Dealing with Dogs and Cats Vomiting After Dry Food Inta

The process of producing pet food involves various techniques to shape a blend of different ingredients. One crucial step in this process is the puffing technique. Simply put, puffing is the process of dehydrating and compressing the raw materials to create a crispy texture. The application of puffing technology in pet food originated in the United States in the 1950s, during World War II, when canned materials were scarce. This innovation aimed to address the challenges of preserving and transporting dog food.

Puffing technology offers several benefits for pet food, including:

1. Ensuring comprehensive and balanced nutrition for pets, making it easier for them to digest.

2. Changing the shape and structure of pet food, making it more convenient for pets to eat.

3. Improving the shelf life of the food, which is beneficial for storage.

4. Providing convenience for pet owners.

5. Eliminating various bacteria and parasites in the ingredients, enhancing the safety and hygiene of pet food.

However, the puffing process does come with its tradeoffs, affecting three main aspects:

1. Freshness: Similar to many human foods, items with a twoyear shelf life may not be as fresh as they once were (freshness is often at odds with convenience).

2. Decreased water intake: The low moisture content in dry kibble can be a contributing factor to urinary and kidney issues in dogs.

3. Issues related to the puffing process itself. Imagine a dog food pellet expanding when it absorbs water. If a dog consumes a large amount of these pellets daily, they can swell significantly in the stomach, leading to discomfort. This is one reason why some dogs may vomit after eating quickly and exercising immediately afterward. The expansion rate of dog food is, therefore, an important factor to consider. Excessive expansion can lead to stomach upset and vomiting, which may eventually result in a decline in overall digestive ability or chronic gastritis.

Why is it emphasized that puppies should soften their dog food before eating it? On one hand, it's more comfortable for puppies to eat soft food, and on the other hand, the puffing process can be quite harsh on young dogs. By softening the food, these issues can be avoided. Have you read the article "The Greatest Killer of Puppies – Dry Dog Food"? It also discusses this matter.

For dogs with poor digestion, is it advisable to always soften their dog food? This is suitable for puppies, sick dogs, and senior dogs, but not recommended for others.

There are also drawbacks to softening dog food, such as:

1. Increased risk of bacterial growth.

2. Nutrient loss.

3. Longterm consumption may weaken a dog's digestive ability, making it difficult for them to eat dry food again.

To address the issues caused by the puffing process, consider the following:

For dogs with poor digestion, feed them in smaller, more frequent portions.

Train your dog to eat slowly using a sloweating bowl.

Avoid exercising or drinking water immediately after meals.

Use probiotics to improve your dog's overall digestive health.