How to Make Mixed Feeding Work for Your Dog.

Imagine having to eat the same meal day-in, day-out, with no variety. Even if you choose your favourite dish, you’d get bored pretty quickly. Could the same apply to our dogs? With their enhanced senses of smell and taste, having varied food options available could be even more stimulating than it is for us humans. 

While the idea of creating a varied doggy meal plan and still ensuring the correct nutritional balance may seem complex, there is another option: mixed feeding. This trend is taking the online pet parenting world by storm and makes it simple to provide our furry friends dietary diversity. 

Mixed feeding refers to either varying the type of food you feed your dog daily or combining multiple food types in the same day or even in the same meal – and Natures Menu research¹ reveals it’s soaring in popularity. Eight in 10 pet parents choose more than one type of pet food, with 40% combining multiple in the same day and nearly one in four (21%) in the same meal.  

Why is mixed feeding trending? 

Trends can be hit-and-miss, but mixed feeding has plenty of proven benefits, both for pets and pet parents.

For fussy pets, mixed feeding turns mealtimes into tastier experiences with extra flavour and texture. For example, when mixing complete kibbles and canned food during the day, pets get all the crunch and nutrition of dry food, but with the added moisture, flavour and texture of wet food. 

Not only does mixing up your pet’s diet offer nutrient variety and excitement – it also creates more manageable mealtimes, tailored to busy lifestyles. Having varied options on hand means there’s always a substitute when frozen food isn’t practical, such as when travelling. 

Mixing premium options with more affordable food types can also make taking care of your pet’s nutrition more budget-friendly – like combining standard complete dry dog food with a freeze-dried topper for a nutritional and flavour boost. 

How to make mixed feeding work for you?

Before you dive in, there are a few things worth considering to ensure your dog is reaping all the benefits of mixed feeding. 

First, check if your pet can tolerate different food types in the same bowl. Dogs thrive on routine and can be fussy, so the sudden addition of a new taste or texture could throw them off. Test mixed feeding with foods that you already know your dog loves, and that makes them feel well, so the change isn’t too sudden. If not, no problem! Mix them throughout the day, providing, for instance, one type of food in the morning and the other one in the afternoon.

Secondly, refer to the guides on all the foods you choose and adjust your pet’s portions accordingly. This is vital to avoid under or over-feeding. For example, the calorie density of wet food may not be equal to that of freeze-dried food, as the level of moisture differs, so they shouldn’t be fed at equal volumes when mixed. 

Finally, discover what your dog loves and vary the combinations. After all, the main motivation behind mixed feeding is offering your dog a more exciting menu. It’s the perfect opportunity to tempt them into trying new things – simply mix the new recipe with their favourite food. 

Incorporating different textures into your dog’s bowl.

‘Alternative’ feeding types – whether fresh, frozen or freeze dried – are the most popular choices of pet parents who mix feed. Interestingly, Google searches for ‘freeze dried’ have increased 42% in the past 12 months. 

And this popularity is for good reason. Anyone who has tried the TikTok-trending freeze dried sweets for humans, can agree that the process provides intense flavour and crispy texture. The same applies to freeze dried pet foods – and with our dogs’ heightened senses, the flavour and texture-enhancing effects are felt even more keenly. 

What is freeze dried pet food? Freeze drying is a technology that gently removes almost all the water from raw ingredients, preserving their natural flavours for a wholesome, nutritious easy-to-serve meal elaborated with natural ingredients minimally processed as with Natures Menu recipes. The resulting kibble can be stored in the cupboard, giving pet parents access to mixable meal options, anytime, anywhere.

Freeze dried food is an especially good option for beginner mixed feeding: it’s available in a variety of flavours and is easily crumbled into wet, raw or dry food options for easy mixing. Natures Menu’s range of Freeze Dried dog foods includes nuggets and treats to meal toppers, and offers complete and complementary foods that can be combined to vary their diet. Plus, it meets nutritional needs while keeping mealtimes enjoyable. 

From traditional dry kibble and wet canned food to frozen additions, and even food based on freeze dried technology, it’s never been easier to offer our pets variety at mealtimes. 

About Natures Menu.

With over 40 years in the business, Natures Menu is Europe’s leading expert in raw and natural pet food. Developed with a team of professional vets and pet food experts, and produced to the highest standards, its delicious selection of raw Freeze Dried dog food is made with quality meat and fish, blended vegetables, fruits and healthy carbohydrates, and offers complete and complementary options. The brand prides itself on using British suppliers. To find your local stockist of natural raw dog food, visit naturesmenu.co.uk/stores.      

[1] Research by GFK commissioned by Natures Menu involving a sample of size of 1800 per quarter. The last interview considered in the report is April 2025.