How to Make Balanced Home-Cooked Dog Food Safely

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Many owners cook for their dogs because they want control over ingredients, to manage allergies or simply because they enjoy it. Done well, it can work. Done casually, it can slowly cause deficiencies. The key is to treat it as a nutrition project, not a kitchen experiment.

Why balance is difficult

Dogs need around forty essential nutrients in the right amounts and ratios. Meat alone is high in phosphorus and low in calcium. Chicken and rice lacks many vitamins and minerals. Studies of recipes available online and in books have found that many are incomplete or imbalanced. Deficiencies can take months or years to appear, and growing puppies are most vulnerable.

Start with your vet

Before switching, talk to your vet about whether it suits your dog. Dogs with medical conditions, such as kidney disease or pancreatitis, need specially tailored diets. Ask for a referral to a veterinary nutritionist who can write a recipe for your dog's age, size, weight and health. Online services staffed by qualified nutritionists can also help.

What a balanced recipe includes

• Protein source. Cooked lean meat, fish or eggs. See how much protein dogs need.
• Fat source. Needed for energy and essential fatty acids. See fat and omega fatty acids.
• Carbohydrates. Such as rice, potatoes or oats, depending on the recipe. See carbohydrates in dog food.
• Calcium source. Such as a measured calcium supplement, which balances phosphorus in meat.
• Vitamins and minerals. Supplied by a complete supplement designed for homemade diets. See essential vitamins and essential minerals.
• Essential fatty acids. Often from fish oil or specific plant oils.
• Fibre and vegetables, as recommended.

Follow the recipe exactly

Do not swap ingredients or skip the supplement. Substitutions change the nutrient balance. Use a kitchen scale to measure, because cups are inaccurate. If you want to change an ingredient, ask the nutritionist to adjust the recipe.

Foods to avoid

Some foods are toxic to dogs, including onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, macadamia nuts and xylitol. See our guides to onions and garlic and grapes and raisins. Avoid heavy seasoning and high-fat trimmings.

Cooking and food safety

• Cook meat thoroughly to kill bacteria.
• Remove all bones, since cooked bones splinter. See cooked bones.
• Cool food quickly and refrigerate or freeze in portions.
• Keep dog food prep separate from human food.
• Wash hands, utensils and surfaces.

Batch cooking

Cook in large batches and freeze in daily portions. Label with the date. Thaw in the fridge, and use within a few days.

Monitor your dog

Weigh your dog regularly, check body condition and coat, and track energy levels. See the body condition score chart. Schedule regular checkups, and ask whether blood tests are advisable. Recipes should be reviewed as your dog ages or health changes.

Cost and time

Home cooking takes time and can cost more than kibble. If it is not sustainable, consider fresh dog food delivery or a complete commercial diet.

Common mistakes

• Using a recipe found online without checking who wrote it.
• Leaving out the supplement because the meal "looks balanced".
• Feeding too much meat and no added calcium.
• Using cups instead of weighing food.
• Changing the recipe without asking a nutritionist.
• Never rechecking weight or bloodwork.

Puppies and special cases

Growing puppies, pregnant dogs and dogs with medical conditions have the least room for error. For these dogs, home cooking should only be done under the supervision of a veterinary nutritionist. Calcium and phosphorus imbalances in puppies can cause permanent bone and joint problems, so a ready-made complete puppy diet is often the safer choice.

The takeaway

Home-cooked food can work if it is carefully balanced, properly supplemented and monitored. Get professional help with the recipe and keep a close eye on your dog.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different. If your dog is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.