Yes, plenty of owners do, and no strong evidence shows it harms healthy dogs. The catch is that mixing doesn’t remove the bacteria risk of raw meat, and it’s easy to overfeed. Here’s how to do it sensibly, with ratios, hygiene tips and the signs to stop.
Can you feed dogs raw and dry food?
You’ll often hear that raw and dry food should never be mixed, because they supposedly digest at different speeds and upset the stomach. Several raw food companies call this a myth, and one UK raw brand’s vet says there’s no concrete scientific evidence that different digestion times cause problems. Even so, the digestion theory hasn’t been properly tested in dogs.
Be aware that almost everything online about this comes from raw food sellers, and a few of them still advise against mixing. So the honest answer is that it’s probably fine for a healthy dog, but it isn’t proven either way. Vets who don’t recommend raw feeding also worry about bacteria, and mixing doesn’t make that go away.
Why owners mix raw and dry food
- It costs less than feeding fully raw.
- It’s convenient on busy days.
- It eases the move to a raw diet.
- It can tempt fussy eaters.
- It adds moisture and variety to dry food.
How to feed raw and dry food together
Method 1: mix them in one bowl
Add a measured portion of raw food to the kibble, like a topper. It’s simple, and it works well as a stepping stone towards more raw.
Method 2: feed them at separate meals
Give raw at one meal and kibble at the other. It makes it easier to track how much of each your dog eats, and it’s a common choice for sensitive stomachs. Some raw feeders leave around six hours between the two.
| Raw share of daily food | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| About 25% | Beginners, tight budgets, fussy dogs |
| About 50% | Half and half, once your dog is settled |
| 75% or more | Owners heading towards fully raw, ideally with vet advice |
Don’t overfeed
The most common mistake isn’t digestion, it’s calories. Work out your dog’s total daily portion from the feeding guides, then split it. For a 50/50 mix, give half the daily amount as raw and half as kibble, not a full portion of each. Weigh your dog every few weeks and adjust.
Choose complete foods
Pick a dry food that’s complete and balanced, and if raw makes up a big share, choose a complete raw recipe too. Plain raw meat isn’t a balanced diet, so don’t swap part of the kibble for butcher’s meat and call it done. Check the label, and ask your vet if you’re unsure.
Keep it safe
Raw meat can carry Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli, even in a small amount, and freeze-dried raw food isn’t cooked either. A few habits help:
- Wash your hands before and after feeding.
- Use a separate bowl for raw, and wash it straight after.
- Disinfect surfaces the raw food touches.
- Bin uneaten raw food instead of leaving it out.
- Don’t let your dog lick your face after meals.
Who should check with a vet first?
Talk to your vet before mixing if your dog is a puppy, has a health condition or has a sensitive gut. Take extra care in homes with children, pregnant women or older or immunocompromised people, because PDSA advises against raw food in those households.
When to stop and call your vet
- Diarrhoea or vomiting that keeps going.
- Straining without passing a stool.
- Your dog stops eating or seems unwell.
- Fast weight gain, which usually means the total portion is too big.
FAQs
Can you mix raw and dry dog food in the same bowl?
Yes, for most healthy dogs. If your dog has a sensitive gut, try separate meals instead.
Is it better to feed raw and kibble separately?
That isn’t proven. Separate meals do make it easier to track portions and spot reactions.
What ratio of raw to dry food is best?
There’s no official ratio. Start with about 25% raw, build up slowly, and adjust to your dog’s weight and stools.
Does mixing raw food with kibble cause diarrhoea?
Sudden changes cause most upsets, not a steady mix. Introduce raw gradually over several days.
Is mixing raw and kibble cheaper than all raw?
Usually, yes, because kibble stretches the budget.
The bottom line
So, can you feed dogs raw and dry food? Yes, for most healthy dogs, as long as you split the daily portion, pick complete foods and stay strict on hygiene. Not sure which dry food to pair with raw? Browse our independent dog food reviews to compare complete options.
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