How to Feed Canned & Dry Food Combination

Do you supplement your pet’s recommended dry food with moist grocery store food? You are not alone. But many pet owners don’t realize that supplementation of a veterinarian-recommended food is usually unnecessary and may even decrease its effectiveness. There are ways, however, to provide variety for your pet without compromising dietary goals.

Proper nutrition

Foods recommended by your veterinarian have been formulated with specific nutrient profiles based on the health and wellness needs of your pet. You want your pet to eat the appropriate foods so that obesity and health problems can be avoided. Most pet owners prefer to feed dry food as their pet’s main source of nutrition, but supplementing with table scraps, treats, or a different type of pet food in addition to a recommended dry food can actually interfere with proper nutrition. For example, these foods may add too many calories or expose your pet to high levels of potentially damaging minerals such as sodium.

The right food, the right way

Your veterinarian knows what’s best and will recommend an appropriate food for the breed, sex, age, and health status of your pet. Make sure you understand not only what to feed your pet and why, but also how to feed your pet. Discuss your pet’s dietary needs with the veterinary health care team at each visit and don’t hesitate to ask if you’re unsure of any details about how to feed your pet!

How to feed both dry and moist foods

1. To add a moist food to dry kibble for variety, use the same formula or brand of moist or canned food.
2. When adding a moist or canned food, be sure to feed less dry food to balance out
3. the total calories and nutrients your pet should be getting each day.
4. For treats, use dry kibble or moist nuggets from the pet’s daily allotment – and be sure to give them each day.
5. Avoid any table foods as they add calories, protein, sodium, and phosphorus and may interfere with the pet’s health.
6. Make sure you have adequate quantities of your pet’s veterinarian-recommended food on hand so you won’t be tempted to substitute with anything potentially harmful.

When adding moist food for variety, try to use the same formula or brand to maintain total daily
calories and nutrients.

 
Sponsored by an educational grant from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.