Mixing dry dog food with wet or raw

A balanced nutrient rich diet plays a vital role in keeping your pet healthy. So, if feeding kibble to your dog, mixing dry dog food with human grade wet or raw food is one way to improve their gut health and overall wellbeing.

Benefits of mixing dry dog food with wet or raw food

Boosting your dog’s kibble with wet or raw food will increase moisture content, which is important for many reasons, including preventing dehydration and promoting urinary tract health.

It will also provide some variety in texture and flavour, which can help with fussy eaters, and boost their gut health with the inclusion of natural enzymes and nutrients found in fresh, healthy food, particularly a raw food diet.

Be careful not to overfeed when mixing dry dog food with other ingredients

When mixing dry dog food with wet or raw food though, you need to keep in mind that each serve of a specific diet is designed to provide the full daily nutritional requirements a dog needs.

So, if you’re feeding a bit of this and a little bit of that, and not striking the right balance, you could risk some nutritional impacts, and be feeding your dog too many calories.

That’s why it’s important to follow the feeding guidelines based on your dog’s ideal weight and adjust each accordingly when mixing.

Introduce any new ingredients slowly

When mixing dry dog food with any new ingredients, you must introduce it slowly to allow their digestive system to adjust. Especially when adding raw meat or bones, to avoid stomach upsets. Don’t be put off by this though as the more fresh, healthy foods you can feed your dog, in the right way, the better.

To do it correctly, if they are on a kibble only diet for example, you would start with 90% of their kibble, and add 10% of the wet or raw food for a few days, then if their stools are consistent and they’re well, then go 80/20 for a few days, then 70/30 and so on.

If you do notice any diarrhea or vomiting, slow down the transition process or consult your veterinarian for guidance. Read more information about transitioning  your dog to a new diet HERE.

Mixing dry dog food and weight control

If you are mixing dry dog food with additonal ingredients and they are putting on weight, or if they are overweight in general, I always recommend reducing the kibble component.

Other ways to boost your pet’s kibble are to soak kibble in bone broth, add a couple of sardines in spring water a few times a week, some healthy steamed vegetables, and a gut heath supplement.

Regardless of whether you are feeding a dry, wet or raw food diet, or mixing all three, choose those that use quality, human grade ingredients, real meat as the first ingredient and are formulated as a complete and balanced diet for dogs.

And by the way, feeding mince and vegetables with rice or pasta, is NOT a nutritionally balanced meal.

When it comes to treats they should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie requirements and again, look for real meat as the first ingredient, like those in the Vitapet Treat Range.

About the Author: Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, pet food nutrition specialist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love Your Dog