More and more dog owners are starting to realise the benefits of raw feeding—but switching to a fully raw diet isn’t always practical. Whether it’s the cost, the freezer space, or the hassle when travelling, feeding raw exclusively doesn’t work for everyone. That’s where mixed feeding comes in.
Mixed feeding—combining raw food with kibble—is a great way to give your dog the health benefits of raw, while keeping the convenience of dry food. But while it sounds straightforward, there are a few important things to consider to make sure your dog stays healthy and gets everything it needs.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the benefits of mixed feeding, how to do it safely, what to look for in a kibble that pairs well with raw food, and how to plan and balance your dog’s meals. Whether you’re just starting to explore raw feeding or want to improve your dog’s current diet, this article will help you make informed, practical choices.
Why should I feed my dog a mixed diet?
A raw diet is the most natural and beneficial way to feed your dog. From puppy to senior, raw food supports healthy digestion, promotes a shinier coat, strengthens the immune system, and helps maintain lean muscle mass. It also provides essential nutrients in their most bioavailable form, meaning your dog can absorb them more efficiently.
However, feeding a fully raw diet isn’t always practical. Cost, freezer space, time constraints, and convenience can all be factors that make it difficult to commit to 100% raw feeding. In such cases, introducing raw food alongside high-quality kibble is a great alternative. Even feeding raw food part-time allows your dog to benefit from improved digestion, better nutrient absorption, and a healthier gut microbiome.
Digestion issues with mixed feeding
There is a lot of misinformation about mixing raw food with kibble, with claims that it disrupts digestion or alters stomach acidity. However, scientific evidence shows that a dog's stomach pH remains stable regardless of diet. Whether a dog eats raw food, kibble, or a combination of both, the stomach maintains the highly acidic environment needed to break down food effectively.
While stomach pH is unaffected, diet does have a significant impact on the gut microbiome—the community of bacteria in the intestines that plays a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health. Scientific studies have shown that diets high in starch and processed carbohydrates (such as many kibble formulas) promote the growth of bacteria linked to inflammation and digestive issues. In contrast, raw food supports a healthier microbiome by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria that aid digestion and strengthen the immune system.
By incorporating raw food into your dog’s diet, even alongside kibble, you help maintain a better balance in the gut microbiome. This can lead to improved digestion, firmer stools, and better nutrient absorption. However, the quality of the kibble you choose plays an essential role in making mixed feeding as beneficial as possible.
Which type of kibble is best to mix with raw?
Not all kibble is created equal, and when combining it with raw food, choosing the right type is essential. The nutritional composition of kibble can either complement or counteract the benefits of raw feeding. Here’s what to look for when choosing kibble for mixed feeding.
High in animal proteins
Protein is the most important nutrient in your dog’s diet. It provides essential amino acids necessary for muscle maintenance, immune function, and overall health. Many commercial kibbles contain a mix of animal and plant-based proteins, but plant proteins (such as pea protein) have starch as the other main ingredient, which are less useful than the fat from animal based proteins. The only exception is potato protein. So kibbles with animal proteins combined with potato protein is also a good choice of kibble.
Unlike raw food, which supports beneficial gut bacteria, excessive starch can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria, potentially compromising the immune system. Since pet food manufacturers are not always required to disclose starch content, a good rule of thumb is that if the kibble contains at least 30% protein from high-quality animal sources, the starch level is likely within an acceptable range.
To ensure the protein quality is high, check the ingredients list. The first ingredients should be fresh or dehydrated meat or fish, not vague terms like “animal derivatives” or “meat meal”. Meat meals, bone meals, and feather meals are often lower-quality protein sources that lack the nutritional value of fresh ingredients. Ideally, the kibble should contain 100% fresh or dehydrated meat and fish as the primary protein source.
Low in carbohydrates
Dogs thrive on a diet rich in animal proteins and fats, with minimal reliance on carbohydrates. While they can digest carbohydrates, they don’t require them as an essential nutrient. Many kibble formulas, however, contain a high percentage of carbohydrates, often as a cost-effective filler. Excessive carbohydrates can lead to blood sugar spikes, weight gain, and an imbalance in the gut microbiome.
As a rule of thumb, kibble that contains at least 30% high-quality animal protein typically does not contain excessive amounts of carbohydrates. Ideally, choose a kibble with as low a carbohydrate content as possible, ensuring that most of its nutritional value comes from high-quality animal proteins and fats rather than plant-based fillers.
Healthy fats and oils
Fat is an essential nutrient that provides energy and supports joint, skin and coat health. However, the type of fat used in kibble matters. Some plant-based oils, such as sunflower oil and rapeseed oil, contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which can contribute to inflammation if not balanced with omega-3 fatty acids.
Furthermore, omega-3 from vegetable oils, first have to be converted by your dog's body before it can be used. This process is not efficient, so very little of the omega-3 is actually used. Fish oil, especially that from wild-caught fish, contains directly usable omega-3 fatty acids that the body absorbs and uses without difficulty.
For the best results, choose kibble that contains animal-based fats, such as fish oil or poultry fat, rather than relying on plant oils. These animal-based fats provide a more natural balance of omega-6 fatty acids and directly usable omega-3, promoting better skin, coat, and joint health.
Preparation process
The way kibble is processed has a significant impact on its nutritional value. Most traditional kibble is made using extrusion, a high-temperature process that cooks the ingredients under extreme heat and pressure. While this makes the food shelf-stable, it also destroys many natural vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, reducing its overall nutritional quality.
A better alternative is cold-pressed kibble, which is processed at much lower temperatures. This helps preserve more nutrients and beneficial compounds, making it a better match for raw food. When choosing kibble to mix with raw, look for brands that use gentler cooking methods to retain as much natural nutrition as possible.
However, the quality of the kibble is primarily determined by its high percentage of animal protein and low levels of starch and sugar (digestible carbohydrates), rather than whether it is cold-pressed or extruded. While opting for a less processed kibble can be beneficial, it should never come at the expense of selecting one with the right macronutrient balance.
Complete nutrition
When feeding a mixed diet, it’s essential that both the raw food and kibble provide a complete and balanced nutritional profile. If either food lacks essential nutrients, your dog may develop deficiencies over time.
A complete diet contains the right balance of protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals to support overall health. When selecting food, check that it is labelled as ‘complete’ rather than ‘complementary’ or ‘supplementary’—these latter types are not designed to be a sole food source and may lack vital nutrients.
Ensuring that both the raw and kibble components of your dog’s mixed diet are complete will help maintain their long-term health and well-being.
Other Factors to Consider
Once you have found a few kibble brands that meet the essential criteria, there are a few additional factors that can help refine your choice.
Keep an eye on the quality of ingredients. Kibble made with natural, minimally processed ingredients is always preferable to one that relies on synthetic additives, artificial preservatives, and highly processed sources. Natural ingredients not only provide better digestibility but also retain more of their original nutrients, supporting overall health and wellbeing.
Additionally, consider choosing a kibble that is locally sourced and regulated under strict European pet food standards. Dutch and European regulations often ensure higher quality control and ingredient transparency.
By focusing on high animal protein content, low carbohydrates and healthy fats and oils, you can select a kibble that works well alongside a raw diet, ensuring your dog gets the best of both worlds.
Mixed feeding meal plan
When incorporating raw food into your dog’s diet, consistency and balance are key. The goal is to provide the benefits of raw nutrition while maintaining a practical feeding routine that suits both you and your dog.
How much raw food should you feed?
To truly experience the benefits of raw feeding, it’s important to feed a minimum of 30-50% raw food in your dog’s diet. This ensures that your dog regularly receives fresh, natural nutrients that support digestion and overall health. The more raw food your dog eats, the greater the impact on gut health, nutrient absorption, and overall vitality.
Should you mix kibble and raw in the same meal?
While it is possible to mix kibble and raw food in one meal, it is generally better to feed them as separate meals. This is because kibble and raw food digest at different rates—raw food is processed more efficiently, whereas kibble takes longer to break down. Feeding them together could increase the risk of stomach discomfort in some dogs.
When to feed raw and when to feed kibble
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to timing, but it’s best to consider both your dog’s needs and your own routine. Most people have more time in the evening, making it easier to handle raw food preparation at the end of the day. However, if you have an active dog, such as a hunting or working breed, feeding raw in the morning may be more beneficial, as it provides a more natural energy source without unnecessary fillers.
How often to feed raw
To maintain the digestive benefits of raw food, it is essential to feed raw at least five days per week. This helps the digestive system stay accustomed to processing raw food efficiently. Sporadic or inconsistent feeding can reduce the benefits, as the gut microbiome thrives on routine.
Stick to a consistent feeding strategy
Regardless of how you structure mixed feeding, the most important rule is consistency. Avoid frequent changes in feeding patterns, as dogs do best with a stable routine. Sticking to a clear and predictable schedule helps maintain digestive health, nutrient absorption, and overall wellbeing.
How to balance raw food and kibble?
The right balance between raw food and kibble depends on your dog’s daily caloric needs and the ratio of raw to kibble you choose. Every dog is different, and factors such as breed, age, weight, activity level, and metabolism all play a role in determining the right amount of food. To ensure your dog gets the correct amount of calories, you can use our calculator, where you’ll find tailored nutritional advice according to your dog’s specific needs.
Calculating the right amount of raw and kibble
Once you know the total daily calorie requirement, you can divide it according to your chosen ratio of raw and kibble.
Let’s look at an example of a dog needing 500 calories per day:
If you choose a 60% raw and 40% kibble ratio, then:
- 60% of 500 calories = 300 calories from raw food
- 40% of 500 calories = 200 calories from kibble
To determine how much of each food to feed, check the caloric content per gram on the packaging of both the raw food and kibble. This will help you measure the correct portion sizes for both foods.
Wolfork raw dog food
Wolfork raw dog food is easy to combine with other foods, making it a great choice for mixed feeding. Our frozen burgers are conveniently portioned, so you can defrost only what you need. Whether you feed raw daily or just a few times a week, Wolfork makes it simple to add fresh, natural ingredients to your dog’s diet.
Our recipes are carefully put together by experts in canine nutrition, using 100% natural, whole ingredients without artificial additives or synthetic vitamins. We believe in keeping things pure and unprocessed, ensuring your dog gets all the nutrients it needs from high-quality meats, vegetables, fruits, and wild-caught fish oil.
If you're considering mixed feeding, Wolfork raw food is a practical and nutritious option. Visit our shop to learn more and find the right meals for your dog.
Dr. Tor Mikael Lassén
Mikael is a nutritional scientist from Finland and has been professionally involved in raw animal nutrition full-time since 1994.
He writes informative articles about dog nutrition to inform owners about the influence of nutrition on the well-being of their pet.