The Benefits Of Dry Food
Dry dog food has a long list of benefits for dogs and their owners. Dry kibble stores better than wet food once its been opened. For dogs, the biggest benefit of dry food is how it influences their oral health. The texture of some dry kibble is designed to promote a brushing effect on your dog’s teeth when they chew.
Tips For Mixing Wet And Dry Dog Food
Its important you feed your best pal the right proportion and total amount of wet and dry dog food to ensure nutritional needs are met and accidental weight gain is avoided. So before you mix it up at mealtime, check out these tips.
Get your dogs body condition score: Every dog is different, so your buddys caloric needs have to be calculated by having your veterinarian assess your dogs body condition score. Tip: bring the actual wet and dry dog food you plan to mix so that your veterinarian can calculate for that specific combination.
Monitor daily calories: While mixing wet and dry food isnt difficult, it does require a little extra work. Once your pups daily calorie amount has been calculated, track how many calories you serve your dog each day including mixed wet and dry foods, plus treats.
Use a few tricks: If your dog isnt eating as much as he should, switch up shapes, textures and aromas to entice your buddy back to his bowl.
Guide To Mixing Wet And Dry Dog Food
Mixing wet and dry dog food is another option that may provide the best of both worlds. However, it is very important to ensure you are still providing the proper daily feeding amount to prevent overfeeding.
The best way to do this is to have your local vet calculate your furry friends daily calorie requirements for maintenance. Then you can calculate how much dry and wet food your dog should have each day to reach that number of caloriesand dont forget to factor in any calories from treats.
Recommended Reading: Homemade Dog Food Recipes Vet Approved
Benefits Of Wet Dog Food
Wet dog food is oftentimes more enticing or attractive to a dog when compared to dry food due to the scent and texture. It comes in many different flavors and sizes of meat chunks.
Dogs with no teeth, painful mouths, syringe feeding requirements, or those that are weaning off of milk will prefer wet dog food.
It doesn’t usually require much chewing to be swallowed, making it great for dogs that are weak or lethargic, and it is more likely to be eaten by a picky eater. Some can even appear to look more like human food, making some owners feel more comfortable feeding their dogs.
Wet dog food is also great for dogs that have a hard time smelling due to an upper respiratory disease. It can be warmed up to make it more fragrant, thus further enticing a hungry dog.
The Benefits Of Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food is packed with nutrients, and well known for being:
- Convenient: Measured portions of dry food can be left out all day for a dog to eat at his own pace without worry of it spoiling.
- Economical: Dry dog food can be less expensive to buy in bulk and store than wet dog food.
- An aid in cleaning teeth: Some dog foods are formulated to reduce plaque, stain, and tartar buildup as the kibble is designed to scrape away these buildups on your dog’s teeth.
- Enriching environment: Dry foods are often easier to use in food puzzle toys which can be beneficial in entertaining your dog while you are at work, and controlling food intake for those “eager eaters”. Since your dog is not hunting for his supper, the mental stimulation of getting his food from puzzle toys can improve his quality of life.
Don’t Miss: Is Pedigree Dry Dog Food Good For Your Dog
How Much Canned And Dry Food To Feed A Dog
How Much Canned And Dry Food To Feed A Dog. There is no need to mix the dry food and the wet food in the one bowl when you feed your dog. One of the benefits of dry food is it doesnt spoil easily or leave a strong smell, which makes it perfect to leave out during the day if your dog.
In many ways, canned dog food can be superior to kibble. So, the larger dog requires more food as a puppy. In fact, you dont even need to serve them at the same time.
Source: www.thedogdigest.com
Individual needs can vary, so consult your veterinarian regarding special dietary needs. For now, we will take a look at some examples based on dry kibble and wet canned dog food.
Source: www.youtube.com
You should also review the specific feeding instructions on the back of his puppy food and consult with your veterinarian. Most adult dogs should eat two meals a day, and puppies often require three or more feedings, so youll need to divide the amount in the table by the number of meals you are offering.
Source: www.dogheiro.com
Most dry dog foods are soybean, corn or rice based. By the way, the calculator assumes youre feeding your dog just once a day.
Source: www.petco.com
So, the larger dog requires more food as a puppy. Consult the feeding chart on the back of your dogs food packaging.
Source: blog.myollie.com
30kg 360g, dry food + can: 135g / + 1, dry food only:
Source: www.petmd.com
Why canned dog food can be better than kibble. 10kg 155g, dry food + can:
Source: www.fidospantry.com
Can You Mix Dog Food Brands
Posted on Last updated:
Categories Nutrition
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Learn more >
Whether your dog is bored of his food or youre bored of watching him eat the same dog food over and over, you might want to introduce an alternative brand to his diet. If youre thinking about mixing new brand food with one that your dog is used to, you are on the right track. So, can you mix dog food brands?
You can mix dog food brands if they have the appropriate nutritional value and are free of allergens. As long as neither brand is subpar or unhealthy for your dog, their mixture will not be harmful. Make sure to mind the mixing ratio and gradually shift it to include more of the new brand.
In this article, I will go over three reasons dog food brands are mixed and whether it is right to mix dog food in each context. Among other things, you will learn how to mix two different brands of dog food and what steps you should take to mix dry and wet dog food in appropriate proportions.
Do you want to see the latest dog gear that is popular right now? You can check it out on Amazon. Clicking the button below will also take you there.
Lets start with the main question of what happens if you mix two different dog food brands.
Contents
Don’t Miss: Can Dogs Eat Table Food
Mixing Wet And Dry Pet Food
Throughout my career as a veterinarian, Ive had many pet parents ask me, Can I mix dry and wet dog food or cat food?
Usually, my answer is yes, mixing wet and dry pet food together generally is OK. But first, youve got to take into account your pets health, their preferences and dietary needs, and your budget. After youve considered all of those factors, you can determine what the best decision is for your pet.
How To Mix Water With Dog Food
When you decide to mix the feed with water or other liquids, you must do it at the time you are going to offer the portion to your dog. Depending on their preferences, there are a number of considerations to take into account:
- You can mix the feed with warm or room temperature water, but not when it is hot. Do not add boiling water to dog food as it could burn their mouth.
- You must check the texture so that it is to their liking and add the appropriate amount of water based on this guideline.
- Food that is too liquid is usually not pleasant for most dogs. We recommend you initially make a rather thick paste, and then adjust the texture based on your dogs preferences.
Even if you moisten your dogs food, you must always also offer them a bowl with fresh clean water. Even if you add water to your dogs food, it is likely this will not be enough to maintain adequate hydration levels, so it is essential they always have access to freely available water.
Also Check: Is Grain Free Dog Food Better
The Health Benefits Of Dry Dog Food
Kibble, ground-up ingredients like meat and grains shaped into pellets, is a popular choice for dog owners.
“The pros of kibble are that it is easy to feed, it’s calorie dense and it tends to be more cost-effective,” said Ostermeier.
Woof Whiskers, a website that provides pet information, has revealed dog food purchased in a store can range from $1.50 per pound to more than $3.50 per pound.
Are There Specific Benefits Of Mixing Wet And Dry Food Together
Buying dog food tends to come down to a straight choice between dry and wet for most people.Both have their advantages, and both are firm favourites with our four-legged friends.
Dry food, also known as kibble, is nutritious, convenient, and can be bought in bulk without spoiling quickly. Packed with goodness, its high energy content means only small portions are needed for our hungry chums. And its incredibly easy to measure out, so you know to the gram how much your dogs devouring. Kibbles crunch factor also makes it a brilliant natural teeth cleaner.
Wet food on the other hand is literally dripping with taste. Recipes come bursting with flavour, and theres a huge amount of variety.
Chicken Stew with Carrots, Green Beans & Potato Tin, Beef Stew with Carrots, Peas & Kidney Beans Tin, Lamb with Pumpkin, Sweet Potato & Peas in Jelly Tin. And thats to name just a few from the Applaws Taste Toppers range.
The extra moisture in wet food boosts hydration levels, and the softer texture can be easier for dogs to eat and digest. Two of the most important things to remember when prepping our doggys dinners are
This is why mixing wet and dry food can be so beneficial. Its the best of both worlds.Combining the two will bring balance to your dogs diet, offering up a complete and more rounded mealtime that covers a wider range of nutrients.
Read Also: Is It Ok If My Dog Only Eats Wet Food
What Is A Raw Fed Dog Diet
This type of doggo diet includes organ and muscle meat, whole bones, plucked bird heads and feet, along with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Newsweek spoke to Cindy Ley, 32, a Cane Corso owner who frequently advocates this diet on TikTok. Cindy, from Boston, Massachusetts has dedicated her social media page to one-year-old Remi’s diet. One of her videos showcasing his meal was viewed over one million times.
The dog feeder shown in the video contained a plucked goose head, beef and chicken heart, canned oysters, chicken feet and thighs, along with steamed vegetables.
What Is Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food contains less than 11% water. The majority of dog food is dry and comes in bags that have a long shelf life. Dry kibble may contain pieces of dried meat, but they don’t have a high water content like canned or pouched food will have. If you walk down the aisle of a pet store, the bags of dog food stacked on the shelves contain dry dog food.
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Earthborn Holistic Dog Food
Mixing/topping: 3 Great Benefits To Mixing Wet And Dry Dog Food
Dog not digging its kibble? Watching your pup constantly avoid their bowl and having to worry whether they are getting the nutrition they need can be incredibly frustrating for a pet parent.
If youre concerned your dog is bored of its kibble, or simply just isnt getting the nutrition they need from a strictly dry food diet, there is a pretty simple solution: MIX IT UP with some wet food.
What To Do If Your Dog Wont Eat Your Food
Pour chicken broth, beef broth, clam juice, or tuna water over the food to make it more appealing. Pour warm water over dry food to make it softer. Feeding your dog dry food if they usually only eat wet food or vice versa. Try hand-feeding, as social eaters sometimes just want attention.
Recent Posts
Recommended Reading: Tractor Supply Grain Free Dog Food
Wet Vs Dry Dog Food: Which Is Right For Your Pet
Dog food seems like such a simple thing, but all of the choices available can be overwhelming when deciding what your pal should eat. One of the comparisons you’ll confront starting out is wet vs. dry dog food.
First, consider your dog’s overall health, age, and behavioral needs. Both types of food are good choices, but it’s important to look at the benefits of each to decide which is right for your dog.
Helpful Tips For Mixing Wet And Dry Dog Food
Consult a veterinarian
If your dog has health conditions its best to speak to a veterinarian to discuss your dogs health conditions and the benefits of mixing dry and wet dog food.
Allow your dog to taste test
Find your dogs favorite kibble food by placing a few pieces of each flavor on the floor in front of your dog. Pay attention to which flavor they eat first and which portion is last or leftover. Then do the same thing with the wet dog food. Some dogs prefer certain flavors such as lamb, duck, beef, and bison.
Gradually combine the food
If your dog is a picky eater, gradually add the wet food into the dry kibble. Begin mixing the food by just adding 1 teaspoon then add more as the days and weeks go forward until you find the perfect combination for your dog.
Read Also: Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Food Feeding Guide
Why Choose Wet Food
- Wet food can be easier for older animals to enjoy, particularly if theyre short a few teeth.
- If youre constantly trying to get your dog to drink more, wet food is a great option because it contains way more moisture.
- Its easier to overfeed with wet food so if your dog is on a diet, we tend to recommend at least combining their wet food with dry.
Also Check: What Is The Best Senior Dog Food On The Market
Benefits Of Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food is more cost-effective, lasts longer once it is opened, and is easier to feed and store than wet food. Dry food can also help to keep a dog’s teeth clean by scraping off plaque as the food is chewed.
It is widely accessible, doesn’t need special storage once it is opened like canned food requires, and comes in a variety of dry kibble shapes, textures, flavors, and sizes.
Also Check: Where To Buy K9 Natural Dog Food
Can You Mix Different Brands Of Wet And Dry Dog Food
You can mix different brands of wet and dry dog food as long as both brands offer healthy nutrition. You should not mix subpar dog food with high-quality dog food, regardless of whether it is dry or wet. It is also not advisable to mix expired wet or dry dog food with an alternative.
Mixing dog food is not like mixing medicines. Thats why you dont have to overthink potential complications and reactions.
Remember, dog food brands know that dogs might be eating any number of things before or after consuming their food. Thats why dog food is generally free of ingredients that might cause an adverse reaction when co-consumed with any other food.
Mixing can make it easy to overlook some problems with one or the other brand. And that should not happen. Before you mix two brands of dog food, you need to ensure that they:
- Are not past their use by dates
- Do not include anything that your dog is allergic to
If youre a regular reader of my blog, youll know that I often like to feed my German Shepherd cold-pressed dry food with a wet food topping. Both types will be different brands of high-quality foods to ensure her canine nutritional needs are met.
What Wet Dog Food Do Veterinarians Recommend
When choosing any type of dog food, it is always helpful to have your pets needs in mind, and to learn how to effectively read a pet food label.
The most commonly recommended dog food brands, by veterinarians, include: Royal Canin, Science Diet, and Purina Pro Plan. Here are a few wet dog food options for puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs:
Read Also: Pet Food Express Dog Wash
What Are The Benefits Of A Raw Diet For Dogs
When you think about the benefits of a raw diet for dogs, different types of dog foods usually come to your mind.
If you are out shopping for a new type of food, you may want one that is either wet or dry. When planning out your dogs diet, you need to be aware that both types have benefits and disadvantages.