Dog food types
Is it cheaper to mix wet and dry food?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Mixing is generally cheaper than feeding wet food alone, since replacing only a portion of the diet with wet food, rather than all of it, means buying significantly less of the more expensive format, though it still costs more than feeding kibble exclusively.
Comparing the three approaches on cost
Because wet food typically costs two to three times more per calorie than dry food, an all-wet diet is the most expensive option, an all-dry diet the cheapest, and mixing lands somewhere in between depending on the ratio used.
How the ratio affects the savings
A mix using 20 percent wet and 80 percent dry calories will cost much closer to an all-dry diet than a 50/50 split, so adjusting the ratio toward more dry food is a straightforward way to manage cost while still getting some of wet food's benefits.
Weighing cost against the reasons for mixing
If the main goal of mixing is encouraging a picky eater or adding hydration, a smaller proportion of wet food, used strategically, often achieves the practical benefit at a lower cost than a more even 50/50 mix.
Key takeaways
- Mixing costs more than an all-dry diet but less than an all-wet diet.
- The exact savings depend heavily on the ratio of wet to dry food used.
- A smaller proportion of wet food can often deliver the practical benefit at a lower cost.