New research raises concerns as more owners shift toward home-prepared pet meals

USA – A widespread shift toward homemade dog food is failing to meet basic nutrition standards, with 94% of owner-prepared diets falling short of established requirements, according to a new large-scale study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

The investigation, conducted by the Dog Aging Project in collaboration with Texas A&M University and Virginia Tech, examined 1,726 homemade diets submitted by dog owners across the United States. 

The researchers sought to understand which ingredients owners commonly use and whether, as reported, these ingredients could form nutritionally complete meals under Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines.

The study comes as homemade feeding continues to rise in popularity. Data from NielsenIQ show that 23% of dog owners now prepare food for their animals at home, up from fewer than 3% in 2008 surveys. 

Researchers attribute this growth to concerns over ingredient sourcing, perceptions that dogs require more meat than commercial diets provide, and a belief that fresh or raw ingredients offer visible health benefits.

Growing trend, familiar ingredients, limited balance

According to the study, meat was the most frequently used ingredient, appearing in 90% of diets, followed by vegetables at 65%. 

Nearly half of owners (45%) mixed commercial food into their homemade meals, often as a base or topper. Ingredient choices varied widely, with some owners listing unconventional items such as clay, baby food, or cat food.

Despite the effort put into these preparations, only 6% of the diets contained ingredients that could be formulated into a nutritionally complete recipe for adult dogs under AAFCO standards. 

The researchers noted that the true proportion of balanced diets is likely even lower because quantities and feeding proportions were not provided.

The authors urged veterinarians to take homemade diets seriously when reviewing pet health and history. 

“Veterinarians collecting diet history information should take care to examine the home-prepared diets reported by owners fully,” the researchers wrote, adding that collaboration with board-certified veterinary nutritionists can help ensure dogs receive adequate nutrients.

Evidence of risk and need for better guidance

Previous evaluations of published recipes already signaled widespread nutritional gaps, with studies showing that as few as 0–5% of recipes meet AAFCO or National Research Council standards. 

The current study reinforces that these gaps extend to what owners actually prepare at home, not just what they find online or in books.

Home-prepared diets formulated by veterinary nutritionists can be balanced when followed precisely, but compliance remains low. 

As the researchers noted, “the majority of home-prepared diets are likely incomplete diets according to AAFCO adult dog maintenance standards.”

The Dog Aging Project plans to use the findings to design more targeted dietary questionnaires, aiming to better understand preparation methods, ingredient quantities, and owner motivations.

For now, experts emphasize that owners who choose homemade feeding should do so under professional guidance to avoid deficiencies that may compromise long-term health.

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