Kibble or homemade?

If you love making fresh, healthy meals for yourself, it’s only natural to wonder if your dog deserves the same. Cooking for your pup can feel rewarding—you know exactly what’s going into their bowl, and it can be a fun way to show love. But here’s the thing: homemade meals aren’t always the safest or most balanced option.

Many recipes you’ll find online might look delicious, but they often don’t provide all the nutrients your dog needs. That’s why it’s so important to use recipes approved by veterinary nutritionists—they combine your enthusiasm with the right expertise to keep your dog healthy.

Why Cooking for Your Dog Can Be Tricky

Sure, cooking for your dog can be great—but only if the recipe is done right. Research from the University of California, Davis, looked at 200 home-cooked dog food recipes and found that 95% were missing at least one essential nutrient, and 84% were lacking multiple nutrients. Only 10 recipes met the minimum standards for essential nutrition—and almost all of those came from veterinarians.

Getting it wrong isn’t just about missing a vitamin here or there. Dogs can develop problems like a dull coat, weak bones, digestive issues, immune system struggles, or even serious liver and kidney disease. And the sneaky part? It can take months—or even years—for these issues to show up. By the time you notice, some of the damage might be irreversible.

Bottom Line

Making meals from scratch for your dog can be rewarding, but it’s not something to do casually. Stick with vet-approved recipes, make sure you understand what nutrients your dog needs, and always check with your vet if you’re unsure. That way, your homemade meals will be a treat for your dog’s taste buds and their health.