Is it possible to feed dogs a homemade diet? Pros and cons

Dogs can be fed a homemade diet, but it is extremely important to do so in a balanced and adequate way to meet all their nutritional needs, we always recommend consulting a professional (veterinary nutritionist, beware that when something becomes fashionable there are many people who dare to give advice, even charge for it, without having the proper or sufficient training). 

Homemade vs. commercial dog food

Homemade food has some benefits over commercial food, as we can adapt to the tastes and needs of our companions, but it will require more effort, a higher cost and if we are not well advised we can make mistakes that can cost our companion's health.

Pros of homemade dog food

Control over the ingredients in the diet

When preparing homemade dog food, you can control the ingredients you use, allowing you to select fresh, quality food, and although it will be more expensive than commercial food, you can also take advantage of the opportunity to tailor the ingredients to suit your budget.

Customising the diet to your dog's needs

You can adapt the homemade diet to your dog's specific needs, such as allergies or food sensitivities, always under the advice of a specialist (veterinary nutritionist). You can also offer your dog a wider variety of foods, which may be more appetising to him in the long term.

Improved dog health

By offering quality ingredients and a balanced diet tailored to their needs we can see improvements in their physical health. Being so involved in their diet and watching them to offer the healthiest and most appetising foods will also help to strengthen your bond.

Cons of homemade dog food

Possible nutritional deficiency

It is essential to ensure that the homemade diet for dogs is balanced in nutrients, as an excess or deficiency of any nutrient can have short or long term consequences on the health of the animal.

Cost and time required to prepare the food

Preparing a homemade diet requires extra time and effort, as well as an investment in the purchase of suitable ingredients and supplements, we must be very aware that the nutritional needs of dogs are not like those of humans, and that for them there are nutrients that are essential or in quantities that will require us to adapt the ingredients or even add supplements.

Potential for bacterial contamination of homemade food

There is a high risk that the ingredients and their handling could endanger the health of the person handling them or the animal consuming them, so it is always better to use cooked food.

What ingredients should be included in a homemade diet for dogs?

The combination of ingredients is key to meeting the nutritional needs of dogs, which is why it is so important to have professional advice. We must ensure that these ingredients contain adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

And we should always know which foods are toxic so that we do not include them by mistake, or as a reward, some of them are:

1. Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be toxic for some dogs and cause cardiac, nervous and gastrointestinal problems. Some animals may have eaten it without harm and others may be at risk from the poisoning.

2. Coffee and tea: These drinks also contain theobromine and caffeine, which are harmful to our companions.

3. Onions and garlic: These foods contain substances that can cause damage to dogs' red blood cells and lead to anaemia in high doses.

4. Grapes and sultanas: These foods can cause acute kidney failure in dogs, which can be fatal. This does not happen to everyone, but we have no way of knowing which dog's life and health is at risk of kidney failure.

5. Avocado: Avocado contains a substance called persin in the skin and pit, in the flesh the amount of persin is very small, and can be toxic to dogs causing gastrointestinal problems.

6. Alcohol: Alcohol consumption can be extremely dangerous for dogs and can cause liver and nervous system damage.

7. Dairy products: Many dogs are lactose intolerant and can develop digestive problems if they consume dairy products.

8. Processed human foods, high in saturated fats or foods high in salt or sugar, should also be avoided.

Tips for home feeding of dogs

Consult a veterinarian before making any dietary changes.

It is essential that whenever we do not use a product formulated by professionals that there is a professional veterinary nutritionist to advise us and monitor the diet.

Ensuring that the homemade diet is balanced and complete

When a homemade diet is fed without the guidance of a specialist, it can lead to mistakes. There is a belief that dogs can be fed by eating human "leftovers" as in the old days, or that they do not need certain nutrients or specific amounts of nutrients, or even that some foods are toxic to dogs.

Use fresh, high quality ingredients

Since we are going to make a homemade diet and we will be the ones to choose the ingredients based on the guidelines given by a professional, it is ideal that we make sure that these ingredients are of the highest quality we can afford, giving low quality food can be counterproductive and can be more expensive and less healthy than other types of food.