In recent years, many dog owners have been turning to natural, additive-free options in feeding their pets. New-generation fresh dog foods have become increasingly popular due to ingredient control, freshness, and the idea of “human-grade nutrition.” Many people are also adapting to this shift by cooking or preparing food for their dogs at home. However, a comprehensive scientific study conducted recently suggests that the trend of home-cooked dog food may not be as safe as we think.
How Balanced Is Homemade Food?
1,726 Homemade Diets Were Examined; Researchers (a joint study by the Dog Aging Project / Texas A&M University and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine) analyzed the nutritional value of 1,726 homemade dog food recipes prepared by owners.
Although the ingredients varied, the study’s critical finding was striking: Only 6% of the recipes had the potential to meet dogs’ complete and balanced nutritional needs.
In other words:
94% of homemade dog foods are nutritionally inadequate or unbalanced.
These imbalances were especially concentrated in the following areas:
- Disrupted calcium–phosphorus ratios
- Vitamin deficiencies (A, D, E, etc.)
- Essential fatty acid insufficiency
- Trace mineral deficiencies
- Improper energy distribution
Over the long term, these deficiencies may negatively affect vital systems such as bone health, immunity, metabolism, and skin/coat condition.
Why Is Homemade Food Deficient?
The main reason homemade recipes become problematic is that nutritional balance cannot be achieved through simple or intuitive methods. Ingredients being natural or seeming high quality is not sufficient on its own. Dogs’ biological needs differ from humans’, and these needs must be calculated according to professional nutrition standards.
In addition, dog owners often make frequent changes to recipes reducing ingredient amounts, removing certain items thinking “it’s optional,” or using different oils. Even small changes like these can make a recipe deficient.
What Should Those Who Want to Prepare Homemade Food Do?
Researchers emphasize the following recommendations for people who prefer homemade diets:
- Recipes formulated by professional nutrition experts must be used.
- Altering recipes can disrupt nutritional balance.
- Vitamin-mineral supplementation should be planned if necessary.
- Homemade food can be much riskier for dogs with chronic illnesses or special needs.
So What’s the Solution?
The idea of homemade dog food often starts with love and good intentions. But good intentions alone are not enough to meet a dog’s biological needs. For a balanced and safe nutrition plan, scientific recipes, correct formulation, and professional oversight are essential.
At this point, fresh foods prepared with special formulations stand out as a strong alternative that can eliminate the risks of homemade diets.
How Does Kito Fresh Fit Into This Picture?
Kito Fresh fresh foods take the positive aspects of the homemade trend (freshness, naturalness, no additives) while professionally completing the critical parts that require scientific formulation.
- Recipes are developed by veterinarian nutrition experts.
- The ingredient standard aims for human food quality.
- Vitamin-mineral balance and the calcium–phosphorus ratio are planned scientifically.
- No preservatives or artificial additives are used.
For this reason, Kito Fresh offers dog owners who want natural nutrition and also want to meet all their dog’s nutritional needs completely a safe and balanced option that fills the gaps left by homemade food.
Source:
O'Brien JS, Lawson E; Dog Aging Project Consortium; Tolbert MK, Ruple A. Findings from the Dog Aging Project: home-prepared diets for companion dogs feature diverse ingredients, and few are nutritionally complete. Am J Vet Res. 2025 Aug 27;86(11):ajvr.25.06.0216. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.25.06.0216. PMID: 40865554.