Can I mix farmer s dog food with kibble
My Vet is so against Farmers Dog. I finally agreed to kibble.
Most DVMs recommend kibble because that's what they are taught in school.
There are good quality kibbles and a lot of really poor quality kibbles. There are a lot of DVMs that recommend a raw food diet. There are others that recommend home cook.
I've fed all of my dogs kibble and have learned that most all of them are full of filler. When my dog got cancer, I was encouraged to switch to raw, which I did. After about 18 months of that, I got tired of the stench.
I asked my TCVM (traditional Chinese veterinary medicine) DVM to make up some recipes for him. She has a great understanding of which meats and veggies are best for my dog and his illness. She created five recipes for me to cook up. Each meal gets supplemented with a powdered supplement.
balance.it
I cook large batches of each, then divide them up into meals, by weight (calories). With cancer, you want your dog lean, so his daily caloric intake is less than that of an active, healthy dog.
Can You Mix Farmers Dog with Kibble? The Answer May Surprise You
Introduction
When it comes to feeding dogs, pet owners have two main options: kibble (dry food) or fresh food. Kibble is the traditional and most popular choice. Its affordable, convenient, and has a long shelf life. However, there are some drawbacks. Kibble is highly processed which can diminish nutrients. The extrusion process used to make kibble destroys natural enzymes. Some dogs dont digest kibble well. Fresh dog food has become a popular alternative. It contains raw or lightly cooked natural ingredients. Fresh food retains more nutrients compared to kibble. Its also more appetizing and digestible for dogs. However, fresh food can be more expensive and has a short shelf life. It requires proper handling and storage to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth.
What is Farmers Dog?
Farmers Dog is a fresh dog food delivery service that provides customized meal plans for dogs based on their breed, age, activity level, and ideal weight. The company was founded in 2014 with the mission of improving dog health through fresh, human-grade ingredients.
Farmers Dog uses premium meat, vegetables, and supplements to create balanced recipes personalized for each dog. The ingredients arrive pre-portioned and ready to serve. All of the meat and produce comes from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved sources.
The food contains no fillers, artificial preservatives, or by-products. Farmers Dog uses gentle cooking techniques like simmering and steaming to retain nutrients. The recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and contain added vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids.
Customers input details about their dog into an online quiz to receive optimized meal plans shipped fresh to their door. The service is available nationwide in the continental U.S.
What is Kibble?
Kibble is a type of dry dog food made by extruding and baking ingredients into hard, crunchy pieces DEFINITION HERE. It typically contains cereal grains, meat meals, vegetables, and flavorings. Kibble is designed to provide balanced nutrition and be convenient for pet owners to store and serve.
Some pros of kibble include:
- Easy to measure out portions
- Does not require refrigeration
- Less expensive than canned food
- Helps clean teeth and reduce tartar
Some cons of kibble include:
- Can be less palatable than wet food
- Contains more carbohydrates and less moisture
- May be linked to bloat in some breeds
- May contain grain fillers and artificial preservatives
Benefits of Mixing
Mixing raw food and kibble can provide some benefits for dogs. Here are a few of the main advantages:
Nutritional completeness By mixing raw food with kibble, you can help ensure your dog gets a nutritionally balanced diet. Kibble contains added vitamins and minerals, while raw food provides enzymes and other nutrients. Combining them helps cover all the nutritional bases (1).
Familiarity for picky eaters Some dogs who are used to eating kibble may be hesitant to switch completely to raw. Mixing a small amount of raw into their kibble can help them get used to the new food. Gradually transitioning is easier on their digestive system too (2).
Cost savings Raw diets can be expensive, especially for large dogs. Mixing some kibble into the raw food can help lower the overall cost while still allowing your dog to benefit from raw nutrients (3).
Sources:(1) https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/canine-nutrition/raw-kibble-mix/(2) https://www.wefeedraw.com/blog/can-you-mix-raw-food-with-kibble-yes(3) https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/can-you-mix-raw-dog-food-with-kibble/
Downsides of Mixing
Despite the potential benefits, there are some downsides to mixing farmers dog with kibble that pet owners should be aware of:
Inconsistent Texture Kibble and fresh food like farmers dog have very different textures. This inconsistent texture can be confusing for some dogs and may cause them to reject the food. Its best to transition slowly when mixing the two.
Different Digestibility Kibble and fresh food digest at different rates. Kibble digests slower while fresh foods like farmers dog digest quicker. This can lead to digestive upsets if not transitioned properly. Its best to separate feeding times for kibble and farmers dog.
Nutrient Imbalances Both kibble and farmers dog aim to provide complete and balanced nutrition on their own. But when mixed, you can end up with nutrient imbalances if calcium and phosphorus levels are not properly accounted for. It takes careful calculation to mix the two while ensuring nutritional needs are met.
Transitioning from Kibble
Transitioning your dog from kibble to a fresh food diet like Farmers Dog requires some care to avoid digestive upset. Experts like The Canine Health Nut recommend doing it gradually over 4-7 days (source). On day 1, replace 25% of your dogs kibble with the fresh food. On day 2, replace 50%. On day 3, replace 75%. Then on day 4 or later, you can fully transition to 100% fresh food.
Monitor your dogs stool during this process. Loose stool or diarrhea can be a sign you are switching too fast. If this happens, go back to the previous ratio for a day or two. Then continue gradually decreasing kibble while increasing fresh food. How much to feed depends on your dogs weight, activity level, and caloric needs. Consult your vet or The Farmers Dog feeding guidelines.
Some experts suggest a 24 hour fast before starting fresh food, to give the digestive system a reset (source). However, this may not be suitable for all dogs. Go slowly and adjust as needed during the transition to keep your dog comfortable.
Recipe Ideas
When mixing The Farmers Dog food with kibble, its recommended to start with a 75% kibble and 25% fresh food ratio, and gradually increase the fresh food until it makes up 50-75% of the diet. Some sample recipes include:
Turkey & Veggie Mix:
- 1 cup turkey and vegetable Farmers Dog food
- 1 cup turkey kibble
Chicken & Rice Mix:
- 1.5 cups chicken and rice Farmers Dog food
- 1 cup chicken kibble
For picky eaters, try warming the food slightly to bring out the aromas, adding a spoonful of no-salt broth or low-sodium gravy, or mixing in small amounts of shredded cheese, cooked egg or pumpkin puree.
Storing the Mixture
When mixing kibble with fresh food like The Farmers Dog, proper storage is important to keep the food fresh and safe for your dog to eat. Kibble on its own can last around 3 weeks when stored in an airtight container (Source). However, when mixed with fresh food, the storage time is reduced.
In general, a kibble and fresh food mixture should be stored for no more than 4-5 days in the refrigerator. The fresh food contains moisture that can cause the kibble to spoil more quickly. Storing the mixture in an airtight container in the fridge will help extend its shelf life. But after 4-5 days, its best to discard the old mixture and make a fresh batch.
You can also portion out daily amounts into individual containers to keep in the fridge or freezer. This prevents contamination and makes thawing each meal easier. Just be sure to label each container with the date.
Following proper storage guidelines will help ensure your dog gets the full nutritional benefits from their kibble and fresh food diet.
Signs of Problems
Mixing different types of dog food can sometimes lead to digestive upset like vomiting, diarrhea, or flatulence. According to PetMD, abruptly switching foods or haphazardly mixing foods can negatively impact digestion [1]. Signs of digestive trouble to look out for when mixing kibble and fresh food include:
- Loose stool or diarrhea
- Increased stool frequency
- Gurgling stomach noises
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
These signs tend to occur within 12-24 hours of introducing a new food or mixing foods. If symptoms persist for over 24 hours or seem severe, its best to stop mixing the foods and contact your veterinarian. They can provide advice on transitioning more slowly or recommend medications to soothe your dogs stomach.
The Bottom Line
Overall, there are both pros and cons to mixing kibble with fresh food like Farmers Dog. Some of the potential benefits include providing more variety and nutrients, satisfying different nutritional needs, easing the transition for picky eaters, and lowering costs compared to a full fresh food diet. However, potential downsides are digestive upset from switching foods abruptly, nutritional imbalances from incomplete recipes, teeth and gum issues from lack of chewing hard kibble, and reduced benefits of fresh food when mixed with highly processed kibble.
In general, its best to mix kibble and fresh food during a gradual transition period of 1-2 weeks rather than doing an abrupt switch. Start with 75% kibble mixed with 25% fresh food, and slowly decrease the kibble while increasing fresh portions over 10-14 days. Both foods should meet your dogs unique nutritional needs. Monitor your dogs appetite, energy, weight, coat, stool, and other health markers. Adjust ratios as needed based on your dogs tolerance and health goals. Stick to a consistent schedule rather than switching recipes frequently. Keep an eye out for signs of digestive upset. Overall, mixing can work well when done gradually, but feeding just one or the other may be easier long-term.
Can I mix Farmers Dog food with kibble?
Can I Mix Farmers Dog Food with Kibble?
When it comes to providing the best nutrition for your furry friend, many dog owners wonder if its okay to mix Farmers Dog food with kibble. The answer is yes, you can mix the two types of food, but there are some important factors to consider.
Firstly, its crucial to ensure that your dog is getting a balanced diet no matter what combination of foods you decide to feed them. Farmers Dog food is formulated to provide all of the essential nutrients that your dog needs, so if you do decide to mix it with kibble, make sure that the kibble you choose is high-quality and nutritionally complete. Additionally, bear in mind that the calorie content of the mix should align with your dogs individual needs.
Lastly, keep in mind that introducing new food into your dogs diet should be done gradually to avoid any digestive upset. Slowly transition your dog from their current diet to the new mix of Farmers Dog food and kibble over the course of a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I switch my dog to a new food without a transition period?
A: Its not advisable to switch your dog to a new food abruptly, as this can lead to digestive upset. Gradually transition your dog to the new food over the course of a week to give their system time to adjust.
Q: How do I know if my dog is getting the right nutrients?
A: Its important to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your dog is receiving a well-balanced diet. They can help you determine the appropriate mix of foods for your dogs individual needs.
Q: Are there any risks associated with mixing Farmers Dog food with kibble?
A: As long as the foods are high-quality and nutritionally complete, there are minimal risks associated with mixing Farmers Dog food with kibble. Just be sure to monitor your dogs weight and overall health to ensure that the mix is suitable for them.
