Dehydrated dog food has become a popular choice among pet owners due to its numerous benefits, such as long shelf life, ease of storage, and high nutritional value. However, many dog owners wonder how they can add variety to their pet's dehydrated food diet to make mealtime more enjoyable and well-rounded.
Many pet owners continue to consistently buy the same brand of dog food for their pet, but some experts argue that it's important to add variety into your dog's diet. However, on the other hand, changing the dog's food too often can cause digestive problems. The key is to find the right balance.
There are many ways to add variety to your pet’s mealtimes. Rotational feeding for dogs can add variety through flavour (ex. chicken, lamb, salmon, beef, fish, kangaroo or pork), texture (ex. kibble, wet food, freeze-dried, air-dried, dehydrated) and nutrients (ex. Amino acids, minerals, fatty acids). For some pet parents, adding variety means mixing kibble and wet food together in the bowl, while for other pet parents it might mean feeding kibble for breakfast and wet food for dinner. Others may choose to only feed dry kibble, but rotate flavours with each new bag that they purchase. Any of these combinations is acceptable – they all add variety!
Here at Farmer Pete’s, we have explored some tips and tricks for mixing and matching ingredients to give your dog a diverse and delicious dehydrated food experience. But first a few frequently asked questions.
Is Dehydrated Food Good for Dogs?
Yes, dehydrated dog food is good.
Out of the wide range of dog food options that are available on the market, dehydrated dog food is among the best options. This is mainly because the dehydration process eliminates moisture from the ingredients.
As a result, you can expect a longer shelf life (in comparison to raw food). Since the shelf life is already prolonged, you can expect fewer preservatives as compared to what is generally found in kibble.
Is Dehydrated Dog Food Better Than Dry Dog Food?
Yes, dehydrated dog food is better than dry dog food.
This is because the dehydrated food contains real food ingredients which are cooked at low temperatures. This keeps their nutritional profile to the max and contains various enzymes that are naturally found in ingredients.
On the other hand, dry dog food (kibble, for example) is manufactured using both wet and dry ingredients. These are combined to form a dough which is then cooked with high-temperature steam or water. Due to the intense cooking process, many nutrients are lost during kibble manufacturing.
Should Dogs Have Variety In Their Diet?
Dogs and cats, just like people, appreciate and benefit from a diet full of variety. Eating the exact same food day after day can lead to boredom, can limit the spectrum of nutrients that your dog receives, and may even increase their risk of food sensitivities.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Is Bored Of Food?
When a dog suddenly stops eating his food, it might be because they are bored of the food, this is when a Farmer Pete’s meal topper will come to the rescue. It will add flavour, nutrients, and texture your dog will absolutely love. Or it might be for another reason entirely! Some dogs might refuse stale kibbles, preferring kibbles in a newly opened bag, but others lose their appetite as the first sign of illness. Be mindful to not always assume your dog is bored with his food if they are rejecting it. Look for an underlying illness also.
Benefits of a Dog Diet with Lots of Variety
A varied diet supports the dog's gut health, since the stimulus brought by different foods enrich the gastrointestinal bacterial flora. When a dog eats a varied selection of different sources of protein and different kind of foods, the dog gets used to variety.
Sprinkle dog-friendly meal toppers, such as Kangaroo, Beef, Chicken, Fish, Pork, Lamb for extra flavour or for that superfood experience to assist with Gut health, Joint health, and skin health try Farmer Pete’s Green Beef Tripe or Green Lipped Mussels over your dog's dehydrated food for an extra burst of flavour, protein, and nutrients. Toppers can make mealtime more exciting and encourage picky eaters to dig in.
10 Recommend Tips For Varying your Dehydrated Dog Food
1. Rotate protein sources
To provide your dog with a variety of essential amino acids and avoid potential allergies, consider rotating the protein sources in their dehydrated food. Mix and match different types of dehydrated meats, such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, or fish, to ensure a well-balanced diet. Also include a variety of offal as it is a nutritional treasure trove. A hearty source of nutrients like B-complex vitamins, vitamins E, D and K2, amino acids, iron, and trace minerals like copper, chromium, and zinc, offal is proving to be a nearly one-stop shop for your dog's nutritional needs.
2. Add fruits and vegetables
Incorporate dehydrated fruits and vegetables into your dog's diet for added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Popular options include carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, apples, and blueberries. We have them all at Farmer Pete’s. Make sure to introduce these ingredients gradually to avoid any gastrointestinal issues.
3. Mix in healthy fats
Healthy fats like flaxseed oil, fish oil, or coconut oil are essential for your dog's overall health, including their skin, coat, and immune system. Drizzle a small amount of oil over their dehydrated food for an extra nutrient boost.
4. Include dog-safe herbs and spices
Enhance the flavour of your dog's dehydrated food with dog-safe herbs and spices, such as parsley, basil, or turmeric. These natural flavourings can also provide additional health benefits, like improved digestion and reduced inflammation. Never feed your dog Nutmeg, Onion, Garlic, Cocoa Powder or Black Pepper, Mint, Marjoram, or Caraway or salt as these can be potentially fatal to dogs.
5. Combine with other types of dog food
If your dog isn't exclusively on a dehydrated food diet, you can mix dehydrated food with kibble, canned food, or even home-cooked meals to add variety to their diet. Be sure to adjust portion sizes accordingly to avoid overfeeding.
6. Add bone broth or water
Rehydrate your dog's dehydrated food with bone broth or water to enhance the flavour and texture. Bone broth can provide additional nutrients, like collagen and glucosamine, which support joint health.
7. Use dog-friendly Meal toppers
Here at Farmer Pete’s, we have developed meal toppers for your pet’s food that add balance, nutrition, variety, and flavour to their diet without having to switch your pup's food. We will explain in more detail why such variety is important, and how you can use Meal toppers to improve your dog's diet without having to switch between different pet food brands.
8. Incorporate probiotics and prebiotics
Support your dog's gut health by adding probiotics and prebiotics to their dehydrated food. These supplements can help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which can improve digestion and overall health.
9. Switch up the texture
Experiment with different rehydration methods to change the texture of your dog's dehydrated food. For a softer, stew-like consistency, add more water or broth. For a chunkier texture, use less liquid.
10. Offer occasional treats
While it's important to maintain a balanced and consistent diet, feel free to offer your dog occasional treats, like dehydrated fruit, vegetable, meat treats, offal treats or any one of the vast assortment of treats and chews on our website www.farmerpetes.com.au to keep them engaged and excited about their food.
Benefits of a Dog Diet with Lots of Variety
A varied diet supports the dog's gut health, since the stimulus brought by different foods enrich the gastrointestinal bacterial flora. When a dog eats a varied selection of different sources of protein and different kind of foods, the dog gets used to variety.
Sprinkle dog-friendly meal toppers, such as Kangaroo, Beef, Chicken, Fish, Pork, Lamb for extra flavour or for that superfood experience to assist with Gut health, Joint health, and skin health try Farmer Pete’s Green Beef Tripe or Green Lipped Mussels over your dog's dehydrated food for an extra burst of flavour, protein, and nutrients. Toppers can make mealtime more exciting and encourage picky eaters to dig in.
Final Thoughts On Adding A Varied Dog Diet
Adding variety to your dog's dehydrated food diet is not only essential for their overall health but can also make mealtime more enjoyable for your furry friend. By mixing and matching different ingredients and experimenting with textures, you can ensure your dog looks forward to their meals while receiving all the nutrients they need.
Don’t let your pet become food bored. Adding variety to your pets dehydrated food can help maintain and increase your pet’s interest in eating. Also, while a complete and balanced dog food guarantees that your dog will get sufficient nutrients; adding variety to foods allows your dog to consume ingredients that could be richer in certain vitamins, minerals and amino acids than others, contributing to an overall increase in health and wellbeing.
Remember to introduce new food ingredients gradually.
