I am a hunter and always have extra wild game, mostly deer. Is it a good idea to to mix in with kibble for a young puppy? I would probably just bake it and mix in. I bring my puppy home in about 3 weeks and figuring out best diet for him.
The best diet for a dog, is the raw diet cause the high moisture content and it’s low in carbs.
Also there is a low carb gently cooked option called Raised Right gently cooked dog food. If raw isn’t a option.
This doesn’t mean use only deer meat from your hunting or buy meat from grocery store cause that’s not balanced.
A premade raw diet is best, has to have meat, organs, bone and a little veg which is optional(no more than 10% veg- vegetables are NOT needed, just optional).
And rotate proteins as much as possible to prevent new food allergies, and other health issues.
So for example rotate thru Fish, Turkey, Duck, Beef, Lamb, and deer(if you want to add it from the hunting). The more variety the better.
If you want to feed kibble for convenience, these brands are best:
-Carna 4- comes in goat, venison, lamb, Duck, Fish and chicken for proteins.
Carna 4 is oven Baked.
-Natures Logic - comes in Sardine, Beef, Red Meat, Land+Sea(beef and fish), turkey, Lamb, Rabbit, chicken, pork for proteins.
I think they have venison protein too. They make a canned food as well.
Natures Logic is the lowest in carbs and No legumes or potatoes which is very good.
Both Natures Logic and Carna 4 has probiotics in it and is whole food based and no synthetic vitamins/minerals needed.
They both are the most premium kibbles there is.
If you choose to stick with kibble try the premium ones I mentioned(Carna 4 or Natures Logic), and if you want to add the deer meat, you can cook it an add it as the topper to the kibble if you want to mix the kibble and deer meat together.
Getting the puppy on premium food as soon as possible while he is a puppy is the best thing you can do to prevent health issues and keeping him in good health.
What is your puppy coming home on for food/what is the breeder feeding the puppies?