Can I Feed Kibble and Raw Food Together?
Short answer, yes! There is a lot of conflicting information out there when it comes to this question, so it’s no wonder it’s one of the most common questions I am asked.
What's The Problem With Feeding Kibble And Raw Food Together?
The main potential problem is that kibble (dry pet food) is a starch product. Even grain-free kibble is still a starch-based product. Starch based products are digested one way, whereas raw meat, as a protein, is digested another way.
Why does that matter? When these are fed together, they hit the stomach at the same time and can cause digestive issues for your beloved pet. They clash within the stomach and can cause gas, burping or farting - not ideal!
Although many people who discover the raw diet love the idea of a healthier alternative to feed their pets, we understand that there can be many reasons for continued ‘mix feeding’ of both options. Things like budget, convenience or even concern that their pet may be missing out on something within kibble can all play a part.
If this applies to you and you are wanting to continue feeding kibble along with a fresh food diet to your pet, we at Raw & Fresh support you! In our opinion, ANY fresh food is better than NONE! Our only suggestion would be to feed the 2 food options at separate meal times, ie kibble in the morning (this gives your pet time to burn off those unwanted calories and preservatives) and then preservative-free Raw & Fresh in the evenings to help them settle in for a long restful night sleep. Our guide to on how much to feed a dog will help you determine what amounts of raw food to feed your dog based on their age and weight.
Check out www.rawandfresh.com.au for more information about mixed feeding of kibble and raw diets and how we can help.