Homemade dog food has grown in popularity among pet owners in recent years, but new research from the Dog Aging Project suggests most of these diets fall short of meeting basic nutritional needs.
In a study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, researchers evaluated 1,726 homemade dog food recipes submitted by owners participating in the Dog Aging Project, a collaborative effort led by the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and partner institutions.
The team found that only 6% of the recipes had the potential to meet essential nutrient requirements.
“We found that only 6% of homemade diets had the potential to be nutritionally complete,” said Janice O’Brien, a doctoral researcher at the Virginia- Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. “Since our study didn’t include exact ingredient amounts, it’s possible that a smaller percentage than 6% were nutritionally complete.”
Owners provided diet information through open-ended survey responses. Researchers then entered the ingredient lists into Balance It, an online formulation tool that follows FDA and Association of American Feed Control Officials guidelines for canine nutrition.
According to the study, missing or substituted ingredients can significantly affect the nutritional balance of a homemade recipe.
Dr. Katie Tolbert, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and associate professor in Texas A&M’s Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, said owners who wish to prepare meals at home should do so carefully and with professional guidance.
“There is a temptation for a lot of dog owners to go off script when preparing meals at home,” Tolbert said. “If you decide to formulate your dog’s food at home, be sure to work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and stick to the diet exactly as prescribed. Nothing is considered a ‘filler’ that you can leave out.”
Tolbert noted that something as simple as substituting a different oil or omitting a calcium supplement can cause nutritional imbalances. Improper calcium and phosphate levels, for example, can lead to bone disease, including a condition known as “rubber jaw,” in which the bone softens.
She added that owners should avoid unsafe ingredients such as whole bones—which can splinter— and grapes, which are toxic to dogs.
For pets with existing medical conditions, feeding a nutritionally incomplete diet can worsen symptoms.
Owners interested in long-term homemade feeding should consult their veterinarian and a board-certified nutritionist, Tolbert said. She also recommends laboratory testing of finished homemade diets to verify nutrient levels.
“It can be helpful to know exactly what is in the food you’re feeding your pet to make sure the recipe is as precise as possible,” Tolbert said.
The Dog Aging Project includes more than 50,000 enrolled dogs. The project studies aging, genetics and factors that influence canine health.
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