Mixed feeding: combining chunks and meat

Feeding meat—wet food or meat sausages—is now a common part of the diet for dogs and cats. Many owners see meat as a tasty treat, which raises the question of whether mixing it with kibble (mixed feeding) is a good idea. You often hear that kibble floats in the stomach and that adding meat disrupts digestion. There are stories that meat and kibble don't work well together in the stomach, and that only pressed kibble works? This requires some clear facts. The idea that kibble floats and meat sinks is incorrect and has no effect on digestion. The stomach has a low pH that easily digests both meat and kibble, regardless of their properties. Compare it to a meal of meat and vegetables: they also pass through the stomach together. In short: combining kibble and meat is usually not a problem. The stomach pH drops sufficiently during digestion, and there's no "floating or sinking." The stomach is an active organ that continuously mixes and digests everything. Mixing meat—wet food or meat-based food, perhaps with supplementary food—with kibble is perfectly fine, unless the dog or cat doesn't do well on it. It's a matter of trial and error. Some people choose kibble in the morning, which provides stable energy throughout the day, and meat in the evening. Meat—wet food or meat sausages—digests quickly, so the dog or cat doesn't get full as quickly and there's less chance of regurgitation.

Mixed feeding, both dry food (kibble) and wet food with or without additional products such as fats, oils or herbs, offers several advantages:

• Better digestion
  The fiber in both dry and wet food maintains intestinal balance and promotes healthy gut flora. The high moisture content prevents hard, dry stools.
• Tastier for picky eaters
  Wet food smells stronger and more intense. Mixing it with kibble makes the meal more appealing to picky dogs, making it easier for them to eat everything.
• More fluid, healthier bladder
  Wet food contains a lot of water, so your dog will automatically drink more. This dilutes the urine and reduces the risk of bladder grit or stones.
• Feel full faster, without extra calories
  Wet food consists of 75-80% moisture. Your dog will feel full faster, but won't consume more energy – ideal for maintaining a healthy weight.
• Preventing food intolerances and allergies
  Feeding too much of a single type of food can increase the risk of food intolerances and allergies in your pet. By offering a variety of protein sources (from different animal species), you can help prevent intolerances and allergic reactions. Furthermore, variety in the diet can reduce the likelihood of selective eating, where your dog or cat avoids certain foods.
• Mental stimulation
  Variety in your pet's diet can also contribute to their mental stimulation. Dogs and cats are naturally curious and find different textures, tastes, and smells appealing. Regularly changing their food keeps it interesting and challenging, which prevents boredom.
• Dietary enrichment
  In addition to regular meals, dogs and cats can benefit from additional nutritional products. These natural supplements can be given to enrich your pet's diet. Examples include dried treats to maintain healthy teeth and prevent plaque, or vegetable mixes for added nutrients.
  

Observation
While variety in the diet has many benefits, it's crucial to implement changes gradually, especially for pets prone to gastrointestinal issues or with food allergies. Add new ingredients gradually and monitor your pet's reactions.

Combine
When combining kibble (dry food) with wet food, e.g. via their lick mat or feeder and possibly with meat products together with oils, sheep fat bonbons, herbs and tablets , You do need to calculate how much of each food type you need. For a pet dog that gets about an hour of exercise in addition to playing, we recommend calculating this amount accurately using kcal/kg.

The FEDIAF (European Feed Industry Federation) has established nutritional guidelines that manufacturers of commercial dog food must comply with. According to the Nutritional Guidelines for Complementary Pet Food for Dogs and Cats, an average dog has the following energy requirements, calculated as kcal × (body weight in kg) ^0.75

Energy requirements based on age:

• Senior dogs (>7 years): 95 kcal × (weight) ^0.75
• Adult dogs (3–7 years): 110 kcal × (weight) ^0.75
• Young adult dogs (1–2 years): 130 kcal × (weight) ^0.75

Energy requirements adjusted to activity level:
The two main factors that influence energy needs are age and activity. Here's how to adjust based on exercise intensity and duration:

These formulas are guidelines. For mixed feeding (e.g., kibble + fresh meat/wet food), you should calculate the total kcal intake per day and divide it among the different food types, taking their energy density into account.

Then the number of kilocalories: metabolizable value (of the product) x 1000 = amount of food.

Don't hesitate to adjust these quantities according to the circumstances!

For more information, email info@bfpetfood.nl or use the contact page.