Can you mix farmer s dog with kibble

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 You Mix Farmers Dog With Kibble?

Welcome, pet enthusiasts and puzzled pooch parents! If youve been scratching your head, wondering whether its okay to mix Farmers Dog food with traditional kibble, youve sniffed out the right spot.

Quick Bites: Key Takeaways

• Is Mixing Allowed? Yes, with caution.
• Benefits? Balanced nutrition and gradual transition.
• Risks? Potential digestive upset if not done properly.
• Consultation Needed? Always a good idea to chat with a vet.

The Scoop on Mixing Farmers Dog and Kibble

Farmers Dog has been a game-changer in providing fresh, whole-food meals for dogs, shaking the very foundation of pet nutrition. Kibble, on the other hand, has been the go-to, convenient choice for dog owners for ages. But can these two worlds collide harmoniously in your dogs dinner bowl? Lets dig in.

The Balanced Diet Debate

Mixing Farmers Dog with kibble is like trying to blend a classic rock hit with a modern pop tuneit can work beautifully, but the balance is key. Heres a look at how these diets compare:

Making the Mix: How To Do It Right

Starting Slow

Introduce the new combo gradually, over a period of a week or more, to allow your dogs digestive system to adjust. Start with a ratio of 75% old food (kibble) to 25% new food (Farmers Dog), and gradually shift the balance.

Watching and Learning

Observe your dogs reaction to the new mix. Any signs of digestive distress (like vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive gas) mean you should slow down the transition or reconsider the mix.

Possible Pitfalls: A Word of Caution

While mixing can offer the best of both worlds, its not without its risks. The difference in digestibility between high-quality fresh food and some kibbles can cause stomach upset in sensitive dogs. Plus, the calorie counts and nutritional profiles are quite different, which can lead to over or underfeeding if not carefully managed.

Consulting the Canine Experts

Before making any significant changes to your dogs diet, a chat with your veterinarian is in order. They can provide tailored advice based on your dogs health, age, and nutritional needs.

Tail-End Takeaways

Mixing Farmers Dog with kibble can be a fantastic way to provide your pet with a balanced, nutritious diet. However, its not a one-size-fits-all solution and requires a careful, thoughtful approach. By starting slowly, monitoring your pets health, and consulting with a veterinarian, you can ensure that your furry friend enjoys the best of both worlds.

Remember, every dog is unique, and their dietary needs can vary as much as their personalities. Heres to a happy, healthy, and tail-wagging journey to the perfect pet diet!

Interview with Dr. Barkley, Veterinary Nutritionist

Q: Dr. Barkley, many pet owners are curious about mixing Farmers Dog food with kibble. In your professional opinion, what are the primary considerations they should keep in mind?

A: Absolutely, its a question I encounter frequently. The main thing to remember is that while both foods can offer valuable nutrients, their formulations are based on very different philosophies of pet nutrition. Farmers Dog is akin to a custom-made suit, tailored to meet specific dietary needs with fresh, whole ingredients. Kibble, while convenient and improved in quality over the years, is more of a ready-to-wear garmentit fits a broad range of needs but might not cater to specific dietary requirements as precisely.

When considering mixing, one must evaluate the individual dogs digestive health, any food sensitivities, and their energy requirements. A seamless blend of the two diets requires not just a careful balance of ingredients but an understanding of how these foods metabolize in a dogs body. Fresh foods have higher moisture content and are generally more digestible, leading to better hydration and potentially easier digestion. However, transitioning must be done with a thoughtful approach to avoid gastrointestinal upset.

Q: Theres a lot of talk about the nutritional integrity of fresh dog foods versus kibble. Could you expand on that?

A: Certainly. Fresh dog foods, like those offered by Farmers Dog, typically use whole, human-grade ingredients. This means the proteins, vegetables, and grains are closer to their natural state, retaining more of their original nutrient content. For instance, a piece of whole chicken breast used in fresh food retains more of its amino acids and vitamins through gentle cooking processes compared to the more intense extrusion process kibble undergoes.

Kibble, on the other hand, offers convenience and a longer shelf life due to its low moisture content and preservatives. However, this processing can diminish the bioavailability of some nutrients, necessitating the addition of vitamins and minerals after the fact. Thats not to say kibble cant be nutritious; high-quality kibble often includes comprehensive nutrition profiles suitable for many dogs. The key difference lies in the source and process of these nutrients coming into the body.

Q: For pet owners looking to mix these two types of dog food, what are some practical tips you can offer?

A: Transitioning to or incorporating a mix of fresh food and kibble into a dogs diet should be done with a gentle hand. Here are a few tips Id recommend:

• Start with a small proportion of fresh food to kibble, perhaps beginning with a ratio of 1 part fresh to 3 parts kibble, gradually increasing the fresh portion if your dog responds well.
• Monitor your dogs digestive health closely. Changes in stool consistency, frequency, or appearance can be indicators of how well your dog is adjusting to the new diet mix.
• Consider the caloric and nutritional density of fresh food. Its often more calorie-dense and nutritionally rich, meaning you might need to feed less overall volume to meet your dogs dietary needs.
• Stay vigilant about hydration, especially if your dogs diet was predominantly kibble before. Fresh foods can contribute to a dogs water intake, but ensure clean, fresh water is always available.
• Engage with a veterinary nutritionist to tailor the diet to your dogs specific needs, particularly if they have any underlying health conditions or are on a special diet for medical reasons.

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