Research from the Study finds 94% of homemade dog diets lack complete nutrition found that most homemade dog food diets lack essential nutrients necessary for dogs’ health.

The project analyzed 1,726 owner-reported recipes and determined that only six percent had the potential to be nutritionally complete, according to researchers at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and collaborators at the Texas A&M study finds. Common nutritional deficiencies in these diets include calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, copper, iron, choline, and several B vitamins, emphasizing significant gaps in pet nutrition.

Researchers used an online formulation tool, Balance It, to check nutrient profiles against established targets, the study’s authors said. The paper was published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Janice O’Brien, a doctoral researcher at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, summarized the finding plainly: “We found that only six percent of homemade diets had the potential to be nutritionally complete.” Her statement underscores the scale of shortfalls the team identified across the recipes submitted by dog owners, a situation that is increasingly concerning as about 23% of dog owners are now preparing food for their pets at home, according to recent market data.

Katie Tolbert, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and associate professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at VMBS, described a common pattern in the diets the team reviewed. “There is a temptation for dog owners to go off script when preparing meals at home,” she said, noting that attempts to correct one imbalance can create another. This issue can lead to further deficiencies, particularly in critical nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, which can compromise a dog’s overall health.

Tolbert warned of specific mineral imbalances that emerged in the analysis. “If your dog’s calcium and phosphate levels get out of balance, they can develop bone health problems, including a condition nicknamed ‘rubber jaw’ where the bone starts to become soft, like cartilage,” she said. These risks underline the importance of adhering to established nutritional guidelines, such as those set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), when preparing pet meals.

The researchers found many do-it-yourself recipes added a calcium source to offset phosphorus found in meat, yet other vitamins and trace minerals often remained insufficient. The report emphasized that dogs with preexisting health problems are especially vulnerable: “Dogs that are not already in good health can have exacerbated symptoms if they do not receive a balanced diet that is specifically formulated to treat their disease,” Tolbert said.

In presenting their results, the authors highlighted the limits of informal recipe-sharing and the value of exact formulation. “It can be helpful to know exactly what is in the food you’re feeding your pet to make sure the recipe is as precise as possible,” Tolbert added. Owners can seek professional advice from veterinary nutritionists to formulate appropriate diets, ensuring their pets’ nutritional needs are met.

The Dog Aging Project’s analysis joins other recent summaries of the issue; a report on the findings appeared on the industry site Petfoodindustry, and Texas A&M posted a summary of its role in the research. These accounts track with the study’s measurement-based approach and its reliance on Balance It to assess whether home-prepared recipes could meet established nutrient targets.

The study’s publication in the American Journal of Veterinary Research provides a formal record of the methods and conclusions. The authors said their work aims to help veterinarians and owners understand where common homemade recipes fall short and where professionally designed guidance may be required.

The paper was authored by members of the Dog Aging Project in partnership with veterinary nutrition specialists at Virginia Tech and Texas A&M, and the findings point to gaps between popular home-prepared meal plans and the nutrient profiles dogs need for long-term health.