When you have a dog in your care, it’s normal to want to make them feel comfortable and safe, especially when it comes to food. That’s why many people who live with dogs wonder what to mix dog food with to ensure more complete, healthy, and tasty nutrition.
Can you mix kibble with homemade food? With water? What about milk? In this article, we will clear up all the doubts about what to mix dog food with to make your furry companion happier and healthier.
Why is dog food mixed?
Kibble is a very dry food, with very little water, and it makes dogs very thirsty. For this reason, it is always recommended to serve it with a good bowl of water on the side so your dog can drink.
Although this is the usual practice, there are some occasions where it is recommended to mix kibble with water or some other addition such as homemade food:
- Puppies sometimes have difficulty eating kibble, so in these cases it is recommended to mix it with water to soften it. However, you also have options on the market specifically designed for these situations such as Onlyfresh puppy food. Natural and hypoallergenic, it provides all the necessary nutrients for a dog to be happy and healthy in the first stage of its life.
- If your dog drinks a lot of water after eating kibble it may be a sign that the food is too dry. Drinking too much water at once can upset a dog’s stomach, so it would be better to mix it into the kibble.
- When a dog has vomited or suffered from diarrhea, they will be more dehydrated than usual. Mixing kibble with water is a good way to ensure our furry friend is hydrated.
- Sometimes some dogs find kibble more appetizing when it’s moistened with warm water or even broth, since its flavor and smell change.
- Kibble is quite hard, and many dogs with dental problems or mouth injuries struggle to eat it. Therefore, soaking it in water is a good option to make chewing easier.
Kibble should not be left soaking in water for more than 30 minutes. First, because it will soften so much that it becomes mush, and second, because if exposed to air, it can attract insects and spoil.
Now that you understand why we mix kibble with something else, let’s explain what to mix dog food with. Keep reading.
What to mix dog food with?
Most of the previous cases can be solved simply by adding water to kibble, but maybe your problem is different, and you’re wondering what to mix dog food with. If your dog doesn’t like kibble and you want to mix it with some new food, you may not know which ones are healthy for your dog and which ones aren’t.
Here are a few options for mixing kibble to solve this problem:
- Mixing kibble with homemade food is not a good option since their digestibility and fermentation are completely different. This can cause anything from mild flatulence to serious digestive problems, so it’s best to keep the two separate.
- Fruits and vegetables provide plenty of vitamins, water, and essential minerals to your furry friend, but the best way is to mix them with crushed kibble, since kibble digestibility is much slower.
- Mixing kibble with warm chicken or vegetable broth can make its smell and flavor much more appealing.
If you’re interested in these dog nutrition tips, we invite you to check out Onlyfresh dog food. This hypoallergenic, natural, and complete food is made with 100% fresh meat or fish, without meat meals, and with the best natural ingredients such as cranberries, carrots, or pumpkin.
