Study reveals that 94% of homemade dog diets do not provide complete nutrition

An analysis conducted by the Dog Aging Project, a long-term scientific initiative led by the University of Washington and Texas A&M University, revealed that only 6% of the 1,726 homemade diets evaluated had the potential to meet the minimum nutritional needs of adult dogs.
 

The study, published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, reinforces growing concerns about the popularity of home-cooked meals, which often fail to deliver the essential balance of nutrients for animal health.
 

 'Since our study did not include the exact quantity of ingredients, it is possible that an even smaller percentage would actually be nutritionally complete,' said Janice O'Brien, co-author of the study and doctoral researcher at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech.

The research used reports provided by pet owners about ingredients and preparation methods, including data from the Dog Aging Project itself, which gathers information from more than 50,000 dogs. All the material was analyzed using Balance It, a tool aligned with the recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), bodies that regulate and define animal nutrition parameters in the United States.
 

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Common mistakes in homemade diets increase nutritional risks for dogs

Researchers pointed out that changes made by pet owners, such as switching oil types, omitting ingredients, or failing to include mandatory supplements, especially calcium, directly compromise the nutritional balance of homemade diets.
 

Imbalances between calcium and phosphorus can lead to bone and kidney problems , and dogs with pre-existing conditions are even more at risk when fed unbalanced diets.
 

The group also reinforced the importance of avoiding dangerous ingredients , noting that foods like grapes are toxic to dogs and that whole bones pose serious threats, as fragments can perforate or obstruct the gastrointestinal tract.

Homemade food is growing in popularity, but requires professional supervision

Although homemade food continues to grow in popularity, especially among pet owners seeking a more natural and personalized routine for their pets, the study warns that this type of diet requires rigorous professional supervision.
 

Researchers recommend that any pet owner who chooses to cook for their dog work directly with a certified veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist , follow the recipe exactly as prescribed, and, whenever possible, submit samples for laboratory analysis in nutritional monitoring programs.

 

Source: Panorama Pet&Vet