Mixed Feeding for Dogs: Combining Dry and Wet Food

What is a mixed diet for dogs?

Mixed feeding refers to the simultaneous or alternating use of different types of food—typically dry and wet food, sometimes supplemented with BARF ingredients or dietary supplements. It is widely practiced in German households with dogs and is generally not a problem from a nutritional standpoint—provided the calorie balance is correct.

The biggest risk of mixed feeding isn't the combination of different foods, but the uncontrolled accumulation of calories: If you add wet food as a "topping" to dry food without adjusting the total calorie intake, you risk your pet becoming overweight.

Background + Scientific Context

Laflamme et al. (2008, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, PubMed 18727745) analyzed the feeding habits of dog and cat owners in the United States and Australia: mixed feeding was a common practice in both countries; many owners combined dry and wet food or supplemented their pets’ diets with table scraps. Obesity was significantly more common in dogs whose owners measured food portions by feel rather than by calorie content. Portion control is the key element of any feeding strategy—regardless of the type of food.

Bermingham et al. (2017, PeerJ, PubMed 28690931) investigated the effects of feeding frequency and diet composition on the gut microbiota of dogs: The type of food influences the composition and activity of the intestinal microbiome. Abrupt changes in diet (e.g., sudden switch from dry to wet food) can cause temporary GI symptoms. A gradual transition reduces digestive disturbances.

The NRC (2006) defines the nutritional requirements for dogs: What matters is not the type of food, but whether the necessary amounts of nutrients are provided in the correct proportions. AAFCO/FEDIAF-compliant foods are formulated to meet all nutritional requirements when fed as the sole source of nutrition—combining these foods results in redundant nutrient amounts, the balance of which must be ensured in the overall diet.

Vitomalia-Position

Mixed feeding is not a nutritional strategy, but a feeding method—it can work or cause problems, depending on how well the calorie balance is managed. If you mix foods, you have to do the math. The most common problem isn’t the mixing itself, but ignoring the cumulative calorie count.

When does mixed feeding become relevant?

• Dogs that don't eat dry food well: Wet food as an appetite stimulant
• Dogs with increased water needs: A higher proportion of wet food increases water intake
• Seniors or dogs with dental problems: soft food is easier to digest
• Overweight dogs: uncontrolled mixed feeding is a common cause
• Calorie Management: Making Changes When You Have Weight Issues

Practical application

Calorie calculation for mixed feeding:

Sample calculation for a 10-kg dog (300 kcal/day requirement): - 50% dry + 50% wet: half a serving of each food, based on calorie content - Wet food as a topping: REDUCE the amount of dry food by the number of calories in the wet food

Recommendation for the transition: - Introduce the new feed ingredient gradually over 7–10 days - Gradually increase the amount each day (10% → 25% → 50% → 75% → 100%) - Monitor stool consistency: soft stools or diarrhea = transition too fast

Common Mistakes & Myths

• “Mixing dry and wet food is unhealthy.” There is no scientific basis for this claim. Feeding both types of food together is perfectly fine—as long as the total calorie intake is appropriate.
• "Wet food makes you fat." Wet food has a lower energy density than dry food—it doesn't automatically make you fat. The problem arises when wet food is given as a supplement without adjusting the dry food portion.
• “I mix the foods so my dog gets more nutrients.” Both AAFCO- and FEDIAF-compliant foods already provide all the necessary nutrients. Mixing them doesn’t add any nutritional benefits—just potential excess calories.

Current State of Research (2026)

In veterinary nutrition, mixed feeding is not a controversial topic—it is nutritionally neutral as long as the calorie balance is correct. The available data on the pros and cons of combining different types of food (dry vs. wet vs. BARF) is limited; the consensus is that the type of food is less important than nutritional balance and calorie management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put dry and wet food in the same bowl at the same time?

Yes—this is not a nutritional concern. The key is maintaining a balanced calorie intake: If you add wet food to dry food, you must reduce the amount of dry food accordingly to prevent your pet from becoming overweight.

Do I have to mix foods from the same brand?

No — AAFCO/FEDIAF-compliant pet foods from different brands can be combined. The claim that “sticking to the same brand ensures optimal balance” is a marketing claim, not a scientific one.

How much wet food can I mix in with the dry food?

That depends on the dog's calorie needs. Rule of thumb: For every additional calorie from wet food, reduce the amount of dry food by the same number of calories. There is no limit on the amount—as long as the total daily calorie intake is correct.

Related terms

• Wet food for dogs
• Dry dog food
• Calories in Dogs
• Raw Feeding for Dogs
• Obesity in Dogs

Sources & Further Reading

1. Laflamme, D. P., Abood, S. K., Fascetti, A. J., Fleeman, L. M., Freeman, L. M., Michel, K. E., … Willoughby, K. N. (2008). Pet feeding practices of dog and cat owners in the United States and Australia. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 232(5), 687–694. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18727745/

2. Bermingham, E. N., Young, W., Kittelmann, S., Kerr, K. R., Swanson, K. S., Roy, N. C., & Thomas, D. G. (2017). Dietary format alters fecal bacterial populations in the domestic cat (Felis catus). MicrobiologyOpen, 2(1), 173–181. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28690931/

3. National Research Council. (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academies Press. ISBN 9780309086288.