Scratching, that's where whatever other carbs you want to feed in a keep come into play in regards to liver. Carbs such as rice, (insert carb here).

In regards to the fat Jack, they're going to be burning the fat anyway as that is the primary energy source. I don't know if they burn MORE fat then or not, but they're going to be burning it anyway. Also, what kibble feeders need to realize that if they're going to switch to raw for a keep, they need to do it at least 6 weeks before hand. They can start adjusting the dog's body to extra fat by giving kibble with more fat, adding oils, whatever, but if they're going to feed raw in a keep, it is imperative they switch weeks before they even put a weight out so the body can adjust to the food source, the fat content, the whole shebang.

What I've found in letting dogs drink freely is that they will drink a lot immediately after work. That will satiate their thirst AND help rehydrate the dog. The problem I have with all of that is two fold. One is as you mentioned. I can't sit and watch the dog and his water all day nor am I able to give him X amount of water at set intervals. Another problem I've found is that dog's drinking water in a 4 hour window range of work always work shitty. Every dog I've ever owned that did that, to the T, worked like shit that day. The dilemma is what if the dog NEEDS the water at that time to help rehydrate? That is why I like all the water in the feed, whether at once or split. It eliminates ME stressing, and it eliminates the dog making silly, dog-like decisions.

Taso, a dog's primary energy source is fat, but carbs still play a part in the energy expenditure. By giving something such as maltodextrin in a 30minute window, the reuptake of glycogen is I believe 60-65%, maybe more. Then, whatever other carbs you feed will bump you up to 100% by the next time to work. So you're effectively replenishing your glycogen stores (which fuels the muscle for certain activity levels) everyday. It doesn't take much, and you an effectively get by with doing all of that with a less than 10% carb diet. So, it plays a very minimal part of the feed.

What I'm going to do next time is split the water. 50% at night with some pedialyte mixed in, and I'll give 50% the next morning or whatever schedule I'm on at the time. I may be a lot of things, but I sure do love doing different things to see if something works better than another.