Is it OK to mix homemade dog food with kibble? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you mix raw and dry dog food together?

The answer is it depends. There is nothing that indicates mixing raw and kibble will cause digestive upsets because of the two separate types of foods – those claims are myths.

However, there are still some potential dangers to raw food you will want to consider. Raw food is often not recommended by veterinarians due to the risk of pathogens on the food (there’s a reason humans cook their food before eating it) as well as the risk of an unbalanced diet.

As with cooked homemade dog food, it’s also critical to ensure that raw food is nutritionally balanced if being mixed with your dog’s diet – as any substantial part of their meal.

In the end, if you want to feed raw, you should carefully consider the risk of pathogens (both to yourself and your dog) as well as how you can keep the diet nutritionally balanced. Commercial diets are available as well, rather than creating a diet from scratch yourself, which can ensure a safer feeding practice.

Should You Mix Kibble With Homemade Dog Food?

You should mix kibble with homemade dog food if your dog is a fussy eater and you’re willing to cook homemade food at a regular enough frequency for him.

Whether you should serve a mix of cooked food and kibble depends on your situation. As mentioned earlier, a look into the advantages and disadvantages of this approach will help you make a better choice.

Let’s get started with the pros of mixing kibble and homemade dog food:

Mixed food is more nutritious – Especially when compared to homemade food alone, mixing cooked food with kibble is more likely to hit your dog’s dietary requirements.

Mixed food is more appetizing – Kibble is nutritious but dry and lacks flavor and aroma compared to cooked food.

Mixed food can improve digestion – A pure kibble diet of low quality can lack fiber and vitamins, which homemade food can add to your dog’s diet.

Mixed food can be good for your dog’s confidence – When your dog watches you cook food for him, he can feel more valued. This effect is the opposite of what happens when a dog is fed scraps.

The cons of mixing kibble with homemade dog food:

Mixed dog food is more expensive – You have to purchase kibble and additional ingredients to cook homemade food. This makes the mixed food option the more expensive one.

Mixed dog food takes more time to prepare/serve – Aside from buying extra ingredients, you have to prepare the homemade dog food as well. Because of this, the mixed option is more time-consuming.

You can get the mix seriously wrong – This is a potential drawback. If you don’t use a vet-approved recipe, you might accidentally prepare food that can upset your dog’s stomach, make him sick, and cause nutritional deficiencies.

With all of the above in mind, you have to decide whether a mix of kibble and homemade dog food is right for you. It is best to mix kibble and home-cooked food when its drawbacks are not as relevant.

You should mix kibble with homemade dog food if:

Buying extra ingredients isn’t a serious financial concern

You have the extra time to prepare the food and mix it at feeding time

You can mix the food in proper proportions to balance the nutritional value

You know enough about what a dog can and cannot eat

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At this point, you probably know if you’re going to mix homemade dog food with kibble or not. If you are, then you can skip the next section and go to the “how to” section of this post.

But if this section has convinced you not to mix kibble with homemade dog food, you can check out the alternatives below.

Can I feed kibble in morning and raw at night?

Kibble in the Morning, Raw at Night

This is great as both a long-term solution and as a way to transition to a fully raw diet. For the first meal of the day, give your pup standard kibble. … Between the morning meal and the evening meal, your dog’s body will have plenty of time to fully digest the food.

Is It Safe To Mix Kibble And Raw Meat?

While most store-bought kibble is nutritious, some owners prefer to add their own twist to their dogs’ diet. Homemade food, in addition to your pup’s normal kibble, can add flavor and variety to his meals. As with any dietary change, check with your vet before beginning.

Adding to your dog’s diet isn’t an absolute necessity, but many owners feel good about giving their furry friends an extra treat with their meals. There is some dissension over whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores, but many authorities give fruits and veggies two thumbs up, in moderation. Lean meats, including beef, chicken, and turkey are acceptable, as are wild meats such as elk and deer. Vegetables such as broccoli and carrots are safe for your furry friend, as are small chunks of fruits including apples and bananas. You can add rice or pasta to your homemade food, as long as Fido is free of grain-based allergy issues.

Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to a big, hot frying pan, and add 1 pound of ground turkey to the pan. Cook the meat until it is brown and crispy, and sprinkle in one package of frozen mixed vegetables. Boil up a cup of rice in a separate pan, and add it to the turkey and vegetables once they warm together. Soak the turkey, veggies and rice in two cups of low-sodium chicken broth, cover and boil for 20 minutes, or until the rice cooks down and takes on the consistency of puppy pudding. Transfer to a storage container, and refrigerate between meals. At mealtime, add 3/4 of your dog’s normal ration of kibble to his bowl, and substitute the remaining 1/4 with the poultry pudding. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of hot water, stir thoroughly and let the mixture meld for 5 minutes before feeding your hungry pup.

Dice 1 pound of stew meat into 1/2-inch cubes, and cook very low heat until brown and slightly crispy. Bathe the beef in 2 cups of low-sodium beef stock and 1 cup of water, and bring to a simmer. Simmer the beef for 20 minutes, and liven up the mix with one can of unsalted green beans and 1 cup of frozen carrots. Crank the heat to medium and boil for 20 minutes. Whisk up 1 tablespoon corn starch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl, and stir into the beef stew. Boil for another 5 minutes to transform the watery mixture into a thick, bubbling beef stew. This stew adds plenty of flavor and gravy to the kibble, and is a perfect addition for picky pups.

Give your vet a call before switching up your dog’s eating routine. Discuss your delectable doggie recipes, and make sure he approves of your ingredient list before you tie on an apron. Skip full sodium ingredients when making food for your dogs; while it may not seem like much to you, too much salt makes for sick puppies. Toss out uneaten food after 4 days to avoid a houseful of sick critters.

Louise Lawson has been a published author and editor for more than 10 years. Lawson specializes in pet and food-related articles, utilizing her 15 years as a sous chef and as a dog breeder, handler and trainer to produce pieces for online and print publications.