Dog owners have many strategies for encouraging picky canines to consume their meals, one being warming it up first.
Warming food for dogs can help make it more aromatic and appealing, as well as easier for them to digest.
As with anything heated at too high a temperature, heating food for your dog must be done carefully in order to preserve all the vital nutrients it contains. Overheating can harm or destroy these vital resources.
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1. It is easier for dogs to digest
Dogs instinctively crave warm foods when feeling cold or sick, and those with sensitive stomachs can benefit from eating meals that have been warmed, which may reduce irritation to their digestive systems.
Importantly, food should be warmed only to a temperature that slightly exceeds that of your dog’s body temperature – around 101-103 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 – 39 degrees Celsius – as anything hotter can burn his mouth and throat and cause unnecessary pain and discomfort.
According to traditional Chinese Medicine, some foods have cooling (yin energy) while others can have warming (yang energy) properties. Dogs suffering from allergies may benefit from eating foods which help bring down inflammation throughout the body by eating cooler-temperature items.
2. It is more appealing to dogs
Dogs generally find warmer food more appealing, particularly if they’re feeling cold or have an impasse when it comes to eating their meals. A treat like warm kibble or canned food could help even stubborn pups finish off their meals!
Heating food for your dog helps preserve both its flavor and aroma, so only heat to just above room temperature to preserve all its essential nutrients. This should help ensure optimal results!
Some pet owners choose the microwave to warm up their dog’s food, however this method is not the safest as it may lead to bacteria growth. Instead, using either a pan on the stovetop or oven is better for warming up dog food – be sure to read your package first as many brands specify whether or not freeze-dried raw food and puppy formula can be heated!
3. It is more soothing to dogs
Many people find it confusing when it comes to providing food for their dog at the appropriate temperature. Too hot of food could burn its mouth and throat, so in general it’s best to serve warm foods slightly above room temperature for dogs.
But this does not hold true for all kinds of food; certain raw (including freeze-dried raw food ) should never be heated, as doing so may activate bacteria that may already exist within them and make their consumption unsafe.
Notably, some owners find that warming their dogs’ food gently can encourage them to eat it more readily, as warmer food smells better and can stimulate appetite. This is particularly important if your pup’s sense of smell has been compromised due to illness or injury; warm food also tends to be soothing on their stomachs than its colder counterpart while warmth makes digestion simpler for dogs.
4. It is easier to clean up
People and dogs alike love a warm bowl of oatmeal or soup at mealtime – the latter especially appeals to picky eaters! When warm food is prepared and served to them, its scent makes the food even more appetizing for canines!
Your dog will appreciate food that has been heated to just slightly warmer than room temperature, making it more appealing and helping with digestion. If the temperature becomes too warm for him/her, simply add a small amount of hot water into either dry kibble or wet food to temper its effects.
Ideally, when dealing with an overly energetic or panting dog, you should opt for foods that are cooling instead of warming; such as lamb venison or spices. But you may still include warming items as long as their consumption is balanced out with cooling ones.
