Are Home-Prepared Dog Diets Really Complete and Balanced? New Study Says No

Home-prepared diets for dogs have exploded in popularity over the last decade. More pet parents than ever are swapping kibble for meals they cook themselves—often with the belief that fresh food is healthier, more “natural,” and better quality than commercial diets.

But does home-prepared automatically mean nutritious?

A new 2025 study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR) sheds light on this very question. Drawing on data from the Dog Aging Project—one of the largest, most comprehensive canine health studies ever conducted—researchers evaluated 1,726 home-prepared dog diets to answer a simple but critical question:

👉 How many homemade diets are actually nutritionally complete for adult dogs?

The results were eye-opening:
Only 6% of the diets were potentially complete and balanced for adult maintenance according to AAFCO standards. While nearly 75% were deficient in key nutrients. Let’s dive further in and examine what the study found and what this means for pet owners.

Why More Dog Owners Are Turning to Home-Prepared Diets

Surveys show a dramatic rise in homemade dog feeding. In 2008, only 3% of pets ate a primarily home-prepared diet. By 2020–2022, that number increased to 8%, with another 21% receiving home-cooked meals as a secondary component.

Why the shift?

1. Transparency and ingredient sourcing

One of the strongest drivers behind the rise in home-prepared dog diets is a growing desire for complete transparency about what goes into a dog’s food. Pet owners increasingly want to know exactly where ingredients come from—how they were grown or raised, how fresh they are, and whether they align with their personal values around health, sustainability, or animal welfare.

The 2025 AJVR Dog Aging Project study highlighted that concerns about ingredient sourcing remain a top motivator for owners who switch to homemade diets. Many participants reported choosing home-prepared meals because they felt more in control: they could buy their own meats, hand-select vegetables, and avoid ingredients they perceived as low quality or overly processed.

This desire for ingredient transparency stems from several factors:

• Distrust in certain commercial pet foods, especially after past recalls and high-profile safety incidents.

• A push toward “clean eating” for the whole family, which increasingly includes pets.

• Rising interest in local, organic, human-grade, or pasture-raised ingredients.

• A belief that homemade automatically means fresher and healthier.

While this motivation is rooted in good intentions, the study also found that despite owners choosing high-quality whole foods, ingredient quality alone does not guarantee nutritional adequacy. Without expert formulation, even the freshest and most premium ingredients can still lead to deficiencies or imbalances. That’s why many veterinary nutritionists emphasize that sourcing and nutrition must go hand in hand.

2. Desire to “feed the best”

Another major reason dog owners turn to home-prepared diets is the deeply rooted desire to “feed the best”. For many people, feeding their dog is no longer just a routine task—it’s an emotional expression of love, care, and responsibility. As a result, more owners are gravitating toward diets they associate with health, wellness, and longevity, and fresh homemade meals naturally fit that image.

In recent years, there has been a massive cultural shift in the way pets are viewed. Dogs are now seen as true family members, and their nutrition is treated with the same scrutiny as human food. Owners who prioritize their own health through whole foods, organic produce, or minimally processed meals often want to extend those same habits to their pets. Fresh, homemade diets feel more intentional, more nurturing, and more aligned with the idea of providing “the very best” care.

The AJVR study supports this trend, noting that many owners cited a belief that fresh or home-prepared meals are inherently healthier than commercial options. This perception is heavily influenced by:

• The rise of human wellness culture, where fresh and unprocessed foods are associated with vitality and disease prevention.

• Marketing narratives around “natural” or “real food,” which shape the way owners think about pet nutrition.

• Visible short-term benefits, like improved appetite, enthusiasm at mealtimes, or softer stools, which reinforce the belief that homemade food must be superior.

For some owners, preparing meals at home feels like an investment in their dog’s long-term health—one that could promote better digestion, shinier coats, and even a longer lifespan.

Of course, as the study emphasizes, while the intention to “feed the best” is admirable, homemade diets must also be nutritionally complete to truly support long-term health. Fresh feeding can absolutely be beneficial, but only when balanced properly to meet all essential nutrient requirements..

3. Perceived benefits of raw or fresh diets

Among owners who feed raw or incorporate raw components into their dog’s diet, many report noticeable physical changes that reinforce their belief that raw food is superior. While these observations are often anecdotal rather than scientifically proven across all dogs, they remain powerful motivators for those committed to raw feeding.

• Shinier coat
  Raw feeders commonly describe dramatic improvements in coat quality after switching from kibble. They often attribute this to the higher moisture content and elevated levels of naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids found in raw meats and fish. A softer, glossier coat is seen as a visible indicator of improved internal health, even though these benefits can also be achieved with balanced cooked diets or commercial fresh foods.

• Cleaner teeth
  Another frequently cited benefit is better dental hygiene. Some owners believe that chewing raw meaty bones or unprocessed proteins helps reduce plaque buildup and keeps teeth cleaner. While certain chewing behaviors can indeed support oral health, the AJVR study and veterinary dental experts note that raw feeding is not a universal solution—and in some cases, raw bones may increase risks such as tooth fractures or gastrointestinal injury.

• Reduced stool volume
  Many raw feeders point to smaller, firmer stools as evidence of better nutrient absorption. Raw diets often contain fewer fillers or indigestible carbohydrates than some commercial kibbles, which can result in decreased stool output. Owners interpret this as their dog “using more of the food,” reinforcing a belief in improved digestion, even though balanced cooked diets can offer similar digestibility without the microbial risks associated with raw feeding.

Overall, these perceived benefits play a significant role in why some owners remain loyal to raw feeding long-term. However, the AJVR study underscores that these observations—while meaningful to owners—do not necessarily equate to complete and balanced nutrition, which is the foundation of long-term health and disease prevention.

4. Pets as family

For many pet owners, dogs aren’t just animals—they’re cherished members of the family, and cooking for them is a deeply personal, nurturing act. The process of selecting fresh ingredients, chopping vegetables, and preparing protein can feel rewarding, almost like expressing love through food. Owners take pride in knowing exactly what their dogs are eating and in creating meals tailored to their tastes and preferences. 

Yet despite the satisfaction and emotional connection, one significant challenge looms over home-prepared diets: achieving complete, balanced nutrition. Feeding a dog isn’t simply about choosing high-quality ingredients—dogs require precise proportions of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals to thrive, and missing even one nutrient can compromise health. This complexity makes it easy for well-meaning owners to unintentionally fall short, highlighting the importance of understanding canine nutrition beyond the joy of cooking.

What the Dog Aging Project Study Revealed

The Dog Aging Project, which has enrolled more than 45,000 dogs, included a new free-text survey option in 2023 allowing owners to describe their dog’s home-prepared diets in detail. Researchers analyzed:

• All ingredients owners reported

• How diets were prepared

• Whether commercial foods were added

• Whether any nutritionist guided the recipe

• Whether the ingredient lists could potentially form a complete diet