The way people feed their pets is always evolving. There is so much information available on what and how you should feed your pet, that it is hard to know what is best! Every diet has its own range of benefits, so many owners find the best method is to give their pet a mix of both wet and dry food.
What is mixed feeding?
Mixed feeding involves feeding your pet a mixture of wet and dry food to ensure that they have a balanced diet. This mixed feeding approach means pets get to enjoy the combined advantages of both wet and dry food. This means they get to enjoy a more palatable food, while their daily nutritional needs are being met.
Dry food
Dry food is the most popular choice for pet parents as it is convenient and cost effective. Dry pet food has a moisture content of approximtely 8%, meaning it offers high caloric and nutritional concentration. In addition to this, it lasts a lot longer than wet food when stored properly, making it a convenient choice. The texture of dry kibble has a brushing effect on pets teeth, helping to prevent plaque and tartar build up, and having a positive impact on dental health. Some premium dry foods have a specific dental formula that is designed to encourage chewing, promote good oral hygiene and prevent bad breath. Royal Canin Dental Care has a harder kibble that scrapes the surface of the tooth while chewing and prevents tartar sticking to the tooth.
Wet Food
Wet food is popular amongst pet parents who are struggling to find a dry food that their pet will eat. Wet pet food has a moisture content of approximately 75%, meaning that it has less calories but is usually more appetising due to different flavours and aromas. This makes it an obvious choice for fussy eaters, as the meaty smells appeal to their senses and entice them to eat. The high moisture content in wet food helps to keep your pet stay hydrated, supporting key organ function. An open can of wet food only lasts around 24 hours, so it can be less convenient for pet parents who are time poor.
Benefits of mixed feeding
Because of the range of benefits that both wet and dry feeding have, mixed feeding is a great option to help your pet get the most out of every meal. We have summarised some of the main benefits of mixed feeding:
- Offers your pet variety, whilst meeting daily nutritional requirements
- Provides different flavours and textures
- Makes it easier and more appetising for the pet to consume
- Encourages fussy pets to eat as they are drawn by the aromas
- Increased hydration due to the high water content of wet food
- Makes it easier for elderly dogs to chew their meal
- Reduces carbohydrate intake as wet food has a lower concentration of carbohydrates
- Promotes healthy and strong teeth through the action of chewing
- Provides a complete and balanced diet
How to feed your dog often comes down to your pet’s personal preference. Some pets prefer wet and dry food separately, and others enjoy them mixed together. When mixing a premium wet and dry food, you can be confident your pet is receiving complete and balanced nutrition. Any changes to your pet’s diet should be done slowly and carefully, and if you need any further information about which food to choose, you should consult your veterinarian.
