Providing your dog with a healthy and nutritional diet is an important part of being a responsible pet parent. However, finding the right diet that works for your dog that provides vitamins, protein, minerals, fatty acids and more is a difficult task for many dog owners.
The main concern many pet owners experience is whether to give their dogs dry or wet food. The decision is often based on a variety of important factors such as your dog’s age, ability to eat, amount of teeth, oral care, and preferred texture and taste. Often times mixing wet and dry dog food is an excellent way to provide your dog with a balanced and complete diet.
Observing your dog’s eating behavior is a great way to help determine your dog’s food preference. Some dogs are picky eaters which can be related to the way the food tastes, smells or feels in their mouth. Watch your dog carefully to see which flavors they prefer such as chicken, beef, duck, sweet potatoes, or fruits and vegetables. Often one or more ingredients are included in dry kibble and wet dog food.
The following information will help you determine if mixing wet and dry dog food is ideal for your dog’s nutritional needs and taste buds.
Mixing Wet and Dry Dog Food
What is Dry Dog Food?
Dry dog food contains animal grade ingredients that include a variety of ingredients that provides vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and protein. The food formula is carefully created to ensure it tastes good as
well as offers nutritional value.
Dry dog food also provides dental health benefits due to the texture of the kibble. Every bite of the crunchy bit strengthens teeth massages the gums. The chewing movement combined with the texture of the kibble removes tartar and helps maintain overall good oral health.
Benefits of Dry Dog Food
- Nutritional value
- Improved dental health
- Improved digestion
- Removes plague
- Tasty flavor
- Crunchy texture dogs love
What is Wet Dog Food?
Wet dog food comes in a can or package. It contains a variety of ingredients that provide vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, proteins, and more to your dog’s diet. Wet dog food also contains water to help create a specific texture pets love.
Benefits of Wet Dog Food
- Tasty flavor
- Hydration boost
- Enticing flavor
- Nutritional value
- Soft texture
- Easy to digest
Pros of Mixing Wet and Dry Dog Food
Cost-effective
Pet parents who are on a strict budget can stretch kibble farther when wet dog food is combined for each meal. Wet dog food tends to be more expensive compared to kibble so by mixing them together you save plenty of money compared to feeding your dog an all wet food diet.
Controls Moisture
Some dogs have health issues such as bladder stones or kidney disease and require a specific amount of hydration in their diet. Combining dry and wet food helps maintain moisture levels for optimal health benefits. The water content in the wet dog food also helps keep active dogs hydrated.
Encourages picky eaters to finish their meal
Many dogs are picky eaters to the degree that it interferes with their general dietary needs for good health. Mixing dry and wet kibble together encourages picky eaters to finish their meal as well as maintain healthy hydration levels.
Improves dental health
The crunchy kibble combined with the texture of wet food improves dental health by removing plaque from teeth, hydrating the gums and mouth plus strengthening teeth.
Cons of Mixing Wet and Dry Dog Food
Refrigeration needed
Wet dog food requires refrigeration if not used in one serving. If your dog doesn’t finish its meal it will
need to be refrigerated to prevent the wet portion of the food from spoiling and making your dog sick.
Odor
Wet and dry dog food mixed together causes a strong odor that dogs enjoy but most humans find it repulsive. If you are sensitive to odors, wet and dry dog food combinations could have a negative effect on your senses.
Soggy food
Kibble gets soggy if not consumed quickly. If your dog likes to eat their meal at their convenience which causes their food to sit in their bowl and become soggy, you can have a mess on your hands.
Helpful Tips for Mixing Wet and Dry Dog Food
Consult a veterinarian
If your dog has health conditions it’s best to speak to a veterinarian to discuss your dog’s health conditions and the benefits of mixing dry and wet dog food.
Allow your dog to taste test
Find your dog’s 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.
Bottom Line
Mixing wet and dry dog food provides your dog with a variety of tasty flavors, textures, and smells that encourage healthy eating habits. The combination of the crunchy texture of the kibble and the soft juicy flavors of the wet food make a perfect combination when mixed the way your dog prefers.
Your dog might prefer more kibble than wet food or vice versa. You can determine this by observing if there is any leftover food in their dish. Whichever type of food is left over is your dog’s least favorite and will determine the ratio your dog prefers.
Keep your dog’s mealtime tasty, delicious, and stimulating when your mix dry and wet food to create the perfect combination. Get started feeding your dog a custom made mixture they will love today!
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