What Is Kibble?

When you go into a pet supply store to look for dog food, you often see the words “kibble” on the packaging, but what is kibble? Simply put, kibble is dog food, specifically dry dog food. Quality kibble is crafted to contain all the vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients your dog needs to thrive. And as a dog’s nutritional needs changes, their food must change with them. So, let’s take a closer look at what kibble is made of and how you should be feeding kibble to your pup.

What Is Kibble Dog Food Made Of?

Kibble is made from ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, legumes, grains, and nutritional supplementation. Regardless of the top ingredients or flavor on the packaging, all quality kibble is formulated and balanced to meet your pup’s nutritional needs. For example, the Complete Health Lamb & Barley dry food contains high-quality protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are needed for optimal adult health.

How Healthy Is Kibble?

Quality kibble is formulated to meet a dog’s nutritional requirements, tailored to their breed size, life stage and activity. Delivering the key nutrients that support health and energy, premium brands of kibble also go that step further with added health benefits like probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health, glucosamine & chondroitin for joint health and omega fatty acids for that lustrous skin and coat. These extra enhancements support the total health of our pets so they not only look great but feel great too.

How can you find a high-quality kibble?

With so many brands of kibble available, how can you find a great quality recipe. Quick tips are as follows:

• Look for high quality ingredients like fresh meat, concentrated protein meals and fruits and veggies you recognize.
• Check the guaranteed analysis table on the back of pack. This lets you determine if those added benefits, like Vitamin A and E for immunity or Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Biotin for skin and coat health are actually in this recipe.
• If this gets confusing, another option is to determine if the packaging or product details explain the benefits that the recipe delivers. Unless you are seeking a specific solution diet, you want to look for a recipe that delivers total body health.  Look for the key 5 signs of wellbeing: Healthy skin and coat, digestive health, optimal energy, healthy teeth and bones and immune health.
• As the experts in all things pet, having a veterinarian’s recommendation for a brand is a great final way of determining a high quality, scientifically proven nutritional offering for your pet.

When Can Puppies Eat Dry Kibble?

Puppies start out drinking their mother’s milk. The mother will start weaning the puppies around three to four weeks as the pups begin teething. At this time, you’ll want to introduce puppies to wet food. You can start adding in dry food as the puppies get older. Start with about 10% dry food and 90% wet food, then increase the amount of dry kibble each week. When the puppies are seven to eight weeks old, they can be fully transitioned to dry kibble; however, adding in wet food to their meals is still a great option for dogs who thoroughly enjoy it!

How Much Kibble To Feed Your Puppy

How much kibble to give your puppy depends on a couple of factors, including:

• Potential size – a Chihuahua puppy’s nutritional needs differ from a Labrador Retriever’s since the Lab can reach up to 60 pounds. The Chihuahua, on the other hand, will stay around five or six pounds.
• Age of the puppy – As your pup grows, you’ll want to increase the amount of food. For example, Complete Health Puppy kibble comes with feeding guidelines that say a three-month-old, 10-pound puppy should be eating one and a half cups of kibble per day.

You’ll also want to keep your puppy on a regular feeding schedule, starting at four times a day when they are 6-12 weeks old and increasing the portion size while decreasing feeding times as they get older.

How Much Kibble To Feed Your Dog

There are several things to consider when you’re trying to figure out how to choose the best kibble for dogs. Size, age, activity level, and food sensitivities are all things to take into consideration.

• Size – A bigger dog will need more food than a smaller dog, plus different sized dogs have different metabolic rates and energy needs. CORE Small Breed and Complete Health Toy Breed kibbles have the optimal amount of protein and calories that small and toy breed dogs need. Plus, each kibble is smaller in size, so your tiny pup has an easier time chewing its food.
• Age – Adult dogs have different nutritional needs than puppies, and as your dog reaches the golden years, they may need food that’s formulated for seniors. Recipes such as Wellness CORE Digestive Health Age Advantage addresses the dietary needs of older dogs. By having guaranteed levels of  Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Calcium to support healthy joints and bones, they can continue to enjoy life.
• Activity level – Some dogs are naturally high energy, while others are born couch potatoes. Complete Health Healthy Weight helps sedentary dogs keep the weight off, stay fit and trim, and reduce their risk of developing arthritis.
• Food sensitivities – Some dogs develop food sensitivities or digestion issues. CORE Health Grain Free and CORE Digestive Health address these dietary needs so your dog can still get optimal nutrition and energy.

Some dogs may love their kibble day in and day out. Others might prefer meal toppers or mixers to add variety to their diet. While all Wellness kibble is complete and balanced, it comes down to what your dog prefers!

What Should You Add To Dog Kibble, If Anything?

Because no two dogs are the same, there may be times when additional toppers may be beneficial. For example, your very active dog might love the Complete Health Whitefish & Potato kibble but needs something to support his joints. A bowl booster like the CORE^® Bowl Boosters^® Functional Toppers has glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for healthy joints. Other nutritional extras you could add to your pup’s kibble include:

• Core Simply Shreds – Give your dog a protein boost to support muscle development and mealtime excitement.
• Core 95% – This is another topper that can increase protein intake and jazz up your pup’s meal.

What Can You Mix With Dog Kibble?

When we’re talking about nutrition, premium natural kibble delivers everything a dog needs for a full and active life. But don’t you wish you could spice things up and supercharge your pup’s meal with fresh, equally well-balanced toppers? Wellness^® Bowl Boosters^® for dogs are an easy way to add a boost of flavor and protein to your pup’s meal – just sprinkle on top or mix right in! Crafted using only premium, all natural ingredients – Wellness Toppers are great for puppies, adults and aging dogs. Mix & Match all our recipes to make every mealtime special. Try Wellness Bowl Boosters Simply Shreds^®  for a grain-free, filler free boost of pure protein or sprinkle Wellness Bowl Boosters Tender Toppers^® on your dog’s kibble for additional flavor that will deliver results you can see.

This topper is made with the finest quality ingredients and then frozen to lock in the nutrients. You can use this topper as a full meal or mix it with your dog’s kibble. For puppies trying real food for the first time, there’s a topper that’s specially formulated for growing fur-babies. This PUPPY Turkey & Rice Recipe is made from quality ingredients, just like the adult toppers, and includes deboned turkey as the primary source of protein.

Bowl Boosters Freshly is scientifically crafted by animal nutritionists and veterinarians to sustain your dog and puppy’s wellbeing. All toppers contain no meat by-products, no fillers, no added artificial preservatives, colors or flavors, no corn, no wheat, no soy, and no meat meals.

Choose from the following recipes, each with a different source of high-quality protein and delicious root vegetables:

• Chicken & Butternut Squash Recipe 
• Beef & Carrots Recipe 
• Turkey & Sweet Potatoes Recipe 
• Puppy – Turkey & Rice Recipe 

Even when you’re away from home, your dog or puppy can still enjoy a supercharged meal with CORE Bowl Boosters. With no grains or fillers, just 100% freeze-dried meat, this irresistible topper is especially great for picky dogs!. Are you looking for other types of protein or flavors? Wellness has a variety of mixers and toppers that are sure to supercharge a bowl of kibble and give each meal a boost in flavor and nutrients!