Homemade dog food mixed with kibble sounds like a healthier option. Not so fast. There are a few things to consider before we go too far with this idea.
But let’s back up for just a second, shall we? What is homemade dog food mixed with kibble anyway?
It sounds exactly like store-bought kibble that’s been combined with homemade dog food. You start to see the problem when you consider the proportions of each.
For example, if you take one cup of cooked brown rice and mix it with two cups of cooked ground beef, you’ve got homemade dog food mixed with kibble. The rice is the homemade dog food; the beef is the kibble.
Homemade dog food mixed with kibble
Homemade dog food mixed with kibble is considered a raw diet, but it’s not. It’s simply a homemade version of a commercial pet food diet.
Unfortunately, the amount of kibble in the diet will not be small. You’re talking about a mixture that contains about 60% or so kibble, with the other 40% being homemade dog food. (Numbers will vary depending on what recipe you use.)
Just take a look at the feeding instructions on the back of your bag of kibble. Regardless of what brand you buy this food from, the instructions on the back of the bag will be pretty similar.
What is homemade dog food?
Homemade dog food is just what it sounds like. It’s food created in your kitchen, either by hand or by a machine such as a blender.
Homemade dog food is nutritional and complete, containing all of your dog’s nutrients.
Most homemade dog foods are also grain-free in this modern age of grain over-processing and its results on human health.
What is kibble?
Kibble is the general name given to dry food packaged in cute little square shapes. It’s made from more than one ingredient, but the main ingredient is always kibble.
There are several different kinds of kibble on the market. Corn, wheat, and other grains are the main ingredients in kibble.
A recent survey of dog owners revealed that approximately 90% of dog owners feed their dogs a commercial pet food diet.
Most dog food is made from meat or meat by-products cooked with some grain such as wheat or corn.
In short, kibble is the ultimate processed doggy food.
How to mix kibble with homemade dog food?
Mixing ways are given below:
1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl using your hands.
2. Start with characteristically wet ingredients (fruits and vegetables) first, then add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly.
3. You may want to use a small bowl to mix up some meatballs for your dog to eat right away and then freeze the rest for later use. (If you’re not sure about freezing homemade dog food, refer to this previous post .)
4. It’s best to use a non-metal bowl, as metal can taint the taste of the food.
5. Mix up your dog’s food daily and refrigerate it if you have any left.
6. Before feeding your dog, make sure that all the ingredients are completely thawed or cooked, as the addition of a frozen or undercooked hot dog can cause problems for your pup.
7. Know that homemade dog food mixed with kibble will never be the same as a 100% homemade doggy diet.
Homemade dog food mixed with kibble is not considered a raw diet, although it does contain raw ingredients.
How long should I wait to feed after mixing?
It depends on what kind of kibble you’re feeding. If your kibble is the kind that has an extended life span, you can mix it and serve it within about 15 minutes.
If you have a more fresh kibble, wait about an hour. Either way, it’s perfectly safe to serve your dog this homemade dog food mixture immediately after mixing.
Benefits of mixed kibble with homemade dog food
1. It’s easy, convenient, and less expensive than making your dog food.
2. It helps you cut down on the amount of commercial pet food your dog eats.
3. Homemade dog food provides a healthy and nutritious alternative to kibble alone.
4. Homemade dog food mixed with kibble can be made from human-grade ingredients.
5. Homemade dog food mixed with kibble is free of those pesky pet fillers and preservatives found in packaged foods.
6. Feeding homemade dog food mixed with kibble is better for your dog’s health than feeding a diet of 100% kibble alone.
7. When you add homemade dog food to the commercial kibble, it helps to make the commercial food last longer.
Drawbacks of mixed kibble with homemade dog food
1. If you are not careful, you’ll feed your dog a diet that is almost entirely commercial pet food. A 60/40 ratio of homemade dog food to kibble still leaves 60% of your dog’s diet as commercial pet food.
2. Dogs have different metabolisms, and dietary needs than humans do- we cannot simply eat the same foods in the same amounts our dogs need.
3. The nutritional content of mixed kibble with homemade dog food will not be the same as a 100% homemade diet.
4. Mixed kibble with homemade dog food will have minimal to no impact on your pet’s coat or skin.
5. Mixing homemade dog food with commercial pet food may be less nutritious than a pure homemade diet.
6. You will have to purchase more commercial pet food than you might need to feed your dog properly.
7. Some dogs can have trouble digesting homemade dog food mixed with kibble.
8. Some ingredients contain too large of a percentage of wheat, corn, and other grains to be very unhealthy for your dog.
Can I give my dog homemade food every day?
Yes.
You should know that some dogs can have digestive problems or allergies from homemade dog food.
You should consider introducing homemade dog food slowly over several weeks to see if your dog has any adverse reaction to it.
Start with a small handful of homemade dog food and mix it into the kibble. Increase the amount very gradually so your puppy or dog doesn’t have adverse reactions.
Can I mix kibble with rice?
You don’t mix rice with kibble. Because rice is mainly gluten and is not digested by dogs, adding it to your dog’s diet could cause digestive problems and potential allergic reactions.
Can I thaw frozen kibble in the microwave?
Yes, you can. Just make sure that you do not microwave the kibble too long; 30-second bursts should be enough.
Can I mix chicken with kibble?
Yes.
You can mix kibble with chicken. The key is to avoid feeding your dog unprocessed chicken because certain parts of the chicken could cause digestive issues for your dog if eaten in large portions.
Chicken meat should be processed and cooked before feeding to a dog.
Can you mix kibble with chicken and rice?
You can mix kibble with chicken and rice, but you should not feed the mixture to your dog for too long.
The mixture of kibble with chicken and rice can cause problems for your dog’s skin and coat if you feed it for too long.
This mixture could also have some adverse effects on your dog’s health in the long run.
Conclusion
Mixing kibble with homemade dog food can be a convenient way to feed your dog a homemade diet without spending too much time making the food yourself. Remember, there is a difference between “homemade” and “homemade.”
After all, kibble is processed by pet food companies and has been designed to meet the dietary requirements of dogs.
A homemade diet can be healthier for your dog since it’s made with fresh ingredients that you choose.
It is up to you to decide if you will use kibble as a base for your dog’s diet or if you will make your own completely homemade food.
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
