GUIDE: How to Combine Homemade Food with Kibble
Many dog owners want to give their dog the benefits of fresh, homemade food while still keeping the convenience of kibble in daily life. That’s absolutely possible—and actually very simple—as long as you follow a few basic rules.
The Golden Rule
Our recipes are “complete and balanced.” This means they contain exactly what your dog needs in terms of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals in every bite. The same applies to balanced kibble. Because both are complete on their own, you can safely replace part or all of the daily ration without worrying about nutritional imbalances.
How to Do It in Practice (Forget Complicated Math!)
You don’t need to calculate grams. Just use these simple methods: ### Method A: Half and Half (Breakfast & Dinner) This is the most popular method. - Give half of the recommended daily amount of kibble for breakfast - Give half of the daily portion of our homemade recipe for dinner Example: If your dog normally eats 400 g of kibble per day, give 200 g for breakfast. If the homemade recipe provides 800 g per day, give 400 g for dinner. This way, you’re replacing half of the daily intake from each diet—while keeping the overall balance correct. Remember to adjust supplements and oils accordingly—when feeding 50% of the homemade diet, provide only half the usual daily dose supplement and oils. This way, your dog gets 50% of its nutrition from each source, totaling 100% balanced. ### Method B: “Homemade days” (Full Days) You can also choose to feed only homemade food on certain days of the week, and only kibble on others. Since both are balanced, your dog will stay nutritionally balanced over time.
Why We Don’t Recommend Mixing homemade and kibble in the Same Bowl
It may seem easier to mix homemade food into kibble, but giving them as separate meals (for example, kibble in the morning and homemade in the evening) has clear benefits: 1) Avoid nutrient overload Our homemade recipes are complete and balanced, with carefully measured vitamins and minerals. If you add them on top of a full portion of kibble, your dog may get too much of certain nutrients. Over time, this can lead to imbalances. If you use balanced homemade meals, you should replace part of the kibble—not add on top. 2) Better digestion Kibble and fresh food are digested differently. For some dogs, mixing them in the same meal can cause gas, stomach noise, or loose stools. Feeding them separately gives the digestive system a simpler job. 3) More control and clarity When meals are separate, it’s easier to know how much your dog is eating from each source. This helps you manage energy intake and ensure your dog gets the right balance over time.
What if you just want to add a little extra?
If your goal is simply to make meals more exciting without replacing kibble, use toppers instead. Toppers are simple whole foods (like an egg or some berries) without added vitamins and minerals, and can safely be added in small amounts. {{ARTICLE:homemade-or-kibble-you-dont-have-to-choose:Homemade or kibble? You don’t have to choose!}}