Kibble Absorption

[ChancetheGSD]

After reading Vdsauks post, it made me want to go soak my own dogs kibble to see how big it got. I thought it would be interesting if other people did the same, took some pictures and shared for us to see.

I don't use "popular" brands of food but this is the results I got for Zoey and Eevees food...

I used 1/4th cup of each kibble mixed with 1/2 cup of water.

Nurture Heavenly Harvest
Dry kibble:


2 hours later:


Squish test:

Smooshed very easily between my fingers into a mush. Actually started falling apart when I grabbed it!

Sportmix 24/20
Dry kibble:


2 hours later:


Squish test:

Not nearly as soggy as the Nurture was. It squished between my fingers but stayed fairly formed, didn't mush up like Nurture did.

Final Comparison
Nurture (left) and Sportmix (right)



Nurture expanded about 3x it's size while Sportmix expanded about 2x it's size.

Would be interested in seeing what people get with other kibbles!

[sable123]

I don't know what this demonstrates because you didn't expose the kibble to an acid of PH 1 or enzymes or the mechanical processing that occurs in stomach.

Food doesn't go in the stomach and just sit there absorbing body fluids.

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by sable123

I don't know what this demonstrates because you didn't expose the kibble to an acid of PH 1 or enzymes or the mechanical processing that occurs in stomach.

Food doesn't go in the stomach and just sit there absorbing body fluids.

exactly. this is why i didnt agree with the original post. We dont know exactly what causes bloat as any one factor or number of factors can be to blame. Its something that happens. They just happen to blame the food.

[LisaT]

It could also be something *in* the food that caused the bloat, rather than the expansion of the food, something that threw off the flora of the gut.

Bloat is so complicated.

[sable123]

Originally Posted by LisaT

It could also be something *in* the food that caused the bloat, rather than the expansion of the food, something that threw off the flora of the gut.

Bloat is so complicated.

and the research on it is still inconclusive

As far as the Sportmix goes, the little experiment did show it is a better made product though.

[ChancetheGSD]

I've never had any problems with either foods and don't even have a bloat prone dog atm so it's not that important to me. I just thought it was crazy that 4Health would expand to 6x it's original size in water!!! Sure, the process in the stomach may be different but that's got to mean SOMETHING about that food.

I know someone on here did a "gas test" by putting some kibble and water in a baby bottle and shaking it up. Certain foods "spewed" more than others. Dunno how scientific it is but it was interesting. Lol!

Honestly, from what I've seen of dogs who bloat, anything and everything causes it. I don't think anything, regardless of how it is done, is going to end up specifically pointing to "this is the direct cause of all bloat cases". Drinking water, elevated food bowls, food bowls on the ground, running, rolling around, this food, that food, kibble, canned, raw, this breed, that breed, large breeds rather than small breeds, genetics, being too thin, citric acid, soaking food, not soaking food....I don't think we'll ever truly come down to ONE thing that causes bloat. I really feel that with every dog we own, we are playing a game of Russian Roulette on who is going to bloat and who isn't regardless of lifestyle or food.

[Whiteshepherds]

Soaking Wellness Core in water now to see what happens. (just curious)

Has there ever been a study done comparing the stomachs or intestines of dogs that died from bloat/torsion and ones that died from other causes?

[sable123]

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

Soaking Wellness Core in water now to see what happens. (just curious)

Has there ever been a study done comparing the stomachs or intestines of dogs that died from bloat/torsion and ones that died from other causes?

Yes, the connective tissue around the stomach is compromised. There is no reliable link to food in the follow up bloat studies, nothing at all. Cheap food, expensive food, same risk.

It is the dog and the dog's temperament and how fast it eats that determines bloat risk.

[Debbieg]

Originally Posted by sable123

Yes, the connective tissue around the stomach is compromised. There is no reliable link to food in the follow up bloat studies, nothing at all. Cheap food, expensive food, same risk.

It is the dog and the dog's temperament and how fast it eats that determines bloat risk.

What is the temperament that is prone to bloat? Benny eats very fast( inhales ) his food and I feed him in a special dish to slow him down.

[PaddyD]

There are many threads on bloat and links and internet references.
If your god inhales his food, feed him several small meals.
Throw it on the floor and make him pick it up one at a time.