Home-cooked dog food has gained popularity in recent years among dog owners. There are many reasons for the surge in popularity, including more control over the ingredients, freshness and overall nutritional density. However, there can also be some downsides to homemade dog food.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at what homemade dog food is, its pros and cons according to a veterinarian, what a nutritionally balanced diet looks like for dogs and some alternatives to homemade dog food pet parents may consider.

If you’re new to the world of homemade pet food, it may be easy to assume that feeding a dog “real” or “human” food qualifies. However, making your own dog food goes beyond just sharing leftover scraps at mealtime. Unlike scraps, homemade dog food must be well-planned and made with fresh, whole ingredients chosen with a dog’s unique nutritional needs in mind.

Homemade meals should be measured precisely with recipes carefully crafted to support a dog’s life stage, size, breed and any specific health conditions. For example, puppies will have different nutritional requirements than senior dogs.

Homemade dog food without the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals at every meal can lead to health problems and deficiencies over time. Pet owners who choose to make their pup’s food at home should approach the process with the same level of care as a special medical diet and receive input from a veterinary nutritionist.

While homemade dog treats and dog food are options for dog owners, as noted, the process requires careful planning and a solid understanding of canine nutrition. Successfully creating a balanced homemade diet isn’t impossible, but it can be challenging to do right consistently.

Success in homemaking dog food depends on using recipes tailored to your dog’s life stage and condition. Even the most well-intentioned owners can miss essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus and zinc. That’s why it’s important to consult with a veterinarian or use online tools like Balance.It to create customized recipes.

Keep in mind that adding a small amount of store-bought healthy dog food to a homemade meal isn’t enough to provide balanced nutrition. Rather, adding 10% homemade food as a topper and having 90% of the meal be a balanced commercial dog food is a better way to add variety without risking nutritional deficiencies.

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing:

• If you’re a busy family that doesn’t have time to prepare your dog’s meals from scratch regularly but still want to give them homemade food on occasion, use it as a treat.

• If your dog has an upset stomach, you can help soothe it with a simple meal of ground turkey and white rice.

• On their birthday, prepare a special homemade meal to celebrate.

These are great opportunities to incorporate homemade food into your dog’s diet while ensuring they’re fed a balanced diet the rest of the time!

Below is a quick overview of the advantages and challenges of making meals for your dog at home.

Whether you’re feeding your dog a homemade or commercial diet, each meal must be balanced to promote long-term health. Balanced nutrition is vital to prevent deficiencies, which are more common in homemade diets than commercial diets.

Let’s examine some of the important nutritional considerations to keep in mind when planning your dog’s means and the role they play in a balanced diet.

Protein is essential to a dog’s health, and animal-based proteins like boneless chicken breast, beef liver, organ meats or fish, are especially important. While some plant proteins are nutritious, they generally don’t provide the amino acids dogs need.

Dogs aren’t able to produce 10 essential amino acids on their own, including taurine , which is crucial for heart health. Taurine deficiencies are often seen in dogs with plant-based diets and have been linked to cardiac issues, which is why protein-rich foods from animal sources are necessary.

Minerals like calcium, magnesium and zinc are essential to help prevent health issues, yet are often missing in homemade dog diets. A calcium deficiency in dogs can force their bodies to pull the mineral from their bones to keep their calcium levels stable, which can weaken a dog’s skeletal structure over time.

Homemade diets should include supplements or natural sources of minerals to ensure a balanced intake. Alternatively, base mixes from trusted brands like The Honest Kitchen can help provide these nutrients.

As noted, every dog’s nutritional needs differ based on their life stage or health condition. Puppies will need higher amounts of protein and fat to support rapid growth, while senior dogs likely will require fewer calories but more joint-supporting nutrients.

Dogs with specific health issues, like pancreatitis, need custom diets like lower-fat options. Pregnant dogs also have unique nutritional needs, further highlighting the importance of consulting with a veterinarian and using specialized recipes for different life stages when making homemade dog food or purchasing commercial kibble.

Lastly, the most important thing for a dog’s diet is that it’s balanced 99% of the time. Unbalanced meals can lead to nutrient deficiencies that have serious long-term health consequences.

Treats and toppers are fine to feed your pup, but they shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake, or they could disrupt the balance. If a consistently balanced diet is tough, talk to your vet about introducing a supplement to address common deficiencies.

The appeal of homemade dog food is great — after all, who doesn’t want to feed their dog real, minimally processed foods that support health and longevity?

But as we’ve discussed, there are many potential downsides to a homemade diet that can make it unsustainable in the long term. Fortunately, The Honest Kitchen offers solutions that combine the quality of real food with the convenience of ready-made options.

Unlike many other commercially available dog food brands, The Honest Kitchen uses a gentle dehydration cooking method in our pet food products that preserves essential nutrients. Even more, The Honest Kitchen uses whole food, human grade ingredients, making it easy to provide your furry friend with a balanced, high-quality diet at an affordable price.

If you prefer the personal touch of home-making part of your dog’s diet, consider The Honest Kitchen’s Dehydrated Base Mixes. They’re offered in grain free and whole grain varieties , which provide a nutrient-rich foundation made from dehydrated fruits, veggies, vitamins and minerals. Other ingredients you’ll find in the dehydrated base mixes include quinoa, green beans, pumpkin and fish oil.

With The Honest Kitchen’s base mixes, you can add whatever fresh protein your pup likes while ensuring their diet remains nutritionally balanced. When considering a protein source for your pup, keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Puppies: 25% protein metabolized energy (ME) minimum for optimal growth.

• Adult Dogs : 20% protein ME for maintenance.

• Senior Dogs: Approximately 27% ME to support muscle mass and aging needs (typically starting around age 9 or 10 for small dog breeds, 8 for medium breeds and 6 for giant breeds).

Another option from The Honest Kitchen as an alternative to homemade or fresh food is our dehydrated dog food. The Honest Kitchen’s dehydrated dog food is a complete and balanced meal without additional ingredients — perfect for those who prefer minimal preparation and easy storage.

In grain free , whole grain and limited ingredient recipes , dehydrated dog food from The Honest Kitchen offers fresh-like nutrition by simply adding water or broth to rehydrate the food. And like all food from The Honest Kitchen, the ingredients are human grade and don’t include any artificial preservatives or additives.

Each variety also contains a carefully balanced mix of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, without the need for extra supplementation. Other ingredients include sweet potato, flaxseed, carrots and apples.

A homemade dog diet may sound great in theory, but in practice, it can be time-consuming, expensive and may miss the mark on your dog’s nutritional needs. Instead, consider a nutritionally balanced diet you can count on with human grade dog food from The Honest Kitchen.

From base mixes and dehydrated dry food to dog treats and toppers, The Honest Kitchen has tons of whole food options for dogs at all stages of life to support their health and well-being.

Explore the entire dog food collection from The Honest Kitchen today.