Can I Feed My Dog Home Cooked Food? 2025 Vet Guide to Safe Meals 🐶✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

More pet owners are asking if they can ditch the bag and feed their dogs home-cooked meals—and the short answer is: yes, but only if it’s done properly.

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. I support feeding real, natural food—but without nutritional balance, a home-cooked diet can do more harm than good. Here’s how to get it right.

🍽️ Why People Love Home Cooked Dog Food

• You know exactly what’s going into the bowl
• It avoids ultra-processing and preservatives
• Dogs love the taste and variety
• Great for dogs with allergies or food sensitivities

But—and it’s a big one—home cooking must still meet your dog’s full nutritional needs. Most homemade diets miss vital nutrients like calcium, zinc, and omega-3s.

🧠 Balance Isn’t Optional—Here’s Why

• Even healthy ingredients like chicken and rice aren’t complete
• Unbalanced meals can cause nutrient deficiencies or long-term organ damage
• Puppies, pregnant dogs, and seniors are most at risk

✅ My Vet-Approved Approach to Home Cooking

Option 1: Co Feeding

• Feed 50–80% balanced commercial diet (kibble, freeze-dried raw, cooked)
• Add 20–50% home-cooked foods for variety and enrichment

Option 2: Fully Home Cooked (With Guidance)

• Use a vet-formulated recipe from a board-certified nutritionist
• Add a complete supplement designed for home diets (like Balance IT, JustFoodForDogs, or Rx Essentials)

🥩 Safe Ingredients to Cook for Dogs

• Lean meats: chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, kangaroo
• Organs: liver (in small amounts), kidney, heart
• Carbs: sweet potato, pumpkin, oats, rice
• Veggies: broccoli, spinach, zucchini, peas, green beans
• Fats: fish (like sardines), eggs, olive oil, flaxseed oil

🛑 What to Avoid

• Onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins
• Excess liver or bone (can cause a vitamin A or mineral imbalance)
• Uncooked beans or legumes (can block nutrient absorption)

📆 Sample Co Feeding Schedule

Here’s how many of my clients feed their adult dogs:

• 🌅 Morning: Premium kibble or freeze-dried raw (measured portion)
• 🌇 Evening: Home-cooked meal: lean meat + veggies + rice + fish oil + supplement
• 🎉 Extras: Raw bones, fruits, treats in moderation

🩺 How to Know It’s Working

• Firm, regular stools
• Shiny coat and healthy skin
• Consistent weight and strong energy

🔗 Tools from Ask A Vet

• Ask A Vet – Upload your dog’s home meals and get vet feedback on nutrients and balance

📋 Summary Excerpt

Home-cooked food is great—if it’s nutritionally sound. A vet explains how to co-feed, balance homemade diets, and make sure your dog stays healthy while eating naturally.

❓ FAQs

• Q: Can I just cook meat and rice for my dog?
  A: That’s a great start, but not complete. You’ll need organs, vegetables, fats, and supplements to balance it long-term.
• Q: How do I know what nutrients my dog is missing?
  A: Ask your vet or use a tool like Balance IT or an Ask A Vet consult for a breakdown.
• Q: Can I home cook for a puppy?
  A: It’s risky unless formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. Stick with balanced growth diets or co-feed with trusted brands.