By Maria Azzurra VolpeShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberIf you’ve been feeding your pup homemade meals thinking that they are healthier than commercial dog food, a newly released study suggests you may want to think twice.
Researchers with Texas A&M University's the Dog Aging Project (DAP) found that the overwhelming majority of homemade dog diets fail to meet their essential nutrient requirements—potentially putting pups at risk despite their owners’ best intentions.
In thier study, which has been published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, the team analyzed 1,726 homemade dog food diets based on information submitted by DAP participants.
Using "Balance It," an online tool that helps owners create nutritionally complete homemade pet diets compliant with both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ standards, the team checked how closely each diet matched nutritional recommendations.
...The result was striking—only about 6 percent of recipes had the potential to be nutritionally complete, while all the others lacked nutrients that are essential for dogs’ health and wellbeing, the team report.
The researchers emphasized that even seemingly small changes can throw a recipe off-balance. Swapping one oil for another, leaving out a supplement, or adjusting ingredient amounts can shift critical nutrient ratios.
According to Dr. Katie Tolbert, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, small animal internist, and associate professor in VMBS’ Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, improper calcium and phosphorus levels in homemade diets are especially concerning.
Imbalances can lead to bone loss, kidney issues, and in severe cases a condition informally known as “rubber jaw”, in which bones soften and weaken dramatically, she said in a statement.
For dogs with pre-existing chronic illnesses, the risk may be even higher. Homemade diets that fail short in key nutrients can unintentionally exacerbate existing medical problems.
Another issue uncovered in the study was the potential for inclusion of unsafe ingredients like bones or grapes. Grapes are known to be toxic to dogs, and bones can splinter, leaving them with sharp fragments in their stomach.
You can find a list of foods that are toxic to dogs here.
If you want to feed your dog a homemade diet, the researchers recommend first speaking to a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who can help you design balanced recipes tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
For owners committed to long-term cooking for their pups, periodic laboratory testing of the food can also confirm that the nutrients levels match your dog’s requirements.
“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.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about dog food? Let us know via [email protected].
Reference
O’Brien, J. S., Lawson, E., Dog Aging Project Consortium, Tolbert, M. K., & Ruple, A. (2025). Findings from the Dog Aging Project: Home-prepared diets for companion dogs feature diverse ingredients, and few are nutritionally complete. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 86(11). https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.25.06.0216
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