Benefits Of Mixed Feeding
The great pet food debate on which is better between dry and wet pet food just never seems to stop. Both of them have pros and cons that need to be weighed out carefully before deciding which one is best for your pet. However, given the facts, more and more pet owners are now into mixed feeding pet food. This practice maximizes the benefits of both dry and wet pet food thus giving pets the best of both worlds, a balanced and complete diet with increased palatability and variety.
The practice of mixed feeding in pets does not necessarily mean mixing both wet and dry food before offering the meal to your pet. You don’t really need to serve both at the same time. You can feed dry pet food in the morning and wet food in the evening.
Benefits of mixed feeding for pet cats and dogs
- Increase the water intake of cats — Wet cat food contains 75-80% water, which means it can keep cats well-hydrated. The increase in water intake can dilute the urine while increasing urination frequency. These conditions can help reduce the formation of stones in the bladder, which can go a long way in supporting optimum urinary tract health.
- Studies have shown that pets on a high-moisture diet tend to consume less food, able to maintain healthy weights, and have increased activity levels compared to pets that are only given dry dog food or kibbles.
- The crunchy texture of the kibble exerts a scraping action on the surface of the teeth and gums which can help remove the buildup of plaque and tartar. This is very important to the pet’s dental health.
- There is less calories per gram in wet food compared to dry food.
- Wet food lends a variety of tastes and textures to the diet.
- Dry food is generally less expensive compared to wet food.
Tips for making a smooth transition to mixed feeding
Consult with your veterinarian
Before making a significant change on your pet’s diet, it is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian to make sure that your pet is still receiving a complete and balanced diet that is appropriate for their lifestage and health profile.
Be aware of the calorie per serving
Wet and dry food differ in the calories that are available per gram. Thus, when it comes to mixed feeding, it is NOT just simply swapping half a cup of kibble for half a cup of canned pet food. Just to make sure, it is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian regarding portion control and ratio between wet and dry pet food.
Have a transition period
A transition period will give enough time for the animal’s system to get used to the new diet. The introduction of the new diet should gradually take place over a number of days. Start by mixing a small amount of the new diet while gradually decreasing the old one. Over a period of 7-10 days, gradually alter the proportions in favor of the new diet until you’re serving the mixed food diet on the 7th or 10th day.
Here are some popular combination of dry and wet food:
- Taste of the Wild Dry food + Bronco Pate Wet Food
- Absolute Holistic Grain Free Dry Food + Absolute Holistic Rawstew
- Aatas Cat Dry Food + Aatas Cat Wet Food
- Firstmate Gluten Free Dry Food + Cherie Canned Cat Food
- Nurture Pro Cat Dry Food + Ciao Tsurun Cup
Feel free to mix up the combinations and experiment on which pairs work the best or your pet. Happy testing, and bon appetit!