If you are thinking about mixing your dog’s dry food with wet food, then you have stumbled upon the right place. Mixing different kinds of foods seems like an easy task, but sometimes it can be a challenge for both professionals and beginners. This is mainly because both foods have different properties and your dog’s stomach can react differently when exposed to other foods that are different than their usual meals.
When it comes to mixing two different kinds of foods, you must follow a food calculator or a feeding chart. This way you know that you are feeding your dog with the right amount of calories that are needed by their body. This article is all about calculating the combination of wet and dry dog food, so let’s move forward!
Why mix dry and wet food?
The first question that pops up is why do you have to go for mixing the two kinds of foods that are seemingly so different? Well, the answer to this is very simple. Both foods are completely different. Dry foods are known to be dry and have dental benefits related to the chewing process. Similarly, wet foods are known to have high moisture content which helps your dog stay hydrated throughout the day. For this reason, to enjoy the perks of both foods, dog owners opt for combining both of them.
Balanced diet for your dog:
Creating a balanced diet for your dog is also an important reason for mixing two completely different foods. I personally take this step very importantly and based on my own experiences, I will advise you to do the same. Both of the foods are known to have different properties. For instance, wet dog foods are known to have high protein content, and thus, pet owners opt for mixing their dog’s dry food with wet, so they can make their dog enjoy the benefits of wet food as well.
Enhanced taste:
Sometimes, the behavior of the pets reflects that they are getting bored because of the same type of food every day. To break that pattern, owners often opt for transitioning their dogs towards mixed foods. This not only provides them with new and enhanced tastes but also creates a sense of adventure and experimentation among them.
Cost:
Wet food is known to be costly compared to dry dog food. So, pet owners who cannot afford full wet food meals, often opt for food combinations. This way they have less burden on their budget and at the same time, they can provide their pets with the benefits of wet food.
Finding the right balance
The first thing that you should be aware of is that creating a balance of different foods completely revolves around the calorie amount. You just have to be aware of the calories needed by your dog every day. After that, you can divide the foods according to the required calories. However, you should take your dog’s inclination into account as well. Try to give them the food they love in a better amount compared to the others. Only this way you can find the right combination of food.
Mixing wet and dry dog food calculator
Let’s move towards our actual topic of discussion now. A food calculator tells you about the right amount of food that is required by your dog’s body. Of course, several factors are taken into account. However, the results then totally rely on the amount of needed calories.
The calorie chart
A caloric chart tells you about the number of calories needed by your dog every day. You can calculate the calories yourself as well, but here I will provide you with a basic chart that tells about the daily calorie requirements of your dog. Let’s have a look!
The ratios for wet and dry food:
Now that you are aware of the needed calories, let’s just divide the foods according to the calorie amounts. There are two basic divisions that most of the pet owners follow.
50/50 ratio:
The 50/50 division refers to the equal division of both wet and dry dog food. For instance, if the supposed needed calories by your dog are 1000 calories per day, you should be feeding them a diet that has wet food equal to 500 calories and dry food that is also equal to 500 calories. This is the most common combination used by pet owners and thus, provides their pets with equal benefits from both foods.
25/75 ratio:
The 25/75 division is needed when you have to feed one food type more than the other. It is more like 3/4th of the total food constitutes one food type and the 1/4th part makes the other part. It depends on you and your dog’s needs and which food is required the most. For instance, you have to feed your dog with more wet food. The amount of wet food based on 1000 calorie diet, will have 750 calories and the rest of the 250 calories will constitute the dry dog food.
The chart based on calories of foods.
This is another way of knowing about your dog’s food requirements. You just have to look at the given food amounts in grams. The table is calculated based on several important factors such as your dog’s weight.
How many times should you feed your dog in a day?
Feeding your dog depends on your dog’s metabolism and appetite. Their weight control is also taken into account. Most of the dog owners feed their dogs twice a day. Some opt for feeding their dogs 3 to 4 times daily. However, you have to first find out the daily calories required by your dog’s body. After that, you have to divide the calories into meals. For instance,
Supposed needed calories = 1000 calories per day.
Meals required = 2 meals per day.
The caloric amount for each meal = 500 calories per meal.
Should you free-feed your dog?
Well, for some dogs it might be an ideal option but not for all. If you have an active dog, you can calculate their needed calories and leave out the food so that they keep grazing throughout the day. There is a possibility that they won’t overeat. However, for most of the dogs, this is not the case. So, you have to follow a proper time-feeding pattern for them.
What time of the day should you feed your dog?
The times of the day depend on how often you feed your pet. If you are feeding them twice a day, you have to set their meal times between the intervals of 8 to 12 hours, every day. You should feed them at the same time you have your breakfast and dinner. For instance, the first meal should be fed between 8 to 9 AM, and the second should be at 7 pm.
How you should serve the wet and dry food together?
If your dog is a fan of both foods, you can first put the dry food and then leave the wet food on top of it. This way they will eat it. However, some owners go for this combination only because their dogs aren’t eating dry food. In this case, you can mix the dry food with the wet food so that all of it appears wet. Again, this is a matter of one’s preferences.
Mistakes to avoid
There are some instructions that you have to follow while mixing two different foods. I follow the tables thoroughly but I try to make any changes, very slowly. Based on my research, I have gathered some major instructions for you.
- You should never neglect the dietary requirements for your pet. The factors that affect the requirements of your dog are very important and you are supposed to take them seriously. Always calculate their needed calories according to those factors.
- Whenever you have to make any significant changes, for instance, you are going to mix dry and wet food for the first time, it is better if you consult a vet first.
- Make sure that the brands you have chosen for both of the foods are of good quality and have a great reputation. This way, your dog will be able to get the required nutrients, in a much better way.
- Avoid any kind of abrupt changes to your dog’s diet. Especially when you are trying to mix two foods for the very first time, it’s better to go slowly. Many pets face diarrhoea during the transition period which can go away over time. However, it is important to stay connected with a professional during this time.
- According to surveys, more than 50 percent of the dogs in UK have to face obesity. This is a big problem that needs awareness. So, whenever you are calculating your dog’s food, you must be calculating the right amount of food. This way there won’t be any negative impact on their health.
- Never ignore the allergies and sensitivities of your dog. Even if you have everything calculated and have all the right portions, look for the symptoms of allergies and sensitivities and immediately cease feeding if found any. You can also look for hypoallergenic foods in such cases.
- Never overlook the hydration needs of your dogs. Some pet owners think that if they have mixed wet foods with dry foods, their pup won’t need much water. This is a false concept. They still need fresh water in the same amount so make sure that they are staying hydrated.
Final words
To conclude, I will say that whenever you are trying to mix two foods, keep your dog’s personal preferences into account and make sure that you are calculating the right amount. Do not exceed or go lower than the right amount of food. Only then you can make a healthy difference in your pet’s life.
