Every time I tell people I work at a dog food company, the first question is usually something like: "so what should I actually be feeding my dog?" And honestly, mixed feeding is almost always part of my answer.

It is one of those things that sounds more complicated than it is. Two food types, one bowl, done well. Once you understand why it works and how to do it properly, it becomes one of the easiest and most impactful changes you can make to your dog's daily diet.

What is mixed feeding?

Mixed feeding means combining wet food and dry food as part of your dog's daily diet. You can serve them together in the same bowl at the same meal, or offer them separately at different feeding times. Both approaches deliver the same nutritional benefit.

It is more common than people think. A lot of owners find their way to it naturally: the dog who starts picking at their kibble, the one whose coat dullens on dry-only, or the one who drinks noticeably less water than they should. Mixed feeding often resolves all three.

Within is designed with mixed feeding in mind from the ground up. Our wet food trays and dry food bags are formulated to complement each other nutritionally, so combining them gives your dog the full benefit of both, plus FormulaBiotics(TM) delivered consistently at every single meal.

Why mix wet and dry food?

There are several genuinely good reasons, and they stack up.

Hydration is the one most owners do not think about until they have a problem. Dry food contains roughly 10% moisture. Wet food contains around 75 to 80%. Dogs on an exclusively dry diet often do not compensate by drinking enough water, which over time places low-grade strain on the kidneys and urinary tract. Adding wet food to the bowl meaningfully increases daily fluid intake without requiring any extra effort from your dog.

Palatability is the one most owners notice first. The aroma and texture of wet food dramatically increases meal appeal. For dogs who graze, pick, or go through phases of disinterest, this is usually the most immediate fix. The wet food lifts the whole meal, and dogs that previously circled their bowl with indifference tend to become enthusiastic eaters.

Dietary variety is the one nutrition people get most excited about. Feeding the same single food, from one protein source, meal after meal narrows the range of nutrients, amino acids and trace elements your dog receives. Rotating proteins across wet and dry, for example a chicken dry food paired with a salmon wet food, naturally broadens that nutritional window. A more varied diet also tends to support a more diverse gut microbiome.

Gut health is the Within angle. Both our wet and dry food contain FormulaBiotics(TM), our postbiotic blend that actively supports the gut microbiome. When you mix-feed with Within, your dog receives FormulaBiotics(TM) from both food types at every meal, twice daily. That consistent, twice-daily delivery is more effective than the sporadic input a single food type could provide.

Dental support is the dry food contribution. Kibble has a mild mechanical cleaning action as dogs chew, which helps reduce plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth. Wet food alone does not provide this. Keeping dry food as part of the mix means your dog retains that dental benefit alongside everything the wet food brings.

The one rule: substitute, do not add

This is the thing that trips people up. If you simply add wet food on top of your dog's usual dry food portion, you are adding calories. Over time, that leads to weight gain.

The key is substitution. You are replacing a portion of the dry food with wet food, keeping the total daily calorie intake consistent with your dog's needs.

Think of it in terms of caloric contribution. If your dog's daily requirement is 600 kcal and you want a 50/50 split, you are looking for 300 kcal from wet food and 300 kcal from dry food. The feeding guides on both products show you how many grams to feed per day for your dog's weight. Start there and adjust for your chosen ratio.

Within's mixed feeding calculator does the maths for you. Enter your dog's weight and preferred split and it gives you exact daily amounts for both formats. No guesswork required.

What ratio should I use?

There is no single correct answer, and that is actually good news. Common starting points are 25% wet / 75% dry, 50/50, or 75% wet / 25% dry, depending on your dog's preferences, your budget, and what you are trying to address.

A dog with hydration concerns or kidney sensitivities will benefit from a higher wet food proportion. A dog with dental issues might benefit from keeping more dry food in the mix. A fussy eater might need a higher wet proportion initially to build the habit, then settle back to 50/50 once they are reliably eating.

You do not need to mix in the same bowl either. Some owners prefer to serve wet and dry at separate meals. Morning dry, evening wet is a common pattern that works well for routine-focused dogs.

Within wet food comes in 90g, 150g and 395g trays, sized to make accurate portioning straightforward for dogs of all sizes.

How to transition to mixed feeding

If your dog is currently on dry food only, introduce the change gradually over 7 to 10 days. A sudden shift, even a positive one, can temporarily unsettle the gut as the microbiome adapts to new inputs.

A simple schedule: days 1 to 3 at 25% wet, days 4 to 6 at 50/50, days 7 to 10 at your intended long-term ratio. Watch stool consistency during this period. Loose stools in the first few days are normal and usually self-resolving. If they persist beyond a week, slow the transition or speak to your vet.

Because both Within wet and dry food contain FormulaBiotics(TM), the gut microbiome is being actively supported throughout the transition, which tends to make dietary changes smoother than switching between foods without that consistent postbiotic input.

Which Within products work best together?

All Within wet and dry food is formulated to be combined, so any pairing works nutritionally. That said, varying the protein across wet and dry is a good habit for the reasons above. Within wet food comes in chicken, turkey and salmon, and dry food in chicken and salmon, so there is plenty of variety to work with.

The wet food trays are grain free and made with 70% named meat or fish. The dry food is made with 26% freshly prepared meat, whole oats and vegetables. Nutritionally, they are designed as a complementary pair, not two competing products.

If you are also using any of the Within supplement chews, these work alongside mixed feeding without any adjustment needed. Each chew is formulated to complement the food range, with its own specific health focus: Probiotic, Dental, Calming or Joint Care.