Epi4Dogs

Dear EPI Forum,
We regained all the weight back on feeding 4x/day at 150% the normal amount, but started losing weight when we went back to 3x/day at 100% normal food amount. So we're back up to 4x/day at 150%. It would be easier for us to prepare his next meal immediately after he finishes a meal. But this would mean the enzymes would soak on the moistened low-fiber kibble for 3 hours, instead of one.

I've only heard of minimum soak times for enzymes, such as 20 minutes, and then also longer times suggested, such as an hour. I haven't read anything about MAXIMUM soak times. Like, if this is all at room temperature, do the enzymes lose potency after soaking on food for too long? Any research or personal experience with this?

Thanks so much!
RMM

You would not be able to let the enzymed food sit out all day without bacteria growing on it. If you put it in the fridge it will inhibit enzyme activity. I am not sure how you could prepare it so you didn't have 4- 15 minute enzyme wait period. Maybe someone else will chime in. Good luck.

Jill

our rule of thumb is to NOT let food sit out with enzymes for longer than an hour ... otherwise bacteria can develop and then you would have more problems.........

some people prepare the food with the enzymes for the day, and place in the frig..... i personally don't like this system because it doesn't always work well for all dogs, but worth trying if you are pressed for time... the thing to look out for is if over time, the poos start getting sloppy... that is when you know this technique is not working for your dog.

SO...... You will need to actually serve the food at room temp ... and since you cannot heat the food up or nuke it.... what you can try is place the amount of refrigerated food for that feeding in a bowl and let the bowl of cold food float around in another bowl of very warm water so that the food can slowly warm up to room temp without nuking or heating it up.

Thanks Olesia!

Jill

i am sure there are other methods of warming up the food without nuking or heating.... but this is the technique i tried.... and abandoned cuz refrig food didn't work for us.