50/50 Feeding Guide

Many owners cannot feed 100% raw food, which is entirely understandable. In this case, you can take several proactive steps to improve a dry diet, such as adding kibble boosters or feeding 50% raw and 50% kibble. Here’s everything you need to know about feeding 50/50!

What Is 50/50?

50/50 means feeding 50% raw food and 50% kibble. This is a great step and ensures that fresh foods are incorporated into the diet. This differs from kibble boosters as the raw portion is factored in for essential nutrients, making up more than 20% of the bowl. 50/50 is beneficial since it allows owners and their dogs to ease into the world of raw, save on costs, is more convenient, and is less complicated than 100% raw. But it will still take time and effort to achieve.

Feeding Styles

Depending on what works best for you, there are a few ways to feed 50/50. Some choose to feed one type of food in the morning and the other at night. For example, the dog would be 100% kibble in the morning and 100% raw at night. In contrast, others choose to feed 50/50 within the bowl. For instance, the bowl would be 50% kibble and 50% raw every meal. Neither way is better, and you may switch between the 2. It is all about what works best for you!

Balancing

Unlike kibble boosters, feeding 50/50 means that the raw food is factored into the essential nutrients. For this reason, the raw food (and kibble) must be "complete & balanced."

What To Feed

Types of Raw Food You can either choose to feed a premade or DIY raw with the raw section. As mentioned above, the raw portion must be “complete & balanced." If you are feeding a premade raw, ensure that it is “complete & balanced” and not simply a ratio grind. Here is a list of complete premade raw brands. If you do ratio grinds or DIY raw, ensure the food is balanced. Types of Kibble With dry food, feed the highest quality possible and always incorporate moisture. Here are some key points to look for in a kibble.

The Math

For this example, Stormy will be used. Stormy is a 45lbs Heeler mix with moderate activity, spayed, and lower metabolism. She gets 600 calories per day.

Canine Calorie Calculator link here!

Feeding half & half is an excellent step that is easily achievable for anyone looking to incorporate more fresh foods but isn’t quite ready to 100% commit to raw. And remember, any amount of fresh food is better than none!