When you buy or adopt a dog, getting their diet right is crucial in supporting their growth and health. High-quality dry dog food options can be a great choice to help sustain your dog, provide energy, and provide more convenience for you as an owner. There are various dry dog food options that can help any pooches with intolerances and allergies, but new dog owners often have questions to ensure dry food is the best choice for them.
In our comprehensive guide, we will provide expert advice on tips when feeding your dog dry food, ensuring you’re fully equipped with the knowledge you need before feeding your dog.
Discover the shelf life of dry dog food
Find out how you can easily transition your dog to a dry food diet
Here are the benefits of dry dog food
A combination of wet and dry food could be beneficial for your dog
Some dogs thrive on a mix of raw and dry dog food
Portion control is important when feeding your dog dry food
Can Dry Dog Food Go Bad?
Dry dog food, or kibble, is a convenient and cost-effective option for pet owners, offering long shelf life and easy storage. However, it can still spoil over time, posing risks to your dog’s health. Unopened dry food typically lasts 12–18 months, while opened bags should be consumed within six weeks for optimal freshness. Factors like preservatives, packaging, and storage conditions all impact shelf life.
Spoiled dry dog food may have a bad smell, mould, discolouration, or insect infestation. If consumed, it can cause gastrointestinal issues, food poisoning, or nutritional deficiencies. To maintain freshness, store dry food in a cool, dry place using airtight containers and clean them regularly.
At Fetch, you’ll find a wide selection of dry dog foods, including grain-free, cold-pressed, and hypoallergenic options. Our nutrition specialists can help tailor your dog’s diet to meet their needs and your budget.
To find out more about the shelf life of dry dog food, please read our previous guide here.
How Do I Move My Dog to a Dry Dog Food Diet?
Transitioning your dog to a dry food diet offers many benefits, including convenience, nutritional balance, cost-effectiveness, and easy portion control.
A gradual change over 7–10 days is recommended, whether you're moving from raw or wet food. If you're switching from raw, start with cold pressed food to ease the transition. If transitioning from wet food, mix in dry food gradually and consider adding warm water to soften dry food.
Some owners mix dry with raw or wet food, though it’s important to be cautious as different digestion rates may cause issues. Cold pressed food is often the best alternative for smoother combination feeding.
Fetch offers a wide selection of dry dog food options, including trusted brands like DARF Cold Pressed, Nourish Rite, Orygo, Ydolo, and Alpha Spirit, each catering to different dietary needs, sensitivities, and preferences.
Find out more about moving your dog to a dry dog food diet here.
Is Dry Dog Food Good for Dogs?
Dry dog food is a popular and practical option for many pet owners, offering convenience, affordability, and a long shelf life. High-quality dry food can be nutritionally complete and support your dog’s skin, coat, and dental health. It’s also great for portion control, slow feeders, and puzzle toys, making it ideal for busy households.
However, it’s not without drawbacks. Dry dog food has low moisture content, which may require added water or broth, and can be tough for dogs with dental issues. Lower-quality options may contain fillers or allergens, so choosing premium, hypoallergenic brands like Nourish Rite is key.
Compared to wet or raw diets, dry food is the most convenient and cost-effective. Combining dry food with wet or raw can balance hydration, flavour, and nutrition, especially with cold-pressed options like Alpha Spirit.
Fetch offers a wide range of dry dog food, including grain-free, hypoallergenic, and cold-pressed varieties. For tailored advice, book a wellbeing consultation with one of our nutrition specialists to ensure your dog gets the best possible diet for their individual needs.
Find out more about the benefits of dry dog food here.
Can I Mix Wet and Dry Dog Food?
Combining wet and dry dog food can provide a more balanced, varied, and enjoyable diet for your dog if done correctly. Wet food enhances flavour and moisture, while dry food supports dental health and is easier to store. However, a 50/50 split isn’t always suitable. It's important to ensure both food types complement each other nutritionally and match your dog’s age, size, and activity level.
Portion sizes must be adjusted carefully, as wet food typically contains fewer calories per gram than dry. Most brands offer feeding guidelines, but consulting a nutrition expert can help tailor the right mix for your dog.
Mixing can be done in one bowl, over separate meals, or on alternate days. Regardless of method, always transition slowly to prevent digestive upset, and ensure fresh water is available.
You can discover more about mixing wet dog food with dry in our previous guide here.
Can I Mix Raw and Dry Dog Food?
Mixing dry and raw dog food, also known as mixed feeding, can add variety and nutritional value to your dog’s diet, but it’s important to do it correctly. While dry food supports dental health and is convenient, raw food offers freshness and higher moisture content. However, combining the two can cause digestive issues due to their different digestion rates and requires careful handling to avoid bacterial risks.
To safely mix raw and dry food, start with small portions, introduce gradually, and monitor your dog’s digestion. Alternatively, you can feed raw and dry at different times (e.g. raw in the morning, dry in the evening) to help reduce stomach upset. Always ensure meals are nutritionally balanced and tailored to your dog’s age, health, and activity level.
For a complete guide on how to mix raw dog food with dry, read our previous article here.
How Much Dry Food Can I Feed my Dog?
The amount of dry food your dog needs each day depends on factors such as age, weight, activity level, breed, and overall health. As a guide, dogs weighing 1-10kg may need around 150g per day, while those over 40kg may require up to 700g. Always refer to the feeding guidelines on your dog’s food packaging and adjust based on their condition and energy levels.
To monitor feeding accurately, use a measuring cup or kitchen scale, and regularly assess your dog’s weight and body shape. Feeding should generally be split into two meals per day for adult dogs, while puppies may need 3-4 meals daily.
Other influences on feeding include health conditions, spaying/neutering, and environmental factors like cold weather. For more accuracy, consider a canine nutrition consultation at Fetch, where experts tailor diets to your dog’s specific needs.