline friends don’t need much to be happy, but full tummies are definitely on the top of the list. Dry food can become too painful for older fluffs or simply too boring (because we all know cats are divas). That’s when you probably start wondering how to soften dry cat food and make your bestie enjoy it more.
If your fluffball’s teeth are getting too sensitive or your kitten starts meowing for more food, she might need something softer. But sometimes it’s simply too expensive to feed your purrincess canned food every day – and that’s completely fine.
Luckily, we’re happy to tell you that softening dry cat food is not rocket science and you don’t need much to make your furbaby happy and full. You probably already have everything you need and it doesn’t take much time, either.
Softening kibble is a purrfect way to feed your kitty something new while staying on budget and keeping up with her never-ending appetite. It sounds like every cat owner’s dream come true, doesn’t it?
Now, without further ado, let’s dive into different ways to soften dry cat food, so you can serve your new specialty of the house even today.
1. Water is your best friend
The easiest and simplest way to soften dry cat food is to add some water to it. Yes, it’s really that simple. All you need to do is add one part of water for every three parts of dry cat food and let it soak for no longer than 20 minutes.
Clean tap water is sufficient. Make sure to never use hot water, though, as it can hurt your fluff. If you want to speed up the process, you can microwave it slightly – but make sure it’s not too hot.
If you’ve added too much water (where the kibble hasn’t soaked it up completely), don’t panic. Simply pour out the excess liquid so it doesn’t get soupy. To avoid this, try adding small amounts of water until the kibble is just soft enough.
If your kitty is done eating but there’s still some food left, make sure to throw it away. 30 minutes should be enough time for her to eat the amount she needs, so don’t leave softened kibble out for longer than that.
Adding water to dry cat food is an effective and quick way that doesn’t require much, and your fluff will love you for it.
2. Broth for some extra flavor
Some cats simply don’t like the taste of kibble, and that’s totally okay. From time to time, our kitty cats need some extra encouragement to eat, which can be achieved by adding some extra flavor to their standard dry food.
So, how to soften that dry cat food while also adding flavor to it? Well, it’s pretty simple. Instead of water, try adding broth. If you opt for this, make sure the broth you use is cat-intended like this one from Tiki Cat.
The broth we eat contains added fats and sodium, which you definitely want to keep out of your cat’s diet. If you still decide to go for homemade broth, make sure it’s unsalted.
To soften dry cat food with broth, use the same method as with water. The only difference is, you’ll be adding more flavor to it, and you might make your picky eater even happier.
3. Cream it up with a blender
Cats with dental problems will probably enjoy this method the best. If your fuzz ball’s teeth are hurting, she’ll probably avoid eating dry kibble at all costs. That’s when your blender might come in real handy.
For dental issues, simply softening dry cat food might not be enough. It’s often that older cats can’t use their teeth at all, which is when creamy food becomes their saving grace.
To make your cat’s kibble creamy, start by adding water or broth to it and let it soak for about 15-20 minutes. If you think you’ve added too much water, you can remove the excess. But since you’ll be making a creamy texture anyway, you don’t have to stress about removing all of it.
This is when your blender takes the leading role. Simply add the softened food into it and blend until smooth. If it’s not creamy enough, you can always add a little more water to it, or more kibble if it turned out too soupy.
Keep in mind that extra moisture means the food gets moldy faster, so make sure you serve it to your diva right away. After she’s done eating, don’t leave it out for it to get spoiled.
Don’t worry, this method might take a few tries until you find the consistency that your cat likes the best, so don’t give up on the first try.
4. Kitten formula for a fuller tummy
Your kitten might find the water method just fine, and it’s a safe option considering the baby’s sensitive digestive system. However, using the kitten formula might be an even better option as it adds some extra calories to the kibble.
If your kitten is having trouble weaning or she’s refusing to eat, this method is probably the best. Not only does it make the meal more filling, but it’s also creamier, which makes food more appetizing for your furbaby. It’s a great way to gently introduce your kitten to new textures and flavors.
This method is the best way to help your small ball of joy transition to big-kitty food. The process is the same as softening food with water, only this time you’ll use kitten formula. Over time, you can use less and less liquid, so that she gets used to a more chewable consistency.
5. Mixing in wet food for the best of both worlds
Our feline kings and queens deserve some extra special treatment. If they don’t like the consistency or taste of dry kibble, why not give them the best of both worlds? Mix canned food with dry cat food and watch their eyes sparkle with joy.
The ratio of wet to dry food is up to you and what your cat likes the best, so you can experiment a few times until you find the purrfect mixture.
Not only does mixing both foods make a super tasty meal, but it also provides your feline friend with all the nutrients and moisture they need. And it’s a great way to help you manage your cat’s weight, while also promoting healthy metabolism and improving taste.