Homemade Dog & Cat Food: What’s Safe and What to Avoid
Homemade pet food can feel like the ultimate act of love: you control the ingredients, avoid fillers, and tailor meals to your dog or cat’s needs. But “home-cooked” does not automatically mean “balanced” or “safe.” Dogs and cats have very specific nutrient requirements, and small mistakes—like missing calcium, adding too much liver, or using the wrong seasonings—can add up over weeks and months. This guide shows what’s generally safe, what to avoid, and how to build a smarter homemade bowl for dogs and cats—without guessing. It’s written for everyday pet parents, but it’s also careful about the bigger truth: most homemade diets need a complete recipe (and often supplements) to truly meet all nutrient needs long-term. Quick safety reminder: If your pet is a puppy/kitten, pregnant, senior, has kidney/heart disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, food allergies, or is underweight/overweight, talk to your vet before switching diets. Special conditions can make “healthy” foods unsafe. ...
