Dried and canned food. May foods be mixed?
It is normal to give dry food to dogs and cats. Sometimes, however, the owners like to spoil their pets a little with a treat and give them canned food. May these foods be mixed and how to do it correctly? Read our recommendations.
What is the difference?
Both dry and canned food has a number of various advantages both for the pets and their owners. For example, dry food has a longer storage period after opening of the packaging. Moreover, it is cheaper than canned food. Another advantage is that the texture of granules of dry food is important for improvement of the dogs’ and cats’ gum condition, as it might help remove dental plaque and calculus.
Meanwhile, canned food is characterised by a stronger flavour and aroma, and thus, is often preferred by picky eaters. The wet and smooth texture is ensured by a high quantity of moisture, which offers a higher intake of water by pets. Commonly, such food texture is more acceptable for young dogs and cats beginning to discover delicious bites of food. Besides, small cans are easy to take along on a journey with a pet.
What is the best way to mix foods?
Mixing foods is recommended when a pet is a picky eater. When dry and canned foods are mixed together, the products will have a stronger smell and become more attractive for your pet. It will trigger a pet’s appetite, so you can be sure that the bowl will be empty without preference to a particular type of food.
When you decide to change the feeding habits of your pet, do it gradually. Always mix the new food with the old one, gradually increasing the amount of the new and reducing the quantity of the old food. Thus, if you decide to mix dry and canned foods, begin with a small amount, increasing it daily until you reach the preferred ratio.
You do not need to mix the foods at every single feeding. You can always choose to separate the day feedings – dry food in the morning and canned food in the evening, or vice versa. In this case, it is still better to introduce the new food gradually by mixing. After the pet is used to the change, choose the preferred feeding method.
Do not overfeed!
If you decide to mix different types of food, do not forget to reduce the dry food portion by the amount of canned food that will be added. Otherwise, the risk of obesity will increase. Therefore, it is very important to comply with the feeding instructions indicated on the packaging without exceeding the total quantity.
Choose the same type of canned food to mix with dry food. For example, if you feed your pet with dry food with salmon, add the canned food of the same flavour. It is also recommended to choose dry and canned foods of the same manufacturer. This allows to ensure that the ingredients are the same or very similar, and they will not cause any undesirable digestive disorders.
If you are concerned about your pet’s condition, prior to changing the feeding habits, consult a veterinarian.
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