Chicken, Rice and Veggies: Is Your Homemade Dog Food Actually Complete?

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A man feeding his dog in a bright and cozy living room with natural light.

Homemade dog food can look wholesome, smell delicious and make your dog very happy. But does a bowl of meat, rice and vegetables provide everything your dog needs to stay healthy? Let’s look at what the science says.

Picture this: you’ve cooked some chicken, added a little rice, chopped up a few vegetables and mixed everything together into a lovely homemade meal for your dog.

Your dog is practically doing a full-body wiggle while you prepare the bowl. You feel good knowing exactly what has gone into the food, and your four-legged friend clearly approves.

What’s not to love?

Well, there is one important question to ask: does this meal provide all the nutrients your dog needs, in the right amounts and proportions, if it is going to be their main food every day?

That is a different question from whether the ingredients are wholesome.

Homemade dog food can be part of a responsible feeding plan. However, a diet made from familiar, nutritious ingredients is not automatically a complete and balanced diet. Nutritional problems may develop gradually, even when a dog appears to enjoy their food and seems perfectly healthy.

In this guide, we’ll explore what complete and balanced nutrition means, why some homemade diets fall short, and how to make informed decisions about feeding your dog.

Because when it comes to canine nutrition, a wagging tail is a lovely endorsement of the taste. It isn’t a nutritional analysis!

Table of contents:

1. What does “complete and balanced” actually mean?

You’ll often see the words complete and balanced when researching dog food. They sound straightforward, but they describe two important aspects of nutrition.

Complete means that a food supplies the essential nutrients a dog needs in appropriate amounts for its intended use and life stage.

Balanced means those nutrients are provided in suitable proportions and relationships to one another.

Dogs need much more than protein and calories. Their bodies require a combination of nutrients to support normal growth, maintain tissues, regulate bodily processes and sustain health.

These include:

  • Protein and essential amino acids.
  • Fats and essential fatty acids.
  • Vitamins.
  • Major minerals, including calcium and phosphorus.
  • Trace minerals, such as zinc, copper, iodine and selenium.
  • Adequate energy from food.
  • Water.

A diet can provide plenty of calories while still lacking essential nutrients. It can also contain a generous amount of protein but have an unsuitable mineral balance.

In other words, feeding enough food is not necessarily the same as feeding a nutritionally adequate diet.

How do professionals assess nutritional adequacy?

Veterinary nutritionists and pet-food manufacturers use recognised nutritional standards and appropriate assessment methods to evaluate diets.

Three useful references are the National Research Council’s Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, the European Pet Food Industry Federation’s (FEDIAF) nutritional guidelines, and the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ (AAFCO) nutritional resources.

These frameworks have different purposes. The NRC publication is a scientific reference on nutrient requirements. FEDIAF publishes nutritional guidance used in European pet-food practice. AAFCO develops model standards and nutritional adequacy frameworks used in the United States.

Their legal and regulatory roles differ by jurisdiction, so none should automatically be described as South African legislation.

The important principle is that nutritional adequacy must be evaluated against defined requirements, not judged by appearance, ingredient quality or how enthusiastic a dog is about dinner.

2. Occasional homemade additions versus your dog’s main diet

Before we go any further, let’s make an important distinction.

There is a difference between adding a little plain, dog-safe cooked food to an otherwise complete diet and feeding homemade food as your dog’s sole source of nutrition.

Homemade food as an occasional addition

A small amount of suitable cooked chicken, for example, may be used as a treat or topper for a healthy dog.

A little variety at mealtimes does not automatically mean you need to formulate an entirely new diet.

However, additions still contribute calories, and some ingredients are unsuitable or dangerous for dogs. Dogs with food allergies, medical conditions or veterinary-prescribed diets may need stricter limits on what they eat.

WSAVA advises that treats should generally account for no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake, with the remainder coming from a complete and balanced diet. This is a general guideline, not a guarantee that every dog can safely have the same amount of extras.

Homemade food as the main daily diet

The situation changes when homemade food replaces your dog’s usual complete food.

If chicken, rice and vegetables make up breakfast, lunch and supper day after day, those ingredients must collectively provide the dog’s essential nutrients in the appropriate amounts and proportions.

That requires more than choosing a selection of healthy foods.

The recipe must be evaluated as a whole, including its ingredients, quantities, preparation method, nutrient composition, energy content and intended feeding amount.

The key takeaway: a food can be perfectly reasonable as an occasional addition without being suitable as your dog’s sole diet.

3. Why meat, rice, eggs and vegetables aren’t automatically enough

Let’s look at a typical homemade dog-food combination.

You might include:

  • Chicken for protein.
  • Rice for energy.
  • Eggs for protein and other nutrients.
  • Carrots, pumpkin or other vegetables for additional nutrients and fibre.
  • A little oil for fat.

These ingredients can contribute useful nutrients. That does not mean they provide every essential nutrient in the amounts your dog needs.

The problem isn’t that these foods are inherently bad. It is that their nutrient contributions do not necessarily add up to a complete diet.

Protein: more than just meat

Protein helps build and maintain muscles and other body tissues. It also contributes to enzymes, hormones, immune function and numerous other biological processes.

However, protein is made up of amino acids, and dogs need the right amounts of essential amino acids.

Essential amino acids are those the body cannot produce in sufficient quantities to meet its needs, so they must be supplied through food.

Chicken and eggs can provide valuable protein and amino acids. But the presence of these ingredients does not prove that a finished recipe meets every amino acid requirement.

The quantities fed, the other ingredients in the diet, digestibility and the dog’s life stage all matter.

Adding more chicken is therefore not a universal solution to a homemade diet’s nutritional shortcomings.

Fats and essential fatty acids

Fat supplies concentrated energy and helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins. It also provides essential fatty acids that support normal cellular function, skin health and other biological processes.

Dogs need appropriate amounts and types of fat, not simply any amount of oil.

Different fats have different fatty-acid profiles. The nutritional contribution depends on the specific ingredient and quantity used.

Adding a splash of oil because a meal looks lean does not establish that the diet contains the right fatty acids in suitable proportions.

More is not automatically better, either. Extra fat adds calories, and indiscriminate supplementation can make a diet less appropriate for an individual dog.

Vitamins: small quantities, important jobs

Vitamins support a range of essential bodily functions.

For example, vitamin A is involved in vision and tissue function, while vitamin D plays a role in calcium and phosphorus regulation and bone health. B vitamins participate in numerous metabolic processes.

Some ingredients contain useful amounts of particular vitamins, but no ordinary ingredient should be assumed to provide every vitamin a dog needs in the correct amount.

Vitamin content can also vary with the ingredient, its storage and the way it is prepared.

A diet that looks colourful and varied may still have nutritional gaps.

Minerals and trace nutrients

Calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, iron and other minerals have important functions in the body.

Some are needed in relatively substantial amounts; others are required in much smaller quantities. Both categories matter.

The challenge is that these nutrients do not appear in every ingredient in the same proportions.

A recipe may contain plenty of protein and energy while providing too little of a particular mineral. Another may supply excessive amounts of certain nutrients.

Some ingredients also contain substances that affect how well particular nutrients are absorbed or used.

This is why a nutrition assessment considers the complete recipe rather than counting the number of ingredients in the bowl.

4. Calcium and phosphorus: a particularly important partnership

If there is one part of homemade dog-food formulation worth understanding especially well, it is calcium and phosphorus.

Both minerals are essential. They contribute to bone and tooth development and have other important functions throughout the body.

However, getting enough calcium is not the only consideration. The amount of phosphorus and the relationship between the two minerals also matter.

Why meat-heavy diets need careful assessment

Meat is an important source of phosphorus, but ordinary boneless meat is generally a relatively poor source of calcium compared with its phosphorus content.

A diet built mainly around boneless meat, with rice and a few vegetables, may therefore provide an unsuitable calcium-to-phosphorus balance.

That is not a claim that every meat-based recipe has the same deficiency. The actual result depends on the ingredients and their quantities.

It is a reason not to assume that a meat-heavy diet is nutritionally complete without evaluating it.

Can you just add calcium?

Not safely by guesswork.

The amount of calcium needed depends on the entire recipe, including the phosphorus contribution from its ingredients, the dog’s requirements and the intended feeding amount.

Adding a calcium supplement without evaluating the rest of the diet may leave other nutritional problems unresolved. It can also create an excessive intake or an unsuitable mineral balance.

Calcium is particularly important during growth, when bones and the rest of the skeleton are developing. Puppies have different nutritional needs from adult dogs, and errors in mineral intake can have serious consequences.

The lesson is not to avoid calcium supplements altogether. It is to use the correct source and quantity when a professionally formulated diet calls for them.

5. A healthy-looking bowl can still have nutritional gaps

Let’s imagine a dog called Max.

Max eats a homemade mixture of cooked chicken, rice, carrots and eggs. His owner prepares the food with care, stores it properly and makes sure he eats enough to maintain his weight.

Max enjoys his meals. His coat looks good, he is playful and his owner is pleased with the arrangement.

Does that mean the diet is complete?

Not necessarily.

The ingredients provide protein and energy, alongside various other nutrients. But the recipe has not been evaluated against recognised nutritional requirements.

Depending on the actual ingredients and quantities, the diet could provide insufficient calcium relative to phosphorus, inadequate amounts of particular trace minerals, or unsuitable levels of some vitamins or essential fatty acids.

It could also provide too much or too little energy for Max’s needs.

We cannot identify which nutrients are deficient, or by how much, simply from this ingredient list. That would require a proper assessment of the actual recipe.

Nor can we conclude that Max is deficient just because his owner uses these ingredients.

The problem is uncertainty. Without an appropriate nutritional evaluation, we do not know whether the diet meets Max’s needs.

This distinction is important. An illustrative example should explain why assessment matters, not pretend to diagnose a deficiency from a photograph of a food bowl.

Nutritional problems may take time to become apparent, and a dog looking well today does not establish that a diet will remain adequate over months or years.

6. Why adding more ingredients doesn’t guarantee better nutrition

It is tempting to think that a diet becomes more balanced when we add more variety.

Chicken today, beef tomorrow, a little liver, some spinach, an egg, perhaps a spoonful of yoghurt.

Surely all those different foods must cover everything?

Not necessarily.

Ingredient variety is not the same as nutritional adequacy.

Each ingredient contributes its own combination of nutrients. Adding an ingredient changes the recipe’s overall composition, but it does not necessarily correct the nutrients that are missing.

A new ingredient might supply more of a nutrient the diet already contains in sufficient quantities while contributing little of another nutrient that is inadequate.

The resulting diet could still fall short of its requirements.

This is also why the phrase “natural ingredients” cannot tell us whether a food is complete.

Natural foods can be valuable sources of nutrients. However, dogs have measurable nutritional requirements, and those requirements do not automatically line up with whatever combination of ingredients happens to be available in the kitchen.

The goal is not to collect as many ingredients as possible. It is to supply the right nutrients, in the right amounts, for the individual dog.

7. Why homemade recipes and supplements need to be considered together

A common piece of advice online is to prepare a basic meat-and-vegetable mixture and add a multivitamin or mineral supplement.

It sounds simple. Unfortunately, it does not reliably solve the nutritional problem.

Supplements are not interchangeable

Different supplements contain different nutrients, in different concentrations and chemical forms.

A general pet multivitamin, a calcium supplement, an omega-3 product and a vitamin-mineral premix are not equivalent.

Even products that appear similar may differ in their composition and intended use.

A supplement that is useful in one formulated diet may be inappropriate for another. Some products may not supply enough of a particular nutrient, while others could contribute excessive amounts when combined with the ingredients already in the recipe.

Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A and D, deserve particular care because excessive intake can cause harm.

The correct supplement depends on what the entire diet already supplies and what remains necessary.

Why the recipe matters

A properly formulated homemade diet is not simply a list of ingredients with a supplement added at the end.

Its formulation takes account of:

  • The exact ingredients and quantities.
  • The nutritional composition of those ingredients.
  • The preparation and cooking method.
  • Nutrient losses or changes associated with preparation.
  • The amount of finished food the dog will eat.
  • The dog’s energy and nutrient requirements.
  • The specific supplement or premix selected.
  • The dog’s life stage and relevant medical needs.

For example, replacing one meat with another, changing the amount of fat, omitting an ingredient or using a different supplement can change the nutritional profile of a recipe.

Even a seemingly small change may matter if the original formulation relies on a particular ingredient to supply a specific nutrient.

What about generic internet recipes?

There is a reason veterinary nutrition specialists caution against relying on unverified online recipes as a dog’s long-term sole diet.

In a 2013 study, Stockman and colleagues evaluated 200 recipes for home-prepared adult dog diets. Only a small minority met all the minimum nutrient requirements assessed in the study.

Other research has also identified nutritional shortcomings in some home-prepared and commercially available homemade-style diets.

These findings do not prove that every online recipe is inadequate or that homemade food cannot be formulated successfully. They demonstrate that nutritional adequacy cannot be assumed simply because a recipe is popular, has positive reviews or was written by someone who loves dogs.

A recipe that says “add a multivitamin” without specifying an appropriate product and amount is particularly difficult to assess.

The same applies to recipes that permit broad substitutions, such as using chicken, beef or fish interchangeably without recalculating the diet.

Who should formulate the diet?

If homemade food is intended to provide your dog’s entire diet over the long term, seek help from a veterinarian with advanced expertise in veterinary nutrition or an appropriately qualified veterinary nutrition specialist.

In some countries, specialists may hold recognised credentials in veterinary nutrition, such as board certification through a relevant professional college. The terminology and available credentials differ between countries.

A general veterinary consultation is a sensible starting point, particularly if your dog has a medical condition. Your veterinarian can help determine whether a specialist referral is appropriate.

The aim is not to make home cooking unnecessarily complicated. It is to ensure that the effort you put into preparing food actually meets your dog’s nutritional needs.

8. Calories and portion sizes still matter

Even a nutritionally well-formulated diet must be fed in an appropriate amount.

Dogs differ in their energy requirements according to factors such as body size, age, activity, reproductive status, body condition and health.

Two dogs of the same breed and weight may not need exactly the same amount of food.

Homemade meals can also vary considerably in calorie density. Fat content, ingredient proportions and preparation methods can all affect how much energy a portion provides.

A bowl that looks the same size as yesterday’s bowl may not supply the same number of calories if the recipe has changed.

What should you monitor?

Pay attention to:

  • Your dog’s body weight over time.
  • Body condition, including whether the ribs are appropriately palpable and the waist is visible when viewed from above.
  • Changes in appetite and eating habits.
  • Activity levels and general wellbeing.
  • Whether the prescribed portion is being followed consistently.

Body condition is more informative than judging weight alone, although neither replaces an individual nutritional assessment.

If your dog is gaining or losing weight unexpectedly, consult your veterinarian rather than making major dietary changes without investigating the cause.

And remember that treats, table scraps and toppers all contribute calories. They need to be considered alongside the main diet.

9. Some dogs need extra nutritional care

Not every dog has the same nutritional requirements.

A diet appropriate for a healthy adult dog may not be suitable for a puppy or a dog with a medical condition.

Growing puppies

Puppies are developing rapidly and need nutrition that supports growth, including appropriate energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Calcium and phosphorus are especially important because of their roles in skeletal development.

An incorrectly formulated diet can interfere with healthy growth, and large-breed puppies can be particularly vulnerable to problems associated with inappropriate calcium intake and energy provision.

Do not adapt an adult homemade recipe for a puppy simply by increasing the portion size.

Puppies require an appropriately formulated growth diet, and homemade feeding should be undertaken with qualified veterinary nutritional guidance.

Pregnant and lactating dogs

Pregnancy and lactation create changing nutritional demands.

The amount of energy and nutrients required can change substantially during these periods, particularly when a dog is producing milk for a litter.

A diet that meets the needs of an ordinary adult dog cannot automatically be assumed to meet those demands.

Seek veterinary guidance before feeding a homemade diet during pregnancy or lactation.

Dogs with medical conditions

Dogs with kidney disease, liver disease, gastrointestinal disorders, certain urinary conditions, food allergies and other medical problems may need individual dietary management.

In some cases, a carefully formulated homemade diet can be useful. In others, a veterinary therapeutic diet may be more appropriate.

The decision depends on the individual animal, the condition being managed and the nutritional goals of treatment.

Do not assume that a generic homemade recipe is suitable simply because it excludes an ingredient or is described as gentle on the stomach.

A diet intended to manage a medical condition should be discussed with the treating veterinarian, with specialist nutrition input where appropriate.

10. Food hygiene: homemade doesn’t automatically mean safer

Nutritional adequacy is only one part of responsible feeding. Food safety matters too.

Cooking for your dog introduces many of the same food-handling considerations that apply when preparing food for people.

Raw meat, in particular, can carry disease-causing organisms. Dogs can become ill after consuming contaminated food, and some may carry or shed harmful organisms without obvious signs of illness.

This can expose people and other animals in the household.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend feeding raw pet food to dogs or cats. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) also advises against feeding animal-source protein that has not undergone an appropriate process to eliminate pathogens.

These recommendations concern food safety. They are separate from the question of whether a diet is nutritionally complete.

Practical food-handling habits

If you prepare cooked food for your dog:

  • Wash your hands before and after handling food.
  • Clean preparation surfaces, utensils and feeding bowls thoroughly.
  • Keep raw meat separate from cooked food and food intended for people.
  • Cook animal-source ingredients appropriately rather than leaving them raw or undercooked.
  • Refrigerate or freeze food promptly using safe food-handling practices.
  • Divide batches into suitable portions and label them with preparation dates.
  • Thaw frozen portions safely and avoid leaving food sitting out for prolonged periods.
  • Discard spoiled food and uneaten portions rather than returning them to storage.

Follow appropriate storage guidance for the ingredients and finished food. Homemade diets do not have one universal storage life, so avoid assuming that every batch will remain safe for the same number of days.

What about raw feeding?

Raw feeding is sometimes promoted as a more natural approach to canine nutrition.

However, the word natural does not establish nutritional adequacy or microbiological safety.

Raw diets can expose dogs and people to pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria. Freezing does not reliably eliminate all harmful organisms, and a dog that appears healthy can still present a risk to other animals and people.

Raw diets can also have nutritional shortcomings if they are not appropriately formulated.

If you are considering raw feeding, discuss the potential risks and nutritional requirements with your veterinarian. This is especially important in households with young children, older people, pregnant people or anyone who is immunocompromised.

For many households, properly handled cooked food offers a more practical way to reduce the risks associated with raw animal products.

11. Does this mean commercial dog food is always better?

No. That would be an oversimplification.

Commercial foods vary in their formulation, quality control, suitability and nutritional purpose. Some are designed to provide complete nutrition for a particular life stage, while others are intended only for complementary feeding or specific uses.

Likewise, homemade diets vary in quality. A carefully formulated and appropriately prepared homemade diet can be suitable for an individual dog.

The important distinction is not simply commercial versus homemade. It is whether the diet is nutritionally appropriate, safe, suitable for the dog and consistently prepared or manufactured to meet its intended purpose.

A useful starting point when evaluating a commercial food is to look for a clear nutritional adequacy statement and information about the manufacturer’s expertise, quality control and nutritional assessment practices.

WSAVA provides a guide to questions owners can ask when choosing pet food.

For homemade diets, the equivalent responsibility is to establish that the recipe meets the dog’s needs and can be prepared consistently.

Neither an attractive ingredient list nor a reassuring marketing claim is a substitute for evidence.

12. So, how can you feed your dog responsibly?

You do not have to become a veterinary nutritionist to make thoughtful decisions about your dog’s food.

Start with a few practical principles.

1. Know what role the food plays.

Is it an occasional treat, a topper or the dog’s entire diet? The answer changes what nutritional assessment is needed.

2. Choose a suitable main diet.

For a healthy dog, a reputable complete and balanced food appropriate for their life stage can provide a practical foundation. If you want to feed homemade food as the main diet, seek qualified formulation advice.

3. Be cautious about online recipes.

Popularity, attractive photographs and enthusiastic comments do not establish nutritional adequacy.

4. Don’t add supplements at random.

Choose supplements based on the requirements of the complete diet, not because a particular nutrient is fashionable or sounds beneficial.

5. Follow formulated recipes precisely.

Do not change ingredients, quantities, cooking methods or supplements without checking whether the change is appropriate.

6. Monitor portions and body condition.

A diet can be nutritionally appropriate on paper but still be fed in an amount that provides too much or too little energy.

7. Pay attention to life stage and health.

Growing puppies, pregnant or lactating dogs, and dogs with medical conditions need particular care.

8. Keep food safe.

Good hygiene, appropriate cooking and careful storage help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

9. Ask for help when needed.

Your veterinarian is a good starting point for questions about your dog’s individual needs and whether specialist nutritional advice would be useful.

Frequently asked questions about homemade dog food

Is homemade dog food healthier than commercial dog food?

Not automatically. Both homemade and commercial diets can vary in nutritional adequacy, safety and suitability. A properly formulated homemade diet can meet an individual dog’s needs, but an unverified recipe may lack essential nutrients.

Can dogs eat chicken and rice every day?

Chicken and rice can provide protein and energy, but chicken and rice alone should not be assumed to provide complete nutrition for long-term feeding. If your dog needs a temporary bland diet because of a medical problem, ask your veterinarian what to feed and for how long.

Can I feed my dog homemade food as their only diet?

Yes, a homemade diet can be appropriate as a dog’s main food when it has been properly formulated and evaluated for the dog’s nutritional requirements. It must provide the necessary nutrients and energy in appropriate amounts, and the recipe needs to be followed consistently.

Do dogs need supplements when eating homemade food?

Some formulated homemade diets require specific vitamin, mineral or other supplements to meet nutritional requirements. The correct products and amounts depend on the complete recipe, so a general multivitamin or random supplement combination should not be assumed to make a diet complete.

Is calcium powder enough to balance homemade dog food?

No. Calcium supplementation alone does not establish that a diet is complete and balanced. The calcium source and amount must be considered alongside phosphorus and the other nutrients supplied by the entire diet.

Are vegetables necessary in every homemade dog-food recipe?

There is no single vegetable combination that makes a homemade diet nutritionally complete. Suitable vegetables can contribute fibre and nutrients, but their presence does not guarantee nutritional adequacy.

Can I change ingredients in a homemade dog-food recipe?

Do not assume substitutions are nutritionally equivalent. Different ingredients and preparation methods can change the amounts of nutrients and energy supplied. If a recipe has been formulated for your dog, check with the professional who formulated it before changing ingredients, quantities or supplements.

Is raw homemade dog food safe?

Raw diets can expose dogs and people to harmful bacteria and other pathogens. Nutritional adequacy is also a separate concern. Public-health and veterinary organisations advise against feeding raw animal-source diets because of the associated food-safety risks.

Can puppies eat homemade dog food?

Puppies have specific nutritional requirements for growth, and inappropriate nutrient levels can interfere with healthy development. Do not use a generic adult homemade recipe for a puppy. Seek veterinary nutritional guidance before choosing a homemade diet for a growing dog.

How can I tell if my dog’s homemade diet is balanced?

You cannot reliably determine this from appearance, ingredient variety, appetite or body condition alone. The recipe needs to be assessed against appropriate nutritional requirements, taking account of ingredient quantities, preparation, supplements, energy intake and the dog’s individual needs.

The bottom line: wholesome ingredients are a starting point, not a guarantee

Chicken, rice, eggs and vegetables can all contribute useful nutrients to a dog’s diet.

But no combination should be considered complete simply because it contains several healthy-looking ingredients.

A complete and balanced diet must provide essential nutrients in appropriate amounts and proportions, meet the dog’s energy needs and be suitable for their life stage and health.

Homemade feeding can be an option, but a long-term diet needs proper formulation and evaluation. Supplements, ingredient substitutions and portion changes all deserve careful consideration.

And if your dog occasionally enjoys a suitable piece of plain cooked chicken alongside an otherwise complete diet, that is a different situation from replacing every meal with an unverified homemade recipe.

At Carla’s Clever Canines, I believe good animal care starts with asking the right questions and being willing to follow the evidence, even when the answer is more complicated than a simple internet recipe suggests.

Follow Carla’s Clever Canines for more practical, evidence-based information about dog care, health, behaviour and nutrition. We’ll continue exploring how to make informed decisions that put our dogs’ wellbeing first.

Related reading

  • Pet first aid: Explore the Carla’s Clever Canines pet first-aid booklet for practical educational information about pet first aid and emergency preparedness. (Add the link to your actual booklet product page.)
  • Coming soon: How to Read a Dog Food Label: What Actually Matters?
  • Coming soon: Dog Supplements Explained: What Does Your Dog Actually Need?

References and further reading

  1. WSAVA — Global Nutrition Guidelines: WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines
  2. National Research Council — Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006): National Academies Press publication page
  3. FEDIAF — Nutritional Guidelines: FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines
  4. AAFCO — Reading Pet Food Labels: AAFCO Reading Labels
  5. Stockman et al. (2013) — Evaluation of recipes of home-prepared maintenance diets for dogs: PubMed research record
  6. Choi, Kim and Jang (2023) — Nutritional evaluation of new alternative types of dog foods including raw and cooked homemade-style diets: PubMed research record
  7. Cline et al. (2021) — 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: PubMed research record
  8. Linder (2019) — Cooking Up Trouble: Common Home Cooking Mistakes: Tufts Petfoodology article
  9. CDC (2025) — About Pet Food Safety: CDC pet-food safety guidance
  10. FDA — Raw Pet Food Diets Can Be Dangerous to You and Your Pet: FDA raw pet-food safety guidance
  11. AVMA — Raw or Undercooked Animal-Source Protein in Cat and Dog Diets: AVMA raw-diet policy

About the author

Carla has over seven years of experience working with dogs and is a certified canine behaviourist and trainer, as well as a groomer. She is currently studying veterinary nursing at the University of Pretoria.

Through Carla’s Clever Canines, she shares practical, evidence-based educational content to help pet owners better understand dog care, behaviour and wellbeing.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual veterinary advice. It does not provide a nutritionally formulated homemade diet. Consult your veterinarian, and seek appropriate veterinary nutrition expertise before feeding a homemade diet as your dog’s sole food over the long term.

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