Yes, dogs almost always need supplements when eating homemade food because it's extremely difficult to naturally balance all essential vitamins, minerals (like calcium, Vitamin D, zinc), and fatty acids, which can lead to dangerous deficiencies or toxicities, so consulting a veterinary nutritionist to add specific, balanced supplements is crucial for their health. Even well-researched recipes often miss key nutrients, making supplementation a necessary safety net for homemade diets.

What supplements do dogs need in homemade dog food?

For balanced homemade dog food, you need supplements like calcium, essential vitamins (A, D, E, B complex), minerals, and omega fatty acids (fish/flax oil) to cover nutritional gaps, with options like pre-made mixes (e.g., Balance It), individual powders, or additions like turmeric, probiotics, and coconut oil for targeted benefits like joint, skin, or gut health. Always consult a vet to tailor supplements to your dog's specific needs and ensure a complete diet.
 

Can homemade dog food cause deficiencies?

Do not do this. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are too common in homemade diets and can take years to manifest themselves (pathological fractures, heart disease, encephalitis, malabsorption and maldigestion issues, pancreatitis).

Do I need to add anything to my homemade dog food?

Supplements are Typically a Must

Even with the freshest meats and veggies, most dogs will still need a multivitamin or individual mineral supplements to meet their full nutritional needs. That might mean: Calcium (unless you're including bone meal) Fish oil for omega-3s.

Is homemade dog food nutritionally complete?

In their study, published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, the team assessed the nutritional completeness of 1,726 homemade diets based on ingredients and preparation methods provided by dog owners. “We found that only 6% of homemade diets had the potential to be nutritionally complete,” said Dr.

Not Enough Vitamins in Homemade Dog Food? Do You Need a Supplement?

What do vets think about homemade dog food?

Vets are generally cautious about homemade dog food due to high risks of severe nutritional imbalances (deficiencies or excesses) that can cause serious health issues like bone problems or organ damage, with studies showing most recipes lack essential vitamins, minerals, or proper ratios. While homemade food offers ingredient control, most veterinarians recommend consulting a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to create a precise, balanced recipe tailored to your dog's specific needs, rather than using general online or book recipes, to ensure it's truly "complete and balanced" for their life stage.

What are the disadvantages of homemade dog food?

Additionally, homemade pet food lacks the rigorous quality control measures of commercial pet food manufacturers that ensure safety and consistency. Potential for overfeeding or underfeeding — Without proper portion control and monitoring, pets fed homemade diets may be at risk of overfeeding or underfeeding.

What is the 95 rule for dog food?

The dog food 95% Rule (set by AAFCO for the FDA) means if a product name highlights an ingredient (e.g., "Chicken Dog Food"), that ingredient must make up at least 95% of the product by weight (excluding added water); if two ingredients are named ("Chicken & Liver"), they must total 95%, with the first listed being more abundant, while other rules cover "Dinner" (25%) or "With" (3%) claims. This helps consumers understand the primary components of their pet's food.
 

What vitamins are missing from homemade dog food?

Here are 14 nutrients commonly missed in homemade dog food recipes and how to ensure your dog's diet is complete and balanced.

• Calcium. Calcium is vital for healthy bones and teeth. ...
• Phosphorus. ...
• Vitamin D. ...
• Iodine. ...
• Zinc. ...
• Iron. ...
• Vitamin E. ...
• Vitamin B Complex.

What is the 25% rule in dog food?

The 25% Rule for dog food, set by AAFCO, means if a product name includes terms like "Dinner," "Entrée," "Formula," or "Platter" (e.g., "Chicken Dinner"), the named ingredients (like chicken) must make up at least 25% of the product by weight (excluding added water), but less than 95%. If multiple ingredients are listed (e.g., "Chicken and Rice Dinner"), their combined weight must reach 25%, with each individual ingredient making up at least 3%.
 

What is the 7 7 7 rule for dogs?

The "7 7 7 rule" for dogs is a puppy socialization guideline, originally by Pat Hastings, suggesting exposing puppies to 7 different people, 7 different locations, and 7 different surfaces/objects/sounds/challenges (variations exist) by about 7 weeks old to build confidence, resilience, and prevent fear or anxiety as adults. Key experiences include meeting diverse individuals, visiting different places like a vet's office or friend's house, walking on various substrates (grass, tile, carpet), and encountering new objects and gentle challenges (like tunnels or boxes).
 

Why do vets not like homemade dog food?

Concerns About Bacteria in Raw Dog Food

One of the most common reasons veterinarians oppose raw diets is concern about pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli—not just for pets, but for humans in the household as well.

What supplements should I add to homemade dog food?

For balanced homemade dog food, you need supplements like calcium, essential vitamins (A, D, E, B complex), minerals, and omega fatty acids (fish/flax oil) to cover nutritional gaps, with options like pre-made mixes (e.g., Balance It), individual powders, or additions like turmeric, probiotics, and coconut oil for targeted benefits like joint, skin, or gut health. Always consult a vet to tailor supplements to your dog's specific needs and ensure a complete diet.
 

Can dogs live off homemade dog food?

Over the last two decades, homemade diets have seen a rise in popularity among dog owners. However, new research from the Dog Aging Project (DAP) reveals that most homemade diets are missing important nutrients that dogs need to lead healthy lives.

How do I make sure homemade dog food is nutritious?

You might assume that cooking for your dog means primarily protein. Dogs are like us, though, in that they need a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates and veggies. A balance between these elements is essential, but it can vary between dogs. A good recommendation is 40% protein, 50% vegetables and 10% starch.

Why do vets not recommend grain free dog food?

Vets often discourage grain-free diets due to a potential link with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart disease, where peas, lentils, and potatoes often replace grains as main ingredients, potentially disrupting nutrient balance and heart function. While grains aren't inherently bad for most dogs, the surge in grain-free foods has coincided with unusual DCM cases in breeds not typically predisposed, prompting FDA investigation and caution from veterinarians who recommend grain-inclusive foods from brands with strong nutritional research, like those meeting WSAVA guidelines.

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